SEATTLE — The last-place Seattle Mariners fired manager Don Wakamatsu on Monday, more than halfway through a season that began with a boosted roster and hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Mariners started the day at 42-70, the second-worst record in the American League.
Daren Brown, the manager of Triple-A Tacoma for the last three-plus seasons, took over on an interim basis hours before a game against Oakland.
Seattle also fired bench coach Ty Van Burkleo and pitching coach Rick Adair. The team also released performance coach Steve Hecht.
"I have concluded that these changes needed to be made now and that they are in the best interest of the Mariners as we move forward," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Don, Ty and Rick are all good baseball men and they have done their very best. But we are where we are. I no longer have confidence that Don, Ty and Rick are the right long-term fit for our organization. New leadership is needed and it is needed now."
Roger Hansen, who had been the Mariners’ minor league catching coordinator, takes over as the bench coach. Carl Willis, who was the Mariners’ minor league pitching coordinator, takes on the responsibility of big league pitching coach.
Wakamatsu, the majors’ first Japanese-American manager, is the fifth manager in the big leagues to be fired this season. Baltimore’s Dave Trembley, Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez also were dismissed.
The Mariners added pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Chone Figgins and outfielder Milton Bradley in the offseason. Wakamatsu had guided Seattle to an 85-77 record in his first season after taking over a team that went 61-101 in 2008.
But a poorly constructed roster has produced the worst offense in baseball and doomed them to 22 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West.
Wakamatsu was asked last week by The Associated Press how he was doing amid rampant speculation that he would become Seattle’s fall guy.
"I’ll be all right," the 47-year-old Wakamatsu said. "I’ve been in this game a long time, and I have a lot of people pulling for me – most of all my family."
He went 127-147 since getting Seattle’s job in November 2008.
Wakamatsu watched slugger Ken Griffey Jr. slump this season to the point the manager finally benched the franchise icon, before Griffey drove home in early June to retirement in Florida in a huff without saying goodbye to most in Seattle. The manager sent an irate Bradley home from a game in May, and the next day Bradley asked him and the GM for help dealing with emotional issues.
Wakamatsu has also had multiple public spats with Figgins, whom Zduriencik signed to a $36 million free-agent contract before the season. The most recent incident was an in-game fracas inside the home team’s dugout between Wakamatsu, Figgins and other coaches and players in full view of half the stadium and a national television audience.
The only support Wakamatsu received publicly was a limited one that came days after he led the Mariners through the worst July in team history – 6-22. On Aug. 3, Zduriencik said: "Don is our manager. Don and I, and his son went out to dinner last night. We had a very nice evening, spent like three or four hours together and talked about a lot of things. We talked where we’re headed with the club, about Don and Don is our manager."
But when asked if Wakamatsu will return for a third season as Mariners manager in 2011, Zduriencik was evasive and noncommittal.
"Everybody is evaluated at all times," he said. "As we go forward, you have to realize there is always an evaluation process going on at all times. You take a week at a time, a month at a time, a season at a time with everyone."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SEATTLE — The last-place Seattle Mariners fired manager Don Wakamatsu on Monday, more than halfway through a season that began with a boosted roster and hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Mariners started the day at 42-70, the second-worst record in the American League.
Daren Brown, the manager of Triple-A Tacoma for the last three-plus seasons, took over on an interim basis hours before a game against Oakland.
Seattle also fired bench coach Ty Van Burkleo and pitching coach Rick Adair. The team also released performance coach Steve Hecht.
"I have concluded that these changes needed to be made now and that they are in the best interest of the Mariners as we move forward," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Don, Ty and Rick are all good baseball men and they have done their very best. But we are where we are. I no longer have confidence that Don, Ty and Rick are the right long-term fit for our organization. New leadership is needed and it is needed now."
Roger Hansen, who had been the Mariners’ minor league catching coordinator, takes over as the bench coach. Carl Willis, who was the Mariners’ minor league pitching coordinator, takes on the responsibility of big league pitching coach.
Wakamatsu, the majors’ first Japanese-American manager, is the fifth manager in the big leagues to be fired this season. Baltimore’s Dave Trembley, Kansas City’s Trey Hillman, Arizona’s A.J. Hinch and Florida’s Fredi Gonzalez also were dismissed.
The Mariners added pitcher Cliff Lee, infielder Chone Figgins and outfielder Milton Bradley in the offseason. Wakamatsu had guided Seattle to an 85-77 record in his first season after taking over a team that went 61-101 in 2008.
