Jim Thomas, Sporting News correspondent
This is the 30th in a series of team-by-team breakdowns that will run on SportingNews.com before the start of training camp.
And a rookie was chosen to lead them.
For most of the past decade under quarterback Marc Bulger, the Rams grew steadily worse. Bulger and the team’s won-lost record took a beating as the talent level deteriorated dramatically after a series of unproductive drafts and questionable free-agent moves.
Enter Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma who will be asked to pull the franchise out of a desperate situation. With ticket sales plummeting almost as rapidly as the team’s victory total, the Rams are counting on the gifted Bradford to lead the franchise back to respectability.
No one’s expecting a reprise of the "Greatest Show on Turf," but any kind of show would be an improvement over the product that the Rams have been parading out on the turf of the Edward Jones Dome in recent years.
What’s new
Offense: The Rams say they won’t rush Bradford into action, but for the kind of money they’re going to pay him, why not have him in there from the get-go? Bradford will face a steep learning curve, getting to know the ins and outs of a pro-style offense after running the spread at Oklahoma.
Better play by Chris Long would mean a lot to the defense.
Bradford also faces the challenge of working with a less-than-stellar group of wideouts. As he enters his third season, Donnie Avery has yet to live up to his status as the first wideout taken in the 2008 draft. The other starter, Laurent Robinson, was shaping up as the team’s go-to receiver before suffering a season-ending broken fibula in Game 3. Fourth-round pick Mardy Gilyard has a chance to make an immediate impact as a slot receiver.
The Rams have invested a lot of money and draft picks in the line. But Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2009, has a lot to prove this season after a disappointing and injury-plagued rookie campaign. As he takes over at left tackle, Smith needs to ramp up his pass blocking. Second-round pick Rodger Saffold is expected to start at right tackle after the team traded Alex Barron to Dallas. That means the Rams will have a rookie and a second-year player protecting the edges for their franchise quarterback.
Defense: The line has to show significant improvement against the run and rushing the passer if the defense is to end its woeful ways. The addition of tackle Fred Robbins should help against the run if the 33-year-old can avoid the injuries that reduced his effectiveness the past couple of seasons.
At end, the question remains: Where is the pass rush? Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in 2008, stepped up his game over the second half of last season and needs to have a breakout year if this unit is to show dramatic improvement.
The team acquired Bobby Carpenter from Dallas to start at weakside linebacker. A former first-round pick, he was a disappointment in Dallas. Re-signing safety Oshiomogho Atogwe was a big plus for the secondary, but the Rams still look weak at cornerback.
Laurent Robinson leads a lackluster group of receivers.
Breakout player
Laurent Robinson, WR
Robinson is the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver on the roster. He has good size (6-2, 197), nice hands and above-average speed. During spring OTAs and minicamps, he was clearly the best receiver on the field. But he must stay healthy after missing all but three games last year with a leg injury.
"I had some goals set (last year), and I was just trying to reach them. It ended early, but I’m trying to come back this year and make it happen. I just want to pick up where I left off." —Robinson
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Rams)
"Steven Jackson’s a great player, but the Rams’ issue is they have absolutely no game-changers on the team. Jackson’s it. … They’re all not bad players, but they’re not difference-makers. And that’s the difference in whether you’re good or not—it’s not the full roster. …
"Their offensive line to me is functional if they’re all healthy. It isn’t great, but it’s functional. They need a receiver. Donnie Avery, you’re going to stick with him and make him better. But he better toughen up. …
"(On) defense, to me, other than Atogwe in the back end, I think their secondary’s bad. They’re not very good at corner. I think the young kid at linebacker (James Laurinaitis) is very good. But you’re not very good around him. And then up front, you have really no pressure players to rush the quarterback."
Bottom line
Despite limited resources to spend in free agency due to the franchise being in the midst of an ownership change, the Rams did enough to improve the talent level on one of the league’s worst rosters. The team had a solid draft, getting good value in each of its picks in the first four rounds.
But even with a schedule that looks softer on paper than the ’09 version, it’s hard to see this team winning more than a few games unless a lot of the young returning players enjoy breakout seasons. And a 2-14 or 3-13 campaign would put lots of heat on GM Billy Devaney and coach Steve Spagnuolo.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley
FB: Mike Karney
RB: Steven Jackson, Kenneth Darby
WR: Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson
WR: Donnie Avery, Mardy Gilyard
TE: Daniel Fells, Billy Bajema
LT: Jason Smith, Adam Goldberg
LG: Jacob Bell, Roger Allen III
C: Jason Brown, Hank Fraley
RG: John Greco, Adam Goldberg
RT: Rodger Saffold, Phil Trautwein
Defense
DE: Chris Long, Victor Adeyanju
DT: Fred Robbins, Gary Gibson
DT: Clifton Ryan, Darell Scott
DE: James Hall, George Selvie
OLB: Bobby Carpenter, David Vobora
MLB: James Laurinaitis, Larry Grant
OLB: Na’il Diggs, Chris Chamberlain
LCB: Ron Bartell, Kevin Dockery
SS: James Butler, Kevin Payne
FS: Oshiomogho Atogwe, Craig Dahl
RCB: Bradley Fletcher, Jerome Murphy
Specialists
K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
KR: Mardy Gilyard
PR: Mardy Gilyard
LS: Chris Massey
Jim Thomas, Sporting News correspondent
This is the 30th in a series of team-by-team breakdowns that will run on SportingNews.com before the start of training camp.
