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Time for the NFL's Rooney Rule to be rescended

By Patrick Patterson | January 7, 2009 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Willie Brown and Rob Ryan are both assistant coaches for the Raiders. Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

Once again, it is the offseason for the majority of the NFL. Since it is early in the offseason, the coaching carousel is spinning. Coaches have been fired, and teams are looking for replacements. The usual names are flying around as to who is going to go where. However, before a team can hire the coach they are targeting, they have to be sure to interview a "minority" candidate so they don't violate the "Rooney Rule" which results in a fine, lost draft pick, and a tongue lashing from Jesse Jackson.It was Al Davis and the Raiders that broke the "color barrier" by hiring Art Shell as their head coach in 1989. Since then, there has been a proliferation of black coaches, with some having great success like Tony Dungy with the Indianapolis Colts and others failing miserably. At this point in time, NFL owners want winners. They want the...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: 49ers, Al Davis, Arizona Cardinals, Art Shell, Bears, Browns, Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Colts, Dan Rooney, Dough Williams, Herman Edwards, Indianapolis Colts, Jets, Jim Haslett, Kansas City Chiefs, Ken Wizenhunt, Lovie Smith, Mike Singletary, Mike Tomlin, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, Rams, Rooney Rule, Saints, San Francisco 49ers, St Louis Rams, Steelers, Tom Flores, Tony Dungy, Warren Moon

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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Cordero to audition for teams.

By Sean Heyboer | January 6, 2009 | Trumbull and Michigan

Chad Cordero is feeling healthy and will throw for a few interested teams in the very near future it seems. According to the report, the interested teams are the Angels, Mets, Rangers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Tigers. I am hoping the Mets and Angels will pass on him due to their Fuentes signing and K-Rod/Putz signing respectively. I have said it before, but Cordero could be a great fit - if healthy.-s...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chad Cordero, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Tigers

Cardinals: One Cannibal Short

By Fresh (WC) | January 6, 2009 | Cardinals Diaspora

Another Cardinal has headed up the Mississippi to join everyone's least-favorite pack of suck-ass losers, the Chicago Cubs. I know by now this is late news, but I spent Monday pondering this:Was he picked up to combat Chicago's soaring crime statistics ? Have Chicago's dentists secretly negotiated this deal for a chance to gaze in awe at his wolf like incisors ?Either way, it appears Redbird management is trending away from even reasonably priced contracts. Here's a guy that was to say the least, dependable.2003: White Sox, 12ABs, 4H, .333BA2004: Rockies, 522ABs, 153H, .293BA2005: Rockies, 324ABs, 91H, .281BA2006: Cardinals, 426ABs, 112H, .263BA2007: Cardinals, 414ABs, 120H, .290BA2008: Cardinals, 379ABs, 120H, .317BAThis cat hustled his ass off and could basically play every position. Two-year, $4.9mm?? That seems far from outrageous, especially considering that the lowest salary you can earn in the MLB is $390,000/ year. Miles won a World Series (with the...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Aaron Miles, Cardinals, Free Agents, Off Season

Preview: Falcons (11-5) at Cardinals (9-7)

By James A. Smith | January 3, 2009 | Community

Kickoff: 4:35 EST Location: University of Phoenix Stadium The upstart Atlanta Falcons, led by the legs of Michael Turner and the arm of rookie of sensation Matt Ryan, are already in Arizona preparing for their playoff battle against the Cardinals,...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cardinals, Falcons, Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, NFL, playoffs

Bill DeWitt is the New Jerry Jones?

By athooks | January 2, 2009 | Cardinals Diaspora

I guess it's obsessive compulsive when you do the same things over and over again knowing what the result is going to be but doing it nonetheless, right? Believe it or not- before every post were I start ripping into the Cardinals for being cheap, doing nothing, etc al I always take a quick check of about 3 sites juuuuuust to make sure I can't do a 180 and start lauding my favorite team for finally pulling their heads out of their asses. I know I'll find nothing, but I do it anyway. Happy New Year, by the way. For the back end of 2008 Cardinals GM Johnny Mo has taken a considerable amount of heat. From his inactivity at the trade deadline that pretty much cemented a fourth place finish to his repeated bungling of the current off-season and his use of descriptors for being cheap, I'd imagine that...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Bernie Miklasz, Bill DeWitt, Brian Fuentes, Hot Stove, Off-Season, St. Louis Cardinals

Worst of 2008: The Leftovers

By athooks | December 24, 2008 | Cardinals Diaspora

Merry Christmas Eve, friends of Cardinals Diaspora. The incessant onslaught of Christmas music these past few days has put me in a rather scrooge-ish mood. So in lieu of tidings of comfort & joy (comfort & joy) we'll continue our look back at the year that was in awfulness. Today a very special list of the top 10 worst items that didn't warrant their own post... but are definitely some of the lowest lows in 2008. 10. Friday, June 13: Cardinals 2, Phillies 20. Interesting note about this particular game; the Waterboy was sitting next to me as one of Ryan Howard's screaming home runs came buzzing by. Instead of going after the ball, he ducked, nailing the guy one row behind us. Later he claimed he was still suffering a pain from a foul ball bouncing off his ring finger several years prior. Several years prior. That guy amazes...

