LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco joined the Devin-Hester-is-the-greatest-punt-returner-ever chorus on Tuesday during the T.Ocho Show, just hours after Deion Sanders said the same during “The Waddle Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000.

Ochocinco said, “most definitely, most definitely,” when asked if Hester was the greatest punt returner in NFL history.

“When you can get the two thumbs up from someone like Deion Sanders … numbers speak for themselves, and his numbers are ridiculous, man,” Ochocinco said. “So right now, Devin Hester is the best punt returner in the history of the NFL, period.”

Hester returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown in the Bears’ 40-14 win over the Vikings, which clinched the team’s first division crown since 2006. Hester scored 11 return touchdowns in his first two years in the NFL, but his production dipped over the next two seasons.

Hester leads in the NFL in punt-return average (16.4 yards) and kickoff return average (35.2).

Hester produced his record 14 TD returns on kickoffs and punts in 150 fewer games and 783 fewer returns than the No. 2 return man on the list, Brian Mitchell, who scored 13 TDs on returns over a 14-year NFL career. Hester is in his fifth season.

Click here to order Devin Hester’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

The Indianapolis Star suggests that Javarris James will be the odd man out of the Colts' backfield with Joseph Addai (neck/shoulder) and Mike Hart (ankle) both making progress in their recoveries.

James has practice squad eligibility, and probably isn't talented enough to generate much interest on waivers. Dominic Rhodes is expected to keep his spot at the end of the tailback depth chart. Donald Brown obviously "isn't going anywhere," so by the start of the playoffs the Colts' backfield could evolve into a Brown-Addai-Hart rotation with Rhodes as fourth string.

Click here to order Javarris James’s proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

Bears receiver Devin Hester just set an NFL record Monday, returning 14 in his career for touchdowns and passing Brian Mitchell.

But Hester isn't done.

"I don't want to just settle with 14," Hester said. "That's not a lot to me. I want to make sure this record is put out there far, so when the next guy comes along - when Devin Hester Jr. comes on - then it'll be well worth it."

Hester, though, was flattered that Deion Sanders told ESPN 1000 Tuesday that he's a Hall of Fame player.

"It's a great feeling, to get mentioned as a Hall of Famer, still in my career," Hester said. "You normally get selected, 20 years down, after you finish football."

Here's what Sanders told Waddle & Silvy: "Devin is a Hall of Famer, I can't think of a player that has an impact on the game the way he has. He is phenomenal and not only that he is a great kid."

Click here to order Devin Hester’s proCane Rookie Card.



(suntimes.com)

On Tuesday Clinton Portis said he felt the benching of Donovan McNabb had "scared" other Redskins players, and Wednesday afternoon, Coach Mike Shanahan offered a terse response to his injured running back.

Here's what Portis, whose season ended early due to a torn abdominal muscle, said during his weekly paid appearance on 106.7 The Fan: "I think it becomes a thing in the locker room like, 'Man, if they bench Donovan, anybody can be benched.' Or, 'Am I next? or 'What's next?' And I think guys start playing for safety."

Following practice Wednesday, Shanahan was asked what he thought about Portis's comments.

"We're going to play the best players regardless of how much money they make or where they're drafted," he said. "We're going to play the best players. We're trying to evaluate the best players. I think Clinton better worry about his stomach and getting well."

Click here to order Clinton Portis’s proCane Rookie Card.



(washingtonpost.com)

That’s nice….and right in time for the holidays and cuffin’ season. Everybody needs a boo come winter time.

Sinorice is hardworking and a romantic. He also loves to shower his woman with gifts for special occasions.

You could be the one if… You’re trustworthy, due to his occupation. Moss doesn’t always know the motives of the women that approach him. But, if you’re independent, have a sense of humor and enjoy the arts, you’ve meet his requirements.
Email him…singlesinorice@essence.com

Dinner at his favorite steak house, Del Frisco’s and a stroll through Bryant Park awaits you

Click here to order Sinorice Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(pigskinlovinglady.com)

TAMPA - It won't do them any good now, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received a written apology from the NFL for Sunday's pass interference call against tight end Kellen Winslow.

