Chicago Cubs 2010 Preview: What Can Cubs Fans Expect This Year?

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It’s finally baseball season.

Spring training has just begun, and it’s time for another chance for the “lovable losers” to make another run at ending their 100+ year World Series drought. But is this really the year for the Cubs to end that drought?

If you look at the Cubs’ players you see a lot of high class names: Derek Lee, Alfonsio Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, and Aramis Ramirez. The problem is all these guys, with the exception of Ramirez, have not fulfilled the expectations that the fans and general managers originally had for them.

In fact they have been big letdowns, failing to win a playoff game in the last six chances.

So how does it look for this year?

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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of a 96 Team Tournament

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The NCAA is seriously considering expanding the annual basketball tournament from 65 teams to 96 teams. Sounds ridiculous I know, but it is real.

I have no clue where this idea came from or when it started, but one day while skimming SI.com I saw a column discussing the idea. I originally thought this was the media being bored and just creating topics to write/talk about.

Then it started coming up on sports talk radio, specifically The Dan Patrick Show, which I listen to daily. Over a few weeks, Patrick had guests such as Jim Boeheim, Mike Krzyzewski, and Jay Wright, all of whom thought the expansion was a good idea and that it would be put into play in a few years, if not next year.

With the tournament coming up in just a few weeks, I decided to take a look at what the 96-team tournament would be like. Just like everything in life there is a good side, a bad side and of course, an ugly side.

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The 2010 LeBron James Sweepstakes (UPDATED)

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Well people, being a big NBA guy, and following the sport for some time now, I can point out the big stories.

Whether ir’s Ron Artest going at it in Detroit, or Kobe Bryant changing his jersey number, or Shaq claiming who the true “Superman” is, and on and on.

So when I tell you that the NBA’s 2010 free-agent class is huge, it’s huge!

You know this, you watch ESPN, you have a Twitter, you read blogs. Let’s face it, this topic has been thrown in our face about 109,239,300 times. Correct? And not only that, LeBron’s chances at leaving Cleveland have greatly increased with the Semi’s loss to the Celtics, right?

So this isn’t a typical “Where is LeBron going?” article, this has a twist.

Ladies and gents, here is a list that dreamers, consumers, and fans have either made up, or brought on some facts to prove where LeBron James is going to play in ’10.
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Email the author: DevonAFF93@gmail.com
Twitter: twitter.com/DevonNBA



Broncos Add Green, Williams

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Update: NFL.com reports that The Denver Broncos have come to terms with tackle Jamal Williams and added veteran end Jarvis Green, Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Fantasy Impact: Both players are veterans in the league and have shown they can consistently play at a high level.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Owens #1, Ocho #2?

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Update: The Associated Press reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco said via Twitter that he would not only welcome free-agent WR Terrell Owens (Bills) to the team but would play the role of No. 2 receiver, if needed.

Fantasy Impact: “Man it don’t take that damn long to sign on the dotted line, lets go!!! You can be Batman, I will be Robin, lets go!!” Ochocinco commented. If this signing happens and the 2 receivers can get along they could become one of the most notorious and dangerous WR duos in recent history.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Ferguson Stays with Dolphins

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Update: The Miami Dolphins announced Tuesday, March 9, that they have re-signed free-agent DT Jason Ferguson. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Fantasy Impact: Ferguson is suspended for the first 8 games of the upcoming season for violating the leagues policy on performance enhancing substances.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Titans Sign W.Witherspoon

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Update: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Tennessee Titans have signed LB Will Witherspoon to a three-year contract worth $11 million. The deal includes $5 million guaranteed.

Fantasy Impact: The signing of the explosive Will Witherspoon will hopefully help boost a lacking Titans defense.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

T. Jones Signs with Kansas City

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Update: NFL.com reports that former New York Jets Running Back Thomas Jones has signed a 2 year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Official terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Fantasy Impact: Jones will provide a veteran boost to KC’s third year stand out RB Jamaal Charles, almost certainly boosting the Kansas City run game into a formidable force.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Browns Drop QB Anderson

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Update: NFL.com reports that The Cleveland Browns have dropped one time pro bowl QB Derek Anderson on Tuesday, the day after the team acquired QB Seneca Wallace from Seattle.

