SPORTS N STUFF

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 30, 2010

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A North Carolina bank is suing to collect nearly $1 million former NFL star Warren Sapp borrowed for a lot in an exclusive mountain residential development near Asheville.

HomeTrust Bank of Asheville contends in its lawsuit filed earlier this month that Sapp owed a principle of $989,000, plus $70,000 in interest and late charges as of June. The bank says Sapps last payment was in February.

Sapp borrowed $990,000 in 2007 to buy property in Horseshoe Forest Preserve, which was marketed as having just 12 home sites on 150 acres.

An attorney for Sapp, Christopher Lyons of Miami, would not talk about the lawsuit Thursday. The lawsuit was first reported by the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Sapp was a seven-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) – In a Sept. 28 obituary for former Detroit Lions player and coach Don Doll, The Associated Press misstated the college season he missed while serving in the military. It was 1945, not 1948.

Game 3 of the World Series is scheduled to begin before 7 p.m. on the East Coast, the earliest start since 1987.

Major League Baseball and Fox announced Thursday that the game on Saturday, Oct. 30, will have a first pitch at 6:57 p.m. EDT, an hour earlier than last year. The rest of the series will be the same as 2009, with 7:57 starts except for Game 4, which begins after the Sunday afternoon NFL games around 8:20.

Baseball moved up the first pitches more than a half-hour last season, concerned that longer games were losing viewers in the later innings.

Allen Craig Id like to convince other people about, and P.J. Walters Im still not convinced about, but regardless of expected future performance I feel good whenever a purported AAAA guy makes good in the Major Leagues. (After wondering briefly whether this was consistent with my avowed distaste for Matt Pagnozzi I would like to remind any possible interlocutors that theres no evidence Pagz Lite is a AAplayer.)

Craig still looks like a possible tweener; hes not Chris Duncan in the outfield, but hes clearly uncomfortable there, and his awkward movements lack of the weird football-grace of Matt Hollidays awkward movements. But hes become less of a tweener with each passing season, thanks to his career years at Memphis. MLEs remain unimpressed; the Davenport Translations at Baseball Prospectus give him a .272/.326/.430 line at the Major League level, while Minor League Splits suggests .272/.327/.442.

But Craig has been excellent at every level, and hed be seventh in the PCL in OPS if he had the at-bats. (I see the Royals have finally freed Kila Kaaihue. How many AAA pitchers had to die first? While were at it, remember that year where Calvin Pickering turned into Babe Ruth?) Craigs good enough that the Cardinals would be well-served to see whether he really is a tweener, instead of trying to guess at it.

Of course, its hard for a team like the Cardinals to go into the 2011 season with two potential tweeners in right field, even in some kind of ideal tweener platoon, as much fun as I would have with it in Baseball Mogul, which is probably why John Mozeliak made the first move of the Hot Stove League by suggesting the Cardinals were after “two 15 to 20 homer guys.” Heres hoping Mozeliak just forgot to signal that hes all about positional scarcity, too, because that sounds a lot like Allen Craig, to me.

The available 15-to-20 homer guys in free agency seem like slim pickings, unless youd like the Cardinals to try the Adrian Beltre thing again at four times the asking price. The Cardinals are weak and cheap at second and short, and shaky and cheap at third, and none of these positions are particularly easy to fill with guys who hit home runs and also do other things, which is why Jorge Cantu and Ty Wigginton have such high hot-stove-interest:WAR ratios.

If theyre looking for a guy who hits pretty well and plays bad defense—well, thats what Skip Schumaker was in 2009. If theyre looking for a guy who hits poorly and plays great defense—well, thats what Brendan Ryan is doing right now. This is a difficult team to upgrade; it seems like everybodys about one win above replacement, below average but no longer low-hanging fruit.

For the second year in a row the Cardinals got awful production at third base, but this year they did everything right; they gave David Freese the job and signed Felipe Lopez as a backup plan so good that it was unsure whether Freese deserved the job at all. What could possibly go wrong?

Unless theyre doing the homering at second or short, AAAA players and 20 home run guys seem to be doing the same thing; they involve minimal financial investment, offer limited upside, and still carry the risk of falling below that low threshold of production. As Schumaker proved this year, average players arent any less likely to fall off than good players, and theres less room to fall.

I dont see any avenues for upgrade as clear as the ones after 2009 felt. Maybe thats not a bad thing, given the results.

CBSSports.co The Carolina Hurricanes have trimmed their roster to 25 players by assigning forward Zach Boychuk to their AHL affiliate in Charlotte.

The teams move Wednesday cuts the roster to the maximum allowed for its first two regular-season games against Minnesota in Finland next week.

Boychuk was the Hurricanes first-round draft pick in 2008. The 20-year-old was taken with the 14th overall selection, and had three goals and six assists in 31 games last season.

CBSSp Carmelo Anthony said he loves being with the Denver Nuggets and is happy to go through the season with free agency a real possibility next summer.

The Nuggets forward, who has been the subject of trade talk for months, said after the second day of training camp Wednesday he is content to suit up again for Denver on opening night.

