MVN: Most Valuable Network

Movement on the Battlefront

By Nick Cannata-Bowman | December 3, 2008 | Giants Cove

With the arbitration deadline having passed, teams are scrambling to scoop up free agents that will no longer cost them draft picks.  That being so, Brian Sabean has been pretty busy over the last couple days, with the latest news being the signing of right-handed reliever Bobby Howry to a one year deal worth $2.75 million.The Howry deal keeps us out of a long-term financial bind, while giving us a solid reliever to shore up what was a pretty weak squad last season excluding Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo.  Last year, Howry was torched for a 5.35 ERA to go with an opponents' line of .309/.339/.543.  His peripherals remained solid in the midst of this though, walking just 13 in 70 innings, while some believe his rough year was a result of overuse by Lou Piniella.With the bullpen strengthened with the signings of Jeremy Affeldt and Howry, the front office...

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Rodney Childers and Chad McCumbee News...

By Richard Ginn | December 3, 2008 | The Pit Stop

Michael Waltrip Racing today has announced that Rodney Childers is going to be the crew chief for David Reutimann and the #00 Sprint Cup car that he drives.Petty Enterprises has confirmed that second Sprint Cup car that Chad McCumbee may wind up driving will only run if they have sponsorship....

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Jets Stock Report

By Joe Caporoso | December 3, 2008 | The Cockpit

As we enter the final quarter of the season, here is a look at which Jets players stocks have been rising and falling over the past few weeks: Stock is Up - 1. Darrelle Revis - The guy has been a legitimate lockdown corner all season long. If he doesn't end up in Hawaii at the end of the year, it is a crime. He won't get challenged by another big name receiver the rest of the regular season, but the Jets will need him to keep it up in the playoffs if they want to go anywhere. 2. Thomas Jones - TJ has been a beast this season, along with being arguably the most consistent player on the team. Right now he has 1088 yards and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. On top of that, he has 11 rushing touchdowns. He has also been a threat in the passing game,...

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Going to Court: Williamses Seek Restraining Order

By Anthony Hall | December 3, 2008 | Vikings War Cry

The latest:Lawyers for Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams are in Hennepin County District Court this afternoon arguing for a temporary restraining order so they can continue playing.Legal action was expected because the Williamses, and four other players who were suspended Tuesday, claim the league did not inform them that a banned-product known as bumetanide were in pills known as StarCaps.They are appearing  before Hennepin County District Court Judge Gary Larson.So the man pictured below just became a key factor in the NFC North race and the Vikings' playoff chances -- hope Gary's a Vikings fan!...

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What impact will Brewer's injury have?

By Scott Henneboehle | December 3, 2008 | Wolves Watch

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Bucs To Play In London Next Year

By Jamie Kiefer | December 3, 2008 | Atop the Crow's Nest

As one of the front-runners for the London game in 2008, it was kind of a surprise when the Bucs were passed over. That didn't happen this time. It has already been announced that the Bucs will play in London next year against the New England Patriots. The game will be played on October 25th at London's Wembley Stadium....

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State of the G-men Address, and random thoughts

By Tim Mitchell | December 3, 2008 | Big Blue 101

11-1.  The Giants have a chance to accomplish some impressive feats this week, starting with clinching the division in only 13 games against "the team to beat in the NFC East" Philadelphia Eagles.  Donovan McSack was wrong about that label, and the Giants can prove it by closing in on homefield advantage with a big victory at the Meadowlands against a confused team coached by the hungry Andy Reid.   Big Blue can also continue their win streak against teams with a winning record.  Currently they are at 6, and as it is now they will be playing .500+ teams the rest of the season and into the playoffs.  With a win this week, the Giants would tie a record for most wins in a row against teams with winning records.  We had a good thing going as "Road Warriors" last year, and I think this beating up on good teams streak only bodes well for...

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2008 Rockies in Review: Brian Fuentes

By Tom Stephenson | December 3, 2008 | Up in the Rockies

It's looking highly unlikely that Brian Fuentes will be a member of the Colorado Rockies in 2009.  If that's the case, it's been a good seven-year run, and he'll be missed.After spending three seasons in middle relief -- posting ERAs of 4.73, 2.75, and 5.64 -- Fuentes entered 2005 projected to fill a similar role, but an April injury to Chin-hui Tsao pushed him into the closer's job, and he turned into a three-time All-Star.  Over the last four years, Fuentes has saved 111 games for the Rockies.Ironically, the one time in that stretch Fuentes wasn't an All-Star was 2008, and it may have been his best year.  After Manny Corpas struggled early, Fuentes took back the closer's job and posted a 2.73 ERA, striking out 82 batters in 62.2 innings while walking just 22.  He saved 30 games in 34 opportunities.Fuentes will be difficult to replace, assuming that he...

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Top Prospect Profile: Pedro Alvarez

By Alan Smodic | December 3, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Pedro Alvarez - Icon SMI

Pedro Alvarez - Pirates Third BasemanAge: 21Height: 6'2"Weight: 212Bats: LeftPosition: Third BaseRelevent Statistics: I'll direct you here for Alvarez's college statistics. The best number involving him, however, is this:  4 years/$6.355M (2009-12), plus 2013-14 club options. The fact that Alvarez signed and is a Pirate is his most relevent statistic. Scouting Report: Alvarez's best tool is his bat. His draft report card dubbed him as "about as safe as a bet as there is, Alvarez is a polished and poised hitter and should hit for average in the big leagues." He contains power now and should develop more as he continues up the ranks, potentially becoming a 25+ HR guy in the show. Speed on the basepaths is not his game, stealing 16 bases in his collegiate career. Talk about his defense claims that he'll be OK to stay at third base, which is where the Pirates will look to start him. However, a move...

