Utes dispose of Cal 37-27 in Poinsettia Bowl

Heading into its game at Washington, Cal still had the chance to end up in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, a prize usually reserved for the second place team in the Pac-10.

But Cal lost to Washington and ended up in San Diego for a different bowl: The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Worse yet, the Bears could not finish their season with a win, falling to Utah 37-27 in a game that was only close for a few plays in the first and fourth quarters.

"It was really a snowball effect," said running back Shane Vereen, who started in place of the injured Jahvid Best. "We were on track in the beginning and then we just lost our execution."

Utah used every trick in its book, including the Wildcat formation, halfback passes, flea-flickers, double reverses and copious amounts of bubble screens. Most of the plays worked, as Utah racked up 389 yards of total offense and controlled the ball for more than 35 minutes. The Utes' true freshman quarterback, Jordan Wynn, overcame an early interception and finished with 338 passing yards and three touchdowns.

"We think a lot of Jordan Wynn," said Utah coach Kyle Wittingham. "He's unflappable. Ice water in his veins."

But Cal's defense played well enough to win Wednesday night, even if the box score doesn't show it. The offense looked slick and in sync in the first quarter as Cal took a 7-0 lead, but the Bears followed that up by going nearly the entire second quarter without a first down. The only other score for the Bears in the first half came on an interception return for a touchdown by linebacker Eddie Young, just seconds after their first touchdown. Soon Cal's 14-0 early lead had evaporated as Utah's offense heated up.

"There was so much time left, especially with how explosive our offense can be," Wynn said. "It was early in the game and we knew we had to get back into it, and we did."

Heading into halftime, Utah led 24-14 and had all the momentum it could possibly need.

Cal's woes continued in the third quarter, when the team did not get another first down until almost 12 minutes had elapsed. The Bears finally broke through with a touchdown at the end of the quarter, but only after Utah had successfully rattled off 27 unanswered points.

Despite all of their problems, the Bears only trailed by six heading into the fourth quarter. After another Utah field goal, Cal faced a nine-point deficit with less than 11 minutes until the final gun. The comeback attempt was all but dashed when Stevenson Sylvester returned a Kevin Riley interception for a touchdown with 5:27 remaining.

The season ends with Cal losing back-to-back games after compiling an 8-3 record following upsets of Stanford and Arizona. After the game, the players were predictably upset.

"By far man, this is the worst feeling I've had since I've been here," said senior fullback Brian Holley, who played his last game as a Golden Bear.

"This is going to sting for a while," said coach Jeff Tedford.

Senior tackle Mike Tepper also played his last game for Cal, but was significantly less despondent than his teammates. Still, he called the team's final 8-5 record "not good enough," and challenged Cal's fan base to raise their expectations.

"You need to push the football team to be the best that's possible," Tepper said. "To those people who don't believe that 8-5 is a bad season, that's incorrect."

Best, who was a Heisman hopeful early in the season, has likely played his last game for the Bears, but his very productive backup, Vereen, will be back. So too will Riley, who has now been under Tedford's tutelage for four years. Tepper believes there is enough talent to win a national championship next year, even though Bears fans will live with a Pac-10 championship and a Rose Bowl berth.

For now, the 51st season without a Rose Bowl appearance has ended, and Cal fans will have to wait for the 52nd to try again.

Utah Utes lead California Golden Bears 27-21 heading into the 4th quarter. LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL

End of 3rd quarter Utah 27 Cal 21

Cal failed to convert a huge third-and-2 on its own 13. Riley had fullback Brian Holley wide open on the play for a sure first down, but wildly overthrew him. Punter Bryan Anger did what he does best, kicking the snot out of the ball, and Utah was unable to get a good return thanks to solid special teams tackling by Cal.

The Utah drive began with excellent field position, and the Utes had gotten down to the 25-yard line when they faced fourth-and-1. Trying to deliver a knockout blow, Wittingham went for it, but Cal's defense did not yield the precious yard.