But a poorly constructed roster has produced the worst offense in baseball and doomed them to 22 1/2 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West.
Wakamatsu was asked last week by The Associated Press how he was doing amid rampant speculation that he would become Seattle’s fall guy.
"I’ll be all right," the 47-year-old Wakamatsu said. "I’ve been in this game a long time, and I have a lot of people pulling for me – most of all my family."
He went 127-147 since getting Seattle’s job in November 2008.
Wakamatsu watched slugger Ken Griffey Jr. slump this season to the point the manager finally benched the franchise icon, before Griffey drove home in early June to retirement in Florida in a huff without saying goodbye to most in Seattle. The manager sent an irate Bradley home from a game in May, and the next day Bradley asked him and the GM for help dealing with emotional issues.
Wakamatsu has also had multiple public spats with Figgins, whom Zduriencik signed to a $36 million free-agent contract before the season. The most recent incident was an in-game fracas inside the home team’s dugout between Wakamatsu, Figgins and other coaches and players in full view of half the stadium and a national television audience.
The only support Wakamatsu received publicly was a limited one that came days after he led the Mariners through the worst July in team history – 6-22. On Aug. 3, Zduriencik said: "Don is our manager. Don and I, and his son went out to dinner last night. We had a very nice evening, spent like three or four hours together and talked about a lot of things. We talked where we’re headed with the club, about Don and Don is our manager."
But when asked if Wakamatsu will return for a third season as Mariners manager in 2011, Zduriencik was evasive and noncommittal.
"Everybody is evaluated at all times," he said. "As we go forward, you have to realize there is always an evaluation process going on at all times. You take a week at a time, a month at a time, a season at a time with everyone."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
WESTMINSTER, MD. — The Ravens are raising the bar for Joe Flacco.
As a rookie with the Ravens in 2008, Joe Flacco signed a five-year contract with a maximum value of around $30 million.
In two seasons as a starting quarterback, Flacco has been steady. Now, the coaches want him to be special.
"When you look at top quarterbacks, like say Ben Roethlisberger, (Tom) Brady, (Drew) Brees, they say, ‘Get on my shoulders, we’re going to win this game,’ " Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome said. "I saw it with (Bernie) Kosar. I saw it with (Brian) Sipe. Get on my shoulders, and let’s win. That’s what we’re saying to Joe this year: Get on my shoulders and win."
The Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations, and to get there they need Flacco to improve in three areas:
1. Red-zone efficiency
Flacco threw four interceptions inside the opponents’ 20-yard line last season. That is one reason Newsome acquired two veteran receivers, Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth, to join long-time target Derrick Mason. The Ravens also drafted tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta to push incumbent starter Todd Heap.
Add the pass-catching skills of Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, and Flacco has the weapons necessary to finish more drives in the end zone.
"Obviously, we weren’t as successful in the red zone as we wanted to be last year," Flacco said. "The guys that we have are definitely going to make it a little bit easier."
2. Throwing into tight windows
There were times last season when Flacco double-clutched on downfield passes, or never made the throw at all, wary of throwing an interception. The coaches would like him to check-down less and attack downfield more in ’10.
"He’s just got to get used to throwing into tighter windows, and you’re not going to throw into tighter windows unless you’ve got tremendous trust," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "And trust comes with time."
Flacco says entering his third season working with Cameron, in the same system, is a blessing.
"It’s always good when you can work with a guy more than one or two years," Flacco said. "Coming into the third year in this offense, it just opens up so many more windows.
"You don’t know everything, but you know a lot more than you did your first year and you feel a lot more comfortable directing guys around and making decisions quicker."
3. Leadership
Flacco is a cool customer who seems to lead more by example than with words. Still, the longer a quarterback plays with a team the more he is expected to become the leader.
The Ravens moved up in the draft two seasons ago to take Flacco because the personnel men, coaches and scouts believed he could be their franchise quarterback for the next 10 years. So far, so good.
Still, it will be interesting to watch Flacco evolve this season—given more weapons, yet dealing with higher expectations.
"There are 1,000 little steps in a quarterback’s development, and Joe continues to take them," coach John Harbaugh said. "Whether it’s seeing things quicker, getting the ball out faster, being more aggressive downfield. It’s the same for him, as it is for all players and coaches. Every year is a chance for us to get better."
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
WESTMINSTER, MD. — The Ravens are raising the bar for Joe Flacco.
As a rookie with the Ravens in 2008, Joe Flacco signed a five-year contract with a maximum value of around $30 million.
