Bleacher Report - Articles by Jeff Dickinson

The NFC West Playoffs Will Run Through San Francisco In 2009

Jeff Dickinson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:21:17 -0400

The San Francisco 49ers are going to win the NFC West title. Go ahead and write it down, take it to the bank and keep a record of this column so you can try to say “I told you so” at the end of the NFL season.

The time has finally come for the 49ers to take a step towards the glory years of Montana, Rice, Young and Craig. The building blocks are in place for a franchise that has been in dire need of rebuilding.

What’s that you say? We’ve only played one game out of a 16-game 2009 NFL schedule? You are correct about that fact.

But here are a few facts that give credence to my bold San Francisco prediction following their 20-16 season-opening win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday:

Shaun Hill isn’t that bad. Heck, I’ll go as far as to say that Hill is a pretty decent quarterback. He’s not ever going to win a Drew Brees look-a-like contest, but Hill is poised and accurate. He was far from his sharpest against the Cardinals, yet he still completed more than 58 percent of his passes and didn’t have any turnovers.
Isaac Bruce must have discovered the fountain of youth. Bruce is old, gray and slower than you would like your leading receiver to be, but all he does is catch everything thrown his way, run precise routes and help provide leadership to a core of green receivers. Bruce led the 49ers with 74 receiving yards against Arizona and had a 50-yard catch.
Patrick Willis is the best defender in the NFL. OK, that might be a bit of a bold statement; but show me a linebacker you would rather have over Willis and I’ll let you have him. Against the Cardinals, Willis had a team-high 11 tackles and picked off Kurt Warner. The next best San Francisco tackler brought down four Cardinal ball carriers.
The competition in the NFC West isn’t good. The Seahawks also won, but they were playing the lowly Rams. The Rams…well, let’s move on to another worthwhile subject. The Cardinals might make some NFC West noise before it’s all said and done, but they just don’t look as fresh as they did last year. Warner is a year older, as is Anquan Boldin. Seattle will give the 49ers the most fight in the West, but San Francisco is better defensively than the Seahawks.

Are there areas for improvement for the 49ers? Most definitely.

Frank Gore is going to have to do better than carry the football 14 times for 30 yards when the games start to mean more later in the season.

The offensive line is going to have to protect Hill better and not allow him to be sacked four times like he was against Arizona. The 49ers are not going to be able to win games in which they gave up more rushing and passing yards than they gained.

However, there was still much more to celebrate after Sunday’s season-opener than there was to bemoan. Singletary has the 49ers focused and disciplined, and the very near future (as in this season) is bright in the Bay Area.

Perhaps Tony Bennett will make a reprise of his famous song that says something like this: “I left the playoffs, in San Francisco.”

Rams Fans Take Solace: The MLB Playoffs Start Soon!

Jeff Dickinson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:35:12 -0400

New head coach, new free agent acquisitions, new rookies, same old losing ways for the St. Louis Rams.

Much talk was made in the preseason about how new head coach Steve Spagnuolo had come in and changed the “business as usual” approach that former coach Scott Linehan had established during his losing tenure.

Spagnuolo was going to hold players accountable for their actions, or lack thereof. He was going to improve morale. He was going to bring about discipline.

Unfortunately for Rams fans, Spagnuolo can’t suit up and play between the lines.

St. Louis looked hopeless and hapless in Sunday’s 28-0 shellacking by the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams were never in this game and didn’t do anything to give fans hope that the 2009 season will be anything but frustrating.

The Rams might very well be 0-7 when they finally get their first win under Spagnuolo in a game at the Detroit Lions on Nov. 1.

That game might be billed as the “NFL Draft Pick Bowl.”

The loss to Seattle was just the first game of the season. And, while no team has won or lost the Super Bowl in its first game, there are plenty of reasons for concern for the Rams:

Will someone please call America’s Most Wanted to try to find the real Marc Bulger?

Bulger only completed 47.5 percent of his 36 passes, had no touchdowns, and only averaged 5.3 yards per completion.

Those are hardly the numbers of a guy that helped give the franchise a belief that he was worth keeping and Kurt Warner was expendable.

Bulger has been on a downward spiral for the past three seasons and it’s time for him to snap out of his funk. The Rams should give Bulger three more games to improve, or it’s time to turn the quarterback reins over to Brock Berlin, Bernie Kosar, or some other University of Miami retread.

Will someone please get Orlando Pace on speed dial?

Pace is old, slow, fat, and past his prime; but he would be a welcome addition to the current sad state of affairs that the Rams are calling an offensive line. Bulger was sacked three times in the Seattle game and had to run for his life on a few other occasions.

Steven Jackson had to open his own holes, which is one of the reasons he only had 67 yards on the day.

Unless this young St. Louis offensive line can come together quickly, the biggest thing that fans will have to look forward to is April’s NFL Draft.

Will someone please teach the Rams how to tackle?

Last year, it looked like the Rams’ defense was being impersonated by a bunch of Mighty Mite elementary schoolers. In almost every game last season, the Rams were flailing and reaching for opposing runners who sliced up and down the field.

In Sunday’s opener against the Seahawks, the Rams made Julius Jones look like Adrian Peterson.

On Jones’ 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, the Rams defenders looked like they were running in three feet of snow instead of on a football field.

Unless Chris Long, Darrell Scott, and James Laurinaitis grow up quickly, opposing offenses are going to need bibs because they’ll be salivating so much in anticipation of facing the Rams.

At least the fans in St. Louis can take solace in one thing about the Rams’ opener against Seattle: The Cardinals will be participating in the Major League Baseball playoffs in a couple of weeks.

"In Shaun We Trust" Is More of a Question than a Statement for 49er Fans

Jeff Dickinson — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:27:25 -0400

For the love of Joe Montana, will the San Francisco 49ers please find a franchise quarterback in the foreseeable future?

That has to be one of the burning questions San Francisco fans awake to in a cold sweat in the middle of the night on more than a few occasions.

But that question was finally put to rest this week when head coach Mike Singletary named Shaun Hill the starter for the 2009 NFL season over previous No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith.

You’re not convinced that Hill is the answer to San Francisco’s quarterback question this season? I can’t imagine why you have your doubts.

Why do you question Hill’s credentials, ye of little 49er faith?

What’s that? You say he wasn’t even drafted out of college? Neither was Kurt Warner.

You say that he has only thrown 18 touchdown passes since he came into the league in 2005? You say that he doesn’t have a strong arm, and that he’s about as mobile as Brett Favre in coveralls on his Mississippi farm?

So, why exactly did Singletary choose Hill over Smith again? You could say it was because Hill has more poise than Smith, leading the 49ers to a 5-3 record after being named the starter last season. You could say it’s because Hill has completed 64 percent of his passes during his NFL career.

However, you could also say that Singletary picked Hill as the starting quarterback because there weren’t many other feasible options. Smith didn’t play last season because of injury and has been ineffective for most of his young NFL career.

The 49ers did try to woo Warner away from Arizona in the offseason, only to be spurned when he re-signed with the Cardinals.

A team with a franchise quarterback doesn’t go looking for another one during the offseason.

Whatever the reasons for Singletary’s quarterback selection, San Francisco fans will have to get used to seeing Hill behind center—at least until he has a bad game.

While that might not make fans giddy with excitement, there are other burning questions surrounding the 49ers as they enter the upcoming NFL season.

1. What is going to happen with Michael Crabtree?

Crabtree, who was almost guaranteed a starting spot in the San Francisco receiving corps this season, is still unsigned.

He has caused turmoil in the front office, and he will cause more in the locker room once he does sign.

Even if Crabtree signs in the coming days, he will definitely not be ready to play when the 49ers open the season Sept. 13 at Arizona. Crabtree will have to learn the playbook, work on his timing with Hill, and learn to adapt to life in the NFL.

If Crabtree gets his act together and signs soon, don’t expect anything significant from him until at least the third or fourth game of the season.

2. Can two of the most important 49ers—Patrick Willis and Frank Gore—stay healthy this season?

As Patrick Willis goes, so goes the San Francisco defense.

Willis injured his ankle in preseason and has missed the first two exhibition games. He is expected back at full strength by the season opener, but the 49ers can ill-afford to have Willis miss any playing time this season.

Gore has been a workhorse for the 49ers the past three seasons, carrying the ball 812 times. Singletary has to like the looks of rookie Glen Coffee, though, to give Gore a breather this season. Coffee rushed for 129 yards in the team’s second exhibition game and has looked very impressive thus far.

The 49ers need Gore to be healthy so defenses can’t key on forcing them to throw.

3. Will the loss of fullback Zak Keasey hurt the 49ers this season?

Fullbacks usually only get attention when they do something wrong, like fumble or head down the field in the wrong direction.

When San Francisco lost fullback Zak Keasey to a season-ending injury in the first exhibition game, though, it was a significant blow.

Gore is one of the best running backs in the league, but he still needs help finding holes in which to run. Moran Norris will be the starter for San Francisco at fullback this season, but Keasey was also going to see significant playing time.

If Norris gets injured, Gore could find the running lanes a little narrower this season.

Even with a New Sheriff in Town, Rams Aren't Ready To Win West

Jeff Dickinson — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:08:34 -0400

Rebuilding.

That’s the dirty word that strikes fear in the hearts of football fans from California to Connecticut. When a football team is rebuilding, it means the chances for a successful season are as hopeless as an ice cube in the desert.

However, the bright side of a football team that’s rebuilding is that there is hope that perhaps next year or the one after will bring positive results.

So, where do the hopes of fans of the St. Louis Rams lie for the 2009 NFL season? There is no doubt that the Rams are rebuilding. You don’t come off the heels of a 2-14 season without trying to rebuild.

But how far along in this rebuilding process are the Rams? Unfortunately for St. Louis fans, the Rams have been rebuilding and rebuilding and rebuilding...and, well, you get the picture.

The Rams have been in a rebuilding mode since 2003, the last time the team had a winning season. Six-straight years of rebuilding have caused fans of the Rams to wonder just how long a rebuilding process should take.

There is a new sheriff in St. Louis, though, and his name is Steve Spagnuolo. He has laid down the law in an attempt to change the losing attitudes that seemed to permeate the franchise under previous coach Scott Linehan.

No matter how much Spagnuolo tries, though, he can’t suit up and change the Rams on the field by himself. He still has to turn it over to the players. Do the Rams have enough talent to go from builders to believers in one season under Spagnuolo?

Why Rams fans have reason to believe

Steven Jackson – Jackson is one of the most powerful running backs in the league. He has shown flashes of brilliance during his five years in the NFL, but he has also had difficulty staying healthy.

Jackson has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons, but he has also missed significant time due to injury the past two years.

Marc Bulger – Bulger has been the poster child for the biggest disappointment in the NFL the past two seasons, but he also hasn’t had a lot of protection around him. After passing for more than 4,300 yards in 2006, Bulger has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.

He is still only 32 years old, so it’s not like Bulger is ready for a retirement home. If his rebuilt offensive line can offer some consistent protection, look for Bulger to bounce back in 2009 and look more like the man who gave the franchise reason to believe that he would be better than Kurt Warner.