Back on the offensive, Riley nearly threw a pick on the very next play. Second down resulted in an embarrassing drop for tight end Anthony Miller, and on third down Riley fumbled the ball away on a sack. Utah recovered the ball at the 14.

Cal's defense minimized the damage by only allowing a field goal. Whatever Cal's coaching staff told the defense at halftime, it's working. The offense? Not so much.

But on Cal's next drive, the Bears finally get a first down (their first since the opening quarter) on a long run by Shane Vereen, and apparently it's contagious - Riley completes a long pass to Miller on the next play for another first down. Riley finds his touch on this drive, and leads the Bears to the one-yard line. Vereen takes care of the rest, rushing for an easy touchdown. The Bear fans, which greatly outnumber the Utah fans at Qualcomm Stadium, come to life with the score. We've got a ball game again.

Bear defense, you're up. Utah has the ball at their own 45 as the quarter winds to a close.

LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL: California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes

9:54 3rd quarter Utah 24 Cal 14

They often say the numbers tell the story - that is definitely the case tonight.

First Half
First Downs: Utah 14 Cal 6
Total Offense: Utah 257 yards Cal 122 yards
Punts: Utah 0 Cal 2
Time of Possession: Utah 18:45 Cal 11:15

Start of the third quarter and the story is still the same: three-and-out for Cal.

On Utah's next drive, Syd'Quan Thompson looked nothing like the shutdown corner he is supposed to be on a 42-yard flea-flicker touchdown pass, in which Thompson fell down while covering the intended receiver. Fortunately for the Bears, the play was called back due to an illegal formation penalty. Cal's defense held at their own 43, but Aaron Ross made an ill-advised fair catch at the five-yard line on the ensuing punt.

Cal takes the field at the five-yard line. Another three-and-out would give Utah excellent field position. This could be make-or-break time for the Bears.

LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL: California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes

Halftime Utah 24 Cal 14

Cal was forced into a second consecutive three-and-out, although a penalty should have been called on third-down. Riley rocketed a well-thrown pass to receiver Verran Tucker, but it was dropped. Tucker was blasted by Utah defensive back Robert Johnson on the play, and replays showed that Johnson clearly hit Tucker with helmet-to-helmet contact. The referees did not call a personal foul penalty, which would have given the Bears a first down.

Utah again drove down the field with ease, and Wynn threw his third touchdown pass of the night on a 21-yard strike to a wide open Jereme Brooks.

On Cal's subsequent drive, Riley threw the ball to Tucker again on a similar route to his previous drop, with the same result. Tight End Anthony Miller made up for it with an incredible catch on the next play for a first down. Riley moved the Bears to their 47, but the half ended when he was sacked on a second down play with 13 seconds remaining.

Cal won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, which is looking like a very good decision right now. The defense hasn't put up much of a fight since the first couple of drives, and the Utes are moving the ball up and down the field at will.

The Cal offense must come out on its first drive of the third quarter and make some sort of progress. If Utah gets the ball back with a short field again, this game may be over before the fourth quarter.

First half numbers to come. Bear fans may want to avert their eyes.

LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL: California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes

4:58 2nd quarter Utah 17 Cal 14

You can’t coach it, but every head coach talks about it; you don’t know when you’ll get it, and it’s hard to get back once you’ve lost it: momentum.

Utah clearly stole the early momentum back from Cal, and forced the Bears to go three-and-out after its successful field goal drive. The Utes partially blocked a punt from Bryan Anger, and, despite a friendly roll for Cal, got the ball at their own 44.

The Bear defense struggled on the subsequent drive, allowing Utah to drive down the field and score a touchdown to take the lead. Quarterback Jordan Wynn rifled a 15-yard pass to Kendrick Moeai (his second of the night) on third-and-10 for the score.

Cal desperately needs to get at least a couple of first downs on the next drive, because the defense cannot stop Utah right now.

Utah to kickoff.

LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL: California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes

9:31 2nd quarter Cal 14 Utah 10

Cal quarterback Kevin Riley surprised the Utah defense at the end of the 1st quarter with a quarterback draw on third-and-long, and picked up eight yards for a first down.