Winslow was called for interference on a fourth-quarter play in which he jostled with safety C.C. Brown in the end zone before reaching up and grabbing what appeared to be a touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Freeman. The call nullified the touchdown leaving the Bucs with third-and-goal at the Lions 12, which they failed to convert.

Tampa Bay kicked a 30-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 in what proved to be a 23-20 overtime loss.

Had the touchdown stood, the Bucs could have added the extra point for a four-point lead.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris refused to comment on the letter from the league, but offensive coordinator Greg Olson said it wasn't the first time this season the Bucs have received such a letter.

"Yeah, we've had a number of those this year, which has been real discouraging because we've played so many tight games," said Olson, who did not elaborate on the other letters the team has received.

"You can't have those kinds of mistakes. That's discouraging, obviously. It wasn't the only play in the game, but it was a critical one at a critical time. That's happened more than once, which has been discouraging on our side."

Click here to order Kellen Winslow’s proCane Rookie Card.



(tbo.com)

FOXBORO — Change your image of what a well-conditioned athlete looks like. He doesn’t always come with washboard abs that mimic a department store mannequin.

Ignore your stereotype of a pass-rusher. He doesn’t always possess long arms and a lean torso.

No, sometimes the fitness freak who can survive 75 snaps and still push the pocket on the final play to help a teammate secure a last-second sack doesn’t look like what you think.

Sometimes, he looks like the Patriots [team stats]’ Vince Wilfork [stats].

“He can play all day,” linebacker Jerod Mayo said. “That’s what makes him so valuable.’’

Wilfork, the two-time Pro Bowler, is destroying the stereotype of a nose tackle by being on the field more than 80 percent of the time. His marathon performance in Sunday night’s win against the Green Bay Packers was the latest example.

“I’ve played quite a few snaps around here,” said Wilfork, the 6-foot-2, 325(ish)-pounder. “I feel I can play however long the coach needs me to play. Conditioning has never been an issue for me. That’s something I take pride in, being able to go the long haul.”

Wilfork’s play has more than stood up for his words.

The player who is second in fan Pro Bowl voting at his position has 50 tackles in 14 games, already surpassing last year’s total. But with a rash of injuries at his position group, coaches called for him to stay out there on passing downs.

“We’ve asked him to play more in recent games in terms of the number of snaps in all situations,” coach Bill Belichick said, “and he’s come through with some really outstanding performances.”

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Wilfork has played more than 80 percent of the snaps in five games, including four in the last five weeks.
Wilfork’s goal is to be ready to do absolutely everything he’s asked. The jolly fellow grows serious when describing why he never wants to take a breather.

“I have to make sure that if we do go into overtime or if I do have to play 90 snaps, I can do that,” Wilfork said. “It’s not going to be easy, but I’m positive about it because I work hard on it.”

Always one of the league’s best run-stuffers, Wilfork commands double teams. More impressive is that he’s had enough stamina to do so on passing downs, showing off an active motor. Wilfork has no sacks, but his impact has been huge.

That was his role against Green Bay, which called 43 pass plays. He dusted off pass-rush moves like he was linebacker Tully Banta-Cain [stats], often doing so against two blockers.

“I don’t know when he’s done that last, but that was impressive that he was out there,” Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey said as his team prepared to host Wilfork and the Pats this Sunday. “He was getting after it the whole time. His stamina is underrated. He’s a force. He’s got better quickness than people give him credit for, but he’s so strong he can run right through you if you don’t really muscle up.”

Versatility is not new.

“I love challenges,” Wilfork, who has played at both right end and left end at times, said. “

It just shows the young guys that if you commit to what you’re doing, you’ll be OK. I can’t let them down just because I’m playing (a different spot).”

Wilfork maintains that he’s always had the pass-rush moves he’s recently been showing off, that he works on them in the offseason.
It’s just all coming out now.

“We’re always working on it, from now until the offseason,” Wilfork said. “It never stops, especially pass rushing because I don’t see a lot of one-on-ones. You have to be able to figure out how can you get push in the pocket. You have to work a little bit. That’s what I think pass rushing is all about: working. The more you work, the more success you have.”

Click here to order Vince Wilfork’s proCane Rookie Card.