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NFL Power Rankings Week 14: While the West crumbles, the South rises

By Greg Trippiedi | December 3, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The big winner in the NFL this week has to be the Denver Broncos.  At an incredibly unimpressive 7-5, the Broncos appear to have the AFC East well in-hand.  They upset a pretty overrated Jets squad as the Chargers fell to the Falcons to drop three games back in the division.  The Falcons moved to 8-4, which actually puts them at third place in their own division, and still on the outside looking in when talking about the NFC playoff picture.  The Chargers play three of their final four games in the division, so they could win out against incredibly poor competition and win the thing, but if the past is any indicator, they'll choke against the Raiders this week, and Mike Shannahan will be able to rest his starters at 7-6.But the MVN Power Rankings are oblivious to all this, and still argue that the Chargers are better than...

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Fantasy football: Tuesday morning quarterback

By Jeff Freels | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

After an off-the-hizzie week 12 in which NFL teams posted a combined total of 837 points, scoring in week 13 fell faster than General Motors stock; a relatively meager 661 points was the result and fantasy players doubtlessly saw their point totals drop. In the words of the immortal Johnny Carson, that's "weird, wild stuff." Let's review:Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning seems determined to make me look bad. After I made him my number two choice at the quarterback position in week 13 against the dismal Cleveland Browns, he proceeded to squeeze out a festering turd on the carpet of Browns Stadium. Fantasy-wise, I have no idea what to do with him for the rest of the year.Nobody predicted a four-touchdown outburst from the likes of Carolina Panthers workhorse DeAngelo Williams, but four of my five recommendations at running back finished among the top six rushers in week 13. Buffalo...

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Avery Suspended - When Will He Be Banned?

By Karen Francis | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Not that Sean Avery needs one more inch of space to discuss his antics, but his most recent offense could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.  The Dallas Stars are in Calgary to face the Flames and Avery felt it important to address personal issues in front of the Canadian media. Apparently Avery is still peeved that Elisha Cuthbert broke up with him over a year ago.  Now that she is dating Flames defenseman, Dion Phaneuf, Avery deemed it important to slam both Cuthbert and Phaneuf and stir up a bit of a hornet's nest and get the Flames off their game.  By now, everyone knows what Avery said, and it isn't worth repeating.  Tacky and tasteless would be two words to describe it, though.As a result of having no self control and acting like a junior high boy, the NHL has suspended Avery immediately for conduct "detrimental...

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MVN College Football Top 25: Bama Tops Regular Season

By Austin Baird | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Normal 1 2008-12-02T22:27:00Z 1 1 1 11.1282 0 0 0 Rank Team Last Wk. 1 Alabama 1 2 Texas 3 3 Oklahoma 2 4 Florida 4 5 Southern Cal 5 6 Penn State 7 7 Utah 6 8 Boise State 9 9 Texas Tech 8 10 Ball State 15 11 Texas Christian 13 12 Cincinnati 16 13 Georgia Tech 21 14 Georgia 14 15 Oklahoma State 11 16 Oregon 19 17 Missouri 12 18 Brigham Young 18 19 Michigan State 22 20 Pitt NR 21 Ole Miss 25 22 Boston College 23 23 Northwestern 24 24 Iowa NR 25 Virginia Tech NR  ...

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Plaxico, the Giants and other news and notes from around the NFL

By Andrew Strickert | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Plaxico Burress has been charged with two counts of felony possession of a weapon, following an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in a nightclub last Friday night. Burress could face incarceration for 3½ to 15 years. Even if he gets off, he's probably played his last game as a Giant.   Giants captain Antonio Pierce may be in trouble as well. He's accused of hiding the gun Burress accidentally shot himself with and Giants fans aren't happy with Pierce or with the club's decision to let him play against the Redskins.   New York may have strict gun control laws but several Giants players defended Burress. On the other hand, Burress may be an idiot for carrying an unlicensed gun into a nightclub. Here's my question, does a temporary insanity defense apply here?   The sadly ironic thing about this situation is it occurred prior to the game in which the Redskins honored...

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NFL Stock Market Week 14: Franchise Quarterback Roulette

By Greg Trippiedi | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

This week, we examine efforts by second opportunity head coaches in losing seasons, call into question the franchise QB label for some AFC passers, and try to figure out just what the heck is wrong with the Chargers.  This is your weekly look at the NFL stock market on MVN Outsider!RisersPlayer: QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore RavensAt it's most basic levels, football analysts will question whether or not a team's quarterback has what it takes to be the passer the franchise needs.  Coming out of Delaware, there were significant questions surrounding Joe Flacco, whether or not he was able to milk enough experience out of his three years at Delaware to compete in the NFL, why Pitt gave up on him so fast if he was indeed an NFL prospect, and yes, why his team wasn't competitive against App State in the DI FCS Championship Game.  If Flacco hasn't yet established...

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An Interesting Interview

By | December 2, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Last Wednesday afternoon, I conducted an interview with Seth Rorabaugh of the Post-Gazette's Pittsburgh Penguins blog for Kukla's Korner. Seth was insightful regarding how he got into the game, how he started his blog, the future of hockey blogging, his surprises and disappointments regarding this year's Penguins team and his predictions for the Stanley Cup Finals.If you would like me to do conduct these kinds of interviews for MVN, please let me know and I will see who I can get.For your viewing pleasure:Patrick Hoffman: How did you first get into hockey?SR: When I was in third or fourth grade, I started to get a little interested in hockey because there was this Mario Lemieux guy everyone was talking about. My family then moved to Charlotte when I was in fourth grade any interest I hockey was put on hold because the Carolinas aren't exactly a hockey hot bed. Hurricane...

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