The Bear offense stalled and had to punt the ball back to Utah. The Utes went to the no huddle offense, which had Cal on its heels. Utah managed to make it down to the Cal 11-yard-line, but the Bear defense did not allow another yard. Utes settle for a 28-yard field goal.

Utah to kickoff.

LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL: California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes

1:30 1st Quarter Cal 14 Utah 7

First tough decision of the game for Utah coach Kyle Wittingham: a fourth-and-1 at the 10-yard line. Electing to go for it, Wittingham had the offense rush to the line and they successfully converted. Wynn made the Bears pay for allowing the Utes to convert, throwing a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kendrick Moeai in the back corner of the endzone. The score keeps the game close after Cal's interception return for a touchdown.

Cal starting its next drive at the 35-yard line. 1st and 10.

LIVE UPDATES FROM POINSETTIA BOWL: California Golden Bears vs. Utah Utes

3:00+ First Quarter Bears 14 Utah 0

The game began ominously for Cal when Utah ripped off a 45-yard catch and run on it's third play from scrimmage, but the defense recovered nicely. The Bears did not allow the Utes to gain the precious extra few yards that would have set-up a long field goal, and Utah elected to punt.

On Cal's second drive, it took less than two minutes and only five plays for running back Shane Vereen to show why he's the best backup in the country. He took a hand-off 36-yards to the house, in which it was clear he was gone after he cleared the line of scrimmage. The only player with a chance to save the touchdown, defensive back Brandon Burton, slipped as he turned to pursue Vereen.

Once Utah got the ball back, freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn threw an interception into the waiting arms of Cal linebacker Eddie Young, who returned the pick for a 31-yard touchdown. It is the first touchdown of his career.

Utah in the red zone, 2nd and 12.

What happened to our little Tiger cub?

Remember when America was in love with Tiger Woods? Remember how we fawned over those videos of him playing golf at age two on national television? Remember how we marveled when he smoked the field at the Master’s and won by 12 strokes? Remember how amazed we were by the fact that he was the first athlete to make a billion dollars?

What a difference a month makes.

Turns out that Mr. Roboto (you may call him Tiger Woods) has a bit of a wild side. El Tigre has enough mistresses to make even Hugh Hefner blush. I would write the latest number here, but there’s a good chance it would change before I even hit the “publish” button.

Ichiro and Hunter win Gold Gloves...again

In the last nine years, the economy has gone from mighty juggernaut to slightly healthier than a veal calf. We thought the World was coming to an end (Y2K) and we watched Jay-Z and Brett Favre retire and come back. Some of us even watched two American League players become arguably the greatest fielders at their respective positions in more than a generation.

Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki are consistently flawless fielders. Anyone who cannot achieve joy watching Hunter track down a rocket in the gap or isn't floored by Ichiro's m16a2 of a right arm doesn't deserve love.The two have roamed outfields in relative obscurity for their careers. Yes, Ichiro is a rock star in Japan and parts of America. Hunter plays in Los Angeles for a perennial playoff contender. So what?

The Los Angles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of Earth of the Milky Way will always be a second class citizen to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

And Seattle? Please. They will eventually play the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, and both teams will find a way to lose.

Obviously, both teams play on the West Coast. That really doesn't help these players. And even though Hunter played for the Minnesota Twins for a decade, they really aren't talked about. Doesn't matter that they are regularly one of the most exiting teams in baseball.

These players, somehow, aren't well-known. And that is just sad.

How do I back this up? Not empirically, that's for damn sure.

It's proven in who gets the advertising, and who gets the national recognition.

For one day each year, the All-Star game, casual fans a quick refresher on what these two are doing every day for their respective teams.

And then, they go back to toiling in virtual anonymity.

Should we feel sorry for them? Absolutely not.

Both are paid handsomely and get amazing health care to play a child's game. Both are widely respected among their peers. Ichiro is a lock for the Hall of Fame, Hunter is getting there.