(bostonherald.com)

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Although Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis has more than proved his ability with a breakout 1,129-yard, 11-touchdown season, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said Wednesday that the 144 yards and a touchdown gained on them in Week 3 was an aberration that won't happen in Sunday's rematch.

"A blind cat will find a meal every once in a while," Lewis said. "We understand the two big runs we gave up against them.

"My son could have run through the holes that we gave him in Baltimore. We just don't do that. When you find yourself getting caught out of gaps, that's what happens and it's his job to run through them. But when we get back to Cleveland this weekend, it'll definitely be a different outcome."

It will have to be if the 10-4 Ravens hope to leapfrog the Pittsburgh Steelers, also 10-4, win the AFC North and claim a potential No. 2 playoff seed. Despite ranking fifth in rushing defense (93.6 yards) and allowing just 27 net yards in Sunday's win against the New Orleans, Hillis exposed a vulnerability in Baltimore's defense, which yielded a season-high 173 yards in the 27-24 victory.

Buffalo (134 yards), Carolina (120) and Houston (111) stayed close against Baltimore with good ground games, while New England (127) squeaked by using the same approach. Hillis' effort stood out though because of his runs up the gut, which Ravens coach John Harbaugh credited to the Browns' huge offensive line.

Nose tackle Haloti Ngata said the Ravens want to force Hillis to the outside this time around, echoing Lewis' sentiment that apparently had personal roots.

"To be our team's leader, it won't happen again," Lewis added, "so, I hope they understand that. We're not coming in there to overlook them or [anything like that]. We definitely aren't coming in there to give [Hillis] over 100 yards again. Hopefully, they can buckle up all their chinstraps, do whatever you need to do, but we're definitely coming in to play a very physical football game."

Click here to order Ray Lewis’s proCane Rookie Card.



(usatoday.com)

Over the past year, 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Zach Railey continued on his elite form with notable performances in the men’s singlehanded Olympic Finn on the ISAF Sailing World Cup circuit where he placed fourth at two of the seven events: US Sailing’s Rolex Miami OCR, in Miami, Fla., and Kieler Woche, in Kiel, Germany. He also won the U.S. Finn National Championship and finished fourth among 87 boats at the Finn Gold Cup, the class’s World Championship, held in San Francisco, Calif. His season-end international ranking is 4 in the world. This is the fourth year in a row that Railey has won this award.



(sail-world.com)

Los Angeles — John Salmons carried the Milwaukee Bucks during the stretch run last season, making a huge difference after arriving in a February trade deadline deal with the Chicago Bulls.

Now the veteran guard is one of the team's leading figures after signing a five-year contract as a free agent in the off-season.

So his recent play bodes well for the Bucks, who have a chance for a winning road trip when they play the team with the league's worst record, the Sacramento Kings, on Thursday night.

The Bucks are coming off a shocking 98-79 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at the Staples Center. And Salmons played his part with a solid offensive game (20 points, six assists) and gritty defensive work against Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

Salmons made a play in the fourth quarter that told everything about the Bucks' effort and determination.

Bryant drove past him and Salmons slipped to the floor, but the Bucks player reached out while sitting and stripped the ball from Bryant.

It added to Bryant's rising frustration and helped fuel a critical 8-0 burst that allowed the Bucks to grab an 85-72 lead with 4:11 remaining.

A few minutes later Bryant screamed at referee Haywoode Workman after being called for charging and was ejected with consecutive technical fouls.

"I think the only thing you can do is really try to make it as tough as possible for him," Salmons said of defending Bryant, the most valuable player of the last two NBA Finals. "Just try to contest everything, try to make everything hard and compete against him.

"He's going to hit tough shots and you just can't get frustrated when he hits those."

Salmons had only five points in 32 minutes at Dallas last week as the Bucks scored a 103-99 victory. Then he came down with a case of back spasms and missed the next game at San Antonio.

He scored 18 points in a home loss to Utah on Saturday but shot just 5 of 15. And he took only one shot and was held scoreless in the first half against Portland on Monday as the Bucks fell far behind in an embarrassing 106-80 defeat.

But he started to find an offensive rhythm in the second half against the Trail Blazers, getting 23 points. And he continued to show that form against the Lakers.

"I thought all the guys were trying to get in there and hit the seams, trying to put the pressure on their defense," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said.

