Pierzynski 12

Buckeyes!!!!!!

Benson out 3-6 weeks A magnetic resonance imaging test has confirmed that Cedric Benson suffered a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee that could sideline him anywhere from three to six weeks. The test, performed Monday morning at Halas Hall, revealed no damage to other ligaments or to the running back's meniscus. Benson suffered the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's victory over San Francisco. His right knee bent grotesquely under him as he was tackled and medical personnel almost immediately signaled for a golf cart to take Benson off the field. Afterward, Benson wore almost a full length brace on his right leg but his spirits were positive as he talked about the first injury ever to force him from a game. "I'm very flexible, so hopefully I'll be alright," Benson said Sunday. Benson started Sunday because Thomas Jones sat with bruised ribs. Jones could return Sunday against Carolina. The Bears also have Adrian Peterson, who rushed for a career-high 120 yards against the 49ers. Benson, the fourth overall pick in last April's draft, has 237 yards on 58 carries. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

You're worried about your fantasy football team when this guys career almost came to an end.

Congrats A-Rod

Can someone make me an AJ Pierzynski sig?I don't care how you make it.

Come on Buckeyes.Kick Michigan's ass!!!

INDIAN WELLS, Calif -- Three years after the Cubs should have signed him, the White Sox could get a chance to bring power-hitting first baseman Jim Thome back to his home state. General manager Ken Williams says re-signing Paul Konerko is his top priority this winter. But let's face it, the Sox never have thrown money at anyone—even the $55 million deal with Albert Belle came with exquisitely crafted escape language. And the Konerko sweepstakes is certain to be a drawn-out process that ends with him getting an offer from someone that will be difficult for the South Siders to swallow, even if Konerko offers them a chance to match it, which is not a given. At last week's GM meetings, Williams said that because Konerko wants to stay in Chicago and the club wants to keep him, he is "optimistic" a deal can be done. But the telling quote came later in that interview, when he pointed out that no one is irreplaceable in the White Sox's team concept. "If we don't have Paul, it's not like Juan Uribe and Joe Crede are going to throw the ball and it will go into the stands because no one's there to catch it," Williams said. "Somebody will be there. We'll figure it out." If Konerko does depart, it shouldn't be assumed his replacement will make big money. With two expensive arbitration cases (Jon Garland and A.J. Pierzynski) looming and most of the signed regulars in line for seven-figure raises, Williams will face some tough choices even if his payroll does increase from $75 million to $85 million, which would represent a $20 million increase over two seasons. But in Philadelphia's Thome and the Florida Marlins' Carlos Delgado, there are two proven run-producing first basemen being shopped this winter. Thome, who played only 59 games last season because of a season-ending elbow injury, has been supplanted by Ryan Howard, who was named the National League's rookie of the year. Delgado, the former Toronto slugger, went to Florida with a back-loaded contract that quickly has become a burden. Pat Gillick, the front-office veteran who was an excellent hire as general manager in Philadelphia, denied that a decision had been made between the 35-year-old Thome and Howard, who is 26. "Nobody's the first baseman right now," Gillick said. "Because it's the off-season." Thome, a Peoria native with many relatives in Chicago, is owed $46 million over the next three seasons and has a complete no-trade clause. It wasn't easy for him to watch Howard succeed in his place and feel written off by Philadelphia fans and media. "When you're on the DL, it ain't the best feeling," Gillick said. "Jim is the kind of guy who always has contributed, who wants to contribute." Gillick said it would not be uncomfortable to have both Thome and Howard in spring training, which would allow interested teams to see if Thome was healthy. But if the Phillies did not trade Thome until the spring, they could find themselves unable to add the pitching they believe they need. Gillick said trainer Jeff Cooper has seen Thome recently and that he's in "tremendous condition, the best in three or four years." That sounds like a GM trying to build a market. The question could be how much of Thome's contract the Phillies are willing to swallow to get viable pitching in exchange for a salary they would love to move. Delgado, 33, gave the Marlins a .301 average, 33 home runs and 115 RBIs for only $4 million this season. But the deal he signed last winter includes $44 million to be paid over the next three seasons. His 2006 salary is $13.5 million, which the Sox could reduce to an effective $9 million by sending Orlando Hernandez to Florida. With Brandon McCarthy ready to move into the rotation, the Sox could offset Delgado's salary in '06 and '07 by dealing Jose Contreras or Freddy Garcia.