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Bullpen, Christmas Eve, Izzy, Mark Mulder, St. Louis Cardinals, Worst of 2008

Travis LaBoy/Antwan Odom: The Titans hardly miss ya!

By Drexel Perry | December 23, 2008 | Total Titans

Do the names Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom ring a bell? It was just last March when the former Tennessee Titan defensive ends decided that the grass (and the money) was greener in other NFL cities. LaBoy packed his bags for the Arizona desert while Odom was signed to be the centerpiece of an underwhelming Cincinnati defensive line. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans lost two players who accounted for 14 sacks in 2007 and were faced with the prospect of replacing them with a combination of youngsters, journeymen and a player formerly known as the Freak. We're near the conclusion of the 2008 season and it's pretty clear that the Titans got the proverbial better end of this bargain....

Read more | 7 Comments | Tags: AFC, Antwan Odom, Arizona Cardinals, Bengals, Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, David Ball, Jacob Ford, Jason Jones, Jevon Kearse, NFL, Tennessee Titans, Titans, Travis LaBoy, William Hayes

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

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Hot Stove Dishes - November 22, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: The Giants are the dark horse to be big time players this offseason.Out of nowhere, rumors swirled that the Giants would be inserting themselves into the CC Sabathia chase. San Francisco already went out and signed one of the better lefty relievers on the market. Besides Sabathia, the Giants are after Edgar Renteria and might jump into the fray on another higher end infielder to fill their middle infield needs. If the Giants land Sabathia, they would instantly be contenders in the National League West. Mike Mussina retires!We can move on from the discussion of will Mike Mussina return to the Yankees or not for 2009 since he officially announced his retirement this week. The 270-game winner now will be discussed based on his merits for Hall of...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Edgar Renteria, Francisco Rodriguez, Joe Beimel, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Hampton, Mike Mussina, MLB, MLB Playoffs, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Ramon Vazquez, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Trever Miller

Hot Stove report: Bay Area lures Sabathia, Pedroia builds case for big money, free agent predictions

By Brandon Rosage | November 21, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Just a few weeks away from Major League Baseball's winter meetings, "The Pitch" fans the flames of the Hot Stove by shuffling through all of the latest CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixera and Jake Peavy reports. Hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage also evaluate the MVP and Cy Young Awards and how the winners might be affected in the market today and down the line, including Boston's rising star Dustin Pedroia. Listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments. And don't miss Brandon Rosage's new web video talk show "Boom, Outta Here," which spends its latest episode discussing Pedroia's shot at a new Red Sox deal....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals

MVN Awards: NL MVP - Albert Pujols

By Alan Smodic | November 15, 2008 | MVN Outsider

todonitido/flickr.com

This selection shouldn't come as any surprise.St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols continues to put together one of the best careers we've ever seen in Major League Baseball. He's become Mr. Consistency at the big league level, producing at least .300/30/100 in each of his eight seasons. And only once, last year, did he not score 100 runs -- he scored 99.In his career, Pujols has finished in the top 10 of MVP voting each year:2001 - Fourth2002 - Second2003 - Second2004 - Third2005 - First2006 - Second2007 - NinthIt's getting to the point with Pujols that when MVP talk begins, you almost either A) forget about him, because each year he quietly puts up his numbers (like A-rod) or B) you want to consider other people simply because you want others to have a shot instead of always Pujols (kind of like A-rod there,too).But the 2008 season was...Read more

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Being the GM: 2009 St. Louis Cardinals

By Evan | October 26, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Edgar Renteria will give the NL another try, he supposes.

The St. Louis Albert Pujolses were better than anyone expected. Now, it's time to surround him with more talent. Edgar Renteria and Brandon Lyon should wind their way to St. Louis. Find out who will join them...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: MLB, St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Power Rankings

By Daniel Rathman | September 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The MLB Power Rankings will run on Outsider every Monday night until the conclusion of the regular season.� This is the second-to-last edition of the Rankings; next Monday's edition will be the last.� The final week of the regular season is upon us.� Yeah, already.� Hard to believe, isn't it?� The Halos, Rays, and Cubs are into the playoffs.� The Dodgers and Red Sox are, for all practical purposes, in.� Two of the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers will make it, as will either the White Sox or Twins.� All the other teams will be hitting their La-Z-Boys when the final outs of their games are recorded on Sunday.� Here's how the league stacks up in the penultimate edition of the Power Rankings. Note: some of the statistics and records below are through SATURDAY's games. 1.� Los Angeles Angels, 95-59 With the AL West division locked up and home-field advantage essentially...Read more

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MVN: Most Valuable Network