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Coverbirds

By Fresh (WC) | December 1, 2008 | Cardinals Diaspora

So I saw a few cover bands this weekend, and midway through the first set it occurred to me that if things continue at their current rate, the '09 season is going to basically be another shitty cover of the '06 Cards. I know it's thin, but think about it. Both get up in front of a number of people and execute a task, whether it be playing Folsom Prison Blues or playing 9 innings of competitive baseball. Both are sound in the fundamentals of their task - and are far better then their general viewing public. Both dress the part; for one a sequined jumpsuit and intense sideburns, the other a uniform worn by 10 World Series Winning teams, each the pride and joy of a region. After a few overpriced beers, both seem just about right. But no matter how hard the '09 Cards or "Cashed Out"...

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Game #23: Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche, Monday December 1, 2008 at 7:00pm (CST), Xcel Energy Center (GAME PREVIEW)

By Theresa Ferries | December 1, 2008 | The State of Hockey News

Minnesota Wild (14-7-1) 29pts 1st in Northwest Division 2.68 Goals per Game (20th in NHL) 2.14 Goals Against per Game (2nd in NHL) 24.0% Power Play (2nd in NHL) 89.5% Penalty Kill (1st in NHL) Top 5 Scorers: 1. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 8G 16A = 24pts 2. #20 Antti Miettinen ~ 6G 13A = 19pts 3. #15 Andrew Brunette ~ 8G 7A = 15pts 4. #25 Eric Belanger ~ 6G 7A = 13pts 5. #47 Marc-Andre Bergeron ~ 2G 10A = 12pts Top 3 Penalty Minutes: 1. #24 Derek Boogaard ~ 30PIM 2. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 26PIM 3. #2 Erik Reitz ~ 25PIM Goaltenders: 1. #32 Niklas Backstrom ~ (13-6-1) 2.15GAA .928SV% 2. #29 Josh Harding ~ (1-1-0) 1.90GAA .926SV% vs Colorado Avalanche (11-12-0) 22pts 4th in Northwest Division 2.35 Goals per Game (28th in NHL) 2.87 Goals Against per Game (15th in NHL) 16.0% Power Play (21st...

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2009 PGA Tour Schedule and Where Tiger Might Return

By Neil Sagebiel | December 1, 2008 | Down the Middle

The PGA Tour released its 2009 schedule recently, which includes all events leading up to the playoff-ending Tour Championship. The Fall Series events will be released later.2009 PGA Tour ScheduleIn a separate story, the PGA Tour staff listed the five most likely events for Tiger's return.1. Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 23-29)2. WGC-CA Championship (March 9-15)3. The Masters (April 8-12)4. WGC Accenture Match Play Championship (February 23 - March 1)5. Buick Invitational (February 2-8)No one really knows, though, not even Tiger's doctors."That's the most frustrating thing for me, because I don't know," Woods was quoted as saying."I like having things planned out. I like understanding what I need to shoot for, but I don't know. And the surgeons don't know, either, because they've never dealt with an injury like this for a person who plays golf at an elite level."I'm pretty certain Tiger will want to return before the Masters, if...

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Boxing's Future Looks Very Russian

By Tim Starks | December 1, 2008 | The Queensberry Rules

This being a pro boxing-oriented blog, I confess I'd never seen world amateur boxer ratings until today, via Boxing Along the Beltway/D.C. Amateur Boxing. The man who provided the rankings to D.C. Amateur Boxing, the U.K.'s Michael Smith, appears to have been a well-regarded authority on the matter for any number of years.In the latest world rankings, in every weight class but one -- where Russia had the #3 boxer -- Russia has either the #1 boxer, #2 boxer or both in the "junior" category. I don't know if that trend necessarily indicates that Russia, already the dominant power in the heavyweight division, is soon going to be taking over the sport as a whole; its amateurs don't do quite as well in some of the other, non-junior rankings. But I thought it was interesting and worth sharing. The rest of the rankings are interesting, too, so read 'em and...

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Haven't We Seen This Before?