I don't want Nomar here because he might bust his balls again.

That's sad to hear.

Congrats to Rooney!!

Arizona Detroit Houston Indianapolis Minnesota NY Giants San Francisco Chicago Baltimore Jacksonville Kansas City Buffalo New England Miami Denver Oakland NY Jets Carolina Green Bay Atlanta Washington Tampa Bay St. Louis Seattle Sunday Night Cleveland Pittsburgh Monday Dallas Philadelphia

:finger

Happy Birthday!

Kenny Lofton is an old piece of s***.The guy sucks now.He's a waste to have on the team.

Yes it was.

Welcome aboard!!

Ozzie!!!

Chiefs running back Priest Holmes may be on the verge of retirement due to a lump on his spinal cord that could lead to paralysis if he continues to play. KSHB NBC TV in Kansas City is reporting that Holmes has "very possibly" played his final game in a Chiefs uniform and could announce his retirement from the NFL as soon as Thursday. The team has not confirmed the local report, and as of Tuesday, head coach D*** Vermeil claimed he was uncertain about Holmes' status. "I don't have any information and sometimes I get upset that I don't have more information," Vermeil said in Tuesday's press conference. "But the information and communication system is in the right hands: Dr. Browne, our medical staff and our trainers, and the people he is consulting with." The injury may or may not be directly related to the mild head trauma he suffered in a violent collision with Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman in week eight. Holmes visited a spine specialist in California last week before missing last Sunday's game against the Raiders. Early this week he sought a third opinion in Miami. Holmes also sustained a neck injury in week two that did not cause him to miss time but may be related. The 32-year-old running back has been unable to finish two of the last three seasons due to injury. Last year, a sprained knee cost him eight games, and in 2002, a hip injury that required surgery cost him the final two contests. He has undergone three knee surgeries in his playing career. Holmes has arguably been fantasy football's most productive player over the last four seasons and was the consensus top overall fantasy draft pick in 2003 and 2004. He set two single-season NFL scoring records—one for total touchdowns and one for rushing touchdowns—with 27 scores in the 2003 season. Even as injuries mounted, he has continued to cross the stripe at an unprecedented level. In his last 45 games, he has recorded an astounding 73 touchdowns. This is not the first time we've heard of Priest Holmes and retirement. After Ricky Williams walked out of the Dolphins locker room prior to the 2004-2005 seasons, Holmes admitted publicly that he too had considered retirement in the past and was not opposed to walking away from the game early. With an injury as serious as this reportedly is, Priest's decision may be an easy one. Holmes' possible retirement would leave the Chiefs starting running back job to three-year veteran Larry Johnson, a former first-round draft pick. In his first start of the season last Sunday against Oakland, Johnson rushed for 107 yards, collected 48 receiving yards, and scored two rushing touchdowns—including the game-winning one-yard plunge on the final play of the game. This production came as no surprise to veteran fantasy owners who watched Johnson dominate late last season while Holmes was on injured reserve with a knee injury. In the final five games of the season, Johnson averaged over 138 total yards and two touchdowns per game. "[Johnson's] been very impressive," Vermeil said on Tuesday. "We haven't had Willie Roaf or other things that make those numbers even more impressive, but he's been very impressive. He's made some long runs, he's made 60-yard runs on screens and, to me, he was Priest Holmes." Priest Holmes without the injuries? That sounds suspiciously like a top-five fantasy running back, and it's hard to argue that Johnson wouldn't be exactly that for the rest of the season. Even while getting just one of every three series, L.J. has more touchdowns than Willis McGahee, more yards than Holmes and Corey Dillon, and a per-carry average that ranks fifth in the NFL. He also may be launching his career as a starting back against two defenses—the Bills and the Texans—that statistically rank dead last in the NFL against the run. It's also worth nothing that the Chiefs passing game kicked into high gear when Holmes when down last season. Priest sustained the injury early in week nine, at which point tight end Tony Gonzalez went on to record four 100-yard games and wide receiver Eddie Kennison scored all eight of his touchdowns. Trent Green also tossed six 300-yard games in nine outings. At the risk of reducing Vermeil to a weeping mess, we'll conclude by wishing Holmes well. Although fantasy owners around the world would lament his sudden departure (to put it kindly), we'd much prefer to watch him walk away from the game rather than what could have been a tragic alternative. Needless to say, it's an absolute injustice