And a rookie was chosen to lead them.
For most of the past decade under quarterback Marc Bulger, the Rams grew steadily worse. Bulger and the team’s won-lost record took a beating as the talent level deteriorated dramatically after a series of unproductive drafts and questionable free-agent moves.
Enter Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma who will be asked to pull the franchise out of a desperate situation. With ticket sales plummeting almost as rapidly as the team’s victory total, the Rams are counting on the gifted Bradford to lead the franchise back to respectability.
No one’s expecting a reprise of the "Greatest Show on Turf," but any kind of show would be an improvement over the product that the Rams have been parading out on the turf of the Edward Jones Dome in recent years.
What’s new
Offense: The Rams say they won’t rush Bradford into action, but for the kind of money they’re going to pay him, why not have him in there from the get-go? Bradford will face a steep learning curve, getting to know the ins and outs of a pro-style offense after running the spread at Oklahoma.
Better play by Chris Long would mean a lot to the defense.
Bradford also faces the challenge of working with a less-than-stellar group of wideouts. As he enters his third season, Donnie Avery has yet to live up to his status as the first wideout taken in the 2008 draft. The other starter, Laurent Robinson, was shaping up as the team’s go-to receiver before suffering a season-ending broken fibula in Game 3. Fourth-round pick Mardy Gilyard has a chance to make an immediate impact as a slot receiver.
The Rams have invested a lot of money and draft picks in the line. But Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2009, has a lot to prove this season after a disappointing and injury-plagued rookie campaign. As he takes over at left tackle, Smith needs to ramp up his pass blocking. Second-round pick Rodger Saffold is expected to start at right tackle after the team traded Alex Barron to Dallas. That means the Rams will have a rookie and a second-year player protecting the edges for their franchise quarterback.
Defense: The line has to show significant improvement against the run and rushing the passer if the defense is to end its woeful ways. The addition of tackle Fred Robbins should help against the run if the 33-year-old can avoid the injuries that reduced his effectiveness the past couple of seasons.
At end, the question remains: Where is the pass rush? Chris Long, the No. 2 overall pick in 2008, stepped up his game over the second half of last season and needs to have a breakout year if this unit is to show dramatic improvement.
The team acquired Bobby Carpenter from Dallas to start at weakside linebacker. A former first-round pick, he was a disappointment in Dallas. Re-signing safety Oshiomogho Atogwe was a big plus for the secondary, but the Rams still look weak at cornerback.
Laurent Robinson leads a lackluster group of receivers.
Breakout player
Laurent Robinson, WR
Robinson is the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver on the roster. He has good size (6-2, 197), nice hands and above-average speed. During spring OTAs and minicamps, he was clearly the best receiver on the field. But he must stay healthy after missing all but three games last year with a leg injury.
"I had some goals set (last year), and I was just trying to reach them. It ended early, but I’m trying to come back this year and make it happen. I just want to pick up where I left off." —Robinson
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Rams)
"Steven Jackson’s a great player, but the Rams’ issue is they have absolutely no game-changers on the team. Jackson’s it. … They’re all not bad players, but they’re not difference-makers. And that’s the difference in whether you’re good or not—it’s not the full roster. …
"Their offensive line to me is functional if they’re all healthy. It isn’t great, but it’s functional. They need a receiver. Donnie Avery, you’re going to stick with him and make him better. But he better toughen up. …
"(On) defense, to me, other than Atogwe in the back end, I think their secondary’s bad. They’re not very good at corner. I think the young kid at linebacker (James Laurinaitis) is very good. But you’re not very good around him. And then up front, you have really no pressure players to rush the quarterback."
Bottom line
Despite limited resources to spend in free agency due to the franchise being in the midst of an ownership change, the Rams did enough to improve the talent level on one of the league’s worst rosters. The team had a solid draft, getting good value in each of its picks in the first four rounds.
But even with a schedule that looks softer on paper than the ’09 version, it’s hard to see this team winning more than a few games unless a lot of the young returning players enjoy breakout seasons. And a 2-14 or 3-13 campaign would put lots of heat on GM Billy Devaney and coach Steve Spagnuolo.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Sam Bradford, A.J. Feeley
FB: Mike Karney
RB: Steven Jackson, Kenneth Darby
WR: Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson
WR: Donnie Avery, Mardy Gilyard
TE: Daniel Fells, Billy Bajema
LT: Jason Smith, Adam Goldberg
LG: Jacob Bell, Roger Allen III
C: Jason Brown, Hank Fraley
RG: John Greco, Adam Goldberg
RT: Rodger Saffold, Phil Trautwein
Defense
DE: Chris Long, Victor Adeyanju
DT: Fred Robbins, Gary Gibson
DT: Clifton Ryan, Darell Scott
DE: James Hall, George Selvie
OLB: Bobby Carpenter, David Vobora
MLB: James Laurinaitis, Larry Grant
OLB: Na’il Diggs, Chris Chamberlain
LCB: Ron Bartell, Kevin Dockery
SS: James Butler, Kevin Payne
FS: Oshiomogho Atogwe, Craig Dahl
RCB: Bradley Fletcher, Jerome Murphy
Specialists
K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
KR: Mardy Gilyard
PR: Mardy Gilyard
LS: Chris Massey
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Plenty will be new at the All-Star Game Tuesday night and a little will be old. But the big question: Will the outcome be any different?