By Jamie Kiefer | December 1, 2008 | Atop the Crow's Nest

Yesterday's game kept reminding me of the last time these two teams met. Everything was falling in place as it did before, but not even I could have predicted the ending. In Week 1, the Saints were up by two points late in the game, and the Bucs were driving. With less than a minute left, the Bucs threw an interception that sealed the Saints win. This week, the Bucs were up by three late in the game, and the Saints were driving. With under two minutes left in the game, Drew Brees threw an interception that sealed the Bucs win. There is nothing like deja vu. At least it wound up in favor of the Bucs this time. Let's look at what made this game what it was: Containing The BreesIf the Bucs wanted to win yesterday, they knew that they had to stop NFL MVP-candidate Drew Brees. Yes, he threw...

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OMG Answers the Mailbag Again

By Harper Gordek | December 1, 2008 | Oleanders and Morning Glories

While the Nationals Enquirer breaks into his neighbor's house trying to find out what happened to Walter, I answer the mailbag. If they sign a first baseman like Mark Teixeira, what are the Nationals' plans for Nick Johnson? -- Don T., Milwaukee You serious, Clark? Trade him. The only question is whether to trade him before signing Tex when the Nats have more leverage. That would be a serious leap of faith though and would indicate a 100% commitment to signing Teixiera (in other words - don't expect it). Knowing the Nationals had one of the worst ERAs in the National League last year, would you rather get a high-priced slugger or a pitcher? -- Matt S., Farmingdale, N.Y. Wow. That's like asking Lerner if knowing the attendance wouldn't change would he rather lower payroll or raise ticket prices... Of course everything is case by case but generally based on...

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Jets Were Due: Humbled by Broncos

By Joe Caporoso | December 1, 2008 | The Cockpit

Did you really think the Jets were going to head into the playoffs on a 10 game winning streak? You didn't think there would be an ugly misstep along the way in this final stretch of games? Trust me, yesterday's loss will prove to be one of the best things that happens to this team in 2008. This past week the Jets were the hot topic of the NFL. Leon Washington, Kerry Rhodes, and Kris Jenkins were all over ESPN. The New York papers constantly discussed the prospect of a Subway Super Bowl. For the past seven days the Jets were recognized as an elite team in the NFL. Not anymore, the Jets have fell back into the pack of the muddled AFC, where any team who ends up playing in January has a good shot of ending up in the Super Bowl. Leon Washington said after the game the...

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Video Of The Chris Arreola-Travis Walker Barnburner

By Tim Starks | December 1, 2008 | The Queensberry Rules

Via Deadspin, it picks up just as things get interesting:You have to love the way both heavyweights came out swinging. Not strategically, necessarily, but from an entertainment standpoint....

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From the Sidelines

By Jay | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Giving the Gift of Touchdowns Week 13 is the last week of the regular season in most fantasy football leagues and some owners clinched playoff spots, while others will be planning for next season. ***Before I continue, I hope that nobody in your league broke Fantasy Football Rule #1 by not changing their line-up. If you had a tough year, at least show other owners respect by not abandoning your club. This hasn't happened in any of my leagues for years because all of the owners take it pretty seriously, but years ago it was an issue.*** Okay, I will step down from the soap-box and get back to Week 13. Two running backs gave the gift of 4 touchdowns this holiday season and almost assuredly helped their fantasy teams to victories. Brian Westbrook lit up the Cardinals on Thanksgiving for 4 TD's and DeAngelo Williams torched up the Packers...

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NBA Week 5 Power Rankings

By Joe Boikess | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

As seems to be the ongoing trend a month into the season, the Lakers, Celtics and Cavaliers have established themselves as the NBA's teams to beat. The Magic, Blazers and Nuggets are also playing well and look to be in that second tier below them. Elsewhere in the West, the Northwest Division is shaping up to be as competitive as the Southwest, which is also looking stronger with the Spurs and Mavs on the rise. In the East, the Nets are playing well and might demand playoff consideration, while the 76ers can't seem to get it together like many people predicted they would this year. With the end of November comes new hope for many other teams, but here's how I'd rank the league entering the month of December. 1. Los Angeles Lakers (14-1) - I expected this team to be relatively high-powered on offense, but I don't think anyone...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, NBA Outsider, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers

Jonas Hiller: The latest in a Long Line of Flourishing Backups

By Bryan Thiel | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

For the past few decades, there's been a few arguments as to where the premiere goalie factory is.For many, Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur headline a strong class originating from Quebec, while Miikka Kiprusoff and Vesa Toskala make a strong case for Finland to be dubbed the latest goalie factory.But what if a goalie factory can be something other than a city, country, and geographic area? What if a team could be a goalie factory?What if that team is the Anaheim Ducks?Over the past eight seasons, the Ducks, Mighty or not, have relied upon Jean-Sebastien Giguere to get 'Giggy' between the pipes--another goalie who came from Quebec--and backstop them for the duration of their seasons.Since his coming-out party in the 2002/03, Giguere has seen a lot of success in Anaheim from a Stanley Cup ring, to a Conn Smythe trophy, to leading the league in goals-against average and save percentage...

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NBA Games of the Week

By Bijan Bayne | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Last week saw some great matchups we enjoyed while chomping on turkey and dessert. The coming of a new month, recent transactions, and the developing chemistry of certain teams portends a week full of promise and revelation about who's strong and who's wrong. Here are the best of the games on tap: (All times EST) Tues. Dec. 2, Portland at NY, 7:30 p.m.- Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Steve Blake bring their game, and they hope big rookie Greg Oden to MSG. Aldridge will have his hands full with Al Harrington. Both teams are searching for their respective identities- the Blazers with a new big and the Knicks with new Coach Mike D'Antoni- plus Harrington and Cuttino Mobley. Role players such as Portland's Channing Frye and Travis Outlaw up front, and New York's Jared Jeffries, Nate Robinson, Malik Rose and David Lee could be pivotal as...

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Could Orioles make Peavy trade happen?

By Evan | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Garrett Olson - Evan Brunell

According to Jeff Zrebiec and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun, (I bet poor Peter got razzed in junior high for that last name) the Baltimore Orioles may be the third team that San Diego Padres' GM Kevin Towers needed in order to ship Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs.Towers is looking for young pitchers and hitters in return for Peavy and while the Cubs can offer third base prospect Josh Vitters, they don't have the pitching needed to make the deal on their own.Enter the Orioles, who last year almost matched up with the Cubs on a deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts heading to Chicago for, amongst other things, centerfielder Felix Pie. Club president Andy McPhail acknowledged that the Orioles are looking at Pie as a way to bolster their depth in outfield.Pie, 23, supposed to be the future long-term centerfielder for the Cubs, has struggled these...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, MLB, San Diego Padres

MNF spotlights AFC South underachievers

By Anthony Hall | December 1, 2008 | MVN Outsider

This week on Monday Night Football, it's a battle of two 4-7 AFC South squads as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Houston to face the Texans. Both teams have failed to live up to preseason expectations, so in our Monday Night Football preview this week, we wanted to get a closer look at what's gone wrong for these two teams this season. Jeanne of Black & Teal and Chris of Houston Diehards were kind enough to join us for a pair of quick interviews about the Jags and Texans:Three questions with Jeanne of Black & Teal:1. We've been hearing more and more rumblings about the rough state of Jacksonville's locker room -- do you get the impression that team chemistry (or lack thereof) has been one of the main contributing factors to their underwhelming season? I think the trouble with the locker room stories are coming mostly from journalists looking for a quick...

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Roy, What Is He Good For?