But that doesn't change how sad it is that more people aren't understanding and appreciating what these two do. If either of them played for the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees, they would be on the covers of video games. Their jerseys would be worn around the country by posers and 'roided-up frat boys.

But maybe it's good it's like that. It keeps fans like us what makes us better than casual fans.

So congratulations to Ichiro and Hunter. I look forward to telling future generations about watching you two play the game with style, respect and hustle. (A preemptive "screw you" to all those who say since Ichiro rarely dives he isn't gritty or doesn't hustle.)

Thank you both for your energy and enthusiasm.

Grandma-ma is gone-ma-ma

Running back Larry Johnson must have decided it would be funny to use a gay slur on his Twitter account, because he did exactly that the other day and it got him fired. Two weeks ago, Johnson used a derogotary term for gay men in a Twitter post, but finding out which one is like trying to discover a government secret – Google “what did Larry Johnson say” if you want to waste some precious moments of your life. Allegedly, Johnson used a common slur that begins with the letter F and won’t be repeated here because journalism is still sort of my day job.

Johnson was also critical of Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, and was suspended for his conduct. But apparently, Johnson had completely worn out his welcome because the Chiefs outright released him today.

It’s been clear for a long time that Johnson is an arrogant jerk – although Priest Holmes put up insane numbers as the Chiefs’ leading tailback, Kansas City drafted Johnson in 2003 and almost immediately the young punk began to voice his desire to usurp Holmes. When Holmes got hurt in 2005, Johnson took over and never gave the job back.

Since then, Johnson has been arrested three times, each time after allegedly assaulting a woman in some fashion. He has always been a prickly character, but his production has fallen off in a huge way. After finishing first in the league in rushing in 2005 and second in 2006, he hasn’t gotten more than 900 rushing yards in a season since. Because of his size (six-foot-one and 230 lbs) and athletic ability, some contending team will undoubtedly pick Johnson up. But if he hasn’t learned a lesson about how to behave like a civilized person, he’s going to be joining the unemployment line again very soon.

One last time

Try to savor this season. It's likely the last in Sacramento. 

Moreover, they aren't going to be a winning team. The Kings won't sniff 40 victories.

But there are some reasons to still have the game on in the background while you clean your house.

There are some future All-Stars on this team; just not this season.

Omri Casspi is going to turn heads. He dazzled in the opener and he wasn't just exploiting the ho-hum Oklahoma City Thunder defense.

Tyreke Evans will experience growing pains but will be more effective than most rookies.

Kevin Martin is playing like he wants to be traded. Let's ride it and see what he brings us. Virtually anything is better than his brittle frame and pathetic defense.  

Jason Thompson's minutes limited due to foul trouble. It looks like that will be an issue again this year. 

Don't get me wrong, I am excited Thompson is a King. He's capable of matching up with the better power forwards of the league and making them earn their double-double. He's been gifted with athletic footwork and soft hands. He is a piece to build with.

Spencer Hawes is a decent power forward as well. What's that? Center? 

Oh...I see. I guess your average NBA center is supposed chuck up more than 100 three-point attempts in a season. For perspective, Hakeem Olajuwon attempted 124 in his career. Hawes passed that career mark last season. For the record: Three-point related categories will be the only time Hawes beats Olajuwon's career numbers in any category. 

He probably should toss of prayers, you probably don't want him to clumsily labor his way into the painted area.

Long story short, Hawes will average nine boards a game this season. At best. And anything less than or equal to 9.4 boards will be rounded down.

In spite of this, the Kings will provide us with some fun wins scattered across a field of disappointment. 

They will break our heart yet again. They are going to leave and nothing can be done.

So savor this year. 

If you will please excuse me, I need to use the bathroom and take a Maloof.

A day for revenge and redemption: Benson, A-Rod and Brooking get theirs

Derek Jeter can finally call A-Rod his equal in October. Photo by Flickr user chris.ptacek








Sunday is supposed to be the day for rest, but it was a day of two very big other R-words for some athletes and coaches: revenge and redemption. From New York City to Oak-Town, there were chips on shoulders all over the country. A rundown of who was looking to even the score Sunday.