"John had a couple right at the rim that rimmed out again for him. But we need him to go in there and make those plays."

Salmons was 7 for 9 at the free-throw line, including 4 of 6 in the fourth quarter when he scored 11 points to help the Bucks seal their victory.
"I tried to make Kobe and Ron (Artest) work on the defensive end as well," Salmons said.

With point guard Brandon Jennings out of the lineup for four to six weeks with a broken left foot, Salmons will have to take on an increased scoring role. He faces his former team Thursday in Sacramento - he spent two-plus seasons with the Kings before being traded to the Bulls in February 2009.

The Bucks are still fighting their injury woes with Jennings, Carlos Delfino, Drew Gooden and Corey Maggette out, although Maggette (concussive symptoms) joined the team in Los Angeles and could be available soon.

"Right from the beginning of camp we had multiple players sitting on the side watching, so it started off that way," Skiles said. "We've had our moments where we've played pretty good basketball and moments where we haven't.

"So we've just got to sort it out. Even though we're missing guys again, we've got to find a way to remain competitive out there."

Salmons sat out the entire exhibition season with a sprained right knee. But he has missed just one regular-season game and is averaging 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He has played the most total minutes (904) of any Bucks player and is averaging nearly 35 minutes.

"If we can continue to get that effort, we can be tough," Salmons said after the victory at the Staples Center.

"We still haven't been healthy all year. We've just got to go in every night, play hard, try to compete and see what happens."



(jsonline.com)

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Chicago Bears' Devin Hester finally set the NFL record for combined return touchdowns when he scored on a 64-yard punt return in the third quarter of a 40-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Having entered the game only one return touchdown away shy of Brian Mitchell's NFL record, Hester notched yet another "almost" score to his dossier when he fielded the opening kickoff of the second half from the 15, and zipped up the field for 79 yards only to be taken down by Heath Farwell at the Vikings' 6-yard line.

The return set up Robbie Gould's second field goal of the night.

Hester made up for missed opportunity on his next chance, racing 64 yards up the home team's sideline for the score, helping fuel the Bears' victory and an NFC North Division title.

"We've been closer and closer each and every week to breaking this record, and then for it to come down to the week of us winning the division championship, it felt great," Hester said.

Hester tied the record with an 89-yard punt return in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks, but now moves into sole possession with 14 return TDs.

An emotional Hester gave credit to his teammates for his success.

"I hate sitting here taking all the glory," Hester said. "I wish them other 10 guys were up here and y'all were asking them questions because they deserve to be up here. I love them. Those other 10 guys, they wanted it badder than me. I wanted it bad. But I could tell they wanted it badder than me."

Asked why he was getting so emotional talking about his teammates, Hester said: "Everything I'm thinking about, it's coming to me. Coming out of college, coaches told me I wasn't gonna be nothing but a kickoff and punt return dude. I wasn't gonna ever earn a position in the league.

"But I'm here today to say that I am a kickoff and punt returner, but at the same time, the best to ever do it. I'm glad that they said that because right now, I can say today that Chicago Bears are the best punt return team that would ever do this. And we're not gonna stop on this one return. It's gonna be plenty more. It's gonna be a lot more than this. I guarantee you that."

Hester broke the record in 73 games, while Mitchell scored 13 return touchdowns in 223 games.

Hester has returned 10 punts and four kickoffs for TDs. His 108-yard return of a missed field goal in 2006 and a kick return for a touchdown in the 2007 Super Bowl does not count in that total.

With 10 punt returns for touchdowns, Hester is tied with Eric Metcalf for the most in NFL history.

"I'm just happy he got it out of the way," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He's a game-changer. I'm just glad he's on my team."

Click here to order Devin Hester’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

Deion Sanders is reserving a major honor for Chicago Bears standout Devin Hester: a spot in Canton.

Sanders said Tuesday that he thinks Hester -- who set an NFL record on Monday night with his 14th TD on combined kick/punt returns -- belongs in the Hall of Fame.

"I think right now he's a Hall of Famer," Sanders told ESPN Radio in Chicago. "He spent a couple years without barely getting the ball kicked to him. I can't think of a returner ever playing the game with the impact he has. There is none. He's phenomenal. Not only that, he's a great kid.