By Nicolas A. Lewis | November 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

I am, of course, referring to former Montreal Canadien superstar and future Hall-of-Fame goaltender Patrick Roy. I am also therefore making a clever pun out of a song that was probably popular long before you or I were ever born. It does, however, seem appropriate, since our good friend Patrick has somehow managed to given birth to two sons who may simultaneously be the most talented and most lunkheaded superstar children I have ever seen. First there was Patrick's older son Jonathan, a goalie for the Quebec Remparts of the prospect-rich Quebec Major-Junior Hockey League. Eight months ago, in a Remparts game against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, an all-out brawl broke out during the game. Here's your brief video refresher. p> Jonathan left the net to head to center ice and try to join the fracas, but was held back by one of the linesmen. He then suddenly flipped out and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Frederick Roy, Jonathan Roy, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Patrick Roy

West Coast Offense-ive

By Nicolas A. Lewis | November 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Another year in the parity-riddled NFL, and who is left to suffer but sports fans on the West Coast. The NFC and AFC West as a whole have managed a rather terrifying 15 - 49 record in games outside of their own division, with only the Denver Broncos posting a winning record in that category. Things are so bad that the Cardinals have lost two straight games to fall to 7-5, yet can still clinch the NFC West title next Sunday with a victory over the hapless Rams. Things are so bad that within that same division, the 49ers had lost seven of their last eight prior to their insanely boring victory over Buffalo today, yet they actually an still win the division. Granted, it involves them finishing the season 4-0 and the Cardinals to keep losing, but surely stranger things have happened. It's been particularly awful for the...

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A Montage From People Who "Get It"

By Amar Panchmatia | November 27, 2008

Sports writers that we can be thankful for on this Thanksgiving holiday: The two biggest NBA myths around are that LeBron James needs to be in New York and that the league needs the Knicks to be good. Anyone who still believes you can make it only in Manhattan probably still calls remote controls "clickers." This isn't the Walter Cronkite era, when we got our news from men sitting at desks in New York. These...

8 recommendations | 1 Comment

Happy Skanksgiving!

By Fresh (WC) | November 26, 2008

Skanksgiving: a time to share joy, cocktails, and inflated stories of success with the majority of your graduating high school class. "People who get excited about New Years Eve are d-bags. Skanksgiving is where it's at," offered loyal CD reader and problem drinker John Bucher. "If every day was Skanksgiving, you could say goodbye to the Taliban and hello to world peace." But it won't be all fun and games for one quiet St. Louis suburb...

7 recommendations | 6 Comments

An NFL Thanksgiving feast: Previewing Thursday's games

By Anthony Hall | November 26, 2008

In keeping with the NFL's Thanksgiving tradition, three games are slated for Thursday -- the 10-1 Titans face the winless Lions at 12:30p ET on CBS, the Cowboys host the Seahawks later in the afternoon on Fox, and the Cardinals and Eagles square off on NFL Network just after 8:00p ET. To preview this trio of games, we asked three of our favorite NFL bloggers to give us a prediction for one of the games...

4 recommendations | Discuss

Could Julio Lugo be 2009's Coco Crisp?

By Tim Daloisio | November 25, 2008

While most people are dreaming of an off chance that Dontrelle Willis could recreate himself in a Boston Red Sox uniform, there is recent precedent that might point towards not rushing Julio Lugo out of town quite so quickly. Tell me if this story sounds even remotely familiar? An under-performing veteran coming off an injury plagued season, having never fulfilled his promise present at his debut as a member of the Boston Red Sox, has...

4 recommendations | 9 Comments

MVN: Most Valuable Network

Chiefs need to fire Cunningham

Is LeBron fooling himself?

Coverbirds

Game #23: Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche, Monday December 1, 2008 at 7:00pm (CST), Xcel Energy Center (GAME PREVIEW)

2009 PGA Tour Schedule and Where Tiger Might Return

Boxing's Future Looks Very Russian

Haven't We Seen This Before?

OMG Answers the Mailbag Again

Jets Were Due: Humbled by Broncos

Video Of The Chris Arreola-Travis Walker Barnburner

From the Sidelines

NBA Week 5 Power Rankings

Jonas Hiller: The latest in a Long Line of Flourishing Backups

NBA Games of the Week

Could Orioles make Peavy trade happen?

MNF spotlights AFC South underachievers

Roy, What Is He Good For?

West Coast Offense-ive

A Montage From People Who "Get It"

Happy Skanksgiving!

An NFL Thanksgiving feast: Previewing Thursday's games

Could Julio Lugo be 2009's Coco Crisp?