An improved defense – The strength of the St. Louis defense is on the line. Second-year man Chris Long, All-Pro Leonard Little and Adam Carriker should put plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Rams are also better this year in the secondary and at linebacker with the addition of rookie James Laurinaitis.

Why Rams fans have reason to be very afraid

An unproven offensive line – The Rams only have two proven commodities on the line—center Jason Brown and right guard Richie Incognito. The left side of the line is anything but a certainty with the disappointing Alex Barron taking over for all-everything stalwart Orlando Pace.

Newcomer Jacob Bell will be asked to step in at the left guard spot and help keep Bulger off the turf.

The antithesis of Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt at receivers – When the Rams were known as “The Greatest Show on Turf,” the highlight of the team was their electric receivers who could shred a defense in the blink of an eye. Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt frustrated even the best defensive game plans with their speed, athleticism and precise route running.

Now the Rams are in trouble in this area. Third-year sensation Donnie Avery was just lost for six weeks with a foot injury, which should make fans even more concerned. When the season opens, the Rams will probably start Laurent Robinson, Derek Stanley and Keenan Burton in the receiver positions.

Who? Exactly! Those names should make every defensive coordinator salivate at the thought of loading up the box and forcing Bulger to try to throw early and often.

What does all this mean for the Rams in 2009? It probably means that, while they will be better than 2-14, the playoffs are still nothing but a pipe dream in St. Louis.

If Jackson stays healthy, if Bulger gets his head on straight and gets some protection, if Avery gets back and builds on his rookie season and if the defense continues to gel, look for the Rams to win seven games at best. If they get a little crazy, it might even improve to a non-losing record of 8-8.

San Francisco 49ers Who Weren't Busts, but Will Probably Never Get One

Jeff Dickinson — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:19:11 -0400

Although it’s been seven years since the San Francisco 49ers had a winning season in the NFL, it doesn’t take someone long to think of the dominance the franchise put together in the 1980s and '90s.

When the 49ers are mentioned, there is no doubt that names like Montana, Rice, Young, Brodie, Tittle, Lott, and Clark are at the height of conversation. Joe Montana is the face and name of the 49ers after leading them to four Super Bowl titles during the 1980s.

But what about the men who played key roles in San Francisco’s success over the years, but who might not ever set foot into the NFL Hall of Fame unless they show up unannounced? Which players would make the list of the "San Francisco 49ers' Best Players Without a Bust" (Hall of Fame bust, that is!)?

Here is a look at San Francisco “greats” who are long overdue for some recognition.

Gene Washington, WR, 1969-77

When you think of great San Francisco receivers, Jerry Rice, Dwight Clark, and John Taylor immediately come to mind. Washington, though, is a receiver who contributed greatly to the team’s success during his tenure.

Although he isn’t in the NFL Hall of Fame and doesn’t have his number retired, he finished his San Francisco career with 60 touchdown receptions and gained almost 7,000 yards.

Freddie Solomon, WR, 1978-85

Much like Washington, Solomon was a steady performer for the 49ers over his eight-year stint with the team. Solomon was on the “glory” teams in the early '80s when Montana emerged as the savior of the franchise.

Solomon was durable, dependable, and ended his San Francisco career with 371 receptions, 5,846 yards, and 48 touchdowns. Those numbers might never get his number retired or land him in the HOF, but his contributions to the 49ers can’t go unnoticed.

Ray Wersching, K, 1977-87

It’s hard to believe that the man who is the second-leading scorer in San Francisco history doesn’t have his number retired with the franchise, but such is the case with Wersching. He leads the franchise in career field goals (190) and extra points (409), and he is second in career points to Jerry Rice with 979. Not bad for a guy who looked like he should be a baker or a pizza maker, not a kicker.

Kermit Alexander, DB, 1963-69

Ronnie Lott gets all the San Francisco love when it comes to defensive backs, but Alexander is someone who deserves accolades of his own. Lott is the career leader in interceptions for the 49ers with 51, but Alexander isn’t far behind with his total of 36. Alexander is also the career leader in fumbles recovered for the 49ers (23).

Garrison Hearst, RB, 1997-2003

Joe Perry and Roger Craig have more total career rushing yards for the 49ers than Hearst. However, a little-known fact about Hearst is that he is the all-time leader in rushing yards per game for San Francisco. Hearst averaged 75.3 rushing yards in every game that he played for the 49ers, which blows the doors off comparable figures posted by Perry (55.7) and Craig (58.4).

Hearst rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons with San Francisco.

Jeff Garcia, QB, 1999-2003

Garcia will never be mistaken for Montana or Steve Young, but he succeeded Young in 1999 and went on to post very solid numbers for the 49ers over the next five seasons. Garcia ranks fifth in career wins for the 49ers behind Montana, Young, John Brodie, and Y.A. Tittle. Anyone who can be mentioned in the same breath with those impressive quarterbacks isn’t half bad.

For his San Francisco career, Garcia completed 61.4 percent of his 1,449 completions and threw for more than 16,000 yards.

Dodgers Need to Stay Healthy and Happy in Second Half of Season

Jeff Dickinson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:05:44 -0400

They have had the best record in Major League Baseball all season long. They have the lowest team ERA in the league. They have a top-notch closer with 18 saves.

Despite all of the above-mentioned success, the Los Angeles Dodgers have something in common with Rodney Dangerfield: They get no respect.

When you hear “experts” on television or read them on the Internet, many want to talk about how the Dodgers have been winning with smoke and mirrors. They want to talk about how the Dodgers are 27th in the league in team home-runs.

Naysayers like to talk about all of the low-scoring games that the Dodgers have won. But guess what? To win a low-scoring game, your team has to pitch well. It has often been said that pitching and defense win championships.

If that holds true, then the Dodgers are in pretty good shape. In addition to having the best team ERA in all of baseball, the Dodgers have the most saves (23), are third in hits, third in stolen bases, and third in on-base percentage.

What kind of story do these stats tell about the Dodgers in 2009? They reveal that when you play the Dodgers, you are going to face solid pitching, you are going to have a tough time keeping them off the bases, and they aren’t going to beat themselves by making errors.

And the most amazing thing about the Dodgers’ 47-26 record is the fact that they’ve done it for the most part without their biggest offensive weapon, Manny Ramirez. When Ramirez comes back from his 50-game suspension the first week of July, it should do nothing but help the Dodgers’ offense for the second half of the season.

One concern for the Dodgers after Ramirez comes back, though, is how to get Juan Pierre playing time. Ramirez will most certainly send Pierre to the bench when he returns.

Pierre will never be mistaken for Ramirez at the plate, but he does lead the Dodgers in average (.327), has 17 stolen bases, and a .384 on-base percentage.

Here are the keys in order for the Dodgers to ride the wave of their first-half success to a postseason berth in October:

A healthy Chad Billingsley—Billingsley has been the savior of the starting staff, leading the team with nine wins and a 2.83 ERA. However, he also leads the team in innings pitched (98.2), so it remains to be seen whether Billingsley will be able to stay healthy once he reaches the inevitable 200 inning plateau.

A cohesive clubhouse once Ramirez returns—When Ramirez was suspended, no one knew how the Dodgers would react. Losing your most feared hitter is never good for a baseball team. The Dodgers have kept things rolling without Ramirez, though. Pierre has done everything the Dodgers have asked of him, and he has done so with a smile on his face. If anyone can keep the team chemistry at a good mix, it’s veteran manager Joe Torre.

Offensive production from Russell Martin and Rafael Furcal—The Dodgers have been winning, but they’ve been doing it without two important bats: Russell Martin and Rafael Furcal. Martin and Furcal have been in the lineup, but they have seemingly forgotten to bring their wood to the plate. Martin is hitting .249 and Furcal .243. Martin has only one homer and Furcal has only stolen four bases. The two players have also combined to strike out 87 times. Martin is a career .280 hitter and hit a total of 32 homers over the past two seasons.

Atlanta Falcons will Still Remain Balanced Offensively in 2009

Jeff Dickinson — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:49:38 -0400

Atlanta fans were giddy when the Falcons traded for 10-time All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez on the eve of the NFL Draft last April. However, those fans have nothing on quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan was the most excited man within a 100-mile radius of Atlanta after the team’s management gave him the most dangerous tight end in the league. All Gonzalez did in 2008 was lead all tight ends in receptions (96), total yards (1,058), yards per game (66.1) and touchdowns (10).

Compare those numbers with Atlanta’s leading tight end last year, and you can understand why Ryan is counting the minutes until the 2009 NFL season arrives. Justin Peele led the Falcons at the tight end position last season with a whopping total of 15 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Gonzalez is the career leader at the tight end position in receptions, yards and touchdowns. But what attracted the Falcons to Gonzalez was also the fact that he isn’t afraid to block. No matter how much success Atlanta has through the air, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey knows the importance of an effective running game.

With the second-leading runner in the NFL last season in the backfield in Michael Turner, the Falcons are not suddenly going to become the San Diego Chargers of the Dan Fouts era and throw the ball on every down.

Yes, Gonzalez makes the Falcons a much more dangerous passing team; but he also will allow Mularkey to open up the playbook and create more effective holes for Turner to run through.

Last season without Gonzalez, the Falcons were a balanced football team. Atlanta ran the ball 560 times during the 2008 season, compared to 451 passing plays. Just because of the addition of Gonzalez, don’t expect the Falcons to become much more unbalanced.

While Ryan is a solid quarterback and was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, he is also only 24 years old and Mularkey doesn’t want to ask him to win every game. In Atlanta’s five losses last season, Turner only averaged 59.7 yards per game. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that when Turner is successful, so are the Falcons.

With Gonzalez in the fold to help Roddy White, look for the Falcons to throw more on first down in 2009. And because Gonzalez isn’t the “normal” tight end that is confined to the middle of the football field, he will also help the Falcons stretch defenses out and give White and Michael Jenkins more room to operate.

Last season, opponents started the season trying to stop Turner and daring Ryan and the Falcons to try to beat them through the air. With Gonzalez and with the emergence of White, that concept is not exactly sound.

How would you like to be a defensive coordinator who has the task of stopping Turner on the ground, containing Gonzalez and White through the air and trying to rattle “Matty Ice” at the quarterback position?

(By the way, that’s a rhetorical question and has no need to be answered).

Atlanta Falcons Turned Things Around from Top to Bottom

Jeff Dickinson — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:16:22 -0400

Attention, fans of the Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders! There is reason to hope that the 2009 NFL season will not be filled with frustration, embarrassment, and disappointment.

Over the past 10 seasons, eight teams that reached or won the Super Bowl had a losing or .500 record the previous season. That obviously doesn’t mean that all of these teams that struggled last season are playoff bound, but at least there is a sliver of hope.

The Atlanta Falcons are a team that can attest to the belief in a quick reversal of fortune. The Falcons were 4-12 in 2007, and were facing the prospect of replacing a franchise quarterback and a head coach.

All Atlanta did last season, though, was post a record of 11-5 and make the playoffs.