A look at what’s new, what’s old and the NL’s perspective on ending its 13-game winless streak.
Starting with youth
AL starting pitcher David Price is part of an influx of young pitching talent.
With a record 33 first-timers on hand, the selection of two of them to start on the mound was only fitting. Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, 26, and Rays lefty David Price, 24, become the youngest starting tandem years since Roger Clemens, then 24, and Dwight Gooden, 21, took the mound in 1986. Gooden, however, by then was a three-time All-Star.
Plenty of inexperience will follow, too. Of 26 active pitchers on the clubs, only Roy Halladay has appeared in more than one All-Star Game. Sixteen never have worked in an All-Star Game.
"Young pitching is where baseball is at today," NL manager Charlie Manuel said.
Added AL manager Joe Girardi: "It seemed like 15 years ago, it was a time of young shortstops, and other times, it seems there’s an influx of great, young talent in outfielders. But right now the influx of young pitching in baseball is incredible, and not just guys with stuff; guys that know how to pitch."
Familiar faces
You should not, however, need a program to recognize the starting position players. Ichiro Suzuki will lead off for the AL, Derek Jeter will follow, Josh Hamilton will hit cleanup and Joe Mauer will catch. In the five-hole will be Vlad Guerrero, who should receive one of the night’s loudest receptions as he returns to his old home.
For the NL, Albert Pujols will hit third, just ahead of David Wright and Ryan Braun. All will be starting for at least the third time.
The newer All-Stars really can be just in awe of the big-names as can fans. As NL players were leaving a media session Monday, Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton was asked, "Would you like to meet Albert?" Broxton, a two-time All-Star, clearly was pleased for the opportunity, following Pujols and his entourage out of the room and into a meeting hall.
NL looking for a win
The National Leaguers say the right things about trying to win for the first time since 1996. As Manuel insisted, "Our priority is to win." He even added a second lefty to his bullpen for matchup purposes and named a utility player, Omar Infante, to his roster to ensure enough versatility in his lineup.
Besides the embarrassment of an 0-12-1 skid, the game does count for something because the winning league earns home-field advantage for the World Series.
"In our home games during the playoffs last year, we were 7-1, so we understand that that home-field advantage is very important to one American League club this year," Joe Girardi said.
But really, a little perspective. While important, winning is not the top priority to the players.
"We all going to try hard to have fun, one, and win the ball game," said NL right-hander Chris Carpenter, making it clear that was the right order "If you’re going to come here and try to compete and act like you do in a real game, it’s not going to be any fun."
And if the losing ever becomes such an albatross that the competition takes precedent?
"If it does, it’s going in the wrong direction," Carpenter said. "This is supposed to be fun. All the other All-Star Games are a lot of fun, too. That’s what it’s all about."
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Plenty will be new at the All-Star Game Tuesday night and a little will be old. But the big question: Will the outcome be any different?
A look at what’s new, what’s old and the NL’s perspective on ending its 13-game winless streak.
Starting with youth
AL starting pitcher David Price is part of an influx of young pitching talent.
With a record 33 first-timers on hand, the selection of two of them to start on the mound was only fitting. Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, 26, and Rays lefty David Price, 24, become the youngest starting tandem years since Roger Clemens, then 24, and Dwight Gooden, 21, took the mound in 1986. Gooden, however, by then was a three-time All-Star.
Plenty of inexperience will follow, too. Of 26 active pitchers on the clubs, only Roy Halladay has appeared in more than one All-Star Game. Sixteen never have worked in an All-Star Game.
"Young pitching is where baseball is at today," NL manager Charlie Manuel said.
Added AL manager Joe Girardi: "It seemed like 15 years ago, it was a time of young shortstops, and other times, it seems there’s an influx of great, young talent in outfielders. But right now the influx of young pitching in baseball is incredible, and not just guys with stuff; guys that know how to pitch."
Familiar faces
You should not, however, need a program to recognize the starting position players. Ichiro Suzuki will lead off for the AL, Derek Jeter will follow, Josh Hamilton will hit cleanup and Joe Mauer will catch. In the five-hole will be Vlad Guerrero, who should receive one of the night’s loudest receptions as he returns to his old home.
For the NL, Albert Pujols will hit third, just ahead of David Wright and Ryan Braun. All will be starting for at least the third time.
The newer All-Stars really can be just in awe of the big-names as can fans. As NL players were leaving a media session Monday, Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton was asked, "Would you like to meet Albert?" Broxton, a two-time All-Star, clearly was pleased for the opportunity, following Pujols and his entourage out of the room and into a meeting hall.
NL looking for a win
The National Leaguers say the right things about trying to win for the first time since 1996. As Manuel insisted, "Our priority is to win." He even added a second lefty to his bullpen for matchup purposes and named a utility player, Omar Infante, to his roster to ensure enough versatility in his lineup.
Besides the embarrassment of an 0-12-1 skid, the game does count for something because the winning league earns home-field advantage for the World Series.
"In our home games during the playoffs last year, we were 7-1, so we understand that that home-field advantage is very important to one American League club this year," Joe Girardi said.
But really, a little perspective. While important, winning is not the top priority to the players.
"We all going to try hard to have fun, one, and win the ball game," said NL right-hander Chris Carpenter, making it clear that was the right order "If you’re going to come here and try to compete and act like you do in a real game, it’s not going to be any fun."
And if the losing ever becomes such an albatross that the competition takes precedent?