In two seasons as a starting quarterback, Flacco has been steady. Now, the coaches want him to be special.
"When you look at top quarterbacks, like say Ben Roethlisberger, (Tom) Brady, (Drew) Brees, they say, ‘Get on my shoulders, we’re going to win this game,’ " Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome said. "I saw it with (Bernie) Kosar. I saw it with (Brian) Sipe. Get on my shoulders, and let’s win. That’s what we’re saying to Joe this year: Get on my shoulders and win."
The Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations, and to get there they need Flacco to improve in three areas:
1. Red-zone efficiency
Flacco threw four interceptions inside the opponents’ 20-yard line last season. That is one reason Newsome acquired two veteran receivers, Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth, to join long-time target Derrick Mason. The Ravens also drafted tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta to push incumbent starter Todd Heap.
Add the pass-catching skills of Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, and Flacco has the weapons necessary to finish more drives in the end zone.
"Obviously, we weren’t as successful in the red zone as we wanted to be last year," Flacco said. "The guys that we have are definitely going to make it a little bit easier."
2. Throwing into tight windows
There were times last season when Flacco double-clutched on downfield passes, or never made the throw at all, wary of throwing an interception. The coaches would like him to check-down less and attack downfield more in ’10.
"He’s just got to get used to throwing into tighter windows, and you’re not going to throw into tighter windows unless you’ve got tremendous trust," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "And trust comes with time."
Flacco says entering his third season working with Cameron, in the same system, is a blessing.
"It’s always good when you can work with a guy more than one or two years," Flacco said. "Coming into the third year in this offense, it just opens up so many more windows.
"You don’t know everything, but you know a lot more than you did your first year and you feel a lot more comfortable directing guys around and making decisions quicker."
3. Leadership
Flacco is a cool customer who seems to lead more by example than with words. Still, the longer a quarterback plays with a team the more he is expected to become the leader.
The Ravens moved up in the draft two seasons ago to take Flacco because the personnel men, coaches and scouts believed he could be their franchise quarterback for the next 10 years. So far, so good.
Still, it will be interesting to watch Flacco evolve this season—given more weapons, yet dealing with higher expectations.
"There are 1,000 little steps in a quarterback’s development, and Joe continues to take them," coach John Harbaugh said. "Whether it’s seeing things quicker, getting the ball out faster, being more aggressive downfield. It’s the same for him, as it is for all players and coaches. Every year is a chance for us to get better."
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Ravens training camp in Westminster, Md.:
What’s new
The wide receiver position has been seriously upgraded, with the acquisitions of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth. Boldin’s willingness to catch balls in traffic, block and run over defenders meshes with the Ravens’ physical style.
"He’s been beyond expectations," coach John Harbaugh said. "His teammates already respect and admire him. Perfect fit."
The Ravens bolstered their receiving corp by acquiring Anquan Boldin from Arizona.
Camp battle
Billy Cundiff vs. Shayne Graham. One kicker will win the starting job, and the other will be released or traded. Having a reliable kicker is important for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
"Lay it all out there, and see who’s the best," Cundiff said. "I know that this time is really precious."
Rehab report
Safe to say, the Ravens have issues in the secondary.
Six-time Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed is the glue to the secondary, but he is coming off hip surgery and might miss the first six weeks of the season. Starting cornerback Domonique Foxworth sustained a season-ending knee injury early in camp. Two other cornerbacks, Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb, are rehabbing knee injuries.
Look for G.M. Ozzie Newsome to make some moves before the Sept. 13 opener at the New York Jets.
"We would like to upgrade our cornerback position," Newsome said. "We see acquiring talent as a year-round thing. The answer may appear two or three weeks from now."
Rookie on the spot
If he can stay in shape, rookie Terrence Cody has a chance to be part of the defensive tackle rotation as a run-stopper. Unfortunately, outside linebacker Sergio Kindle might not play at all this season after fracturing his skull during a fall just before training camp.
2010 outlook
The Ravens, no doubt, are Super Bowl contenders. But to reach Cowboys Stadium for the Feb. 6 game, quarterback Joe Flacco must take another step up and middle linebacker Ray Lewis and Reed must squeeze one more stellar season out of their aging bodies.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Ravens training camp in Westminster, Md.:
What’s new
The wide receiver position has been seriously upgraded, with the acquisitions of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth. Boldin’s willingness to catch balls in traffic, block and run over defenders meshes with the Ravens’ physical style.
