Collectibles of the Game Sports Blog

2010 NFL Fantasy Quarterback Rankings

2010-08-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NFL fantasy football draft pool has a handful of superstar quarterbacks from which to choose with the top few picks.

However, it's tough to pick against the Super Bowl MVP to top the list.

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Brees threw for 4,388 yards and 34 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions during the regular season in 2009, then went on to win the Super Bowl XLIV MVP award while leading the Saints to the title. Brees, who topped 5,000 passing yards in 2008, directs a potent offense in New Orleans that includes stars such as Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush. Plenty of weapons for Brees to do some damage in 2010.

2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Manning's consistency keeps him near the top of the fantasy football quarterback list every year. He's only dipped below 4,000 passing yards twice in his 12-year NFL career, and he's never thrown fewer than 26 touchdowns. His 2009 numbers: 4,500 yards, 33 touchdowns.

3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Brett Favre's former protégé has shined in two seasons as the Packers' starter, with 8,472 yards and 58 touchdowns in 32 games at the helm. In 2009, he threw for 4,434 yards and 30 touchdowns with just seven interceptions.

4. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Romo has quite an arsenal surrounding him heading into the 2010 season, with 2009 breakout star Miles Austin, wideout Roy Williams, tight end Jason Witten and rookie receiver Dez Bryant. He accounted for 4,483 yards and 26 touchdowns against just nine interceptions in 2009, and his 2010 offensive crew is even better.

5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Back healthy in 2009, Brady threw for 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. With Randy Moss out wide, and Wes Welker working his way back from injury, Brady and the Pats look poised to put up more stellar passing numbers in 2010.

6. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Schaub had an NFL-best 4,770 yards and an NFL-high 583 pass attempts in 2009, with 29 touchdowns against just 15 interceptions. He's got star wideout Andre Johnson at his disposal, which bodes well for the continuation of those passing statistics in 2010.

7. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

The Chargers like to pass, and Rivers produces the type of statistics fantasy managers love — an NFL-best 62 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Rivers connected for 4,254 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2009, and there's no reason to think he won't again surpass 4,000 yards in 2010.

8. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Flacco is surrounded by talent, with the addition of receiver Anquan Boldin bolstering an already-solid receiving corps, and running backs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee keeping defenses honest. Flacco threw for 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions in 2009, giving him 6,584 yards and 35 TDs over two seasons.

9. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan had somewhat of a down season in 2009 after his stellar rookie year of ’08. To be fair, he missed almost three full games with a turf toe injury in ’09, and he still managed 2,916 yards and 22 touchdowns. A healthy Ryan, plus a return to health for running back Michael Turner, could mean big numbers for fantasy owners in 2010.

10. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Peyton's little brother surpassed the 4,000-yard mark in 2009 for the first time in his six-year NFL career. He also threw a career-high 27 touchdown passes, and developed a good on-field chemistry with Giants wide receiver Steve Smith. Expect the duo to continue shining in 2010.

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2010 NFL Fantasy Football Running Backs Preview

2010-08-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

Most NFL fantasy football leagues over emphasize running back statistics in comparison to quarterbacks. Look at any NFL fantasy football draft cheat sheet and they are stacked with running backs at the top. This makes the first running back drafted, the most important pick of any NFL fantasy football owner.
There are a few running backs flying below the radar for the 2010 NFL season and a few running backs that could be forgotten because of an off year in the 2009 NFL season. Running backs to focus on are on teams losing a running back or an emerging back that will take carries from the teams top ball carrier in the 2009 NFL season. The following is a list of the running backs to adjust up and down on the fantasy football running back list.

Comeback Running Back of Year Matt Forte Chicago Bears

Matt Forte was a huge pickup for NFL fantasy football owners in the 2008 NFL season and was saved by many of those same owners to begin 2009. Forte played most of the season for the Chicago Bears on a bum ankle and was dealing with a new quarterback in Jay Cutler to boot. Look for Forte to get back to his 2008 fantasy football numbers this season. Move him up the list and grab him early if possible.