"If it does, it’s going in the wrong direction," Carpenter said. "This is supposed to be fun. All the other All-Star Games are a lot of fun, too. That’s what it’s all about."
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
Erin Andrews is staying at ESPN.
The reporter/anchor tells USA Today’s Michael Hiestand that she has agreed to a new deal with the network. As part of the agreement, she will join the cast of "College GameDay" and be a regular contributor to ABC’s "Good Morning America."
"The biggest reason I wanted to stay was because they’d expand my role," Andrews tells Hiestand. "It’s time for me to try new things. … The hosting stuff is what I’m really looking forward to."
She plans to devote some of her "GMA" time to stories about crimes against women, Hiestand reports. Andrews herself was the victim of a stalker who surreptitiously videotaped her.
Andrews’ future at the network was in some doubt, especially after her stint on ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars." She tells Hiestand she received "lots of offers to work in entertainment" while negotiating a new deal with ESPN.
Sporting News staff reports
Erin Andrews is staying at ESPN.
The reporter/anchor tells USA Today’s Michael Hiestand that she has agreed to a new deal with the network. As part of the agreement, she will join the cast of "College GameDay" and be a regular contributor to ABC’s "Good Morning America."
"The biggest reason I wanted to stay was because they’d expand my role," Andrews tells Hiestand. "It’s time for me to try new things. … The hosting stuff is what I’m really looking forward to."
She plans to devote some of her "GMA" time to stories about crimes against women, Hiestand reports. Andrews herself was the victim of a stalker who surreptitiously videotaped her.
Andrews’ future at the network was in some doubt, especially after her stint on ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars." She tells Hiestand she received "lots of offers to work in entertainment" while negotiating a new deal with ESPN.
Sporting News staff reports
His team unable to get on a roll, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest is exploring roster moves before the July 31 trading deadline.
"Will we be active? Yes, always, and it’s already starting," Beinfest told reporters Sunday in Arizona before Florida’s game against the Diamondbacks. "The chatter has picked up in the last week. Teams now have a pretty good idea of who they are and what they’re going to be heading into the break."
The Marlins are generally aggressive in making deals, and players such as second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Jorge Cantu and right-handers Ricky Nolasco and Leo Nunez frequently are mentioned in rumors. Still, Beinfest is downplaying the idea of wholesale changes.
"We have some people (in the minors) we think are ready that can help if we wanted to tweak, if we wanted to make a trade or two. I don’t think were going to force anything," he was quoted as saying.
Beinfest also pointed out that he wants to maintain a solid core into 2012 when the Marlins open their new stadium.
Mainly, Beinfest remains hopeful his players will finally make a run this year. "We’re not writing off the season," he said. "You can get hot, things can happen — the old Colorado Rockies thing. It’s just been frustrating because we haven’t seen that coming yet and it’s hard to foresee it at this point."
Sporting News staff reports
His team unable to get on a roll, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest is exploring roster moves before the July 31 trading deadline.
"Will we be active? Yes, always, and it’s already starting," Beinfest told reporters Sunday in Arizona before Florida’s game against the Diamondbacks. "The chatter has picked up in the last week. Teams now have a pretty good idea of who they are and what they’re going to be heading into the break."
The Marlins are generally aggressive in making deals, and players such as second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Jorge Cantu and right-handers Ricky Nolasco and Leo Nunez frequently are mentioned in rumors. Still, Beinfest is downplaying the idea of wholesale changes.
"We have some people (in the minors) we think are ready that can help if we wanted to tweak, if we wanted to make a trade or two. I don’t think were going to force anything," he was quoted as saying.
Beinfest also pointed out that he wants to maintain a solid core into 2012 when the Marlins open their new stadium.
Mainly, Beinfest remains hopeful his players will finally make a run this year. "We’re not writing off the season," he said. "You can get hot, things can happen — the old Colorado Rockies thing. It’s just been frustrating because we haven’t seen that coming yet and it’s hard to foresee it at this point."
Sporting News staff reports
Red Sox All-Star DH David Ortiz tells The Boston Globe he wants to stay in Beantown at least another season.
He’s hopeful the team picks up its $12.5 million option (no buyout) on him for 2011. Such a move seemed highly unlikely the first month-plus of this season as Ortiz endured a second consecutive poor start.
Now, after earning berths in the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby, Ortiz again is thinking long term.
"Hopefully, it gets done," Ortiz told the Globe. "I think I will be here. I may look crazy, but I’m not stupid. I don’t see myself playing nowhere else and that’s important to me."
"I want to stay here in Boston and always have a home here, go back and forth when I do retire. The people here have been good to me and I’ve tried to be good to them."
Red Sox owner John Henry, who backed Ortiz when the slugger was linked to performance-enhancing drugs last year, appears to still be in Big Papi’s corner.
"How could I not support someone who has meant so much to our franchise?" Henry told the Globe in an e-mail.
After batting .143 with one home run in April, Ortiz has put up a .297/.421/.641 line since. He has 17 homers and 53 RBIs over his last 57 games.
Despite the current good feelings, Ortiz remains upset that some believed he no longer could hit.
"I never thought I was finished," Ortiz told the Globe. "But other people, I know they did. I was a dead in their eyes, I saw that."
Ortiz also recounts a testy period between he and manager Terry Francona. Ortiz reacted angrily when he was benched and removed for a pinch hitter during his slump.