How did the Falcons make their improbable turnaround? They became a model of consistency by starting at the top and working down—that’s how.

The Falcons hired a shrewd president, a bright general manager, and a hard-nosed head coach and made key offseason personnel moves.

By now, everyone knows about the players on the field who helped the Falcons become one of the best teams in the NFL. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and other key players helped the city forget about the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino nightmares.

However, the Falcons made the best moves in 2008 in areas that weren’t directly visible on the football field.

Here is a look at the key coaching and front office personnel who helped the Falcons go from 4-12 to formidable foes:

Head Coach Mike Smith

When Atlanta hired Smith on Jan. 23, 2008, he was hardly the most popular or sexiest coaching candidate. Smith had been a quiet presence as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he wasn’t a household name on the coaching carousel.

Smith was a key figure in the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl championship team in 2000 before serving as defensive coordinator for the Jaguars from 2003-07. Under his leadership, Jacksonville’s defense was ranked fourth overall in the NFL.

Smith’s coaching resume began at his alma mater, Tennessee Tech. While at Tech, he led the Golden Eagles to a top 10 ranking in total defense in 1997 and 1998.

Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey

The Falcons got a coach with a strong pedigree when they hired Mularkey to run the offense. Mularkey spent eight seasons (1996-2003) on the successful coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers under former head coach Bill Cowher.

Mularkey was the offensive coordinator for Cowher his final three seasons in Pittsburgh. During that time, his offense led the league in rushing and finished third in total offense in 2001.

Mularkey was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2004 and 2005, and he led the Bills to the playoffs in ’04 with a 9-7 record. Prior to that season, Buffalo hadn’t reached the playoffs since 1999.

Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder

Although VanGorder did have the NFL experience that Smith and Mularkey did, he still brought with him an impressive resume.

Prior to taking over the defense last year, VanGorder spent one season coaching linebackers for the Falcons. He was also the head coach of Georgia Southern University in 2006 and was the linebackers coach for Smith in Jacksonville in 2005.

From 2001-04, VanGorder was the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs in the Southeastern Conference. In 2003, he won the Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach.

General Manager Tom Dimitroff

Although he is only 42 years old, Dimitroff has been around football for most of his life and has learned from some of the best minds in the game.

From 2002-2008, he was the Director of College Scouting for the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick.

In New England, Dimitroff was directly responsible for drafting players like cornerback Ellis Hobbs, running back Laurence Maroney, cornerback Asante Samuel, tight end Ben Watson, and nose tackle Vince Wilfork.

Dimitroff directs football operations for the Falcons, and has the final authority in signing free agents, choosing draft picks, and making trades.

Atlanta Falcons Need to Keep an Eye on Division Foes in 2009

Jeff Dickinson — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:53:18 -0400

There’s an old adage in sports that talks about taking care of your own business so good things will happen. It says that if you worry about what your competition is doing, then it can cause you to lose focus on the task at hand.

You’ll have to forgive the Atlanta Falcons, though, if they have trouble not keeping one eye on their competition in the NFC South Division in 2009. After all, despite all of Atlanta’s success last year in making the playoffs and posting 11 wins, the Falcons didn’t even win their division.

Last season, the Carolina Panthers held off the Falcons by posting a 12-4 record. And right on Atlanta’s heels in the NFC South were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 9-7 and the New Orleans Saints at 8-8. The Bucs weren’t eliminated from playoff contention until they lost their last game of the season.

The Falcons look to break out of their franchise rut of never having posted consecutive winning seasons by making the playoffs again this year. With the addition of All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez and a solid draft, Atlanta is poised for success.

But if the Falcons are going to change history, they are going to have to take care of things within their division. Here is a look at Atlanta’s competition in the NFC South and the outlook for 2009:

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers battled injuries to key players, but they still managed to have a successful season. The key to Carolina’s success lies at the heart of its coach, John Fox.

In his six years at the helm of the Panthers, Fox has managed to average almost 10 wins per season. Things should be no different in 2009, as Carolina boasts one of the best running backs in the league in DeAngelo Williams (1,515 yards and 18 TDs) and one of the best receivers in Steve Smith (78 receptions for 1,421 yards).

Quarterback Jake Delhomme battled injuries last season and only threw 15 touchdowns and had 12 interceptions, but he should be healthy this season. The biggest key for Carolina is going to be whether All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers remains with the team for all of 2009.

Peppers has requested a trade and wants out of Carolina. Without him, the Panthers will have 14.5 fewer sacks and will lack defensive intensity.

The Panthers are a little older and the uncertainty of Peppers makes them ripe for dethroning in the NFC South by the young and hungry Falcons. Look for age to catch up with Carolina in 2009 in the form of an 8-8 record.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If not for a late-season implosion, the Bucs would have won the NFC South or at least taken home a Wild Card berth. Tampa Bay lost its last four games to finish 9-7, which cost head coach Jon Gruden his job.

Not only did the Bucs lose Gruden, but they also lost their starting quarterback Jeff Garcia (to free agency). Add to that the fact that Tampa Bay’s top running back (Cadillac Williams) is coming off knee surgery and only played in six games last season.

Replacing your quarterback and having to adjust to a rookie coach in Raheem Morris isn’t the recipe for offensive success for an NFL team. Monte Kiffin, the team’s long-time defensive coordinator, also left to coach with his son at the University of Tennessee.

In other words, the Bucs are probably facing a learning curve season in 2009. The cupboard in Tampa Bay may be a little bare for a season or two before the playoffs are a reality.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints had the most potent quarterback in the NFL last season, but he didn’t have a lot of weapons with which to work. Drew Brees led the league with 5,069 passing yards and he tossed 34 TDs, but he didn’t have a lot of help from the rest of the offense.

That’s one of the biggest reasons that New Orleans finished a dismal 8-8. The Saints lost their best receiver, Marques Colston, in the second game and their starting tailback, Deuce McCallister, only carried the ball 107 times.

Pierre Thomas filled in for McCallister, but he only gained 625 yards. Former Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush was limited to 10 games last season and only had two rushing TDs.

The Saints were first in the NFL in passing yards per game and 28^th in rushing yards. Another problem for the Saints was the fact that they usually had no problem scoring, but they also couldn’t keep their opponents out of the end zone.

New Orleans must do better defensively than 23^rdin the league if they’re going to make the playoffs in 2009. Here’s betting that the Saints improve enough to take home a Wild Card spot behind the Falcons in the NFC South.

History Not With the Atlanta Falcons as the 2009 Season Approaches

Jeff Dickinson — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:34:41 -0400

Atlanta residents have Sept. 13 circled on their calendars. That’s the date of the opening game of the 2009 NFL season when the Atlanta Falcons host the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome.

After an improbable 2008 season, in which the Falcons shocked the NFL world by going 11-5 and making the playoffs after an off-season of turmoil, next season brings with it even more hope, right?

Wrong.

The Falcons have one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the NFL in 2008-09 Offensive Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan. Atlanta also has one of the most exciting running backs in the league in workhorse Michael Turner, who ran for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Oh, and don’t forget speedster Roddy White, who finally realized his first-round draft potential last season when he caught 88 passes for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns. The addition of All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City, who hauled in 96 passes for 1,058 yards last year, would seem to have the Falcons destined for the playoffs.

Given these facts, it’s almost a certainty that Falcons fans are buzzing with excitement over the thought of what the 2009 NFL season will hold in Atlanta. Unfortunately, Falcons fans are keeping their giddiness about the upcoming season to a minimum. They are not punching the team’s playoff ticket just yet.

Why not? One word—history.

The Falcons don’t have history on their side when it comes to a season following good fortunes. The last time that Atlanta had a winning record prior to last season was 2002, when the team posted a mark of 9-6-1. The next year the Falcons couldn’t handle prosperity and stumbled to 5-11 in 2003.

How about the 2004 season, when the Falcons won the NFC South with an impressive 11-5 record? You guessed it; Atlanta once again struggled and missed the playoffs with a .500 record of 8-8 in 2005.

The last time that the Falcons were the NFL’s unexpected darlings prior to 2008 was when they made their only Super Bowl appearance in 1998. The city was caught up in the excitement of the Falcons’ Dirty Birds persona and the success of a 14-2 record.

What happened next? Losing. The Falcons followed their Super Bowl season with another 5-11 record in 1999. In fact, since the City of Atlanta became the home of an NFL team in 1966, the Falcons have never posted consecutive winning seasons. How’s that for futility?

The closest the Falcons have come to back-to-back winning records occurred in 1971 & 1972 when they went 7-6-1 and 7-7. Atlanta also posted a 7-7 record in 1977 and then went 9-7 in 1978.

This season, Falcons fans have good reason to hope that the franchise’s past history won’t be repeated. With a solid coach in Mike Smith, a franchise quarterback in Ryan, the running of Turner, and the receiving of White and Gonzalez, the Falcons seem to be poised to end their curse of losing the season after tasting success.

But you’ll understand if the fans in Atlanta want to wait and see before they take it to the bank.

Will the Real Manny Ramirez Replacement Please Stand Up?

Jeff Dickinson — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:17:40 -0400

As we wait for the fallout from the Manny Ramirez fiasco, life still goes on for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ramirez either used poor judgment and was given bad advice by his physician, or he used poor judgment and knew exactly what he was doing.

The common thread through the whole ordeal is the fact that he used poor judgment, no matter what story comes out over the next few days. But, lest we forget, the Dodgers still have the best record in baseball.

Now the Dodgers are faced with the unenviable task of trying to replace arguably the game’s most clutch hitter—trying being the key word here.

Before anyone starts crying over the spilt HCG that Ramirez took, all is not lost for the Dodgers. Granted, Ramirez makes it easier for everyone on the Dodgers to do their job (except for Juan Pierre, who has been riding the bench as the fourth outfielder).

Los Angeles, however, won its first 13 games of the season at home because of its balanced lineup and solid pitching.

The Dodgers are now without the six homers and 20 RBIs that Ramirez has produced thus far this season. So, who will step up and fill the dreadlocked void now that Ramirez is out until the first week of July?

Andre Ethier

No one has benefited more from having Ramirez in the lineup than Ethier. Hitting behind Ramirez has allowed Ethier to see some quality pitches.

After intentionally walking Ramirez, as has often been the case, opposing pitchers couldn’t afford to mess around with Ethier. Without Ramirez hitting ahead of him, he is sure to see fewer fastballs and more junk.

Ethier is leading the Dodgers with six homers (tied with Ramirez) and 27 RBIs, and is third on the team with a .312 average.

He is going to have to continue to produce in the clutch if the Dodgers are going to have any chance at holding off the rest of the National League West.

James Loney

Loney has had a good start to the season, with 21 RBIs and a .282 average, but he has yet to hit a homer and has a paltry .345 slugging percentage.

No one expects Loney to hit the ball out of the park like fellow NL first basemen Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols, but he will have to start stroking the ball with more authority without Ramirez in the lineup.

No Ramirez means Ethier will see fewer good pitches to hit, which will then shift the onus to Loney. If Loney continues to hit line drives and doesn’t develop the home run swing that has brought 28 homers the past two seasons, it could be a long summer in Los Angeles.

