There are only 19 shopping days until Christmas, and counting.
The Dolphins travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Sunday, and they may be a little angry. First, they lost a very close game to the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day, and yesterday their head coach, Mike Tomlin, was fined $100K by the NFL for stepping onto the field during a kickoff return by Jacoby Jones, and impeding a possible touchdown. The team may also be penalized with a loss of a draft pick. Game time on Sunday is 1:00 pm, and weather may be a factor in the Steel City. Come to think of it, isn’t weather ALWAYS a factor during football season in Pittsburgh?
Here is the remaining schedule for the Fins:
12/08 @ Pittsburgh 1:00 pm CBS
12/15 New England 1:00 pm CBS
12/22 @ Buffalo 1:00 pm CBS
12/29 NY Jets 1:00 pm CBS
Here’s more on the Dolphins:
More on the Dolphins from Armando Salguero:
Here are this week’s NFL games, with the current point spreads. After a perfect 7-0 record last week, I am 47-40-4 against the spread, and 54-37 straight up. Looking for similar results this week. Tonight, the Houston Texans take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville. I have my pick for this game today, the rest of the picks will be here tomorrow.
THURSDAY
Houston @ Jacksonville -3 8:30 pm NFL NETWORK
It is only a matter of time before the Texans start playing up to their talent level. This is probably the week. The Jaguars have been playing very well, but this may be the week that they come down to earth. I'll cautiously take the Texans plus the points.
SUNDAY
Dolphins @ Pittsburgh -3 1:00 pm CBS
Indianapolis @ Cincinnati -6 1:00 pm CBS
Cleveland @ New England -11 1:00 pm CBS
Oakland @ NY Jets -2 1:00 pm CBS
Buffalo @ Tampa Bay -2 1:00 pm CBS
Kansas City @ Washington +3 1:00 pm CBS
Minnesota @ Baltimore -7 1:00 pm FOX
Atlanta @ Green Bay -7 1:00 pm FOX
Detroit @ Philadelphia -3 1:00 pm FOX
Tennessee @ Denver -11 4:05 pm CBS
St. Louis @ Arizona -6 4:25 pm FOX
NY Giants @ San Diego -3 4:25 pm FOX
Seattle @ San Francisco -2 4:25 pm FOX
Carolina @ New Orleans -3 8:30 pm NBC
MONDAY NIGHT
Dallas @ Chicago even 8:30 pm ESPN
Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:
Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
In baseball:
A sad commentary on the situation with Cuban ballplayers coming to the US. The US government charged three Cuban nationals with kidnapping, extortion, and conspiring to smuggle Texas Rangers outfielder Leonys Martin.
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Cuban government was profiting from this enterprise. I’m sure that we will hear more on this situation in the very near future.
The Marlins added a catcher yesterday, coming to an agreement with Palm Beach product Jarod Saltalamacchia on a three-year, $21 million deal. Saltalamacchia hit .273 last season, with 14 homers in 121 games with the Boston Red Sox. Bottom line, he is known only for his offense, as his skills behind the plate are mediocre at best. Jeff Mathis should fill that void, as a no-hit, defensive-minded backstop.
MY TAKE: I like Salty, but I would have rather seen the Fish take a chance on Miami-product, and soon-to-be former Blue Jay, JP Arencibia. Only time will tell, but you have to like the fact that new GM Dan Jennings was able to pull the trigger and fill a position of need. Keep it going!
The Marlins are still saying that their payroll this year is going to be around the $50 million number. If the new MLB television contract is going to mean $54 million for each team this coming season, shouldn’t the Marlins be spending more than that? Just saying . . .
In other hot-stove news,
The Yankees agreed to terms with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury on a seven-year, $153 million deal. The 30-year-old has played for the Red Sox his entire career, and has shown flashes of power, hitting 32 homers in 2011, but only 33 homers in the rest of his career. He should benefit from the friendly right field porch in the Bronx, but he needs to stay healthy.
After signing Ellsbury and Brian McCann, Hal Steinbrenner is showing that he is, in fact, a Steinbrenner.
Robinson, Robinson . . . where art thou going?
MY TAKE: The Yankees have apparently drawn a line in the sand as it comes to what they're willing to pay Cano. According to multiple sources, that line is 7 years, and somewhere in the neighborhood of $170-180 million. That is still quite a neighborhood to be in. If the Seattle Mariners are really willing to go above that figure, then it is up to Cano to make a decision. Play in the Pacific Northwest in relative obscurity or play in The Big Apple and continue to build on a HOF career with the New York Yankees?
Remember, I mentioned a few weeks ago that the Texas Rangers could come out of nowhere and make a run at Cano. What about the Cubs, Angels, or the Dodgers? How about the Tigers? Things to ponder.
Wheeling and Dealing:
Expect some more wheeling and dealing from the baseball winter meetings, which will be from December 9th through December 12th.
More rumors:
Marlins’ pitchers and catchers report February 16th, position players arrive February 20th, and the spring training games begin February 26th, when the Fish play the University of Miami Hurricanes. They will then play the FIU Panthers on the 27th. Both of those games will be in Jupiter.
Here is the complete preseason schedule for the Fish:
In college football,
Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have the latest and greatest from Coral Gables:
FIU news from David J. Neal, including a very sad but true commentary on the FIU situation:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #1-ranked FSU:
We’re expecting Tallahassee prosecutors to reveal their findings in the Jameis Winston investigation later this afternoon.
From Gainesville and the University of Florida:
Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week:
Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 15, including Conference Championship match ups and TV listings:
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Since 2007, there have been three unassisted triple plays in the major leagues. Who were the three players who were able to accomplish this rare feat? The answer comes later, alligator.
Moving to the hardwood:
The Miami Heat are on the road for four tough tests, beginning tonight, in Chicago, where they take on the Bulls. Game time tonight is 9:30 pm, and you can catch the game on TNT. Miami beat the Bulls earlier this season, and they split last season’s series 2-2. The Heat eliminated the Bulls in the second round of last year’s playoffs 4 games to 1. The Bulls have played well at home, where they are 5-1, but have lost 6 out of their last seven games overall. The Heat’s ability to match up against bigger teams will be tested these next four games. It wouldn’t shock me to see Udonis Haslem back in the starting lineup, health permitting, for these four games.
The Heat’s upcoming schedule of games:
Heat @ Chicago Thu 12/4 9:30 pm TNT
Heat @ Minnesota Sat 12/7 8:00 pm Sun Sports
Heat @ Detroit Sun 12/8 6:00 pm Sun Sports
Heat @ Pacers Tue 12/10 7:00 pm Sun Sports
More Heat coverage:
Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:
On the NHL ice, the Panthers take on the Winnipeg Jets here at the BB&T Center tonight. They will drop the puck at 7:30 pm, and you can watch the game on Fox Sports Florida on your cable or satellite system.
In boxing news,
Here is Santos Perez’ weekly boxing spotlight column from the Miami Herald:
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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock. Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Since 2007, there have been three unassisted triple plays in the major leagues. Who were the three players who were able to accomplish this rare feat?
Here are the names, along with a video replay of each one:
Eric Bruntlett, Phillies 2009 Bruntlett's triple play
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians 2008 Cabrera's triple play
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies 2007 Tulo's triple play
By the way, there have only been a total of 15 unassisted triple plays in the history of the game.
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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