"He’s been beyond expectations," coach John Harbaugh said. "His teammates already respect and admire him. Perfect fit."
The Ravens bolstered their receiving corp by acquiring Anquan Boldin from Arizona.
Camp battle
Billy Cundiff vs. Shayne Graham. One kicker will win the starting job, and the other will be released or traded. Having a reliable kicker is important for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
"Lay it all out there, and see who’s the best," Cundiff said. "I know that this time is really precious."
Rehab report
Safe to say, the Ravens have issues in the secondary.
Six-time Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed is the glue to the secondary, but he is coming off hip surgery and might miss the first six weeks of the season. Starting cornerback Domonique Foxworth sustained a season-ending knee injury early in camp. Two other cornerbacks, Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb, are rehabbing knee injuries.
Look for G.M. Ozzie Newsome to make some moves before the Sept. 13 opener at the New York Jets.
"We would like to upgrade our cornerback position," Newsome said. "We see acquiring talent as a year-round thing. The answer may appear two or three weeks from now."
Rookie on the spot
If he can stay in shape, rookie Terrence Cody has a chance to be part of the defensive tackle rotation as a run-stopper. Unfortunately, outside linebacker Sergio Kindle might not play at all this season after fracturing his skull during a fall just before training camp.
2010 outlook
The Ravens, no doubt, are Super Bowl contenders. But to reach Cowboys Stadium for the Feb. 6 game, quarterback Joe Flacco must take another step up and middle linebacker Ray Lewis and Reed must squeeze one more stellar season out of their aging bodies.
Clifton Brown is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at cliftonbrown@sportingnews.com.
If the regular season ended today, only one team that reached the playoffs last year—the Yankees—would be returning.
Of course, the season doesn’t end for another 55 days, leaving ample time to sort contenders from pretenders. Some serious sorting can be done this week when the upstarts face other contenders.
Cardinals at Reds
The Reds haven’t been to the playoffs since 1995 but they’re right where they want to be. In first place, a season-best 16 games over .500 and at home for this three-game showdown.
The Cardinals have lost four of their last five series away from Busch Stadium but don’t tell them they’re not good visitors. "We’re capable of playing well on the road," manager Tony La Russa said, pointing to some early-season success.
La Russa reworked his rotation for Cincinnati to use his three best starters, beginning with Chris Carpenter tonight against rookie Mike Leake.
Yankees at Rangers
With a 7 1/2-game division lead, you have to like the Rangers’ odds of making the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
But do they have what it takes for October? Two games against the Yankees, followed by three against Boston, should provide some insight. Texas was swept early in New York but much has changed, including:
Cliff Lee is on the Rangers now. The Yankees know all about him from the 2009 World Series.
C.J. Wilson has become a dependable starter. He leads Texas with 10 wins with a 3.30 ERA but is coming off his worst outing. He starts Tuesday, with Lee on Wednesday.
The Yankees still have a series to finish against Boston before thinking about the Texas heat.
Padres at Giants
After winning 10-1 at Arizona on Sunday, the Padres still have only one losing streak as long as three games. "With that kind of pitching, you’re able to avoid losing streaks," says an NL scout, talking up the Padres’ chances of winning the NL West.
But is a lack of offense catching up to San Diego? The club has been held to one or fewer runs three times in eight games since the trade deadline.
Two silver linings for San Diego:
— Before the Padres visit San Francisco this weekend, they get three at home against Pittsburgh.
— The Giants haven’t been hitting, either. They topped three runs only once last week.
If the regular season ended today, only one team that reached the playoffs last year—the Yankees—would be returning.
Of course, the season doesn’t end for another 55 days, leaving ample time to sort contenders from pretenders. Some serious sorting can be done this week when the upstarts face other contenders.
Cardinals at Reds
The Reds haven’t been to the playoffs since 1995 but they’re right where they want to be. In first place, a season-best 16 games over .500 and at home for this three-game showdown.
The Cardinals have lost four of their last five series away from Busch Stadium but don’t tell them they’re not good visitors. "We’re capable of playing well on the road," manager Tony La Russa said, pointing to some early-season success.
La Russa reworked his rotation for Cincinnati to use his three best starters, beginning with Chris Carpenter tonight against rookie Mike Leake.
Yankees at Rangers
With a 7 1/2-game division lead, you have to like the Rangers’ odds of making the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
But do they have what it takes for October? Two games against the Yankees, followed by three against Boston, should provide some insight. Texas was swept early in New York but much has changed, including:
Cliff Lee is on the Rangers now. The Yankees know all about him from the 2009 World Series.