to see Holmes potentially robbed of his career just days after Terrell Owens' idiocy only temporarily curbed his. Chiefs running back Priest Holmes may be on the verge of retirement due to a lump on his spinal cord that could lead to paralysis if he continues to play. KSHB NBC TV in Kansas City is reporting that Holmes has "very possibly" played his final game in a Chiefs uniform and could announce his retirement from the NFL as soon as Thursday. The team has not confirmed the local report, and as of Tuesday, head coach D*** Vermeil claimed he was uncertain about Holmes' status. "I don't have any information and sometimes I get upset that I don't have more information," Vermeil said in Tuesday's press conference. "But the information and communication system is in the right hands: Dr. Browne, our medical staff and our trainers, and the people he is consulting with." The injury may or may not be directly related to the mild head trauma he suffered in a violent collision with Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman in week eight. Holmes visited a spine specialist in California last week before missing last Sunday's game against the Raiders. Early this week he sought a third opinion in Miami. Holmes also sustained a neck injury in week two that did not cause him to miss time but may be related. The 32-year-old running back has been unable to finish two of the last three seasons due to injury. Last year, a sprained knee cost him eight games, and in 2002, a hip injury that required surgery cost him the final two contests. He has undergone three knee surgeries in his playing career. Holmes has arguably been fantasy football's most productive player over the last four seasons and was the consensus top overall fantasy draft pick in 2003 and 2004. He set two single-season NFL scoring records—one for total touchdowns and one for rushing touchdowns—with 27 scores in the 2003 season. Even as injuries mounted, he has continued to cross the stripe at an unprecedented level. In his last 45 games, he has recorded an astounding 73 touchdowns. This is not the first time we've heard of Priest Holmes and retirement. After Ricky Williams walked out of the Dolphins locker room prior to the 2004-2005 seasons, Holmes admitted publicly that he too had considered retirement in the past and was not opposed to walking away from the game early. With an injury as serious as this reportedly is, Priest's decision may be an easy one. Holmes' possible retirement would leave the Chiefs starting running back job to three-year veteran Larry Johnson, a former first-round draft pick. In his first start of the season last Sunday against Oakland, Johnson rushed for 107 yards, collected 48 receiving yards, and scored two rushing touchdowns—including the game-winning one-yard plunge on the final play of the game. This production came as no surprise to veteran fantasy owners who watched Johnson dominate late last season while Holmes was on injured reserve with a knee injury. In the final five games of the season, Johnson averaged over 138 total yards and two touchdowns per game. "[Johnson's] been very impressive," Vermeil said on Tuesday. "We haven't had Willie Roaf or other things that make those numbers even more impressive, but he's been very impressive. He's made some long runs, he's made 60-yard runs on screens and, to me, he was Priest Holmes." Priest Holmes without the injuries? That sounds suspiciously like a top-five fantasy running back, and it's hard to argue that Johnson wouldn't be exactly that for the rest of the season. Even while getting just one of every three series, L.J. has more touchdowns than Willis McGahee, more yards than Holmes and Corey Dillon, and a per-carry average that ranks fifth in the NFL. He also may be launching his career as a starting back against two defenses—the Bills and the Texans—that statistically rank dead last in the NFL against the run. It's also worth nothing that the Chiefs passing game kicked into high gear when Holmes when down last season. Priest sustained the injury early in week nine, at which point tight end Tony Gonzalez went on to record four 100-yard games and wide receiver Eddie Kennison scored all eight of his touchdowns. Trent Green also tossed six 300-yard games in nine outings. At the risk of reducing Vermeil to a weeping mess, we'll conclude by wishing Holmes well. Although fantasy owners around the world would lament his sudden departure (to put it kindly), we'd much prefer to watch him walk away from the game rather than what could have been a tragic alternative. Needless to say, it's an absolute injustice to see Holmes potentially robbed of his career just days after Terrell Owens' idiocy only temporarily curbed his. http://www.fanball.com/fb/article.cfm/ID.4981

Very cool

Sure..........

Matsui is going to end up back with the Yankees.

Ah ha

I hope he ends up back here............There are plenty of guys that are getting overpaid.

ESPN sucks ass

The Cubs re-signed two bums named Neifi Perez and Glendon Rusch to 2 year deals.