Stephen A. Smith called into Chris Myers and Steve Hartman on AM570 KLAC/ FOX Sports Radio to let them know that Allen Iverson is calling it quits. Smith’s announcement is right here.
After a mere five games with the Memphis Grizzlies The Answer quickly saw this was no way for him to spend the end of his NBA life. When he wasn’t signed by the Knicks and got little or no interest from anyone else he felt this was his only alternative. Listen to Stephen A. here.
Of course Stephen A. made sure to let us know AI reached out to him to let him know about the impending announcement. Hate to take away from Iverson’s greatness and what he did for the Sixers, but man, Stephen A. is, and always will be, a douche.
The Onion Sports Network hilariously parodies the Birds experience in San Diego as they drove up and down the field with little to show for it.
The Eagles were forced to settle for a field goal against the Chargers Sunday after sustaining a 260-yard, 64-play drive that featured six separate red-zone appearances and took 52 minutes off the game clock.
News out of Jacksonville is former Eagles third-round draft pick Bryan Smith, released during training camp, will get the starting nod for the Jaguars this weekend against the New York Jets. Whether this development is a reflection on how bad things are in Jacksonville or how bad the Eagles misjudged Bryan Smith’s talent is up for debate.
Smith was drafted as an undersized, pass rushing end out of McNeese State. The Eagles had hopes he could transition to a speed-rushing outside linebacker but that never bore fruit. Neither did his career at end, where he was generally pushed around against the run and was never able to duplicate the pass rushing success he displayed in college. The Birds’ hope of uncovering the next DeMarcus Ware were dashed.
Smith, signed by Jacksonville off the St. Louis Rams’ practice squad, is now starting at right end ahead of high draft pick Quentin Groves who has not wowed head coach Jack Del Rio. I think Del Rio will soon be un-wowed by Smith soon enough. He simply didn’t have the burst to get consistent pressure on the QB.
According to Ken Rosenthal the Phillies are kicking the tires of Tigers free agent closer Fernando Rodney. Rodney, 32, converted 37 or 38 save chances in 2009 despite posting a dismal 4.40 ERA and a 1.49 K/BB ratio.
What is attractive about Rodney is the fact that he’s a Type B free agent - meaning the Phils or any team that signs him would not be giving up their first round pick in the 2010 draft. MLBtraderumors.com wonders whether Rodney is willing to accept a 1-year deal somewhere under $8M and accept a set-up role.
Is this what the Phils need? Another reliever with control problems? I’d rather see him in the ballgame than Chad Durbin, but for the kind of money he’s going to probably demand the Phils should stick with Ryan Madson as Plan B if Brad Lidge collapses again and concentrate on re-signing free agents Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre while pursuing lesser free agents like Darren Oliver.
MLBtraderumors.com has listed their top 50 2010 free agents along with the team they think is most likely to sign the player. Of course I was interested in who they felt the Phils would be pursuing. Of the 50 they have the Phillies signing two FA’s.
7. Jose Valverde - Phillies. One way to shore up a shaky bullpen: sign the best closer available. Few teams are seeking closers, and even fewer have money, so the Phillies should be able to get a relative bargain.
41. Mark DeRosa - Phillies. I debated flipping the DeRosa-Beltre predictions, as both the Phillies and Twins have a need at third base. DeRosa, a former Penn quarterback, has been linked to the Phils for years.
Hard to argue either call here. We need a closer and we need a third baseman. Done and done. I would think any deal with DeRosa would have to be short-term seeing as he’s going to turn 35 next February and coming off surgery to repair a completely torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. Not quite sure what that is but it sounds painful. DeRosa pocketed $5.5M last season.
Valverde is the best closer available and has strung together three solid seasons in a row. He’s 30 and seems to have hit his peak. If Brad Lidge regains his slider and confidence the Phils could throw Ryan Madson, Lidge and Valverde at the Yanks next November.
Man, I love the Hot Stove.
My take on Cole:
As I told Bill (fellow FFWer) yesterday when he called, I am down on Cole too – BUT THIS YEAR ONLY. He is not a cancer or even close to it. How soon we all forget how he’s been Cool Hamels and King Cole ever since taking the hill at the Bank. The guy who had ice in his veins now should be run out of town?
Everyone needs to settle down. Here’s my snapshot assessment:
- Cole is beyond frustrated at himself – and has never faced on-field adversity in his life, at least for even close to this stretch of time.
- He is 25, slightly immature when it comes to handling the media (i.e. way too honest for his own good, talks a lil too much becuz yes he does have an ego … and I can understand that, seeing as he’s one of the best pitchers on the planet still, is crazy rich, has a smokin’ hot wife, etc.).
- His body language at times has been GOD AWFUL (i.e. Throwing his arms up after the Utley error vs. LA – that CANNOT happen .. ever again, period).
- And yes, the quotes themselves, by themselves, are troubling to say the least.
But step back, and big-picture, here’s the thing:
- Cole knows himself better than anyone, and has admitted that he allowed the post WS distractions to get the best of him this offseason (to his credit, I think, not making excuses – but I think he regrets and knows where he screwed up). Plus he added adopting a kid, buying a home and plenty of other crap on his plate … and he let some of it affect his offseason prep. The dude has a ton of pride, and I’ll be shocked if he repeats the mistake.
- Again, he’s freaking 25 and still has one of the best pitches in baseball – that changeup. He said himself he’ll prob have to work on a cutter or fourth pitch this offseason.
- History-wise, 99.9999999% of all-time MLB pitchers hits some sort of wall. Only the best keep making adjustments to rock on. This guy wants to be great, special.
- Look at Steve Carlton – the Cardinals got sick of his quirky ass in his mid-20s, and I’m damn glad they did. But even so, look at Carlton’s 1973 season (13-20, 3.90 ERA) – remember that even that HOF-er lost 20 with an ERA 2 runs higher than his masterpiece 1972 season (27-10, 1.97).
My Point: It would be asinine to dump on him or get rid of him. And I do like that Hamels voluntarily asked to meet with Cholly.
BUT, if we get to Game 7, it’s no automatic start for Cole – I think it depends on what he said to Cholly, what he does prep-wise the next two days and how the staff shakes out after Game 6. AND I WOULD NOT EVEN THINK OF STARTING HIM unless Cholly tells him to grow up and act like a big leaguer on the hill – if there’s an error, don’t be a pantywaste and show up your studly teammates, EVER. That cannot ever happen again, I consider him on probation for that B.S.
Who knows, maybe we get a rainout – and Cliffy can come back!
P.S. Wade was right about Schilling being a horse’s ass for four out of five days, but the guy was a horse we never shoulda had to trade. If we can put up with Schill, Hamels is a breeze.