"I have seen tons of players in other places who struggle," Ortiz told the Globe. "All you hear is, ‘Oh, he’ll be fine.’ Why couldn’t they say that about Papi? But I understand it. (Francona) was under a lot of pressure and I wasn’t getting it done. That’s a bad combination.
"But we all forgot about one thing. I forgot for a minute who I am and what I’m capable of doing. And because of the pressure he was getting, he forgot about who I was, too. But things went back in place."
Francona knew Ortiz wasn’t his biggest fan at times.
"He was mad at me, he probably was mad at [the media]. There was a lot going on and there wasn’t a lot going right," Francona told the Globe.
Sporting News staff reports
Red Sox All-Star DH David Ortiz tells The Boston Globe he wants to stay in Beantown at least another season.
He’s hopeful the team picks up its $12.5 million option (no buyout) on him for 2011. Such a move seemed highly unlikely the first month-plus of this season as Ortiz endured a second consecutive poor start.
Now, after earning berths in the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby, Ortiz again is thinking long term.
"Hopefully, it gets done," Ortiz told the Globe. "I think I will be here. I may look crazy, but I’m not stupid. I don’t see myself playing nowhere else and that’s important to me."
"I want to stay here in Boston and always have a home here, go back and forth when I do retire. The people here have been good to me and I’ve tried to be good to them."
Red Sox owner John Henry, who backed Ortiz when the slugger was linked to performance-enhancing drugs last year, appears to still be in Big Papi’s corner.
"How could I not support someone who has meant so much to our franchise?" Henry told the Globe in an e-mail.
After batting .143 with one home run in April, Ortiz has put up a .297/.421/.641 line since. He has 17 homers and 53 RBIs over his last 57 games.
Despite the current good feelings, Ortiz remains upset that some believed he no longer could hit.
"I never thought I was finished," Ortiz told the Globe. "But other people, I know they did. I was a dead in their eyes, I saw that."
Ortiz also recounts a testy period between he and manager Terry Francona. Ortiz reacted angrily when he was benched and removed for a pinch hitter during his slump.
"I have seen tons of players in other places who struggle," Ortiz told the Globe. "All you hear is, ‘Oh, he’ll be fine.’ Why couldn’t they say that about Papi? But I understand it. (Francona) was under a lot of pressure and I wasn’t getting it done. That’s a bad combination.
"But we all forgot about one thing. I forgot for a minute who I am and what I’m capable of doing. And because of the pressure he was getting, he forgot about who I was, too. But things went back in place."
Francona knew Ortiz wasn’t his biggest fan at times.
"He was mad at me, he probably was mad at [the media]. There was a lot going on and there wasn’t a lot going right," Francona told the Globe.
Sporting News staff reports
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a tepid vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Ricketts, while saying he has the "highest level of confidence" in Hendry, also said, "The fact is right now Jim is our general manager. I support him. I think he does a great job, and we’ll just take it one day at a time."
Ricketts visited the Cubs in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading to Anaheim, Calif., for the All-Star Game.
Hendry and manager Lou Piniella are being criticized for assembling a team that’s mired in the middle of the NL Central, well behind leaders Cincinnati and St. Louis. Ricketts echoed Hendry’s recent support of Piniella, however, and was careful not to point fingers.
"Lou is a great manager, one of the best managers of all time, for God’s sake," Ricketts said. "Obviously the year hasn’t gone like we’d all hoped, but I don’t think the turning point is any one person."
"I’m not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," he said. "The fact is when we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Seems like the guys are putting it together now. Let’s just keep on winning."
Ricketts said that before the Cubs were shut out, 7-0, to end the first half.
Sporting News staff reports
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a tepid vote of confidence from owner Tom Ricketts, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Ricketts, while saying he has the "highest level of confidence" in Hendry, also said, "The fact is right now Jim is our general manager. I support him. I think he does a great job, and we’ll just take it one day at a time."
Ricketts visited the Cubs in Los Angeles on Sunday before heading to Anaheim, Calif., for the All-Star Game.
Hendry and manager Lou Piniella are being criticized for assembling a team that’s mired in the middle of the NL Central, well behind leaders Cincinnati and St. Louis. Ricketts echoed Hendry’s recent support of Piniella, however, and was careful not to point fingers.
"Lou is a great manager, one of the best managers of all time, for God’s sake," Ricketts said. "Obviously the year hasn’t gone like we’d all hoped, but I don’t think the turning point is any one person."
"I’m not going to assign blame to anyone or anything," he said. "The fact is when we came into the season, we had what appeared to be a pretty strong lineup. It hasn’t worked out for whatever reason. Seems like the guys are putting it together now. Let’s just keep on winning."
Ricketts said that before the Cubs were shut out, 7-0, to end the first half.
Sporting News staff reports
Bronson Arroyo wants to stay with the Reds beyond this season, but he won’t do it at a hometown discount.
"I gave a team a discount one time and they burned me," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer, referring to the three-year year deal he signed with the Red Sox in January 2006. Boston traded him to the Reds two months later.
"I got to look out for me," he said.
Cincinnati holds an $11 million club option for 2011 (with a $2 million buyouy) on Arroyo, but the Enquirer speculated the club might want to move Arroyo by the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline if he isn’t willing to sign a more club-friendly extension.
"This is probably the last chance I’ll get to sign a good multiyear deal," Arroyo, 33, told the Enquirer.
Arroyo cites his durability and consistency as reasons why he shouldn’t sell himself short.