Fantasy Impact: Anderson has had an extremely up and down career while in Cleveland, leading them to a 10-6 record while going to the pro bowl a few years back, and since, exchanging starting position with QB Brady Quinn often due to poor performance.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Blogging Fitness: Get it Right, Get it Tight with Suspension Training

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Twist it, rock it, and tone it up.

I was doing all of the above with the TRX® Suspension Trainer™.

Many times when exploring new workout routines, I am fixated on cardio-intensive exercises. I need to pull back the reins and remind myself to tone it up. It’s beneficial to partner all the hard work and burning up the fat with a regime that focuses on building toned, lean muscles.

Perhaps I have found the golden ticket.

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Horizon League Tournament Preview: Tickets, TV Schedule, Bracket & History

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Updated 3/10 with championship game results. Congrats Butler! (originally published third week in February).

[Editor's note: This post is the first in a multi-part series of college basketball tournament previews that will be rolled out over the next few weeks. I know that we are starting a little bit early, but there is a lot to get to between know and March Madness. Now that football is over, it will be here before we know it.

This first preview looks at the Horizon League. AJ analyzes how this season has gone, what to watch for over the next few weeks, and also takes a look back at Horizon League mens basketball tournament history.]

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Following an impressive win Feb. 27 in the season finale at Valparaiso (playing without their best player no less), Butler finished the league schedule undefeated at 18-0. After their brutal non-conference schedule (7-4), they’ve literally been unbeatable throughout 2010.

Like the last two Marches, the Bulldogs, as league champs, will host the Horizon tournament at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse — beginning Friday night, March 5. Wright State has the two seed.

With their double-byes, Butler and the Raiders won’t play until Saturday evening the 6th, as the tourney starts for lower seeds at campus sites on Tuesday, March 2.

[Read more...]

AJ Kaufman is the Co-Editor of MSF. Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajkauf7

NBA Kick of the Week: Nike LeBron VII P.S.

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Back again this week folks. How’d you like my last week’s kick? $700 shoes? Crazy huh?

Well this week I’m back with a brand spanking new shoe from the Nike LeBron James line. For those of you whom are unfamilar with the LeBron sneaker line, here is something for you guys to check out, Nikelebron.net. It’s a great site for any LeBron fan, courtesy of my buddy Greg.

Well, LeBron James is arguably the greatest player on earth, right beside that #24 guy from LA. So Nike has to accept the challenge every year by bringing in a shoe fit for a king.

Nike has already delivered this season, by bringing in the Nike Air Max LeBron VII (for his 7th year), which is built for the rigors of an 82-game regular season.

[Read more...]


Email the author: DevonAFF93@gmail.com
Twitter: twitter.com/DevonNBA



Thomas Jones signs with the Chiefs

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Update: According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, RB Thomas Jones has just signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones’ deal is worth $3 million this year, $2 million in 2011, and $500,000 in incentives. Jones spent last year with the New York Jets

Fantasy Impact: Thomas Jones found a place where he should be the starter. Jones should split carries with Jamal Charles, but Jones has been use to splitting carries for the past several years. Last year in 331 carries, Jones had 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns. This is a great move by the Chiefs getting a good, yet old, running back for a low-risk, high-reward deal. Jones should be a good low-end #2 running back, yet high-end #3 in fantasy for next season.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Derek Anderson cut by Browns

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Update: According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have cut QB Derek Anderson before he was due a $2 million bonus on March 19. The move comes one day after the Browns traded for Seneca Wallace and serves as no surprise. Last season Anderson threw three touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 182 passing attempts.

Fantasy Impact: Anderson will find another team after the NFL draft if not sooner. Anderson should become his new team’s backup quarterback and won’t serve much fantasy value until his team is known.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.

Seneca Wallace traded to Cleveland

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Update: According to thebiglead.com, the Seattle Seahawks traded QB Seneca Wallace to the Cleveland Browns for an undisclosed late round draft pick in 2011.

Fantasy Impact: The Cleveland Browns are expected to cut QB Derek Anderson later in the month, which makes sense to trade for Wallace, especially when GM Mike Holmgren has ties to Seattle. The Seahawks trading Wallace opens up space for them to go after a quarterback in the draft, the leader is Jimmy Clausen with the number six pick in the first round.

This content was written and contributed by Nova Fantasy Sports and is syndicated on Midwest Sports Fans.