"I tweeted last week that he's the greatest returner of all time, hands down."

Sanders was an eight-time Pro Bowlers who is up for consideration for the 2011 Hall of Fame class.

Hester, who has played in just 74 career games, surpassed Brian Mitchell, who played in 463 career games, with his 14th TD in Monday's win at Minnesota.

Click here to order Devin Hester’s proCane Rookie Card.



(usatoday.com)

After the Ravens held off the New Orleans Saints to capture a 30-24 win Sunday, several players pointed out that they were fired up by a speech delivered by 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis the night before.

Coach John Harbaugh concurred with the players.

"It was really good," Harbaugh said Monday. "Guys are always really good. These guys are grown men. And Ray, sometimes he’ll say, ‘I’m going to need some time,’ and other times, he just ... I always say at the end of the team meeting on Saturday night after I get done going through the game plan and talking a little bit, you know, ‘Does anybody got anything?’ And Saturday night, Ray said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got something.’ So he stood up and he spoke from the heart, like he always does. He was spot-on, and I think it really resonated with all of us.”

Lewis said he wanted to make sure that his teammates were aware of the significance of coming away with a victory over the Saints.

"I’ve been in this business 15 years, and I’ve seen some good teams, and I’ve seen some OK teams, but what we have right now, the question was very simple, ‘What would you give for the man beside you?’ That’s it. That’s it," he said after the win. "I don’t care what the score is here and there. If we come out of here with the win, we became a better team. And that’s basically what it was all about last night. Now, of course, it was much deeper, but that’s kind of personal because I really went into some personal stuff with my teammates to really share that these moments will never be again, ever. Ever. I remember when I was in my first year, and I went all the way back to that, and now I’m in my 15th. And if they understand this – the young guys that we do have – then they’ll appreciate every second, every time we step on that field.”

Click here to order Ray Lewis’s proCane Rookie Card.



(baltimoresun.com)

FOXBORO — With depth issues on the defensive line, the Patriots [team stats] called on nose tackle Vince Wilfork [stats] to add to his usual responsibilities.

In Sunday night’s 31-27 win against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium, the 6-foot-2, 325-pounder wasn’t just a run-stuffer on first and second downs.

Coach Bill Belichick estimated Wilfork played 74 of the 80 defensive snaps, making six tackles and recovering the final fumble. But statistics don’t come close to discussing his effectiveness.

“I thought Vince did a terrific job for us,” Belichick said. “I thought he played hard. He really had an outstanding game. They had a lot of attention directed at him, which is understandable, but he had a bunch of double-teams and slides on the protection coming his way. He really played hard, played well and did a lot of things to help us win. I thought he was outstanding — probably one of the best games he’s played.”

Considering Wilfork is a two-time Pro Bowler who may need to pack for a third trip, that’s saying a lot.

“He’s played a lot of good ones,” Belichick said, “but I’d say that’s one of the best ones he’s played around here.”

Click here to order Vince Wilfork’s proCane Rookie Card.



(boston.com)

The Giants are coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history and yet will clinch a wild card playoff berth if the beat the Packers Sunday in Green Bay.

One of the most outspoken Giants doesn’t merely believe that will happen.

“I don’t think it, I know it,’’ safety Antrel Rolle said. “That’s because that’s what’s going to happen.’’

It sure sounded as if Rolle was guaranteeing that the Giants would get into the playoffs.

“I know it’s going to happen this weekend,’’ Rolle insisted. “I have no doubt. I said it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.’’

Rolle says the Giants have what takes, despite their incredible meltdown against the Eagles, allowing a 31-10 lead to dissolve in the final 8:17 of what became a 38-31 loss in a battle for the NFC East title.

With the division title realistically gone, the Giants control their destiny in terms of getting into the playoffs.

“It’s either fight or flight and we ain’t running,’’ Rolle said. “We’re here to stay for the long haul and we gonna give it everything we got. If everything we got it not good enough then so be it but I definitely believe that it is.’’

Click here to order Antrel Rolle’s proCane Rookie Card.



(nypost.com)

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak met with the media today at Reliant Stadium for his weekly press conference.  There wasn't much good news to discuss as you might expect, but Kubiak did note the play of rookie Darryl Sharpton.