Cedric Benson vs. the Chicago Bears: If you paid any attention to football at all Sunday, you heard this one about a billion times. Running back Benson was the No. 4 overall pick for the Bears in 2005, and to call his time there tumultuous would be an understatement. Coach Lovie Smith never seemed willing to make him the featured back, and after some alcohol-related arrests Benson was released in 2008.

Benson never was convicted of any wrongdoing, but his career was seriously derailed. He signed a one-year contract with Cincinnati in 2008 for $520,000, and no one expected very much from him. But Benson played well, and got a two-year, $7 million contract from the Bengals last offseason.

So far in 2009, Benson leads the league in rushing and no doubt wanted to run roughshod over the Bears on Sunday – and apparently, the Bengals were happy to comply. They handed the rock to Benson 37 times and he did not disappoint, racking up 189 yards and a touchdown against the team that spurned him.

Benson is only 26 and hasn’t had too many carries over his career (789), so the Bengals appear to be in for some very productive seasons from No. 32. Especially if they play the Bears every year.


Alex Rodriguez vs. himself: Is there a more troubled superstar in sports than A-Rod? He has been criticized for being obsessed with his image, had a very public divorce from his wife Cynthia, admitted to using steroids and was widely ridiculed when Madonna reportedly said he had the “heart of a poet.”

But the worst knock against A-Rod was his tendency to disappear in October. Rodriguez’s postseason career numbers were downright pathetic, and the man who plays on his left, Derek Jeter, casts a mighty big shadow. Jeter has been called "Mr. November" for his clutch postseason performances, while Rodriguez was once dropped to eighth in the batting order in a playoff game.

But A-Rod was a new man this postseason, and his bat was the most feared in the dangerous Yankee lineup. Rodriguez batted .400 in the ALCS, and was walked three times Sunday night in a pivotal Game 6. Twice this series A-Rod was walked intentionally in the ninth inning after he tied Game 2 with a long ball against erratic Angels closer Brian Fuentes.

Thanks to A-Rod’s bat and the pitching of C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettite, the Yanks are going back to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2003. Watching his jubilation after the last out was recorded Sunday night, is there any doubt that no one in New York wanted the pennant as badly as he did? Rodriguez will still have to perform well in the World Series in order for the Yankee faithful to fully embrace him, but I don’t think anyone in the Bronx will be booing him again anytime soon.


Keith Brooking vs. the Atlanta Falcons: Sunday’s matchup between the 3-2 Cowboys and 4-1 Falcons was intriguing for many reasons. The Falcons looked unstoppable in their 45-10 dismantling of the 49ers two weeks ago, while the Cowboys looked anything but in a narrow 26-20 overtime victory in Kansas City.

But the rise of receiver Miles Austin (421 receiving yards, four touchdowns in the last two games) has propelled Tony Romo back into the pantheon of top quarterbacks, and Dallas was very impressive in a 37-21 victory over Atlanta. The Cowboy defense hassled and harassed quarterback Matt Ryan all day, and the Atlanta offense just never got going.

The game was of particular importance to Cowboy linebacker Keith Brooking. A native Georgian who went to college at Georgia Tech, Brooking spent 11 excellent years in Atlanta, where he was voted to the Pro Bowl five times and was an All-Pro selection twice. But the Falcons cut him loose in the offseason, and Brooking signed a three-year contract with the Cowboys. Unlike so many other athletes who give politically correct answers to reporters, Brooking did not mince words about facing the team he gave most of his career to.

"Obviously, it was a big game for me personally. I’d be lying if I told you it wasn’t,” Brooking told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "We took it to them. We bloodied their noses, and then we stepped on them and kicked them to the ground. So that’s a good feeling.”

Brooking’s emotion was obvious on the sideline – the veteran linebacker hooped and hollered throughout the game, and had a huge grin on his face the entire fourth quarter when the game was already in hand.

This may not be his last chance to enact vengeance either – the Cowboys appear poised to make a run at the playoffs, so a rematch with the Falcons in January is a definite possibility. A message to Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey: If you see these guys again, I’d run all my plays away from Brooking.