Clinton Portis is Healthy & Ready to Produce for Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis took a step back in the 2009 NFL season and for 2010 he will be rejuvenated playing with Donovan McNabb in the Washington Redskins offense. Look for Portis to get more catches out of the backfield as he becomes a critical aspect of the more aggressive Washington attack. Portis has shown in the past he is a threat to break long runs off the short pass and he could be a huge fantasy football pick up in the second round of most fantasy football drafts.

Beanie Wells Will See More Carries With Leinert at QB

Beanie Wells fantasy football value will increase now that Kurt Warner has retired. The new Arizona Cardinals offense will have to rely on Wells giving them better passing situations by eating up yards on first and second downs. Wells is prone to injury and can be a risky pick but he is worth moving up the running back board.

Marion Barber Will Lose Carries to Jerry Jones Favorite Felix Jones

Marion Barber has been an aggressive, hard hitting running back for several years now in Dallas. The problem for Barber is he has not only delivered punishment, he has also received his share over the years. Felix Jones is showing that he is ready to take on more of the work load. It is important not to over value either running back on the Dallas Cowboys on any fantasy football draft board. Barber will see less carries in the 2010 NFL season and Jones will see more action.

Chris Johnson Should be Down in Production for 2010 NFL Season

Chris Johnson said in the off season he will rush for 2,500 yards in the upcoming NFL season. Subtract 1,000 yards and it will be more accurate. Johnson will rush for 1,500 yards in the 2010 NFL season but that still makes him a top five NFL rusher. The Tennessee Titan's Johnson is still worth saving for fantasy football leagues that save two players but he isn't the hot ticket he was last year.

Final Tips for Choosing Running Backs in Fantasy Football

When choosing the first three running backs during a fantasy football draft it is important to look at three key components. The first is if there is a possibility of two backs sharing carries. The second key component to look for is the running backs durability and the third key is to consider the offensive scheme. Will the team be a run first or pass first offense? In fantasy football leagues with four and five running backs it is good to gamble on rookie running backs and back up backs to injury prone running backs.

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2nd Entry of 2010 Spring Training Trip

2010-03-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

This story started during my 2010 Spring Training Junket to Florida and ended 17 days later in Tennessee. Enjoy!

The empty mailbox streak of 7 days has ended in a BIG way! Today, the mailbox had a super surprise waiting for me. It was an envelope from Tony Oliva of the Minnesota Twins post marked from Fort Myers, Florida, the spring training home of the team. Enclosed in the envelope were several items including this card for my 1967 Topps Autographed Baseball card set. It is the Twins Team card, number 211 in the 1967 Topps set of 609 cards. It has been signed by Tony Oliva and Rod Carew!

There is a long story behind this autograph card. The story begins during my Spring Training trip three weeks ago to Florida. On March 4, my friend Jim and I visited Fort Myers to see the Twins practice and then saw the Twins and Boston Red Sox play a game that night. Knowing that Tony Oliva was a member of the Twins front office, I had brought his 1967 Topps card, #50 just in case I ran into him. During the day, we waited for the players and coaches to arrive and we noticed that Tony Oliva and Rod Carew had driven to the ballpark together. They drove past the autograph collectors without signing any cards. I guess that was strike one. As the practice progressed, Mr. Oliva was instructing several Twins players in the batting cages along with Rod Carew. After a break in the practice, I asked Tony Oliva if he would be willing to sign my card for my collection.

He refused and said he was working. Strike two. Undeterred, I continued to follow Tony during the practice and at one point he saw me standing alone as he came out of the clubhouse and I asked if he would sign me card. Again, he refused and went back to work. I guess that was a foul ball, no third strike yet. As the practice started to wind down and the players and coaches started the leave the field, Tony was called over by a couple of fans and he started to sign some autographs. As he was signing the autographs, I asked if he would sign my card for my collection. He passed me over a couple of times, but I did not give up. Finally, he took my card and signed it with a blue sharpie that I provided. Persistence paid off.