"He was as good a football player as we had on this field yesterday and I’m sure you all saw it, too," said Kubiak.  "Boy, he really, really played well and he played well on special teams (too).” 

I didn't watch every play intently yesterday but I did see #51 flash a few times, once in particular during a sideline pursuit of speedy Titans running back Chris Johnson.

Sharpton missed some games earlier this season because of an injury but if you haven't noticed, he's been starting over weakside linebacker Zac Diles for the past few weeks.

I'm excited about Sharpton's future as an NFL linebacker.  He has quickness and the ability to thump. After seeing him in preseason I thought he would be the natural replacement for Diles.

He may be the best of the Texans 2010 draft crop - at least as it stands in late December, 2010.



(examiner.com)

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh finished Sunday's loss on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Shanahan was hopeful that McIntosh could return this weekend against the Jaguars.

Click here to order Rocky McIntosh’s proCane Rookie Card.



(washingtonpost.com)

Calais Campbell played what appeared to be his best game of the season for Arizona. He was credited and led the Cardinals with 11 tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss.

Click here to order Calais Campbell’s proCane Rookie Card.



(espn.com)

Santana Moss had a heck of a game yesterday -- 8 catches for 72 yards with 2 touchdowns -- but it was almost even better. On first down in the fourth quarter, with the game tied and 4:27 left, Rex Grossman hit Moss in the hands with a ball on a go route. The guy covering Moss had fallen down; had Moss caught the ball and fallen on the spot, it would've been a 26 yard gain, but it didn't look like Moss would have any reason to fall on the spot. It looked, frankly, like it would've been a 75 yard go-ahead touchdown.

The wouldas off of this are ridiculous. It would've given the Redskins a likely shot at the win, completing a truly spectacular comeback. It would've given Moss 9 catches for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns. And it would've given Rex Grossman just under 400 yards passing with 5 touchdowns and only 1 interception.

So, yeah, costly drop. The Washington Post has it immortalized on the front page of their sports section, a phenomenal picture that makes me feel like I might throw up each time I see it. And to his credit, Moss adressed the drop directly today.
"It comes [with the territory], man," Moss said. "You know, I get tired of hearing stuff that ... you know, people try to dwell on stuff, man. I don't like to be that person. People try to bring stuff to you that you're not trying to bring to yourself.

"You look at it, and -- I was disgusted with myself, but when you look at it, you know, I'm stumbling while trying to make a play. Oh well. You didn't make the play. Put it behind you, move on. That's all you can do. When you play this game, you've gotta have amnesia. You've gotta put it behind you, so therefore it's gone and I don't like to sit around and keep talking about it. Once the game is over, once the day or two is over with, it's kinda out your mind. Once you go back and look at it -- and I always TiVo the game so I get the chance to go back and look at things I did right or I did wrong, and once I seen what it was ... just like the guys who've seen it to0.

"It was one of those plays that you wish you had, but you didn't."

The fact that he was stumbling, Moss said, did affect the play.

"It threw off a lot," he explained. "If you watch the game, you'll see my hands was turned different. It's hard to catch a ball when your hands, both of 'em are turned outwards. But I was just trying to make a play. The ball touched my hands; as a receiver, when it touches your hands, you gotta catch it. That's how I put it on myself. I don't look it as saying, 'Oh, that made me not catch it,' I look at as, 'Santana, you gotta catch it.'"

Click here to order Santana Moss’s proCane Rookie Card.



(redskins.com)

This move, first reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America, wasn't rocket science. Or maybe it is. The former Cardinal outfielder has a degree in aerospace engineering from Miami, where he played baseball on an academic scholarship paid for by Boeing. The link from a 2008 story below details this - and much more - about one of the more interesting guys to potentially don a wishbone C in quite some time.

Barton, 29 in April, plays all three outfield positions but is better defensively on a corner. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound right-handed-hitting Los Angeles native spent 2010 in the Atlantic League with Newark and Bridgeport, combining to go 19-72-.347/.397/.579 while stealing 20 bases in 28 tries.

Barton last appeared in the big leagues in 2009 when he had one at bat with Atlanta, to which he was traded by St. Louis for reliever Blaine Boyer in 2009. The Cardinals plucked him from Cleveland in the 2007 Rule 5 Draft and kept him on the roster all season. He went 2-13-.268/.354/.392 and swiped three bags in four tries.