“Id love to,” he said. “If they come to me and say they want to trade me to a team well discuss it at that time. Right now they havent come to me and said that. Until that time comes Im here playing basketball. My options will be open.”

More on Carmelo Melo never told about Nets deal Nets trade just dormant?

With the potential trade that would have sent Anthony to the New Jersey Nets having fallen through, Anthony is focusing on his current team. He said he came into camp 5 pounds lighter than last year, and hes feeling stronger and leaner.

Meanwhile, trade talks have been going on, but he said the Nuggets front office never discussed a deal with the Nets.

“No, not at all,” he said. “What theyre doing in the front office is letting me go through training camp and not worry about that type of stuff.”

Anthony has yet to sign off on a three-year, $65 million extension thats been on the table since June, leading the Nuggets to explore trade options. The potential trade involving Denver, New Jersey, Charlotte and Utah hit a road block over the weekend and then fell apart.

Anthonys offseason marriage to actress LaLa Vazquez has fueled speculation that he would want to play in a bigger market, but he said his wife is supportive of his career wherever he plays.

“My wife is rolling with me,” he said. “Shes leaving the decision up to me. Im the one out here shooting jump shots, running up and down the court. She understands whats going on. Of course theres pressure for her because she dont really know whats going on right now, a lot of speculation and rumors.

“Shes the star, shes in Hollywood, shes acting, shes got her own show, thats what she does. Shes been doing that before she even met me. Shes with me.”

He added living in Denver doesnt hurt his marketability.

“The endorsement deals are going to come,” he said. “My endorsement deals arent going to change, wherever I live at.”

Nuggets coach George Karl said the decisions by LeBron James and Chris Bosh to sign as free agents with Miami and join Dwyane Wade could be playing a part in Anthonys thought process.

“I think everybody has a little bit of an opinion of what happened in Miami, some good, some bad,” he said. “I think it definitely had a little bit of an impact. It had a little bit of an impact on how people think.”

For now Anthony is getting ready for his eighth season with the Nuggets and letting the front office deal with trade talk. If nothing happens, hes ready to play out his contract and hit the free-agent market.

“Im going to work hard regardless, whether theres a deal on the table or the deals not on the table,” he said. “Im here, man. This aint offseason. The season has started. Im not a free agent yet. If it comes down to it at the end of the season and I havent signed the extension, then well sit down.”

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 29, 2010

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Three New York Giants starters are not practicing Wednesday: center Shaun OHara, linebacker Keith Bulluck and wide receiver Mario Manningham.

OHara, the leader of the teams offensive line, missed last weeks loss to Tennessee with a left ankle and Achilles tendon injury. Coach Tom Coughlin says he originally hoped OHaras injuries were just a two-week issue, but he seemed unsure of that Wednesday.

Bulluck has a toe problem and Manningham sustained a concussion against the Titans. Coughlin said he was surprised that Manningham had problems before practice, adding the receiver would go through further tests.

The thinking was maybe the Steelers would go 2-2 without suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That would leave them in decent position to challenge for a playoff berth, or even the AFC North title.

Forget that. Pittsburgh is 3-0, atop the division and one of just three undefeated teams in the league. The Steelers are 1 1/2-point favorites over Baltimore in the latest matchup of the most physical rivalry in the game.

“The league does not want us to be 4-0 with a mad Ben coming back, Ill tell you that,” wide receiver Hines Ward said. “We are playing with a lot of confidence as a team – offensively, defensively, special teams. I know Ben right now is itching to hurry up and get back to be here with us.”

Of course he is. Yet, would he really want any part of the Ravens mean defense in his first game back behind center? That unit ranks first against the pass and is a main reason Baltimore is 2-1.

Roethlisberger wont be the guy for another two weeks – Pittsburgh has a bye in Week 5. Joe Flacco is the guy for the Ravens, and his connection with wide receiver Anquan Boldin really took flight against Cleveland with three touchdowns. Steelers fill-in Charlie Batch will need to be as effective as he was in last Sundays rout of Tampa Bay.

This is a division race that will go down to the final weeks, in part thanks to …

UPSET SPECIAL: RAVENS, 16-13

Indianapolis (minus 7) at Jacksonville

Peyton Manning already has thrown for nine TDs and has no interceptions this year. Can he be getting even better?

BEST BET: COLTS, 31-14

Washington (plus 6 1/2) at Philadelphia

Welcome back to Philly, Donovan. You can even expect some brotherly love from the former homies – until kickoff, naturally.

EAGLES, 21-13

Chicago (plus 3 1/2) at N.Y. Giants

A wise scribe once said teams that arent good enough to be 4-0 wont be. That describes the Bears. Besides, the Giants are angry after last weeks debacle.

GIANTS, 21-17

New England (pick-em) at Miami, Monday night

Another prime-timer for the Dolphins, who might prefer some afternoon games in the heat at home instead. Can they take advantage of New Englands shaky D?

PATRIOTS, 27-23

Houston (minus 4) at Oakland

The Raiders should have won at Arizona last week, and the Texans showed leaks on defense against Dallas. Still, Houston is a better team.