I thanked Tony Oliva for the autograph, shook his hand and asked if he would take a picture with me and he obliged. That would have been a great story in itself, but it did not end there. After I arrived home, I decided to write Tony a letter apologizing for being so persistent in pursuit of his autograph. Enclosed with the letter, I included two 8x10s of the picture of me and Tony Oliva, two more 1967 Topps cards, the Twins Team card above and the 1966 American League Batting Leaders card, #239, and a gift card to Outback Steakhouse. I asked if he could sign one of the 8x10s and keep the other and asked he if could sign the Batting Leaders card, already signed by Hall of Famer Al Kaline and the Twins Team card. I also asked if he could have Hall of Famer Rod Carew sign the team card as well. I mailed the envelope on March 10, 2010 and received it back 12 days later with both photos signed and both cards signed. Even Rod Carew signed the team card. Thank you very much, Mr Oliva and Mr. Carew!

Tony Oliva's career lasted 15 seasons in major league baseball, all with the Minnesota Twins. He started his career in 1964, winning the American League Rookie of the Year award and named to the American League All-star for the first of eight consecutive seasons. He ended his playing days in 1978 with a career .304 batting average, 220 home runs and 947 runs batted in, 329 doubles and a total of 1917 hits in 1676 games. Tony's eight consecutive All-Star appearances to start his career broke the previous record set by Hall of Famer Joe Dimaggio of the New York Yankees. Tony Oliva won 3 batting titles during his career, 1964, 1965 and 1971 and won a Gold Glove award in 1966. The latter part of his career was hampered by injuries and there has been much debate about his place in baseball history. Considered one of the best players not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Tony Oliva deserves his place in Cooperstown.

To learn more about Tony Oliva and his career, go to his biography at wikipedia.org.

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2010 Florida Spring Training Junket Part I

2010-03-01T18:00:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Florida Baseball Spring Training Junket is underway. So far since Saturday, we have seen three ballparks, watched a college baseball game, driven from Clearwater to Tampa and onto Jupiter, first stopping in Daytona Beach for dinner with my children, and watched two practices while attempting to get autographs from the players.

The trip started in Clearwater, home of the Philadelphia Phillies Training Facility. We arrived at the tail end of the practice day and watched players like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Jayson Werth drive by as they were leaving the facility. Unable to get them to stop, we were unsuccessful with the autographs from the Phillies. As the practices were over for the day, the ballpark still was not empty. A game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish was starting and we decided to stay and watch some college baseball. Baseball is baseball and we are baseball fans.

As we entered the ballpark, we decided to sit right behind home plate and it just happened that the scouts for about all 30 Major League Teams were sitting down also. Equipped with the tools of their trade, the Radar Guns, stop watches, note pads with their special cards to evaluate the players, and a camaraderie amongst themselves that was humorous and full of digs at each other. During the half innings, I would have a chance to talk to a couple of guys and they genuinely had a love for the game and enjoyed being part of the game. From the scout who was starting his first season to the 19 year veteran who had discovered several players who made it to the majors, it was great to hear their insight and knowledge of the game.

As we were leaving, a good friend of mine and minor league pitcher for the Phillies, Nick Hernandez sent me a message stating he was watching the game also. After a couple of minutes, we found Nick and spent the next hour talking baseball from his perspective as a prospect in the farm system. Nick spent the 2009 season in Short Season Rookie Ball with the Williamsport Crosscutters and put up some very impressive stats, 8 wins versus 1 loss, a 2.70 earned run average and 67 strikeouts in 80 innings. He is hopeful that he can continue to improve and impress the Phillies front office and advance to the major leagues one day. Nick, we all wish you the best of luck and we will be following your progress.

That put an end to the first day and gave us a taste of what would come next. Sunday morning came around and our destination was Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Spring Training home of the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees. Arriving at 8am, we wanted to secure a location for seeking autographs. We found the place that was recommended to us by a friend and we were the 2nd and 3rd person to show up.