"For what I’ve done the last six years in this game," he said, "to sign back for less than what my option is would be insane."
Arroyo is on pace for a sixth consecutive season of at least 200 innings pitched. Since the start of the 2005 season, he is 76-64 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
Sporting News staff reports
Bronson Arroyo wants to stay with the Reds beyond this season, but he won’t do it at a hometown discount.
"I gave a team a discount one time and they burned me," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer, referring to the three-year year deal he signed with the Red Sox in January 2006. Boston traded him to the Reds two months later.
"I got to look out for me," he said.
Cincinnati holds an $11 million club option for 2011 (with a $2 million buyouy) on Arroyo, but the Enquirer speculated the club might want to move Arroyo by the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline if he isn’t willing to sign a more club-friendly extension.
"This is probably the last chance I’ll get to sign a good multiyear deal," Arroyo, 33, told the Enquirer.
Arroyo cites his durability and consistency as reasons why he shouldn’t sell himself short.
"For what I’ve done the last six years in this game," he said, "to sign back for less than what my option is would be insane."
Arroyo is on pace for a sixth consecutive season of at least 200 innings pitched. Since the start of the 2005 season, he is 76-64 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
A big quarterback change in Arizona sets up San Francisco to be the favorite in the NFC West. A quick look at the division:
Rookie QB Sam Bradford will likely take the majority of the snaps for the Rams in 2010.
Pressure’s on: Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals. With Kurt Warner gone, this southpaw must keep Arizona from heading south.
Impact rookie: Sam Bradford, QB, Rams. He could start every game and take his lumps.
Star watch, offense: Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. With no holdout in Year 2, he has the potential to break out.
Star watch, defense: Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals. At 6-7 and 290 pounds, he’s a load in Arizona’s three-man front.
On the mend: Lofa Tatupu, MLB, Seahawks. He missed 10 games after tearing a pectoral muscle in ’09.
Mr. Consistent: Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. Even when the team is bad, he’s excellent. He’s Bradford’s new best friend.
Camp competition: Seahawks running back. It’ll be rehabbing Leon Washington (broken leg) or undersized Justin Forsett or incumbent Julius Jones.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
A big quarterback change in Arizona sets up San Francisco to be the favorite in the NFC West. A quick look at the division:
Rookie QB Sam Bradford will likely take the majority of the snaps for the Rams in 2010.
Pressure’s on: Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals. With Kurt Warner gone, this southpaw must keep Arizona from heading south.
Impact rookie: Sam Bradford, QB, Rams. He could start every game and take his lumps.
Star watch, offense: Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. With no holdout in Year 2, he has the potential to break out.
Star watch, defense: Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals. At 6-7 and 290 pounds, he’s a load in Arizona’s three-man front.
On the mend: Lofa Tatupu, MLB, Seahawks. He missed 10 games after tearing a pectoral muscle in ’09.
Mr. Consistent: Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. Even when the team is bad, he’s excellent. He’s Bradford’s new best friend.
Camp competition: Seahawks running back. It’ll be rehabbing Leon Washington (broken leg) or undersized Justin Forsett or incumbent Julius Jones.
Vinnie Iyer is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at viyer@sportingnews.com.
Kent Somers, Sporting News correspondent
This is the 29th in a series of team-by-team breakdowns that will run on SportingNews.com before the start of training camp.
Thanks to an old quarterback, a new coach and some blue-chip draft picks, the Cardinals spent the past three seasons distancing themselves from their futile past and proving that no NFL team is too far away from winning.
The Cardinals defense will be a main concern for coach Ken Whisenhunt this season.
Back-to-back NFC West titles earned coach Ken Whisenhunt a contract extension, but there are changes everywhere else. Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded, and free safety Antrel Rolle (Giants) and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (Dolphins) signed big-money contracts in free agency.
Oh, and the old quarterback, Kurt Warner, retired, handing the job to Matt Leinart. And though Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, will be the feature story of ’10, the performance of the defense could have more of an impact on the overall record.
What’s new
Offense: Arizona’s offense finally should resemble the one everyone thought Whisenhunt would bring three years ago. While Whisenhunt isn’t afraid of the pass, this club should feature a power running attack with two physical runners, a huge line and big play-action schemes.
Leinart’s inaccuracy sometimes plagues him, but he played well in his only ’09 start and the Cardinals hope that’s a true indication of his ability. Steve Breaston is a proven replacement for Boldin and more of a big-play threat. Breaston has speed and, despite a thin frame, runs well after the catch. Boldin’s impact will actually be felt most down the depth chart. Early Doucet moves up to the third wideout role.
The offensive line is being overhauled, too. Former Steeler and Jet Alan Faneca will play left guard with Reggie Wells possibly moving to right guard or right tackle. Levi Brown has moved from right tackle to left tackle, replacing Mike Gandy. If Wells stays at guard, Brandon Keith and veteran Jeremy Bridges will compete for the job at right tackle.
Defense: The linebacker unit is the team’s biggest concern, despite having three of the four starting positions manned by veterans. Joey Porter and Clark Haggans, both 33, will start at outside linebacker, just as they once did with the Steelers. The Cardinals signed Porter, who had nine sacks for the Dolphins last year, with the hope he can provide the one-on-one pass rush they’ve lacked.
The bigger problem is replacing Dansby at inside linebacker. Arizona signed Paris Lenon, but he spent time with the Lions and Rams the past few years and neither team decided to re-sign him. Coaches hope second-round pick Daryl Washington can at least contribute in passing situations.