In 2009 at Triple-A Gwinnett, Barton posted a line of 7-46-.266/.354/.390 and stole 17 bases in 24 attempts.

While he's likely little more than injury insurance destined for Louisville, at least it's a branch to fling in the hot stove.



(redreporter.com)

Did you know that a former Miami Hurricane/current proCane has scored at least one touchdown in 137 consecutive regular season NFL weeks? Dating back to Week 15 of the 2002 season where Clinton Portis scored 4 TDs, at least one proCane has scored a TD in each regular season week since then. We have chronicled every touchdown since 2002. See below:

Week 15 2010:
Santana Moss - 2 TDs - Washington Redskins
Andre Johnson - 1 TD - Houston Texans
Jimmy Graham - 2 TDs - New Orleans Saints
Devin Hester - 2 TDs - Chicago Bears

Week 14 2010:
Javarris James - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts
Kellen Winslow - 1 TD - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Santana Moss - 1 TD - Washington Redskins
Andre Johnson - 2 TDs - Houston Texans
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens

Week 13 2010:
Reggie Wayne - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts
Javarris James - 2 TDs - Indianapolis Colts

Week 12 2010:
Andre Johnson - 1 TD - Houston Texans
Greg Olsen - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Kellen Winslow - 1 TD - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 11 2010:
Santana Moss - 1 TD - Washington Redskins
Ray Lewis - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens
Reggie Wayne - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts

Week 10 2010:
Javarris James - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts
Greg Olsen - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Devin Hester - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Andre Johnson - 1 TD - Houston Texans
Frank Gore - 1 TD - San Francisco 49ers
Kellen Winslow - 1 TD - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first TD of the season)

Week 9 2010:
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens
Jeremy Shockey - 1 TD - New Orleans Saints
Javarris James - 2 TDs - Indianapolis Colts (first career TD)
Jimmy Graham - 1 TD - New Orleans Saints (first career TD)
Greg Olsen - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Roscoe Parrish - 1 TD - Buffalo Bills

Week 8 2010:
Frank Gore - 1 TD - San Francisco 49ers
Andre Johnson - 1 TD - Houston Texans
Reggie Wayne - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts

Week 7 2010:
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens
Santana Moss - 1 TD - Washington Redskins

Week 6 2010:
Devin Hester - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Andre Johnson - 1 TD - Houston Texans

Week 5 2010:
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens
Jeremy Shockey - 1 TD - New Orleans Saints
Frank Gore - 1 TD - San Francisco 49ers

Week 4 2010:
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens

Week 3 2010:
Jeremy Shockey - 1 TD - New Orleans Saints
Santana Moss - 1 TD - Washington Redskins
Greg Olsen - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Devin Hester - 1 TD - Chicago Bears

Week 2 2010:
Greg Olsen - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Devin Hester - 1 TD - Chicago Bears
Clinton Portis - 2 TDs - Washingon Redskins
Andre Johnson - 1 TD - Houston Texans
Reggie Wayne - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts
Frank Gore - 1 TD - San Francisco 49ers

Week 1 2010:
Reggie Wayne - 1 TD - Indianapolis Colts
Roscoe Parrish - 1 TD - Buffalo Bills
Willis McGahee - 1 TD - Baltimore Ravens

Click below to see the rest of the list:



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Jimmy Graham caught five passes for 29 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens in Week 15.

Graham made a spectacular one-handed grab and dove in right in front of the pylon for an 18-yard score. He added another 1-yard TD on a play-action pass just before haltime. The rookie's production has been spotty, but he's still been a better fantasy play than Jeremy Shockey for over a month now.

Click here to order Jimmy Graham’s proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

Indianapolis Colts WR Reggie Wayne has caught a pass in 78 straight games, reports CBSSports.com. Wayne surpassed former Indianapolis RB Marshall Faulk for the second longest streak in club history. Wayne finished the team's Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with five catches for 34 yards receiving.

Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s proCane Rookie Card.