We staked our claims and began the process of waiting for the players and coaches to arrive and begin practicing, which did not start until 11:30am. The players did arrive on schedule and we saw several of the more famous Yankees such as CC Sabathia, Jorge Posada, Curtis Granderson, and Mariano Rivera as well as some old-timers like Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson. All of them walked by or near where we were standing and continued on without stopping for the autograph requests by the fans. As the practices came to an end around 1:30pm, yes 5 1/2 hours of standing waiting for a chance for an autograph and feeling as if we could get shut out for the day, a player decided to stop and sign a few items. This player was gracious enough to sign for about 50 people out of the crowd and he could have signed all night long due to his notoriety. He has played his entire career with the Yankees and during that time has won 4 World Series Championships, played on numerous All-Star teams and some day after he retires, he will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact, his number 2 should be retired and be included in the Yankees Monument Park. Of course, the player I am referring to is Derek Jeter, shortstop of the Yankees. When the opportunity came my way, I asked Derek to please sign a 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated and he obliged my request and autographed the magazine with a beautiful blue sharpie signature. Way to go and many thanks, Derek. You made the waiting all worth it. This will stay in my collection and will not be for sale, sorry.

We left the ballpark a short time later after watching Reggie Jackson and other coaches teaching bunting skills to some rookie players. How ironic is that, a Hall of Famer with 563 home runs and probably was never asked to bunt his entire career teaching these youngsters how to catch the ball with the bat and place it in the right spot on the field to move a runner around the bases. That skill will help the Yankees win a game sometime during the season and make a difference how the season unfolds. Baseball, what a wonderful game!

Continue to check back and look for Part II of the 2010 Spring Training Junket.

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

Projecting the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament 3 weeks out.

2010-02-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here is one fan's take of the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball upcoming March Madness tournament. Thanks to Mr. Dobish for your insight and thoughts.

This year continues to take strange twists and turns and we still have a lot of basketball to be played. It's been amazing to see how North Carolina's season has gone. They were once considered a conference favorite and nationally ranked team. Then, a few hiccups here and there had them as a solid at-large team in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Now, they do not even have a remote chance at the NCAA Tournament, as things stand today. Their arch-rival Duke Blue Devils seem to be the class of the conference this year.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE (6) Champion - DUKE
At-large teams (5):
Bubble teams:

The Atlantic Coast conference looked to be down not long ago, but several squads have really stepped up their play as of late. Maryland and Virginia Tech, thought to be on the outside looking in not long ago, have been two of the hotter teams in the league lately.
Clemson has been hovering around the .500 mark in league play for a while now, but they're the type of team which can rise up and bite any team on any given night. Coach O's team will be a handful come tournament time, which they are expected to be in mid-March.
The rest of the teams should not feel too comfortable as of yet. Florida State and Wake Forest should be in, but that is definitely not etched in stone. In fact, Georgia Tech has been more impressive and has a slightly more attractive resume. However, we leave GT out right now, simply based on the fact they are .500 in league play. With a couple of wins down the stretch and perhaps a loss or two by either Clemson or Florida State, those squads could easily flip-flop positions. Tech also has the chance to be more dangerous than those others if they can find their way in the door.
In the A-10, we have seen a couple of teams play their way out of the at-large spots, partly due to their own substandard play lately and the rise of other teams in the power conferences.

ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE (4) Champion - RICHMOND
At-large teams (3):
Bubble teams:

Temple had been humming right along until a trip to Richmond sent them down hard. The Owls are right there and still remains the class of the conference, but we'll give the Spiders the at-large bid simply based on head-to-head. Plus, Richmond pulled off a nice upset of Florida earlier this season.
Dayton and Rhode Island looked to be locks for the tournament not long ago, but they've hit a speed bump lately. URI still has a strong RPI and likely will be in the field of 65, but they need someone like Illinois, Mississippi State or perhaps Virginia Tech to start slipping up. Plus, a team like the Rams will be closely monitoring conference tournament, praying for few upsets. Rhode Island has a fine team, but they are easily on the outside looking in at the moment. St. Louis has also played their way into at least the bubble discussion with a strong January and February.
The Big East continues to hammer on each other, but it's only making everyone stronger for the stretch run.