The question along the line is at nose tackle. First-round pick Dan Williams will be given every chance to start because Gabe Watson has been hampered by injuries and Alan Branch has moved to end. Kerry Rhodes, obtained in a trade with the Jets, takes over for Rolle at free safety. Rhodes might be better in coverage than Rolle but will be hard-pressed to match Rolle’s toughness.
Breakout player
Greg Toler, CB. Toler spent his rookie season making the transition from Division II Saint Paul’s College. He has all the tools to be an above-average corner, and the Cardinals are looking for a reliable starter opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Toler (6-0, 191) has decent size and good speed.
"I’ve got 100 percent confidence in Greg. He reminds me of myself, coming from a small school and having to fight a lot of the talk that small-school guys can’t compete. But Greg does compete. I love his speed and ability to break on the ball. He loves to hit, too. He has all the potential."
— Rodgers-Cromartie
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Cardinals)
"You have to replace a top-echelon quarterback; that’s the biggest weakness. That’s awfully hard, no matter who is coming in after that. I think Beanie Wells, if he’s allowed to have an impact on the ballgame, can wear you down. He’s a big, fast, explosive guy who can go straight downhill. But his history says he will get hurt. He’ll need help, and the other guy (Tim Hightower) is really similar. They can use those guys to crush people, and Matt has always been a great play-action passer. They did a good job of setting things up this way. …
"On defense, they lost two playmakers in Dansby and Rolle. Karlos was a leader and he could go sideline-to-sideline. With Antrel, you lose another guy you could count on; he was going to make three plays a game. Now you find yourself asking, ‘Who is going to make those plays?’ "
Bottom line
Anyone expecting Leinart to meet the standard set the past two seasons by Warner is unrealistic. With Leinart, the Cardinals will rely on the run and use play-action passes more often. Most of the offseason focus was on the QB change, but the season will be determined by the defense. The unit collapsed at the end of ’09, mostly because of a lack of depth and lack of a pass rush.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson
FB: Nehemiah Broughton, Reagan Mauia
RB: Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Onrea Jones
WR: Steve Breaston, Early Doucet
TE: Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht
LT: Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges
LG: Alan Faneca, Reggie Wells,
C: Lyle Sendlein, Rex Hadnot
RG: Reggie Wells, Deuce Lutui
RT: Brandon Keith, Jeremy Bridges
Defense
DE: Darnell Dockett, Kenny Iwebema
NT: Dan Williams, Bryan Robinson
DE: Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema
OLB: Clark Haggans, Cody Brown
ILB: Gerald Hayes, Reggie Walker
ILB: Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington
OLB: Joey Porter, Will Davis
CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Adams
CB: Greg Toler, Michael Adams
SS: Adrian Wilson, Matt Ware
FS: Kerry Rhodes, Rashad Johnson
Specialists
K: Jay Feely
P: Ben Graham
KR: LaRod Stephens-Howling
PR: Steve Breaston
LS: Mike Leach
Kent Somers, Sporting News correspondent
This is the 29th in a series of team-by-team breakdowns that will run on SportingNews.com before the start of training camp.
Thanks to an old quarterback, a new coach and some blue-chip draft picks, the Cardinals spent the past three seasons distancing themselves from their futile past and proving that no NFL team is too far away from winning.
The Cardinals defense will be a main concern for coach Ken Whisenhunt this season.
Back-to-back NFC West titles earned coach Ken Whisenhunt a contract extension, but there are changes everywhere else. Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded, and free safety Antrel Rolle (Giants) and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (Dolphins) signed big-money contracts in free agency.
Oh, and the old quarterback, Kurt Warner, retired, handing the job to Matt Leinart. And though Leinart, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner, will be the feature story of ’10, the performance of the defense could have more of an impact on the overall record.
What’s new
Offense: Arizona’s offense finally should resemble the one everyone thought Whisenhunt would bring three years ago. While Whisenhunt isn’t afraid of the pass, this club should feature a power running attack with two physical runners, a huge line and big play-action schemes.
Leinart’s inaccuracy sometimes plagues him, but he played well in his only ’09 start and the Cardinals hope that’s a true indication of his ability. Steve Breaston is a proven replacement for Boldin and more of a big-play threat. Breaston has speed and, despite a thin frame, runs well after the catch. Boldin’s impact will actually be felt most down the depth chart. Early Doucet moves up to the third wideout role.
The offensive line is being overhauled, too. Former Steeler and Jet Alan Faneca will play left guard with Reggie Wells possibly moving to right guard or right tackle. Levi Brown has moved from right tackle to left tackle, replacing Mike Gandy. If Wells stays at guard, Brandon Keith and veteran Jeremy Bridges will compete for the job at right tackle.
Defense: The linebacker unit is the team’s biggest concern, despite having three of the four starting positions manned by veterans. Joey Porter and Clark Haggans, both 33, will start at outside linebacker, just as they once did with the Steelers. The Cardinals signed Porter, who had nine sacks for the Dolphins last year, with the hope he can provide the one-on-one pass rush they’ve lacked.
The bigger problem is replacing Dansby at inside linebacker. Arizona signed Paris Lenon, but he spent time with the Lions and Rams the past few years and neither team decided to re-sign him. Coaches hope second-round pick Daryl Washington can at least contribute in passing situations.