Russell Martin

You will be hard-pressed to find a better defensive catcher in the league than Martin, but his .255 average and no homers have to change now that Ramirez has been suspended.

Martin has struggled at the plate this season, and just recently got his average significantly above the .200 mark. He hit 19 homers his rookie season in 2007, and needs to be close to that mark once again now that the Dodgers have lost Ramirez.

Almost as troubling for the Dodgers as Martin’s lack of power are his 22 strikeouts this season. He is averaging just a shade less than one strikeout every four times he steps to the plate.

Rafael Furcal

Furcal is supposed to set the table for the Dodgers, but he has been disappointing in 2009, hitting only .252, with three stolen bases and a poor on-base percentage of .323, causing Orlando Hudson to have to carry his weight and then some.

If the Dodgers are going to continue their winning ways without Ramirez, Furcal is going to have to get on base and put pressure on opposing pitchers.

Why the L.A. Dodgers' Hopes in '09 Begin and End on the Mound

Jeff Dickinson — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:07:18 -0400

Let the games begin! The 2009 Major League Baseball season has finally begun, and with it the anticipation of postseason glory for fans of (almost) every team in the league.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to take further step towards another championship this season. After advancing to the National League Championship Series last season before falling to the eventual champion Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers hope that 2009 will be “the year.”

For Dodgers’ fans, a World Series title is long overdue. It seems like eons ago when the Dodgers rode Kirk Gibson’s one-handed homer against Dennis Eckersley to the 1988 championship.

A title every 21 years isn’t enough for starving fans in Los Angeles, although Cubs’ fans would take that and be happy.

So, how much hope should fans who bleed Dodger blue have for bringing a championship back to Chavez Ravine? It all depends on the pitching.

Working in the Dodgers’ favor is the fact that they play in the National League West, the weakest division in the league. Sure, the Dodgers don’t have a pitching staff as strong as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants. However, the Dodgers have much better hitting than those two clubs.

For the Dodgers to contend for a title in 2009, the following things have to happen:

1. Hiroki Kuroda has to pitch like a No. 1 starter

Kuroda might not strike the same kind of fear into opposing hitters as top-line starters Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks, but he was solid over the second-half of the 2008 season. The first two months of the 2008 season, Kuroda was 2-4 with a 3.29 Earned Run Average; the last two months of the season, he improved to 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA. For the Dodgers to have a shot in ’09, Kuroda must be consistent for six months, not two.

2. Clayton Kershaw must be grown up and ready to go

We’ve all seen the video from Spring Training last year when Kershaw’s wicked curveball made Sean Casey look foolish and shake his head in disbelief. But we’ve also seen Kershaw struggle with his control and get rocked in some games. This season, Kershaw has to realize all the potential that has accompanied him during his meteoric rise through the minor league ranks. A 5-5 record and a 4.26 ERA like last season are not going to get the Dodgers into the postseason in ’09. Anything less than 10 wins from Kershaw and it’s going to be a long season in LA.

3. Randy Wolf needs to stay healthy

Wolf is an established veteran who will help settle the Dodgers’ young rotation. But Wolf needs to stay healthy for the entire season if Los Angeles is going to make a postseason run. Wolf had a solid spring, but he is just one sore elbow away from throwing the rotation into flux. If Wolf goes down with an injury, then the Dodgers will be forced to thrust another unproven pitcher into the starting mix.

4. Jonathan Broxton’s time is now and he must seize it

Broxton has the stuff of which good closers are made. He has an above-average curveball to go along with his heater that tops out at close to 100 miles per hour. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, there is no luxury of having another closer like Takashi Saito to step in if Broxton fails. The Dodgers’ chances in the top of the ninth inning in a one-run game begin and end with Broxton. Fans can’t feel too confident about Broxton’s Spring Training performance, either. He struggled this spring and posted an ERA that was over 10.00.

5. The bridge to Broxton needs to be solid

Even if Broxton is lights-out, the Dodgers need for guys like Guillermo Mota, Cory Wade, Will Ohman and Hong-Chih Kuo to carry their weight in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Mota has been impressive this spring, but Wade and Ohman haven’t and Kuo has been battling a sore elbow. Kuo has proven that he can come in and close out a one-run game, but his elbow strength is a serious question mark.

Ten Men Who Made A Mark On Alabama Football

Jeff Dickinson — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:23:32 -0400

Tradition.

The world of sports is rife with tradition. There is the lore of the green jacket at Augusta National every April when The Master’s PGA tournament is held.

There isn’t another race that is full of as much tradition as the Indianapolis 500. College basketball’s roots run rampant through the campuses of North Carolina, UCLA, Duke, Indiana, Kentucky and Kansas.

College football is also filled with tradition. And one of the most storied places in the history of college football is the University of Alabama’s campus in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama football brings to light thoughts of national championships, Bear Bryant and a bevy of talented football players who have gone on to leave their marks in professional football and the world in general.

The University of Alabama has had so many great football players that it would be difficult to choose the 10 best players in the school’s history. But it is safe to say that the University of Alabama football program wouldn’t be what it is today if not for the following 10 players.

These 10 Alabama greats made contributions that left a lasting legacy on the school and its football program:

Don Hutson (1932-34)

Hutson was the first true wide receiver in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers after he graduated from Alabama in 1935. Hutson helped transform the NFL from a run oriented league into one in which the field was opened up through the passing game.

Through 2007, Hutson still held eight NFL receiving records. Hutson’s receiving prowess helped lead the Packers to three championships during his 11 years with the team.

Hutson has a street in Green Bay named after him and the Packers’ indoor practice facility is named Don Huston Center.

Bart Starr (1952-55)

After starring for the University of Alabama in the mid 1950s, Starr went on to play for legendary Green Bay Packers’ head coach Vince Lombardi from 1956-1971. Starr helped lead the Packers to NFL Championships in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967.

Starr was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1977. He also went on to coach the Packers from 1975-1983. The NFL gives its annual Bart Starr Award to the player having the most upstanding character in the league.

Lee Roy Jordan (1960-62)

Jordan was an undersized linebacker who recorded 30 tackles and was named the MVP of the 1962 Orange Bowl to help cap Alabama’s successful season.

Jordan went on to star for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL and was named to five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls. Jordan is the leading tackler in Cowboys’ history.

Jordan is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Dallas Cowboys’ Ring of Honor.

Joe Namath (1962-64)

While Namath won’t ever be confused with Starr and his upstanding character, there is no denying the mark he made at Alabama and in professional football.

Namath led Alabama to a 29-4 record and the National Championship in 1964. Bear Bryant called Namath “the greatest athlete I ever coached.” Namath could have starred for Alabama’s basketball team because he was such a good athlete.

Namath will forever be remembered for his guarantee in Super Bowl III in 1969 when he told the world that his upstart Jets would knock off Don Shula’s heavily favored Baltimore Colts.

Namath’s career numbers are far from impressive, but he changed the game of professional football.

Kenny Stabler (1965-67)

Much like Namath, Stabler will never be known as a choirboy while at the University of Alabama. Stabler helped lead Alabama to its second-consecutive National Championship in 1965 and went on to post a 28-3-2 record as a starter at the school.

Stabler went on to lead the Oakland Raiders and legendary coach John Madden to the 1977 Super Bowl title in the NFL. He won the NFL’s MVP Award in 1974 and was named to four Pro Bowls.

John Hannah (1970-72)

Hannah was named by Sports Illustrated in 1981 as the “best offensive lineman of all time.” Hannah was named an NCAA All-American twice during his time at Alabama and he went on to play for the New England Patriots from 1976-1985.

Hannah was named to nine NFL Pro Bowls and was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1991.

Ozzie Newsome (1974-77)

Newsome, who became known as the “Wizard of Oz,” basically made the tight end position an offensive weapon instead of primarily a blocking position at the collegiate level.

At Alabama, he helped lead the Crimson Tide to a 42-5 record and was named to the NCAA All-America team in 1977. Newsome went on to start 198 consecutive games for the Cleveland Browns and caught a pass in 150-straight games.

Newsome still holds the Cleveland franchise records for receptions (692) and yards (7,980) and was inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame in 1999. Newsome is currently the General Manager for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

Cornelius Bennett (1983-86)

Bennett won the prestigious Lombardi Award in 1986 as the nation’s best defensive lineman or linebacker. He was such an impact player at Alabama that he finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1986.

Bennett played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills from 1987-1995 and won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1988 and 1991). Bennett was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and was named to the NFL’s Pro Bowl five times between 1988 and 1993.

Derrick Thomas (1985-88)

Thomas is known as one of the best pass rushers in the history of organized football and he won the Butkus Award in 1988 as the nation’s best linebacker while at Alabama.

While a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989, Thomas won the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award and he went on to be named to nine Pro Bowls.

Thomas still holds the NFL record for sacks in a single game when he sacked Seattle’s Dave Krieg seven times.

In 2009, Thomas was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2000 at the age of 33 due to complications from an automobile accident.

St. Louis Rams' Recipe for a 2009 Turnaround Starts with the NFL Draft

Jeff Dickinson — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 09:53:59 -0400

With a new general manager and a new coach, the St. Louis Rams are hoping that the 2009 season will also bring with it new results. It seems like eons ago when the Rams were one of the elite teams in the NFL and were a playoff regular every season.

Now the playoffs are just something that the Rams watch with a passing interest instead of participating in. With general manager Billy Devaney and head coach Steve Spagnuolo, though, Rams fans are hoping that there will also be a change in performance on the field.

St. Louis has added a big piece to the offseason puzzle in the form of free agent center Jason Brown. His signing will allow Richie Incognito to remain at his natural guard position. The Rams also re-signed cornerback Ron Bartell to help shore up their defensive backfield.

While there still remains work to be done in deciding the future of Torry Holt, the main focus for the Rams lies in April’s NFL Draft. Where will the Rams look to try to find some impact players to help them go from playoff pretender to postseason contender?

Here is what the Rams should do in the upcoming draft:

First Round, Pick No. 2

The Rams’ selection here obviously depends on what the Detroit Lions do with the first pick of the draft. Almost every mock draft has the Rams picking offensive lineman Jason Brown of Baylor or Eugene Monroe of Virginia.

While the Rams do need help on the offensive line, what they should do with this pick is take the most athletic player available in the draft—linebacker Aaron Curry of Wake Forest.

Curry excelled in every aspect of the NFL Combine in February and looks to be the kind of impact linebacker who only comes along once in a blue moon. If the Rams draft Curry, they can allow Will Witherspoon to remain at middle linebacker and it would give the team one of the strongest linebacking squads in the league.

Second Round, Pick No. 35

By passing on an offensive lineman in the first round, the Rams can still get a quality blocker with the 35th pick. If he is available, the Rams should take offensive tackle Jamon Meredith of South Carolina.

Meredith isn’t a 350-pound lineman (he weighs in at around 290), but he is quick and strong and would go a long way in shoring up the Rams’ offensive line.