And briefly, two others looking for revenge and redemption: Niner quarterback and NFL Draft bust Alex Smith played the second half of San Francisco’s game in Houston after Shaun Hill got the hook, and made the game close at the end. Overall, Smith had a pretty good game (118.6 quarterback rating) and played his way to a start next Sunday against Indianapolis. Will we finally see the emergence of the former No. 1 overall pick? Niner fans have heard this story before, and they know Smith has a way of teasing you with his brilliance, only to fall apart soon after. He won’t have many more chances to prove himself, so it’s put up or shut up time for Smith.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan led his team to a 38-0 pounding of the Raiders, but the game had special significance to his family and his assistants. The Raiders previously fired Jets line coach Bill Callahan (Raider head coach from 2002-03) and Rex’s twin brother Rob (defensive coordinator from 2004-08), and Ryan admitted in his postgame comments that it was a significant win for both him and Callahan. Al Davis’ list of enemies just keeps getting longer and longer…

Frank McCourt cans wife

Frank McCourt is making me put aside my hatred for all things related to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a minute by firing his wife.

Awesome. 

After getting bounced from the National League Championship Series by the Philadelphia Phillies, Frank McCourt canned his wife of 20 years. The couple is separated and is about to go through a very messy and public divorce.

Jamie McCourt was the chief executive officer for the Dodgers for the last seven months. She has also served as vice chairman and president. 

If you look at basic divorce proceedings in California, you realize Jamie McCourt is basically entitled to half the team.

Let the mayhem begin. This is gonna get interesting. Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn.

This can only make for a dysfunctional working environment for everyone involved. It will probably spill into the clubhouse, and Manny Ramirez will become a diva without significant value a' la Terrell Owens next season. At least that is the dream.

Now I'm not someone who enjoys other's misfortunes. I savor them. And this is a feast.

Richard Seymour proves the Raiders’ team facility has become an asylum

Where the crazy people go play. Photo from Flickr user scotrail.

Al Davis has been crazy for years, and the overhead-projector-aided rambling press conference about Lane Kiffin only solidified that the owner is lucid enough to still be nuts. Then JaMarcus Russell proved he’s delusional by saying he was fine with his awful passing performance this year.

Well there must be something in the water, because now Richard Seymour has lost his damn mind, too.


The defensive end was on a Cincinnati radio show Wednesday (who the hell knows why he’s on a show in Cincinnati when the Raiders play New York this week), and he boldly proclaimed that the Raiders will make the playoffs. Not in 2015, or even next year – he expects to playing in January this season.

Manny doesn't seem to understand what a “clean-up” hitter really is

In the top of the ninth inning of Game 4 between the Phillies and Dodgers Monday, Jonathon Broxton was heaving 101 mph fastballs at hitters, trying desperately to keep Los Angeles alive in the postseason. Somehow, someway, shortstop Jimmy Rollins managed to turn on a 99 mph heater, doubling in the game-tying and game-winning runs in one quick, Dodger-killing, monumentally clutch moment. This you probably already know. But do you know where Manny Ramirez was?

Taking a shower.

No, really. Taking a shower.

The Round-up: Sabean and Bochy get extended, the no-name Broncos keep winning, and A-Fraud channels Mr. October

One of the few decision Brian Sabean actually got right: drafting Tim Lincecum. Photo by user rocor on Flickr.

Rewarding dumb luck and failure

The San Francisco Giants managing partner Bill Neukom, in his goofy-ass-bow-tie-wearing wisdom, gave general manager Brain Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy two-year extensions today with options for third years. Bochy has been there for three years, and whether or not he’s been successful is up for interpretation - after all, in what sport is the head coach/manager more useless than in baseball?

But Sabean, who is the longest-tenured general manager in baseball with 13 years on the job, should have been handed his walking papers. The Giants haven’t made the playoffs in six seasons, and have been to the postseason only four times during Sabean’s tenure.

