Talking Marlins, with spring training less than two weeks away:
For all the hype about the starting pitching staff, only Josh Johnson was consistently good in 2009, and the starters' 4.57 ERA ranked 10th among 16 National League teams.
Buzz from football folks in town the past two weeks:
How close are the Dolphins to being a Super Bowl contender? Reaction varied widely among prominent analysts. ``They're far away,'' NFL Network's Deion Sanders said. ``Their young corners are great, but their front seven must get better.''
Super Bowl TV tidbits:
At least a couple times during CBS' pregame programming Sunday, you can bet Bill Cowher will start speaking loudly, rapidly and passionately -- almost as if he is addressing a team.
The final perception of UM's recruiting class will be shaped by whether the Hurricanes land any of the touted prospects who are declaring Wednesday: offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, receiver Ivan McCartney, defensive tackle J.R. Ferguson and linebacker Josh Shirley. Regardless, analysts agree UM has helped itself on the offensive line and running back, and the linebacker group looks promising.
Everybody saw Michael Beasley's on-court improvement before last week's knee injury. But what has been a ``pleasant surprise,'' -- as one Heat official put it -- has been his maturity off the court, which increases his chances of a long-term future here.
Afootball TV primer to prepare you for the next 10 days:
What can we watch leading up to the Super Bowl?
After Graig Cooper's knee injury in the Champs Sports Bowl, talk was that he would sit out next season, get a redshirt and return to UM in 2011. But Cooper's father, Tino Thomas, said the surgically repaired injury was less serious than feared, doctors are optimistic, and Cooper believes he will be ready to start the 2010 season.
The most intriguing story at this week's Senior Bowl practices will be UF's Tim Tebow, who will try to convince skeptics he can be a quality NFL quarterback.
There has been a lot to like -- and a lot not to like -- about the networks' NFL playoff coverage. Some hits and misses:
With National Signing Day two weeks away, 12 of UM's 26 oral commitments are from South Florida. But what concerns some UM fans is only two are ranked among Rivals.com's top 25 recruits from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. That compares with UF's seven and FSU's three.
Friday's deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL Draft delivered good news, with several likely top 15 picks turning pro and options increasing for Miami at No. 12. Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain would be a logical Dolphins choice, but he might not slip to 12th.
As more celebrity gossip sites have launched over the years, this much is clear: The public's appetite seems boundless.
Mostly Heat free agent talk:
Two people who spoke to the Heat said LeBron James is clearly the outside free agent most coveted by the Heat, but Miami does not want to risk losing out on other targeted stars by waiting too long. Re-signing Dwyane Wade remains the No. 1 priority.
A Dolphins official recently explained the team's management philosophy this way: The draft is where it primarily expects to acquire players who become Pro Bowl-caliber and others who will be useful pieces. The goal in free agency generally is to fill holes with good, solid players, not chase especially expensive neon names.
Football TV tidbits:
None of the three men working this weekend's first playoff telecast announced a single NFL game during the regular season. But the voices on NBC's Jets-Bengals game Saturday will sound familiar: Joe Theismann and his former Redskins coach, Joe Gibbs, along with veteran play-by-play voice Tom Hammond.Part Two of our NFL Draft primer, focusing on offensive players at two positions of interest to the Dolphins:
The good news for the Dolphins is several quality players will be free agents at need positions. The bad news: Many will be restricted -- not unrestricted -- if there is no labor deal in place by March, meaning the players' current team would have the right to match offers. And teams signing restricted free agents usually must relinquish draft picks as compensation.
Ten things we would like eliminated from sports television in 2010 (but we won't hold our breath):
Commentators telling us teams must avoid third-and-long situations and turnovers, as if they have unearthed ground-breaking material. (Yes, we're talking to you, Daryl Johnston.) Here's an idea: Let's all just assume avoiding third-and-long is a good idea unless somebody convinces us otherwise.
Talking Dolphins and Hurricanes, with an eye on 2010:
Mostly UM and Dolphins talk:
UM already has the skill-position players on offense to compete for a title. The question, as UM prepares for Tuesday's Champs Sports Bowl, is can the defense develop into a championship-caliber unit in the next year?
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