Third Round, Pick No. 66

When you start to get to the later rounds in the draft, it can be anyone’s guess as to which players are still available. Most mock drafts have a player available at this time when the Rams will be making their third pick who can help the team at a number of positions—West Virginia quarterback Pat White.

With White, the Rams could give themselves a legitimate future quarterback to replace Marc Bulger. They could also acquire a player who could play wide receiver, slot back and who could help in the return game.

White impressed everyone at the NFL Combine with his character and skills.

Fourth Round, Pick No. 99 – Continuing to shore up the offensive line is always a good thing in the NFL, and if he is available with this pick, the Rams could do a lot worse than Illinois offensive tackle Xavier Fulton.

Fulton was a late bloomer at Illinois, but he is big (6'5", 300) and strong (27 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press at the NFL Combine).

If Fulton isn’t available, the Rams should go with offensive guard Kraig Urbik of Wisconsin. Urbik started 39-straight games for Wisconsin and had bench-pressed 225-pounds 29 times at the NFL Combine.

Dodgers Have Many Question Marks As The 2009 Season Approaches

Jeff Dickinson — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:39:48 -0500

This is that special time of the year when fans of the San Diego Padres have just as much hope as those of the New York Yankees. Spring Training is here, and every team in Major League Baseball is undefeated and filled with optimism.

Unfortunately for some teams, reality will hit soon enough and the promises of Spring Training will evolve into the challenges of an inferior roster. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the biggest question hanging over their heads this spring of any team in baseball: Will Manny Ramirez re-sign or will he end up playing in San Francisco?

Ramirez almost single-handedly helped lead the Dodgers to the NL Championship Series last year. Los Angeles, however, also can’t wait around for Manny to put on the blue and white uniform and head to Glendale, Arizona. Baseball is a business and the Dodgers have to go to work in spring training as if Manny isn’t going to be there.

Aside from the Ramirez uncertainty, the Dodgers have some other question marks as they head into the 2009 season:

If the Dodgers don’t re-sign Ramirez, will they make any other moves before the season starts? –There have been rumors that Los Angeles is very interested in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Hudson would be an upgrade over incumbent second-year player Blake DeWitt, but DeWitt played well over the final two months of the season and in the playoffs. DeWitt finished his rookie season with nine homers and 52 RBIs and a .264 average. Here’s betting that Los Angeles will stay put with DeWitt and bank on him having a solid full year in the league. The Dodgers were also interested in free agents Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn in the event that Ramirez didn’t sign. Both Abreu and Dunn are off the market, so if the Dodgers don’t ink Ramirez, they will start the season with Juan Pierre, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier in the outfield.
Is Chad Billingsley ready to be the staff ace? –The Mets have Johan Santana. The Phillies have Cole Hamels. The Cubs have Carlos Zambrano. Billingsley isn’t in the same league with those pitchers. At least not yet. Billingsley, who is healing nicely from a broken leg in the off-season, had a very solid 2008 season with 16 wins, 10 losses and a 3.14 ERA. Billingsley has the stuff and the composure to be a staff ace, but he isn’t there yet. To think that he is ready to lead a staff is a little naïve. The fact that the Dodgers are asking Billingsley to be their ace shows the team’s lack of pitching depth.
Is Jonathan Broxton ready to the permanent closer? – After Takashi Saito went down with his elbow injury last season, Broxton had to be the closer. Broxton finished the season with 14 saves and a 3.13 ERA, but the most impressive stat was his 88 strikeouts in only 69 innings. Broxton closing out games in the ninth inning isn’t as much of a question as which pitchers will be able to bridge the gap from the seventh and eighth innings to get to Broxton.
Can Rafael Furcal stay healthy for an entire season? – Furcal is the spark plug of the offense. When he came back for the playoffs after missing most of last year, Furcal gave the Dodgers a big lift at the top of the lineup. The problem is that Furcal missed 126 games last season and has battled various injuries for the past few years. If the Dodgers are going to have any shot at winning the NL West and making a run for the World Series, Furcal has to be in the lineup.

The Dodgers have a lot of question marks this year. With Ramirez in left field, those question marks seem a lot less daunting. If the Dodgers re-sign Ramirez, they will once again be a serious contender in the weak NL West.

If, however, the Dodgers fail to land Ramirez, it is foolish to think that they can contend all season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Atlanta Braves May Still Make a Left Field Move Before Spring Training

Jeff Dickinson — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:41:27 -0500

Although they waited until it already had New York Yankee ripples, the Atlanta Braves have made a splash in the free agent off-season market.

The Braves strengthened their pitching staff with the acquisitions of Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami.

Kawakami is unproven in America, so it isn’t known how significantly he will contribute to Atlanta’s 2009 pennant hopes.

Lowe is a steady pitcher who almost always wins in double digits and throws 200 innings.

Are the Braves finished improving their roster before Spring Training starts later this month?

Only Atlanta’s management knows for sure, but don’t bet on it.

While free agents like CC Sabathia, Mark Texeira and A.J. Burnett scored lucrative deals with the Yankees, the market has generally been down.

How else can you explain the fact that quality free agents like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Orlando Cabrera and Bobby Abreu are still available?

The Braves are not going to be able to afford someone like Ramirez who will command between $20-25 million per year, however, there has been talk that Atlanta may try to pursue Dunn or Abreu to anchor left field.

Dunn will probably require between $10-15 million a year, while Abreu will probably fall closer to the $8 million annually that Pat Burrell received from the Tampa Bay Rays.

If the Braves do go after one of these free agents for the left field spot, which one should they pursue? There are advantages and disadvantages to each player, but here is how it boils down.

Dunn is still in his prime at only 29 years of age, and should offer five or six more productive years.

What the Braves would get with Dunn is power. He has hit at least 40 homers in each of the past five seasons. He has also driven in at least 100 runs in four of those five seasons.

However, Dunn also strikes out a lot and doesn’t hit for the highest of averages. He has struck out at least 164 times in each of the past six seasons. Last year, Dunn only batted .238.

So, do the Braves sacrifice on-base percentage and average for a boatload of home runs and RBIs with Dunn?

Abreu will be 35 years old when the 2009 season starts, so he has much less to offer long-term than Dunn.

Abreu, though, is a career .300 hitter who has a much higher on-base percentage than Dunn. Abreu is guaranteed to give you at least 20 homers and 90-plus RBIs each season.

Abreu doesn’t roam the outfield grass like he used to, but he is still quicker than Dunn.

Neither of these players will win the Braves a Gold Glove in left field, but Abreu is less of a defensive liability.

The Braves have some young outfield talent that should be ready to contribute significantly within the next two years.

As a result, they should take a less expensive and shorter commitment and sign Abreu rather than Dunn.

Abreu can still help protect Chipper Jones and Brian McCann in Atlanta’s lineup. He will also fit with the Braves’ scheme of clutch hitters who hit for average and have a good on-base percentage.

Braves Have Big Holes to Fill Before Spring Training

Jeff Dickinson — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:52:49 -0500

When looking at the Atlanta Braves for 2009 and trying to get a grip on how they stand at each position, things actually look pretty good. There are quality players—both young and old—at many key positions.

The Braves’ outlook for next season looks especially good if you don’t pay much attention to the pitching mound and if you stop at the infield dirt. If, however, your eyes peruse the pitching rotation and the outfield, things start to get a little scary.

Atlanta has one of the best young catchers in the game, a solid first baseman, a steady second baseman, an exciting shortstop and a Hall of Fame third baseman. Unless you have the kind of stomach that can handle shock and gore, though, then it’s better not to analyze the Braves’ pitching and outfield options.

The Braves’ best outfield option right now is right-fielder Jeff Francoeur. He is also the same guy who was sent to the minor leagues last season because of his hapless hitting. Francoeur hit only .239 last year, with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs.

After Francoeur, it goes downhill from there for the Braves.

Unless Atlanta makes a trade or a free agent signing, it will begin the 2009 season with unproven Gregor Blanco in center and Brandon Jones in left. Blanco hit one home run and had 38 RBIs last year, while Jones had one homer and 17 RBI. Matt Diaz is also another outfield possibility, but he struggled at times last year.

The pitching isn’t much better on paper. The Braves’ No. 1 starter right now is going to come from the likes of Jair Jurrjens (13-10), Javier Vazquez (12-16) or Jorge Campillo (8-7). To think that one of those pitchers is a top-notch starter is anything but rational.

The bullpen—namely the closer—is also a tenuous position. Unless the Braves make a move, Mike Gonzalez is the leading candidate to close games for Atlanta in 2009. Gonzalez had a record of 0-3 with a 4.28 earned run average and 14 saves last season.

Those are hardly the numbers of an intimidating closer. Rafael Soriano is also another closing option for the Braves, but he had major elbow surgery in August and it is questionable whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

What do the Braves need to do before Spring Training arrives next season?

This will help, for starters:

Sign a free agent outfielder with some pop in his bat –Guys like CC Sabathia and Mark Texeira got all the headlines, but there are still a few solid outfield options that the Braves can pursue. Manny Ramirez may be past Atlanta’s payroll limits, but Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Milton Bradley or Bobby Abreu can immediately help.

Make a trade for a top starting pitcher –Although the trade for San Diego’s Jake Peavy didn’t pan out, the Braves can still add a solid starter via a trade. Kansas City’s Zack Greinke and Pittsburgh’s Ian Snell or Paul Maholm have been mentioned as being available to teams looking for starting pitching.

The Braves should also talk to the Seattle Mariners about Erik Bedard or to the Texas Rangers about Vincente Padilla or Kevin Millwood. Millwood started his career with the Braves and would probably welcome a trade back to Atlanta. Millwood was only 9-10, but he led Texas with three complete games.

Padilla led the Rangers with 14 wins last season. Atlanta’s Tommy Hanson is one of the most prized pitchers in the minor leagues, but the team would rather let him have another year of seasoning before bringing him up to the big club.

Take a minimal risk by signing a free agent closer – Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, the two top closers on the free agent market, are both gone. But there are at least two free agent closing options that are still available that are worth looking into.

Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader in Major League Baseball, is without a home after a bitter separation in San Diego. He is 41, but he had 30 saves and 46 strikeouts in 45 innings for the Padres last season.

Former Dodgers’ closer Takashi Saito is also another intriguing closing option for the Braves. He is a free agent who had his season shortened because of an elbow injury last year. He is supposedly healthy and might be a good one-year closing solution for the Braves. He had 18 saves for Los Angeles last season, with a 2.49 ERA and 60 strikeouts in only 47 innings.

Both Hoffman and Saito would come relatively cheap for Atlanta because of their age and/or injury status.

Atlanta Falcons' Stars Picked the Wrong Time to Have a Bad Day

Jeff Dickinson — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:48:14 -0500

Entering Saturday’s playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons had been a team that had reached post-season play because of multiple contributions from a number of players.

Quarterback Matt Ryan had been named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year because of his steady play this season.

Running back Michael Turner had given the Falcons the power runner they hadn’t had since Jamaal Anderson almost 10 years ago. John Abraham finished third in the league in sacks and had kept opposing quarterbacks on their heels all season.