TEXANS, 24-21

Denver (plus 6 1/2) at Tennessee

The Titans benefited from the Giants lack of discipline and inability to protect the ball. Denver isnt usually so charitable, but the Broncos also arent too dangerous on the road.

TITANS, 19-14

Cincinnati (minus 3 1/2) at Cleveland

Would the Bengals like anything more than to put a stake into the winless Browns hearts? Cleveland is playing just well enough to lose and Cincinnati has not been outstanding yet.

BENGALS, 20-13

Detroit (plus 14 1/2) at Green Bay

My goodness, were the Packers really that awful on Monday night? Wouldnt want to be in coach Mike McCarthys shouting range this week.

PACKERS, 35-13

Carolina (plus 14) at New Orleans

The Panthers have looked bad against mostly mediocre opponents. Now they get the Super Bowl champs – who have looked kind of mediocre, too.

SAINTS, 40-17

San Francisco (plus 7) at Atlanta

Another team coming up far short of expectations, the Niners fired their offensive coordinator this week. The Falcons look ready to join the leagues elite.

FALCONS, 21-13

N.Y. Jets (minus 5) at Buffalo

Heres a place the Jets rarely play well. But these could be a new version of the J-E-T-S – boastful yet sometimes brilliant.

J-E-T-S, 27-14

Arizona (plus 8) at San Diego

An enigmatic team against … an enigmatic team.

Go with the club that has a quality quarterback.

CHARGERS, 30-20

Seattle (minus 1 1/2) at St. Louis

Seahawks arent nearly the same on the road as at home, while Rams have built confidence following win over Redskins.

Sorry, we still dont believe in St. Louis.

SEAHAWKS, 17-10

—

RECORD:

Versus spread, 8-8 (overall 28-19); Straight up, 9-7 (overall 30-18)

Best Bet: 2-1 against spread, 3-0 straight up.

Upset Special: 3-0 against spread, 3-0 straight up.

CBSSports.com wire reports
Sep. 29, 2010

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton hopes to return to the lineup by Friday.

Hamilton took swings in the batting cage for the third straight day Wednesday, hitting 10 balls off a tee and about 40 tossed balls. The majors leading hitter (.361) took the last few swings at nearly full speed and says he felt good.

The AL MVP candidate has been out since Sept. 4 because of two broken ribs.

Hamilton says he wont take batting practice on the field for the rest of the season or the playoffs. He wants to eliminate the risk of “getting the adrenaline going” and doing too much.

After swings Wednesday, Hamilton ran the bases and caught fly balls hit by a coach.

Slugger Josh Hamilton hopes to return to the Texas Rangers lineup by Friday, though the AL West champions will go into the playoffs without reliever Frank Francisco.

Hamilton took swings in the batting cage for the third straight day Wednesday, hitting 10 balls off a tee and about 40 tossed balls. The majors leading hitter (.361) took the last few swings at nearly full speed and says he felt good.

“Thats great news,” manager Ron Washington said. “If he says hes ready to go, Ill start getting him at-bats.”

The AL MVP candidate has been out since he broke two ribs after making a catch and crashing into an outfield wall Sept. 4 at Minnesota. Hamilton could be the designated hitter Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Francisco, out since Aug. 28 because of a muscle strain in his right side, is not ready to pitch off a mound yet. Manager Ron Washington said a third MRI exam done Tuesday showed improvement, but not enough for the right-hander to do more than throw off flat ground.

“Hes not ready to get on a mound and air it out,” Washington said.

That means Francisco wont be on the roster for the first round of the American League playoffs next week, though the Rangers arent ruling out the possibility of Francisco (6-4, 3.76 ERA in 56 appearances) returning if they advance.

Reliever Mark Lowe was activiated from the 60-day disabled list Wednesday and the Rangers plan for him to pitch in three of their last six games to determine if the hard-throwing right-hander is a postseason option. Lowe, who came to Texas with Cliff Lee from Seattle in the July 9 trade, had been on the DL since May 3 with a back injury that required surgery.

Lowe had been rehabilitating in Arizona.

“Weve got to see what he does,” Washington said. “He got some rookie leaguers out, and got some A-ballers out. We have to see if he can get big leaguers out.”

Francisco had been scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, but instead had another MRI exam.

Hamilton said he wont take batting practice on the field for the rest of the season or the playoffs as a precaution.

“I want to eliminate the risk of getting the adrenaline going and doing too much,” Hamilton said.

After taking his swings in the cage Wednesday, Hamilton ran the bases and caught fly balls hit by a coach.

Before breaking his ribs, Hamilton hit .361 with 31 home runs and 97 RBIs in 130 games.

“We will have a fresh Josh. … He may come back and look like he never missed a beat,” Washington said. “Just his presence back in the lineup will make a big difference.”

Washington said while Hamilton will return at the end of the regular season as a designated hitter, the slugger will be in the outfield in the playoffs.

Hamilton will be wearing hard thin pads under his jersey to protect his ribs. He wore the flak jacket-like protection during his workout Wednesday and said it posed no problems for him.