C.J. Wilson has become a dependable starter. He leads Texas with 10 wins with a 3.30 ERA but is coming off his worst outing. He starts Tuesday, with Lee on Wednesday.
The Yankees still have a series to finish against Boston before thinking about the Texas heat.
Padres at Giants
After winning 10-1 at Arizona on Sunday, the Padres still have only one losing streak as long as three games. "With that kind of pitching, you’re able to avoid losing streaks," says an NL scout, talking up the Padres’ chances of winning the NL West.
But is a lack of offense catching up to San Diego? The club has been held to one or fewer runs three times in eight games since the trade deadline.
Two silver linings for San Diego:
— Before the Padres visit San Francisco this weekend, they get three at home against Pittsburgh.
— The Giants haven’t been hitting, either. They topped three runs only once last week.
Sporting News staff reports
Oakland Athletics infielder Eric Chavez tells the San Francisco Chronicle he has "pondered" retirement because of multiple injuries but hasn’t made up his mind.
Chavez says in an e-mail to Chronicle beat writer Susan Slusser that he wants to return to action this season. He is on the disabled list because of bulging disks in his neck. Chavez played in 33 games, mostly as a DH, before going on the DL.
"It would mean the world to me to be in uniform when the season ends," Chavez says. "Either way, I’ll be in Oakland one way or the other, to come back and play, or to say goodbye."
The A’s are not expected to exercise their $12.5 million option on Chavez for 2011, so Chavez may need to continue his career elsewhere — health permitting.
"I still would love to play this game, whether or not I can and whether or not my body can go through any more is yet to be determined," he says.
Sporting News staff reports
Oakland Athletics infielder Eric Chavez tells the San Francisco Chronicle he has "pondered" retirement because of multiple injuries but hasn’t made up his mind.
Chavez says in an e-mail to Chronicle beat writer Susan Slusser that he wants to return to action this season. He is on the disabled list because of bulging disks in his neck. Chavez played in 33 games, mostly as a DH, before going on the DL.
"It would mean the world to me to be in uniform when the season ends," Chavez says. "Either way, I’ll be in Oakland one way or the other, to come back and play, or to say goodbye."
The A’s are not expected to exercise their $12.5 million option on Chavez for 2011, so Chavez may need to continue his career elsewhere — health permitting.
"I still would love to play this game, whether or not I can and whether or not my body can go through any more is yet to be determined," he says.
Observations and opinions from Patriots training camp in Foxborough, Mass.:
What’s new
Unfortunately for the Patriots, the offensive line is in quite a bit of flux. Pro Bowl left guard Logan Mankins has been unable to reach a contract agreement with the team, and was embittered by what he viewed as a broken promise for a long-term deal. Mankins demanded a trade, but remains in limbo. The player who was supposed to replace Mankins, Nick Kaczur, suffered a back injury, hasn’t practiced and could miss significant time in ’10. That could put pressure on the organization to relent and bring back Mankins.
Camp battle
There are great battles brewing at linebacker and in the secondary, but the most noticeable tussle will be at the wide receiver position — you have to wonder what sorts of targets QB Tom Brady will have this season.
Randy Moss and Wes Welker return, but Welker is coming off a knee injury and Moss had a disappointing ’09 season. The Patriots signed veteran Tory Holt, but considering how the Joey Galloway experiment went enthusiasms have been tempered. The real key will be whether the young receivers, especially Brandon Tate, Julian Edleman and rookie Taylor Price, can earn Brady’s trust and contribute.
Former Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes will have a chance to contribute immediately in New England.
Rehab report
Welker was expected to need as much as a year to return from the torn ACL and MCL injuries he sustained Jan. 3. But he has shocked trainers and teammates with his rapid recovery, and he has participated in every day of training camp. Welker said he intends to be ready for the Sept. 12 opener vs. Cincinnati, though both he and coach Bill Belichick warned that he is not yet 100 percent.
Rookie on the spot
Much-hyped rookie inside linebacker Brandon Spikes will be counted on to help bolster what was an anemic pass rush last season. He and fellow inside linebacker Jerod Mayo are expected to be defensive cornerstones for years to come, but whether he is able to contribute immediately remains to be seen.
2010 outlook
For the first time in a decade, the Patriots are not the favorites to win in the AFC East. The schedule is difficult and every spot on the team—including Brady, who hasn’t received a contract extension—is clouded by some sort of question mark. A 10-win year would be a pleasant surprise but still might not be enough to earn a trip to the playoffs.
Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.
Observations and opinions from Patriots training camp in Foxborough, Mass.:
What’s new
Unfortunately for the Patriots, the offensive line is in quite a bit of flux. Pro Bowl left guard Logan Mankins has been unable to reach a contract agreement with the team, and was embittered by what he viewed as a broken promise for a long-term deal. Mankins demanded a trade, but remains in limbo. The player who was supposed to replace Mankins, Nick Kaczur, suffered a back injury, hasn’t practiced and could miss significant time in ’10. That could put pressure on the organization to relent and bring back Mankins.
Camp battle
There are great battles brewing at linebacker and in the secondary, but the most noticeable tussle will be at the wide receiver position — you have to wonder what sorts of targets QB Tom Brady will have this season.
Randy Moss and Wes Welker return, but Welker is coming off a knee injury and Moss had a disappointing ’09 season. The Patriots signed veteran Tory Holt, but considering how the Joey Galloway experiment went enthusiasms have been tempered. The real key will be whether the young receivers, especially Brandon Tate, Julian Edleman and rookie Taylor Price, can earn Brady’s trust and contribute.
Former Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes will have a chance to contribute immediately in New England.
Rehab report
Welker was expected to need as much as a year to return from the torn ACL and MCL injuries he sustained Jan. 3. But he has shocked trainers and teammates with his rapid recovery, and he has participated in every day of training camp. Welker said he intends to be ready for the Sept. 12 opener vs. Cincinnati, though both he and coach Bill Belichick warned that he is not yet 100 percent.
Rookie on the spot
Much-hyped rookie inside linebacker Brandon Spikes will be counted on to help bolster what was an anemic pass rush last season. He and fellow inside linebacker Jerod Mayo are expected to be defensive cornerstones for years to come, but whether he is able to contribute immediately remains to be seen.
2010 outlook
For the first time in a decade, the Patriots are not the favorites to win in the AFC East. The schedule is difficult and every spot on the team—including Brady, who hasn’t received a contract extension—is clouded by some sort of question mark. A 10-win year would be a pleasant surprise but still might not be enough to earn a trip to the playoffs.
Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Somewhere amidst the array of pieces and parts that the Patriots have assembled, there is a pretty good defense. How — and more important, when — that good defense will begin to show itself remains one of the most important questions of New England’s 2010 season.
Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2007 and 2009).
There is talent in the secondary, starting with Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather. There is also youth, though, with second-year men Darius Butler and Patrick Chung playing big roles, and rookie Devin McCourty expected to see the field. It’s a similar story at linebacker, where Jerod Mayo established himself as a budding star last year, but a pair of rookies — second-rounders Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham — will be key components.
There will be youth all over the defense, which puts extra pressure on the one unit that will be dominated by veterans — the defensive line. And with the D-line being bolstered by two new players, Damione Lewis and Gerard Warren, with no prior experience in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme, the maturation of the defense must begin with the big man in the middle, nose tackle Vince Wilfork. In the offseason, the Patriots gave Wilfork a five-year, $40 million contract, signaling the franchise’s commitment to Wilfork as the leader of the defense.
"I think a lot of it is leading by example," Wilfork said. "The last thing we want to do as veterans is not be able to offer a perspective or a role model for the young guys. They ask questions. They want to learn. They make that clear, and you like that. They will ask questions when the coaches are not around. It’s early in camp; we still have a long way to go. But I like where we are at this point, it is going to be a good season for us and for our defense."
Wilfork won’t just be mentoring younger players, though. He will have to help Warren and Lewis — both entering their 10th seasons — adjust to the 3-4, which is not an easy transition for a lineman.
"It’s a totally different ball game playing in a 4-3, where everything is penetrate right off the ball," Lewis said. "This is, you are actually trying to play blocks rather than just getting around guys. That is the biggest difference. It is a very different tempo. It is all a transition, but it has been great having a guy like Vince to learn from."
That gives coach Bill Belichick some comfort, too. He would be much more worried about his defensive line if he did not have Wilfork directing traffic at nose tackle.
"Overall, they have performed very well in the running game, the passing game and in communication. Vince, being in the middle, kind of helps that, because communication starts on the inside and works its way out. Having Vince there for calls and adjustments and alerts has been a good thing."
And on a Patriots defense pocked with question marks, having at least one reliable good thing in place is a comforting start.
Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Somewhere amidst the array of pieces and parts that the Patriots have assembled, there is a pretty good defense. How — and more important, when — that good defense will begin to show itself remains one of the most important questions of New England’s 2010 season.
Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2007 and 2009).
There is talent in the secondary, starting with Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather. There is also youth, though, with second-year men Darius Butler and Patrick Chung playing big roles, and rookie Devin McCourty expected to see the field. It’s a similar story at linebacker, where Jerod Mayo established himself as a budding star last year, but a pair of rookies — second-rounders Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham — will be key components.
There will be youth all over the defense, which puts extra pressure on the one unit that will be dominated by veterans — the defensive line. And with the D-line being bolstered by two new players, Damione Lewis and Gerard Warren, with no prior experience in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme, the maturation of the defense must begin with the big man in the middle, nose tackle Vince Wilfork. In the offseason, the Patriots gave Wilfork a five-year, $40 million contract, signaling the franchise’s commitment to Wilfork as the leader of the defense.
"I think a lot of it is leading by example," Wilfork said. "The last thing we want to do as veterans is not be able to offer a perspective or a role model for the young guys. They ask questions. They want to learn. They make that clear, and you like that. They will ask questions when the coaches are not around. It’s early in camp; we still have a long way to go. But I like where we are at this point, it is going to be a good season for us and for our defense."
Wilfork won’t just be mentoring younger players, though. He will have to help Warren and Lewis — both entering their 10th seasons — adjust to the 3-4, which is not an easy transition for a lineman.
"It’s a totally different ball game playing in a 4-3, where everything is penetrate right off the ball," Lewis said. "This is, you are actually trying to play blocks rather than just getting around guys. That is the biggest difference. It is a very different tempo. It is all a transition, but it has been great having a guy like Vince to learn from."
That gives coach Bill Belichick some comfort, too. He would be much more worried about his defensive line if he did not have Wilfork directing traffic at nose tackle.
"Overall, they have performed very well in the running game, the passing game and in communication. Vince, being in the middle, kind of helps that, because communication starts on the inside and works its way out. Having Vince there for calls and adjustments and alerts has been a good thing."
And on a Patriots defense pocked with question marks, having at least one reliable good thing in place is a comforting start.
Sean Deveney is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sdeveney@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
Tigers manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski will return next season, club owner Mike Ilitch told the Detroit Free Press on Saturday.
"(This season) is very disappointing," the newspaper quoted Ilitch as saying, "(but) I’m staying with Dave and I’m staying with our manager. I feel that we’re going to move forward."
Detroit entered its game Saturday with a 53-56 record and third in the AL Central, nine games behind the first-place Twins.
Leyland and Dombrowski will be entering the final year of their contracts.
Ilitch also told the Free Press he will continue to spend big money to improve the team, though he said he’ll be "a little bit more caerful" with his signings.
Sporting News staff reports
Tigers manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski will return next season, club owner Mike Ilitch told the Detroit Free Press on Saturday.
"(This season) is very disappointing," the newspaper quoted Ilitch as saying, "(but) I’m staying with Dave and I’m staying with our manager. I feel that we’re going to move forward."
Detroit entered its game Saturday with a 53-56 record and third in the AL Central, nine games behind the first-place Twins.
Leyland and Dombrowski will be entering the final year of their contracts.
Ilitch also told the Free Press he will continue to spend big money to improve the team, though he said he’ll be "a little bit more caerful" with his signings.
Sporting News staff reports
The Red Sox signed free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado on Saturday to help shore up their first base situation, according to FoxSports.com.
Earlier this week, Boston lost first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the season because of a thumb injury. Youkilis had season-ending thumb surgery Friday. That same day, the Red Sox worked out Delgado.
Delgado, who hasn’t played since May 2009 with the Mets, will be assigned to Class AAA Pawtucket. He is expected to serve as the lefthanded-hitting half of a platoon with Mike Lowell once he reaches the majors.
In his 17-season career with the Blue Jays, Mets and Marlins, the two-time All-Star has hit .280 with 473 homers and 1,512 RBIs.
Sporting News staff reports
The Red Sox signed free agent first baseman Carlos Delgado on Saturday to help shore up their first base situation, according to FoxSports.com.
Earlier this week, Boston lost first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the season because of a thumb injury. Youkilis had season-ending thumb surgery Friday. That same day, the Red Sox worked out Delgado.
Delgado, who hasn’t played since May 2009 with the Mets, will be assigned to Class AAA Pawtucket. He is expected to serve as the lefthanded-hitting half of a platoon with Mike Lowell once he reaches the majors.