Unfortunately for Atlanta fans, Ryan, Turner, and Abraham each picked the wrong time to have a bad day.

Ryan, who had only thrown 11 interceptions in 16 games during the regular season, threw two against the Cardinals.

Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, was held to 42 yards against Arizona.

Abraham, who finished the regular season with 16.5 sacks, didn’t get to Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner once and only had two tackles.

The result, as you can imagine, was a disappointing 30-24 loss in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs and the end to the Falcons’ season.

Under first-year coach Mike Smith, the Falcons went way above and beyond preseason expectations. Most prognosticators picked Atlanta to finish with five or six wins this season.

Why was the loss to Arizona so hard to swallow? Because the Falcons should have beaten the Cardinals, that’s why. Trailing by only six points at 30-24 late in the game, the Falcons defense had Arizona in a perfect spot: third and long.

The Cardinals faced a third-and-16 with just over two minutes remaining in the game. An Atlanta stop on that play, and the Falcons would have gotten the ball back with plenty of time for Ryan to lead the offense to a score and a 31-30 comeback win.

Warner dropped back to pass and linebacker Keith Brooking was covering tight end Stephen Spach as he came off the line. All of a sudden, Brooking left Spach and picked up running back Edgerrin James about five yards from the line of scrimmage.

Warner, an 11-year veteran, immediately saw Brooking leave Spach and he hit the tight end over the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain and the end of the Falcons’ season.

On a third-down play where the Cardinals needed 16 yards, why would Brooking pick up a running back five yards off the line instead of a tight end 15 yards downfield?

Brooking has been playing this game for 12 years. The coverage mistake he made was one a rookie linebacker might have made.

Once the Cardinals got that first down, the game was over. Atlanta had no timeouts remaining and Arizona ran the clock out for the franchise’s first home playoff victory since 1948.

This was a successful season for the Falcons. They have a great coach, a bright, young quarterback, a franchise running back and the pieces with which to build for the future.

However, this was a bitter way to end things. Atlanta fans have to feel like this was a game that the Falcons gave away.

With Right Offseason Moves, St. Louis Rams Can Be Playoff Contenders in 2009

Jeff Dickinson — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:03:03 -0500

In the late 1990s and into early 2000s, the St. Louis Rams were on top of the NFL world. The team that won the Super Bowl in 1999 and should have won it in 2000 was known around the league as the “Greatest Show on Turf,” with Kurt Warner, Marshal Faulk, and a talented group of wide receivers.

Unfortunately for the Rams, all good things must indeed come to an end. Since those glory days, which seem like eons ago for Rams fans, the "Greatest Show on Turf" in St. Louis has turned into “A Franchise Searching for its Worth.”

The Rams haven’t had a winning record since the 2003 season when they finished with a 12-4 record. Since then, the team hasn’t fared better than 8-8 and has been an abysmal 5-27 over the past two seasons.

Now the Rams are a franchise in transition that is looking for a head coach and is trying to prepare for the second pick in the 2009 NFL Draft in April. St. Louis technically still has a head coach in interim Jim Haslett, but it is highly unlikely that he will remain as the coach for next season.

Haslett has received the support of all the players who signed a petition to keep him. New General Manager Billy Devaney, however, is heading the coaching search and has identified a list of candidates to lead the Rams.

Here is what the Rams need to do to help them become the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens of next season and make the playoffs one year after a dismal record.

Don’t rush into a coaching decision – Devaney seems to be going about the coaching search in the right manner by forming a sounding board of respected former players and football administrators. He has also identified a list of candidates that includes up-and-coming coordinators, as well as established former coaches. After the Rams were burned by rookie head coach Scott Linehan over the past two years, it is hard to believe that the Rams will hire another unproven coach. The only problem for the Rams is that the established coaching candidates are either too expensive or are less than appealing. Former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher is at the top of the wish list of most every team with a coaching vacancy, but the Rams can’t afford him. It also looks like Cowher is content to wait until his daughter graduates from high school in North Carolina next year before he gets back into coaching. Other than Cowher, the list of former head coaches is less than exciting. Names like Jim Fassel, Brian Billick, and Marty Schottenheimer have been bounced around with the Rams and several other teams. Whether it’s Winston Moss, Leslie Frazier or some other NFL assistant, the Rams need to make sure that they select a coach who will command respect and won’t be a pushover like Linehan.
Trade the second pick in the NFL Draft to accumulate additional picks – Speculation by more than a few NFL Draft gurus points to the Rams choosing University of Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith with the second pick. Smith is the Outland Trophy winner and is obviously a talented player, but the Rams need more help in order to turn things around next season. This NFL Draft is ripe with talented offensive linemen, and trading down to acquire additional picks will still give the Rams the chance to draft a solid player who will help protect the quarterback. St. Louis needs help on the offensive line, at linebacker, in the defensive secondary and at wide receiver. If the Rams trade their No. 2 pick for two first-rounders or a first-rounder and a second-rounder, it will allow them to improve much more significantly for 2009. The Philadelphia Eagles have the 19th and 30th picks in the first round. Trading the second pick to them for those two first-round spots makes sense
Allow Devaney to run the team and make the GM decisions – Devaney comes from a solid football background and St. Louis needs to let him run the show without interference from the ownership group. Owners have pocketbooks, but they generally don’t know football. If the Rams are going to right this sunken football ship, they need to let Devaney utilize his player evaluation skills to make the right off-season moves. If the Rams need some guidance in this area, they need to look no further than the Dolphins, Falcons, and Ravens this season.

Atlanta Braves Have Been Burned by Offseason Hot Stove

Jeff Dickinson — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:55:55 -0500

Your mother always taught you when you were a child that if you play with fire, you’re gonna get burned. Evidently, the Atlanta Braves didn’t learn that simple childhood lesson.

The Braves have not just been burned by the winter Hot Stove happenings in Major League Baseball; they have been scorched. Coming off a second-straight disappointing season with no playoffs, the Braves had a number of holes that they hoped to fill this winter.

First and foremost, Atlanta needed starting pitching. With Mike Hampton gone to Houston, Chuck James gone to injury and John Smoltz and Tom Glavine possibly gone to retirement or free agency, the Braves had starting pitching at the top of their winter wish list.

The Braves tried hard to pry prized pitcher Jake Peavy away from the San Diego Padres earlier this winter. The Braves were the front-runners for Peavy, but talks fell through and the trade didn’t end up happening.

While the New York Yankees and several other big-market teams were battling it out for CC Sabathia, the Braves set their next pitching sights on free agent A.J. Burnett from Toronto. Although they offered him more money, the Yankees landed Burnett and Sabathia.

The Braves did manage to trade for Javier Vazquez from the Chicago White Sox, but he doesn’t bring the kind of intimidation factor as Burnett or Sabathia. Vazquez was 12-16 last season and had an earned run average of almost 5.00. Vazquez will eat up innings, but he isn’t a No. 1 or even a No. 2 starter.

After losing out on Burnett, the Braves set their sights on free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Furcal, who began his career with the Braves before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers three years ago, received a three-year offer from the Braves and it was rumored that he was definitely headed back to Atlanta.

Unfortunately for the Braves, Furcal received a last-minute offer from the Dodgers and he is staying in Los Angeles. The Braves are upset at Furcal and his agents, but no amount of frustration is going to change the fact that the Braves struck out for the third time this off-season.

Where will the Braves go from here? As it stands now just before 2009 arrives, there are a number of holes in the lineup. Atlanta still needs at least two solid starting pitchers. It is rumored that Smoltz is entertaining playing for another team. Glavine is probably a good bet to return to the Braves or to retire.

One thing is a safe bet: The Braves will not enter Spring Training with the same pitching staff that they have right now. The free agent pool isn’t very conducive to the Braves’ desires or budget, so any improvements will probably come via trade.

Where will the Braves look for pitching help? Here are a few possibilities:

Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals

You may be saying, “Zack who?” Make no mistake about it, though; Greinke is a coveted 25-year-old pitcher who posted a 13-10 record and a 3.47 ERA for a pitiful Kansas City team last season. The right-hander also struck out 183 batters in 202 innings.

Vincente Padilla, Texas Rangers

Padilla was 14-8 last season for a Texas team that struggled overall. He is a 31-year-old right-hander who has remained healthy over his career and he will eat up a bunch of innings, helping a manager keep his bullpen rested as much as possible.

Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates

Maholm was only 9-9 last season, but that was for a bad Pittsburgh team that didn’t score many runs. He did have a very respectable ERA of 3.71 and is only 26 years old. Two other positives for Maholm are the fact that he is left-handed and is from the South (Mississippi), so a change of scenery to Atlanta would probably be welcome.

Ian Snell, Pittsburgh Pirates

Snell was only 7-12 for the Pirates last season, but he did strike out 135 batters in 164 innings. In 612 career innings, Snell has struck out 524 batters.

NFL Draft For 2009 Lacks The Punch Of Past Years

Jeff Dickinson — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:55:36 -0500

This time of the year in the NFL, the race is on for football fans all over the country. Not the race for the playoffs, but the race for the top pick in next April's NFL Draft.

While fans of some teams sit on the edge of their seats hoping for a playoff berth, fans in Detroit, St. Louis, Seattle, Cincinnati and Kansas City are camped in their recliners hanging on every word that Mel Kiper, Jr. utters.

It is pretty obvious that the Lions will have the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, but the Rams, Seahawks, Bengals and Chiefs are still battling it out for the next three picks. In past years, there has been some excitement about the NFL Draft and the crop of players from which teams have to choose.

Who can forget the 2006 NFL Draft when the big talk was whether Reggie Bush or Mario Williams would be the top pick? This year the suspense of the top pick was eliminated when the Miami Dolphins entered into contract talks with offensive lineman Jake Long prior to the draft.

Looking at the projected mock draft for 2009 on a number of websites is enough to send the most serious insomniac into dreamland. Walterfootball.com predicts that the Lions will pick University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

That's about it for the draft's excitement. Walter Football then has the Rams selecting Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith second, followed by Kansas City picking Texas defensive lineman Brian Orapko and the Cincinnati Bengals choosing Mississippi offensive lineman Michael Oher.

Hey, you out there in readerland....wake up! Stay with me for a few more seconds, OK? The first "sexy" pick doesn't come until Walter Football has the San Diego Chargers selecting Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga with the 12th pick.

Besides a couple of well-known picks like Ohio State's James Laurinaitis (17th by the Denver Broncos) and Georgia's Knowshon Moreno (18th by the Arizona Cardinals), the 2009 NFL Draft sounds like it will be one to catch via the Internet highlights.

The point is that if you are a fan of the Lions, Rams or one of the other teams that is picking in the top five of the 2009 NFL Draft, don't get your hopes up that the player your team selects will turn the franchise around. The teams that are picking that high in the draft are more than a Matthew Stafford or Andre Smith away from winning.

More importantly for these teams is the new head coaches who will be leading them and the players they will acquire via free agency. A rookie out of college isn't going to have as much of an impact as a coach or an established veteran.