The question along the line is at nose tackle. First-round pick Dan Williams will be given every chance to start because Gabe Watson has been hampered by injuries and Alan Branch has moved to end. Kerry Rhodes, obtained in a trade with the Jets, takes over for Rolle at free safety. Rhodes might be better in coverage than Rolle but will be hard-pressed to match Rolle’s toughness.
Breakout player
Greg Toler, CB. Toler spent his rookie season making the transition from Division II Saint Paul’s College. He has all the tools to be an above-average corner, and the Cardinals are looking for a reliable starter opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Toler (6-0, 191) has decent size and good speed.
"I’ve got 100 percent confidence in Greg. He reminds me of myself, coming from a small school and having to fight a lot of the talk that small-school guys can’t compete. But Greg does compete. I love his speed and ability to break on the ball. He loves to hit, too. He has all the potential."
— Rodgers-Cromartie
Opponent’s view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Cardinals)
"You have to replace a top-echelon quarterback; that’s the biggest weakness. That’s awfully hard, no matter who is coming in after that. I think Beanie Wells, if he’s allowed to have an impact on the ballgame, can wear you down. He’s a big, fast, explosive guy who can go straight downhill. But his history says he will get hurt. He’ll need help, and the other guy (Tim Hightower) is really similar. They can use those guys to crush people, and Matt has always been a great play-action passer. They did a good job of setting things up this way. …
"On defense, they lost two playmakers in Dansby and Rolle. Karlos was a leader and he could go sideline-to-sideline. With Antrel, you lose another guy you could count on; he was going to make three plays a game. Now you find yourself asking, ‘Who is going to make those plays?’ "
Bottom line
Anyone expecting Leinart to meet the standard set the past two seasons by Warner is unrealistic. With Leinart, the Cardinals will rely on the run and use play-action passes more often. Most of the offseason focus was on the QB change, but the season will be determined by the defense. The unit collapsed at the end of ’09, mostly because of a lack of depth and lack of a pass rush.
Depth chart
Offense
QB: Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson
FB: Nehemiah Broughton, Reagan Mauia
RB: Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Onrea Jones
WR: Steve Breaston, Early Doucet
TE: Ben Patrick, Anthony Becht
LT: Levi Brown, Jeremy Bridges
LG: Alan Faneca, Reggie Wells,
C: Lyle Sendlein, Rex Hadnot
RG: Reggie Wells, Deuce Lutui
RT: Brandon Keith, Jeremy Bridges
Defense
DE: Darnell Dockett, Kenny Iwebema
NT: Dan Williams, Bryan Robinson
DE: Calais Campbell, Kenny Iwebema
OLB: Clark Haggans, Cody Brown
ILB: Gerald Hayes, Reggie Walker
ILB: Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington
OLB: Joey Porter, Will Davis
CB: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Michael Adams
CB: Greg Toler, Michael Adams
SS: Adrian Wilson, Matt Ware
FS: Kerry Rhodes, Rashad Johnson
Specialists
K: Jay Feely
P: Ben Graham
KR: LaRod Stephens-Howling
PR: Steve Breaston
LS: Mike Leach
Sporting News staff reports
The Baltimore Orioles have settled on ESPN analyst Buck Showalter to be their new manager, FOX Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports.
Rosenthal, via his Twitter account, reports the sides are close on terms and Showalter will be in uniform sometime after the All-Star break. The move won’t be made official until later this week, Rosenthal reports, because Major League Baseball discourages teams from making major announcements during the sport’s showcase events.
The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports the Orioles have yet to make an offer to Showalter and that interim manager Juan Samuel will manage the team Friday in its first game after the break.
Showalter was one of the favorites to become the O’s next full-time skipper. His chances improved greatly when Bobby Valentine pulled out of the running to pursue the Florida Marlins’ managerial post.
Other candidates included former Indians manager Eric Wedge and former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, now a televison analyst for the club.
The Orioles own the worst record in baseball (29-59). Team president Andy MacPhail fired Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Samuel. Baltimore is 14-20 under Samuel after completing a four-game road sweep of the Texas Rangers.
Showalter has an 882-833 record in 11 seasons as a major league manager with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. He is a two-time AL Manager of the Year and has reached the postseason twice (1995 Yankees, 1999 Diamondbacks).
Sporting News staff reports
The Baltimore Orioles have settled on ESPN analyst Buck Showalter to be their new manager, FOX Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports.
Rosenthal, via his Twitter account, reports the sides are close on terms and Showalter will be in uniform sometime after the All-Star break. The move won’t be made official until later this week, Rosenthal reports, because Major League Baseball discourages teams from making major announcements during the sport’s showcase events.
The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports the Orioles have yet to make an offer to Showalter and that interim manager Juan Samuel will manage the team Friday in its first game after the break.
Showalter was one of the favorites to become the O’s next full-time skipper. His chances improved greatly when Bobby Valentine pulled out of the running to pursue the Florida Marlins’ managerial post.
Other candidates included former Indians manager Eric Wedge and former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey, now a televison analyst for the club.
The Orioles own the worst record in baseball (29-59). Team president Andy MacPhail fired Dave Trembley on June 4 and replaced him on an interim basis with Samuel. Baltimore is 14-20 under Samuel after completing a four-game road sweep of the Texas Rangers.
Showalter has an 882-833 record in 11 seasons as a major league manager with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers. He is a two-time AL Manager of the Year and has reached the postseason twice (1995 Yankees, 1999 Diamondbacks).