A lot of fans might cite the team’s resurgent 2009 campaign as proof of Sabean’s value, but what has he really done? He has horrendously overpaid for free agents the last few years (Barry Zito: seven years, $126 million; Aaron Rowand: five years, $60 million; Edgar Renteria: two years, $18.5 million), who have vastly underperformed, and hasn’t won a damn thing since Barry Bonds left.

The only two players he has drafted who have star power are Tim Lincecum, a can’t-miss type pick at tenth overall in 2006; and the Kung-Fu Panda, Pablo Sandoval, who spent nearly five years languishing in the minors and shocked everyone with a great season this year. Matt Cain has also developed into a solid starting pitcher, but what irreplaceable position players has Sabean drafted or developed?

2009 was likely more of an aberration than a sign of things to come, especially since Sabes said recently that the team doesn't plan to add a bat in the offseason. That should really improve the team's RBI total (29th in the majors) or batting average (25th).

Decisions like this one are what will keep the Giants forever trailing the cross-bay Oakland A’s in world championships. In case you forgot, Giants fans, the A’s have the lead in that category 4-0.

Who are these guys?

The fact that the Denver Broncos beat the New England Patriots on Sunday in overtime is amazing, but what’s most impressive is the way they did it. After looking like they’d be another foil for Tom Brady’s passing attack, the Broncos held the Pats scoreless after halftime and rattled off 13 unanswered points in a 20-17 win.

But these Broncos aren’t your daddy’s John Elway-Terrell Davis-Rod Smith Broncs. This squad is led by the much-maligned Kyle Orton, disgruntled receiver Brandon Marshall and rookie running back Knowshon Moreno (on a side note, isn’t Knowshon a freaking awesome name?). Without any serious superstars on either side of the ball, the Broncos are finding ways to win close games virtually every week. After starting the season against a middling group of opponents (9-11 combined record), the Broncos solidified themselves as legitimate contenders by beating the formerly 3-1 Patriots.

The defense is the primary reason, as Denver has surrendered only 8.6 points per game (first in the NFL) and is second overall in total defense. Combine that with the careful play of Orton, who has turned the ball over only once in five games, and you have a recipe for success. As much as it kills me inside to say it, Denver will be definitely be playing football in January.


Well lookie who found their bats

Vladimir Guerrero decided to become clutch for the first time in his career, delivering the two-run death blow against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the ninth Sunday to lead the Angels to a 7-6 victory. Guerrero’s postseason at-bats had been pathetic at best before this year (.240 career average), but he came up huge in Fenway Park to complete the sweep.

Another former choker who suddenly learned how to swing in big spots is a rejuvenated Alex Rodriguez. The Yankee third baseman not only had an RBI single in the sixth inning to tie Game 2 against the Twins, he then went on to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game into extras. A-Rod repeated the heroics with a tying home run in the top of the seventh in Game 3. Overall he batted .455 with 6 RBI in the Yankees’ three-game sweep of Minnesota.

The Angels and Yankees will begin a best-of-seven series Friday night, and the Yanks have to be the clear favorites. If A-Rod continues to perform the way he did against Minnesota, there is no way the Angels can overcome New York’s powerful offense. Then again, the Angels have certainly had the Yankees’ number over the past few seasons: they are 33-21 against the Bronx Bombers since 2005. Maybe having Kate Hudson watching from the stands will continue to power A-Rod's resurgance.

A very rough afternoon for Russell and the Raiders

It’s official Raider Nation: JaMarcus Russell is not only going to be a bust – he’s lost his damn mind.

We’re three years into the Russell experiment, and so far the results are not just bad – they’re damn right Ryan Leaf-ian. To be fair, we can hardly count the first season of Russell’s NFL career since he wasn’t signed until almost October and missed training camp and preseason. But Russell has had nothing but time to learn since then, and instead of getting better, he’s getting much, much worse. But don't tell him that - the quarterback has repeatedly said he's feeling fine about his play so far. At least someone in Oakland is...