Dedication to Braves' Frank Wren: Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River"

Jeff Dickinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:39:00 -0500

Hello everyone out there in radio land. This is your host, Casey Kasem, and I have a special dedication going out to a down-and-out guy in Atlanta, Georgia. Here is the touching letter that I received that led to this dedication:

Dear Casey,

I am heartbroken. My world has been turned upside-down. I run a professional baseball team in Atlanta that I would rather not name in order to protect the innocent. I thought I had a deal with an exciting free agent shortstop who began his career here in Atlanta, who I would also rather not name.

I had a verbal agreement with his agent. I faxed him a term sheet with my signature. Then that weasel backed out of the deal and the player signed with his former team. Now our nameless team in Atlanta looks like it has the plague. No one wants to play here. Please play a song for me that will help me forget this fiasco and keep a stiff upper lip.

Signed, Frank Wren

What a sad story! My heart broke for Frank when I read his tragic letter. Frank, you deserve better than this. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and use this song that I'm dedicating to you to help you get past this challenging situation.

For you, Frank, I'm playing Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River."

Wah, wah, wah. Poor Atlanta and poor Wren. Wren is mad. The Atlanta Braves are mad. The Dodgers swooped in and stole Rafael Furcal at the 11th hour from the Braves. How dare they!

So what? This is baseball, not church league bingo. Wren should know that unless he had Furcal's signature on a contract that anything can happen in this uncertain world of Major League Baseball. Since when are sports agents Eagle Scouts?

We may never know what really happened between agent Paul Kinzer and Wren. Wren says Kinzer did him and the Braves wrong. Kinzer says that there was never a "deal" in place and that he told Wren that he was going to give the Dodgers one more chance to improve their offer.

It doesn't matter how it went down. What does matter is that, like Mulder and Scully used to say on the X-Files, Wren should "trust no one." Athletes are greedy. Agents are greedy. Team owners are greedy. Why should this situation with Furcal surprise anyone?

The worst thing that the Braves can do is to continue talking about the Furcal situation. It won't change anything. Furcal is going to be playing in Los Angeles and all the sour grape talk in the world isn't going to change that now.

Were the Braves treated unfairly? Probably. Should the Dodgers be blamed for stealing Furcal from Atlanta at the last minute? Definitely not. The Braves would have done the same thing if the glove were on the other hand.

The world of professional sports is a cut-throat culture where a person's word rarely means anything more than a spot on ESPN SportsCenter. Loyalty ceased to exist back in the 1970s when players still stayed with an organization for their entire careers.

Now, players are looking toward that day when they can test the free agent waters and get their next big paycheck. The jersey on their back rarely means anything more than something to be tucked into their pants.

No Matter What Happens with Rafael Furcal, Someone Is Going To Be Upset

Jeff Dickinson — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:14:16 -0500

Trying to make heads or tails of the Rafael Furcal situation is kind of like trying to figure out where the marker is going to stop on the roulette wheel before it stops spinning.

Furcal's leaning towards the Dodgers. Wait, he's signed with the Braves. No, hold on, he's verbally committed to the Braves, but hasn't officially signed.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Furcal deal was completed yesterday afternoon, and he was going to be taking a physical in Atlanta on Wednesday. Now, Furcal is supposedly still considering the Dodgers and Braves and isn't going to rush into a decision.

What's a Dodgers' fan supposed to make of this? Here's what:

The longer this situation drags out, the better the chances that Furcal will end up back in Los Angeles. The best financial offer came two weeks ago from the Oakland Athletics, and Furcal didn't take that. Now he has a chance to return to Atlanta where he owns a home and spends much of his time during the offseason. The fact that Furcal hasn't signed a contract with Atlanta reveals that he has a strong desire to stay with the Dodgers.
If Furcal does come back to the Dodgers, he will be vilified in Atlanta. General Sherman probably would have received a warmer reception in Atlanta than Furcal will when the Dodgers visit the Braves next summer. Furcal's name will be spoken in vain by Braves' fans and sports reporters all over the south. Get ready to have a target on your back, Raffy!
If Furcal does sign with the Braves, look for the Dodgers to immediately make a play for Orlando Cabrera. Rumor has it that Cabrera's agent has been contacted by the Dodgers and has been told that the team has significant interest in the free agent shortstop. If Furcal spurns the Dodgers for the Braves, then there will be some desperation in Los Angeles.

No matter what happens, it is good to see GM Ned Colletti and owner Frank McCourt not let Furcal leave without a serious attempt to re-sign him. Furcal is an offensive spark at a vital position and Los Angeles fans were frustrated at the perceived lack of effort to keep him with the Dodgers.

Now, if the Dodgers can do something about Manny and the lack of starting pitching, the 2009 season won't seem so scary.

If Rafael Furcal Signs Elsewhere, Los Angeles Dodgers Have Options

Jeff Dickinson — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:56:27 -0500

Word from Rafael Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer is that the free agent will make a decision today about where he will play for the next three or four years. Will it be Los Angeles? How about Oakland? Perhaps Atlanta?

The Braves emerged late Monday night as a serious contender for Furcal's services. He began his career in Atlanta and supposedly has an interest in returning to play for manager Bobby Cox, who helped mentor Furcal when he was just a teenager in a new country.

It still remains to be seen as to where Furcal will land. But this much is evident: If Furcal doesn't return to the Dodgers, there will be a huge hole at shortstop that will have to be filled.

What will the Dodgers do if Furcal does sign with Oakland or Atlanta? Here are the options:

1. Sign free agent Orlando Cabrera

Make no mistake about it: Cabrera is no Furcal. He won't steal bases like Furcal, and he doesn't have the same pop in his bat. Cabrera hasn't hit more than nine home runs since 2004 and he only stole 19 bases last season for the White Sox.

His career on-base percentage is also only .322. Cabrera will also come much cheaper than Furcal, though, and he is a good fielder.

2. Go with another youth infusion with Chin-lung Hu

Hu is only 23 years old and has been accumulating accolades over the past two years in the Dodgers' minor-league system. However, he has struggled at the plate during his brief stints with the Dodgers over the past two seasons.

Last season, in 116 at-bats for the Dodgers, Hu batted .181 and struck out 23 times. If Hu is ever going to be ready, it should be now. He has had plenty of time to learn in the minors, so this may be the time for the Dodgers to fish or cut bait with him.

3. Trade for a shortstop

This sounds good on paper, but it isn't very appealing when you really look at it. No team is going to trade its starting shortstop who is in the plans for 2009 to the Dodgers without asking for the moon and stars.

Who is available?

Jack Wilson with the Pirates. The same Wilson who longs to come back home to Southern California, but whose skills have been declining for the past couple years. Wilson has never stolen more than eight bases during his eight-year career. Last season, in more than 300 at-bats, he had one home run and 22 RBI. In other words, Wilson is slow and he won't do much at the plate.

He is a great fielder, though, if that makes any difference. This trade is a disaster waiting to happen for the Dodgers if they choose to make it.

4. Sign one of the other free agent shortstops from the likes of David Eckstein, Cesar Izturis or Omar Vizquel

The thought of this makes me sick to my stomach. None of these shortstops is worth consideration. The recently signed Mark Loretta is a better shortstop option than any of these wiffle-bat players.

So, what should the Dodgers do at shortstop for 2009? Give Furcal the extra year he desires and pray like heck that he accepts it. Los Angeles needs Furcal as much or more than it needs Manny Ramirez.

The fans may not realize it now, but they will if Furcal ends up playing elsewhere next season.

Gene Chizik Hiring at Auburn Says a Lot Without Saying Anything

Jeff Dickinson — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:10:06 -0500

Oh, how far the mighty have fallen at Auburn University after the insider information that Iowa State's Gene Chizik will be the Tigers' next head football coach. Gene Chizik? You've gotta be kidding me!!!!

This is Auburn University, not Slippery Rock or Farleigh Dickinson. How in the world is a football program like Auburn settling for a coach who posted a 5-19 record over the past two seasons at Iowa State?

Alabama fans are salivating all over the state at this news! If Auburn does indeed hire Chizik, next season's recruits will be de-pledging quicker than a barefoot kid running across a summer blacktop parking lot.

Potential replacements for departed Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville were solid coaches who had successful track records. Jim Grobe at Wake Forest, check. Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech, ditto. Turner Gill at Buffalo, check. Gene Chizik at Iowa State...hold on a corn field minute!

Chizik may be a great guy. He may have been a great defensive coordinator in 2004 at Auburn and then after that at Texas. But, to keep Auburn fans happy, and to keep arch rival Alabama from kicking you into football oblivion for many years to come, you don't hire a guy who could only win five games in two seasons at Iowa State.

Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs should have tried for Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables or Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Either of those coaches would have been better hires than Chizik.

I am not an Auburn fan (and I wouldn't admit it now if I was!). I did, however, spend 35 years living in Alabama. With no professional sports of any significance in that state, the University of Alabama and Auburn University garner attention 365 days a year.

The hiring of Chizik is going to make for a long 2009 for Auburn fans everywhere. Auburn is going to lose season ticket holders left and right. Fans are going to be livid at the fact that their proud institution settled for a coach with an abysmal record.

Why did Auburn settle for Chizik? Because of these reasons:

Booster Bobby Lowder runs the show on The Plains and he didn't want Gill
The Tigers didn't want to take the public rejection of storied and more desirable coaches like Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino, Mike Leach, etc. They wanted to get a coach in the fold as quickly as possible, and who better than a guy like Chizik who would have been run out of Ames, Iowa by next season anyway?
Chizik has ties to Auburn's last run of glory in 2004.

An Auburn fan's comments on one of the state's biggest newspaper websites summed up the situation best: "I think I just Chiziked in my mouth a little after hearing who our next football coach is going to be."

Hang in there, Auburn fans. At least baseball season will be here soon.

Breaking Down the Los Angeles Dodgers for 2009

Jeff Dickinson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:56:41 -0500

Everyone knows the famous Christmas song that says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year." That is definitely true right now for Major League Baseball fans who are caught up in the magic of the off-season.

Rumors are flying, players are signing and trades are happening. What baseball fan doesn't like to think about their favorite team reshaping its roster to make a World Series run in 2009? The Tampa Bay Rays of this season gave every baseball fan hope that even though their favorite team stunk last year, the playoffs and World Series are possible next season.

Los Angeles Dodgers fans are no different. This off-season has been full of questions and drama for the Dodgers, mainly centered around the enigmatic Manny Ramirez and whether or not he is going to re-sign.

Although baseball's winter meetings are over, it's safe to say that the Dodgers are far from making changes to their roster. The Dodgers don't have a bonafide shortstop, they lack power in the outfield and they only have three-fifths of a starting rotation.

How do the Dodgers look at each position that is filled for 2009? Glad you asked!

First base: This is one position at which the Dodgers appear set for many years to come. No one will mistake James Loney with Ryan Howard, but he is an above-average fielder, hits for average and hits well with runners in scoring position and is a solid clubhouse presence.

Second base: Ditto for this position after the solid play of rookie Blake DeWitt the last couple months of the season. DeWitt looked more comfortable at the plate and in the field and should be entrenched second for many years.