In his 17-season career with the Blue Jays, Mets and Marlins, the two-time All-Star has hit .280 with 473 homers and 1,512 RBIs.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable joined KNBR in San Francisco to talk about his thoughts on how his team is approaching the coming season after a tumultuous 5-11 season last year. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable says he has confidence in new quarterback Jason Campbell.
How does Cable think this year’s training camp feels different from last year’s?
Cable: I think, in many ways, it is just night and day. It is just a different mentality, a different energy level that is going around this football team, and even with the additions to this team and kind of with this coaching staff, it has kind of helped us in the big picture.
And the draft was good for us. The free agents that we brought in, the trades have all, at least to this point, paid off thus far. We are looking forward to the next few days as we are getting ready for Dallas next week.
What will new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson bring to the Raiders?
Cable: Well, Hue and I have a background together. We were at Cal together in ’96 with Steve Mariucci. Then we kind of went our separate ways, and then there was a chance for him to come back and taking over an offense that, obviously, wasn’t very good.
It has helped me tremendously and has allowed me to coach the team and keep my eyes on the offensive line a little bit more, and just overall look after the team like the head coach should.
What does Cable think of new quarterback Jason Campbell?
Cable: I think he’s a guy that can be consistent. I think that is the first thing that jumps out of your mind. What I like most about him is that he takes care of the football. If you look at his career thus far, all that being in Washington until now, he really did a nice job of not throwing many interceptions, and I think if this team just gets where he has been — you know that low number of interceptions and kind of that medium number of touchdowns — we will be one hundred times better…
I think if he will be just who he is, he will be fine.
What would Cable like to see out of the running backs this season?
Cable: First and foremost, we want to get back to where we were prior to last year and that is being a top-ten rushing team. I don’t know anywhere in pro football that you could just do it with one guy — I mean, Chris Johnson in Tennessee is probably the only exception to the whole thing — but if you look at every other team there is always a number two.
I think we have two ones [Darren McFadden and Michael Bush]. I don’t think you can even call either of them twos. That is a good thing and I think it is something else to be able to hold on to as we go. Their job is to hold on to the football, not put it on the ground, and stay consistent and take what the defense gives you in terms of hitting holes and making plays.
More from SRI
Reggie Bush talks about starting his fifth season in New Orleans
Rex Ryan discusses aiming for the Super Bowl
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable joined KNBR in San Francisco to talk about his thoughts on how his team is approaching the coming season after a tumultuous 5-11 season last year. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable says he has confidence in new quarterback Jason Campbell.
How does Cable think this year’s training camp feels different from last year’s?
Cable: I think, in many ways, it is just night and day. It is just a different mentality, a different energy level that is going around this football team, and even with the additions to this team and kind of with this coaching staff, it has kind of helped us in the big picture.
And the draft was good for us. The free agents that we brought in, the trades have all, at least to this point, paid off thus far. We are looking forward to the next few days as we are getting ready for Dallas next week.
What will new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson bring to the Raiders?
Cable: Well, Hue and I have a background together. We were at Cal together in ’96 with Steve Mariucci. Then we kind of went our separate ways, and then there was a chance for him to come back and taking over an offense that, obviously, wasn’t very good.
It has helped me tremendously and has allowed me to coach the team and keep my eyes on the offensive line a little bit more, and just overall look after the team like the head coach should.
What does Cable think of new quarterback Jason Campbell?
Cable: I think he’s a guy that can be consistent. I think that is the first thing that jumps out of your mind. What I like most about him is that he takes care of the football. If you look at his career thus far, all that being in Washington until now, he really did a nice job of not throwing many interceptions, and I think if this team just gets where he has been — you know that low number of interceptions and kind of that medium number of touchdowns — we will be one hundred times better…
I think if he will be just who he is, he will be fine.
What would Cable like to see out of the running backs this season?
Cable: First and foremost, we want to get back to where we were prior to last year and that is being a top-ten rushing team. I don’t know anywhere in pro football that you could just do it with one guy — I mean, Chris Johnson in Tennessee is probably the only exception to the whole thing — but if you look at every other team there is always a number two.
I think we have two ones [Darren McFadden and Michael Bush]. I don’t think you can even call either of them twos. That is a good thing and I think it is something else to be able to hold on to as we go. Their job is to hold on to the football, not put it on the ground, and stay consistent and take what the defense gives you in terms of hitting holes and making plays.
More from SRI
Reggie Bush talks about starting his fifth season in New Orleans
Rex Ryan discusses aiming for the Super Bowl