(kffl.com)

TAMPA - TE Kellen Winslow and the Buccaneers thought they had a go-ahead touchdown six minutes into the fourth quarter until a yellow flag made them see red.

Winslow wasn't talking after the game, but not because he had no quarrel with the officials after a devastating 23-20 overtime setback to the Detroit Lions.

"I saw two guys locked up,'' QB Josh Freeman said. "I saw Kellen make a catch and obviously the refs saw something I didn't. That was a big moment in the game.''

Winslow and S C.C. Brown were locked up in the end zone on a third-and-goal snap from the 2-yard line. Brown never turned around as Freeman escaped pressure and lofted a completion to Winslow in the right corner for an apparent 21-17 advantage.

But officials ruled Winslow pushed off and the offensive pass interference penalty eventually forced Tampa Bay to settle for Connor Barth's tying field goal.

"It's up to the ref's discretion to make those calls,'' Bucs CB Ronde Barber said. "They were both jostling for it and it could have been a no-call. But those are excuses we won't live by.''

Click here to order Kellen Winslow’s proCane Rookie Card.



(tbo.com)

Kellen Winslow caught four balls on six targets for 46 yards in a Week 15 loss at home to the Lions.

Winslow caught a third-down, two-yard scoring pass from Josh Freeman in the fourth quarter which would have given the Bucs the lead, but the touchdown was called back thanks to offensive interference on the tight end. The former Brown was second only to Mike Williams in targets on the day, but remains a low-upside TE1 with just three touchdowns on the year.

Click here to order Kellen Winslow’s proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Before the Bears first played the Vikings this season, much was made of how defensive end Julius Peppers dominated tackle Bryant McKinnie last season while Peppers was a member of the Panthers.

McKinnie gave up a sack, was whistled for a hold and a false start and allowed Peppers to put plenty of pressure on Brett Favre in Carolina's 26-7 win one year ago Monday. McKinnie was benched in the third quarter of that game.

"Nobody talked about the injuries I had in that game," McKinnie said. "I had an ankle injury and I had plantar fasciitis. I couldn't plant with my left ankle. I didn't make a big deal about it. I just went out there and played. You catch me healthy and it's a different story."

Peppers did not get a sack when the Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13 on Nov. 14, but he did have two quarterback pressures. Peppers has at least one sack in each of the last four games and leads the team with eight.

"I think a lot of the teams they were playing earlier, the quarterbacks were releasing the ball faster and he wasn't getting the time to get there," McKinnie observed. "He was always close before. I mean, he's been playing at a high level all season."

Click here to order Bryant McKinnie’s proCane Rookie Card.



(usatoday.com)

James Jones does not pretend to be Udonis Haslem, even though his South Florida roots are just as strong, if not stronger, considering his time at the University of Miami.

But Jones continues to offer the Miami Heat the type of gritty play previously offered by Haslem, who is sidelined by a potential season-ending foot injury.

Already having moved past Haslem for the team lead in charges taken this season, Jones provided the ultimate hustle play in Saturday's 95-94 victory over the Washington Wizards, coming up with a steal off a Wizards inbounds play with 13.6 seconds to play and then nailing a pair of tying free throws.

"We said in the huddle, 'Let's go for the steal first, before we foul,' " forward LeBron James said. "J.J. got his hands on the ball, ultimately came up with the steal."

James said he was even more impressed with how Jones, despite playing only 5:51 in Saturday's second half, then coolly swished his only two free throws of the game.

Jones closed with three steals, after failing to record more than one in any previous game this season.

Saturday's game ended on a no-call against James and Chris Bosh on an aggressive drive by Wizards guard Kirk Hinrich.

"I felt like I was fouled," Hinrich said. "I saw the replay and thought it was an obvious foul. I don't know what to say."



(sun-sentinel.com)

Boca Raton native Danny Valencia will appear as a guest instructor at Bucky Dent’s Baseball School’s winter camp Dec. 23 at 9:30 a.m. Seattle Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez will visit the camp the week of Dec. 26. Bucky Dent will be in camp both weeks.

Bucky Dent’s Baseball School hosts kids ages 5-18. It is in its 36th year of operation, and is open 26 weeks out of the year. For information, contact Larry Hoskin at (561) 265-0280 or staff@dentbaseball.com



(palmbeachpost.com)