Third base: Casey Blake gave the Dodgers a solid third baseman for the first time since Adrian Beltre manned the position. You can go ahead and pencil Blake in for about 25 home runs, 80-plus RBIs, solid defense and a great clubhouse attitude.

Left field: Ramirez will probably be back at this position, but if he isn't Juan Pierre or Andre Ethier will platoon there. Pierre will steal you a bunch of bases and spark some scoring, but he throws like Johnny Damon on steroids and is a liability with his arm.

Center field: If Ramirez is back, then Matt Kemp will anchor this spot. Kemp might overrun some bases, but he is a five-tool player who is just going to continue to improve. Let's hope the Dodgers can dump...I mean trade...Andruw Jones to someone so he will be another team's headache.

Right field: If Ramirez is back...does this sound like a broken record? Ethier will be in right field. Ethier is a solid fielder with a good arm. He is also a great contact hitter who will hit around 20 home runs in a full season.

Starting rotation: Chad Billingsley may be a No. 1 starter in a couple years, but he isn't one now. Ditto for Clayton Kershaw. Hiroki Kuroda is a reliable No. 3 starter, but the Dodgers are in trouble unless they sign a pitcher or two or make a trade.

Bullpen: Even if the Dodgers to bring back Takashi Saito, it looks like the closer's role is big Jonathan Broxton's to lose. Broxton filled in for Saito the last couple months of the season and did a good enough job for the Dodgers not to feel the need to sign someone like Brian Fuentes or Trevor Hoffman. Middle relief will be an area of concern for the Dodgers after losing Joe Beimel and Chan Ho Park. Youngsters will be called upon to fill these roles.

New York Yankees to The World: Don't Hate Me Because I'm Rich

Jeff Dickinson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:16:58 -0500

The Yankees just committed $161 million to a guy who will only play once every five days. Even if CC Sabathia wins 20 games next season, that's a lot of dough for each win. Is Sabathia worth that kind of money? Only time will tell, but whether he is or isn't, the Yankees have the money to spend on him.

It also looks like they are going to lock up A.J. Burnett for five years and $80 million. That's also a lot of money to throw at a guy who has never won 20 games in a season and who has only won 11 more games than he has lost over his 10-year career.

Everyone knows the Yankees operate in a different stratosphere than everyone else in Major League Baseball. Last season, the Yanks had a payroll almost double the size of the next closest team.

But guess what?

Money doesn't always buy happiness, it often can't buy health, and it didn't buy the Yankees a World Series title last season. In fact, it didn't even buy the Yanks a playoff spot last year. How about the team with the second-highest payroll? Nope. The Mets also stayed home and watched the postseason on television.

What about the team with the third-highest team payroll? Try again. The Detroit Tigers were also on the outside looking in during the playoffs. In fact, the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the World Series last season, only had the 13th-highest payroll in all of baseball.

So, all those small market baseball teams who are crying foul while the Yankees are throwing money at free agents like Santa throws candy at a Christmas parade should pipe down.

Is it fair? No.

But does it guarantee the Yankees a World Series crown next season? Definitely not.

Sabathia has to prove he can pitch under the media microscope that is New York without blowing his stack like Randy Johnson did years ago. Burnett is also going to be watched much more closely than he ever was in Toronto.

A bad outing in Toronto might have cost Burnett a broken water cooler and a sleepless night. With the Yankees, a bad outing might cost Burnett a headline in the New York Post that reads: "$80 million loser."

Are the Yankees better now than they were before they signed Sabathia and after they sign Burnett? They sure are. But they still have to put everything together on the field, stay healthy and learn to co-exist with each other in the clubhouse.

I doubt managers of other teams are going to mail in their chances next season just because the mighty Yankees have spent mightily this winter on free agent shopping. Big payrolls don't necessarily equate to championships; just ask the Phillies.

Winter Waiting Land Paying off for Los Angeles Dodgers

Jeff Dickinson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:59:44 -0500

It's refreshing to finally see the Los Angeles Dodgers not rushing into free agent and offseason mistakes like they have in past years. Any Dodgers fans care to remember brilliant signings like Kevin Brown, Darren Dreifort, Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones, and Juan Pierre?

The Dodgers have avoided the desperation mode that they seemed to operate in during past winters. L.A. played it cool with Casey Blake and ended up getting him back at third base for a reasonable three years and $17.5 million.

The Dodgers haven't slobbered all over themselves with Manny Ramirez and Rafael Furcal, although they obviously want both of those players to return (and need them even more!).

Ramirez and super agent Scott Boras are still trying to act like they're in the driver's seat, but Ned Colletti and the Dodgers really are. The Dodgers didn't act like the Yankees did with CC Sabathia and bid against themselves for Manny. Colletti pulled the previous offer off the table and is now making Manny and Boras wait.

Colletti also didn't throw the bank at Furcal, even though L.A. needs his offense at the top of the order. Furcal went fishing and realized that the pond is not always fuller on the other side of the farm.

My prediction: Manny will end up re-signing with the Dodgers for three years and some incentives that can add a fourth guaranteed year. Furcal will also come back to Chavez Ravine for a similar type of contract.

When those signings happen, all the Dodgers need to do is get another starting pitcher who can help Billingsley, Kershaw and Kuroda. Why not take a chance on Ben Sheets? He won't break the bank because of his elbow situation, and if he is healthy, his stuff is nasty.

If not Sheets, then why not bring in the Big Unit to be the fourth or fifth starter? Having Randy Johnson at the back of the rotation wouldn't be a bad thing. And how about an affordable Trevor Hoffman to help out in the bullpen? He could help teach Jonathan Broxton become a better closer and could be a great set-up man.

Whatever happens next, the Dodgers have gone about things the right way in these challenging economic times.

All I Want for Christmas Is J.J. Hardy in a Dodgers Uniform

Jeff Dickinson — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:32:13 -0500

Here is an open letter to Santa from a diehard Los Angeles Dodgers fan. I stumbled on it while I was at the Post Office the other day mailing Christmas cards to friends and family.

It wasn't sealed, so I had to open it to see if it was a letter from a child to St. Nick asking for that special Christmas toy. This is what I read...

Dear Santa,

I need your help this year. I am a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan and I need you to help me prevent them from doing something stupid.

Please don't let the Dodgers trade for Jack Wilson! Please do whatever you have to do to prevent the Dodgers from making this trade for a 32-year-old shortstop who is past his prime.

Even if you have to get the elves involved and take out Wilson's kneecaps or something (or perhaps place a call to Tonya Harding), that's fine. Just don't let my team make this kind of a mistake.

Wilson is a good defensive shortstop who can't hit his way out of a wet paper sack with a metal bat. He isn't fast, either, so he will steal about as many bases as Manny Ramirez.

And the worst thing about this situation is that the Dodgers are supposedly considering trading Chin-lung Hu and another young player for Wilson.

Hu is eight years younger than Wilson and is just as good defensively. He has also hit for power in the minor leagues. If the Dodgers aren't going to re-sign Rafael Furcal, then please don't let them make a desperate move like this to get a has-been like Wilson.

Santa, what I would really like you to do is to make a short stop (pun intended!) in your sleigh while you're flying over Milwaukee. Then I would like you to sprinkle some trade dust over the Brewers so they will trade shortstop J.J. Hardy to my Dodgers.

Hardy hit .283 last season with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs, for Pete's sake! I'll give up Hu, a couple of pitchers, some bats, balls and a Dodger Dog for Hardy. And Santa, the biggest kicker is that the Brewers are actively shopping Hardy, but the Dodgers are more interested in Jack Wilson!

Thanks for your help, Santa. I'll leave you some goodies next to the tree.

A hopeful Dodgers fan

P.S. Santa, could you also look into the rumor that the Dodgers are trying to include a package deal with Wilson that will also bring them Bill Madlock for third base? When the Dodgers get in desperation mode, they sometimes do dumb things (Darren Dreifort, Jason Schmidt, Andruw Jones, etc.).

San Francisco Should Remove 'Interim' Tag From Mike Singletary's Title

Jeff Dickinson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:05:56 -0500

It all started with the eyes. No one can forget the intensity of those eyes. Even casual football fans have probably seen Mike Singletary’s penetrating eyes on old NFL highlight shows.

Who can forget Singletary roaming the field as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears? No matter what the score of the game was, Singletary always had that look in his eyes...the one that struck fear into quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers throughout the league.

Now that Singletary has traded in his football pads for coaching slacks with the San Francisco 49ers, one thing has remained the same: the passion he brings to his job. In Singletary’s first game after San Francisco fired former coach Mike Nolan, he wasted no time in putting his intense stamp on the 49ers.

Singletary benched former All-Pro tight end Vernon Davis and then ordered him off the field and into the locker room.

He also tried to motivate his players at halftime of a 34-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks by pulling down his pants and showing his backside to illustrate how his team was getting spanked.

Singletary was criticized by experts everywhere about his halftime antics in that first game as interim coach. And, while he probably went too far in trying to shake his players out of their funk against the Seahawks, Singletary didn’t lack passion. Singletary said that the point he made by benching Davis was that no player is above the rules.

As Singletary enters his sixth week at the helm of the 49ers, he has definitely made some mistakes. In addition to the pants-dropping incident, Singletary mismanaged the clock in the closing minute of San Francisco’s 29-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 10. His inability to manage the final 46 seconds of the game cost his team the chance to upset the Cardinals.

The 49ers are 4-8 overall this season. Since Singletary took over from Nolan, the team is 2-3, an improvement on the 2-5 mark under Nolan’s leadership. Records aside, San Francisco seems to be heading in a much different direction under Singletary.

Nolan never seemed to have the respect of the players. He looked good on the sidelines dressed in his expensive suits. Nolan looked like a football coach with his chiseled chin.

But players like Davis did what they wanted under Nolan without facing the kind of repercussions that they do with Singletary running the show.

Nolan seemed like a coach who didn’t want to make any waves, for fear he would lose his job. Singletary has been making waves since he was laying out defenders as a member of the Bears. Singletary is his own man and he doesn’t need anyone’s approval in order to look in the mirror and feel good about himself.

Last week, Singletary led his 49ers up to frigid Buffalo to play the Bills, who were in playoff contention with a 6-5 record. Behind Singletary’s example, the 49ers shut down Buffalo’s offense and scored just enough points to come away with a 10-3 road victory.

While that win probably won’t be enough to propel San Francisco to a late-season winning streak that will bring about a playoff berth, it still went a long way in building character in the 49ers.

It helped inexperienced players like quarterback Shaun Hill, wide receiver Josh Morgan, and San Francisco’s young defense to see what it takes to beat a favored opponent on the road.

Singletary will probably make some more first-year mistakes between now and the end of the season. But one thing that he will also do is to learn from those mistakes. Singletary deserves to have the interim tag removed from his title before the end of the season.

San Francisco could do a lot worse than having a man like Singletary leading the franchise. The 49ers could go after a veteran retread that has more polish. But that doesn’t always work out in the long run; just ask the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs how that’s going for them.