Giants fans, this is a season to be proud of

Well, it was fun while it lasted. The San Francisco Giants dropped two of three in Los Angeles with a 6-2 defeat in the series finale on Sunday. The Giants' loss, coupled with Colorado's win, puts the Giants four and a half games back in the Wild Card race.Tim Lincecum didn't see the fifth inning as he struggled with his command and even issued a four-pitch walk to pitcher Randy Wolf in his ineffective outing.

The San Francisco offense is too sporadic, too impatient and too prone to making unproductive outs. There is a gaping hole at the shortstop position and Aaron Rowand has the quietest 15 home runs and 62 r.b.i.'s in baseball.

There are serious issues that need to be addressed. The Giants have no answer at first base. Randy Winn, who before this season was a lock for a solid average and clutch hits, is coming off the books. Their starting rotation will have to cope with the likely departures of Randy Johnson and Brad Penny after this season.

But this is no time to hang your head if you are a Giants fan. This team was predicted to finish near the bottom by most of the experts and armchair analysts across the country. A season above .500 is a huge step forward for a team that hasn't played meaningful games in September since 2004.

Yes. It is disappointing. There was a period of time in August when this team looked like it caught lightning in a bottle and was going to be a force. But the offense is too weak and impatient.

Pablo Sandoval will come back in 2010 and contend for the MVP, provided he stays healthy. Nate Schierholtz will benefit from playing every day and will establish himself as one of the best defensive right fielders in baseball. He will also hit .290 and drive in 85 runs.

Matt Cain and Lincecum will push each other like they did in 2009 and carry this team towards a division title in 2010.

This team will make a splash with a free agent signing, but I am more looking forward to the trade I think should be made. Pair Brian Wilson and John Bowker for a bat. Sergio Romo is ready to close and Bowker has "AL" written all over him. And don't pick up Ryan Garko's option.

There is a lot to be grateful for. I know this day is disappointing, but it will be OK. It's not like one of our top prospects is detained in connection with murder or anything, right?

A's fans - do you know the way to San Jose?

Earlier this month, consulting firm Conventions Sports & Leisure International released an economic impact report for a possible new A’s stadium in San Jose. On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved the report – but what the hell does that mean?

It means we’re one step closer to seeing the San JosA’s, but there’s still a long way to go.

The approval of the economic impact report seemed like a no-brainer: the report found that almost 1,000 jobs would be created by a new ballpark, and it would generate $130 million in benefits (such as tax revenue). The report would make you believe that the city of San Jose would be foolish not to allow the A’s to set up operations there, and apparently the council agrees.

Unlike the A’s previous attempt to build a stadium in Fremont, so far it has been smooth sailing for the San Jose proposal. Mayor Chuck Reed even appeared at a news conference before the meeting, voicing his support of the project.

The biggest hurdle that remains is the territorial rights issue with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants have always considered San Jose to be part of their territory, and MLB would need to approve of the A’s infringing on it. Why the Giants would be opposed to the A’s going from a city that is 10 miles away (Oakland) to one that is 40 miles away (San Jose) is beyond me.

One of the most curious things about the proposed new stadium is its capacity. The proposal calls for a stadium with about 32,000 seats, which would be by far the lowest capacity in the majors (the Florida Marlins’ new stadium, which opens in 2012, is the second-lowest at 37,000). The impact report puts average major league attendance at 31,700 per game, which would make the A’s new stadium a guaranteed sellout every night if that number holds. Combine that with increased revenue for Billy Beane to work his magic with, and I think A’s tickets will actually be hard to come by in 2014 (imagine that!).

Another interesting fact that came out of the report was the average ticket price data for all 30 major league teams. The A’s rank eighth in average per-game ticket price at $29.20, which is $7 higher than the cross-bay Giants, who play in a fancy new stadium. I would assume that this average is probably inflated by the removal of about 10,000 cheap seats (A’s fans might refer to it as the third deck) for baseball games.

So now we wait on Bud Selig and MLB to issue a ruling on the territorial rights. And guess what? Good ole’ Bud hasn’t set a date for when MLB will issue that ruling. I wonder if the Yankees would have gotten a date…