BIG EAST (7) Champion - SYRACUSE
At-large teams (6):
Bubble teams:

Syracuse has overtaken Villanova as our projected champion, but really this can go either way. Even Georgetown has a chance to be the top dog, no pun intended.
Louisville and Marquette have worked their way off of the bubble and into consideration as at-large teams, but we also saw a strong run by South Florida followed up by a fizzle. The Cards and Eagles have much work to be done before they're considered slam dunks for the field.
UConn has been able to pull off huge victories at times, including wins at Villanova and against Texas, but then they've seemed disinterested in games against Cincinnati and at Providence. They're a very difficult team to figure out. They have the potential to be one of those 10 or 11, last team in type teams, which everyone dogs and then ends up making it to the Sweet Sixteen. They play well against big teams and falter or lose focus against the weaklings.
The Big Ten still holds at four teams with credentials to the big dance, but Illinois could quickly join the discussion with continued big wins and some misfortunate for one of the other bubble teams.

BIG 10 (4) Champion - MICHIGAN STATE
At-large teams (3):
Bubble teams:

Michigan State and Purdue are battling it out at the top of the standings for the regular season league title. It wouldn't be shocking to see either of these teams heading up one of the brackets as a No. 1 seed. Ohio State has also played very well lately, as they have been night and day since getting F Evan Turner back from injury.
Northwestern, the only team to never make the NCAA Tournament, continues to plug along. In what amounted to a bubble play-in game over the weekend, they knocked off Minnesota in overtime to at least remain in the discussion. However, unless a few other teams really go down in flames or the Wildcats win their league tournament, Northwestern might be NIT-bound instead of being fitted for dance shoes.
The Kansas Jayhawks continue to roll along in the Big 12. It appeared at one point that KU and Texas might be battling for a No. 1 seed, but the Longhorns have long since excused themselves from that discussion.

BIG 12 (6) Champion - KANSAS
At-large teams (5):
Bubble teams:

Kansas continues to roll up win after win and they might very well be the top overall seed when tournament starts. C Cole Aldrich is playing brilliantly and this team doesn't appear to have many weaknesses.
Baylor, Kansas State and Missouri might not be known nationally, at least as much as Kansas and Texas, but they're solid clubs which should be anywhere from five to eight seeds come tournament time.
As far as Texas A&M, they appear to be in for now, but they're starting to look more like a bubble team than a sure bet right now. They're just not an exciting team. The Aggies haven't really been hurt by their own play so much, but rather by the hot streaks of several other teams looking to crash the dance. A&M is in a boat similar to that of URI from the A-10, as they'll need few conference tournament upsets in smaller leagues to avoid getting left out in the cold.

COLONIAL (2) Champion - OLD DOMINION
At-large teams (1):
Bubble teams:

At this time last month, we were trumpeting the Colonial as the next best thing. We all remember George Mason's tremendous run to the Final Four, yeah? We had them pegged as the projected champion, but they have lost four of their past five to fall two games off the pace. Mason is now in danger of missing the field and they need a lot of help.
It looked like the Colonial might put three in, now they're barely hanging onto two. Northeastern has played their way in, but perhaps this is a team which has their bubble burst in favor of a better known club from a power conference. The tournament committee might not trust these Huskies as much as those from Connecticut or Washington, let's say.
Hopefully Northeastern doesn't pay for the fact they are a little fish in a big pond, but it wouldn't be the first time that has happened to a small school, especially when humans make the decisions.

CONFERENCE USA (2) Champion - UTEP
At-large teams (2):
Bubble teams:

The Miners of Texas-El Paso have stormed to the perch in C-USA and now appear primed not only to make the tournament, but perhaps give a handful of teams fits along the way. They have just a handful of losses -- and just one in conference -- and all setbacks are against would-be NCAA or NIT teams.
Don't forget Alabama-Birmingham, either. Not long ago we were projecting the Blazers as the automatic bid earner from the conference. However, a 74-65 setback at home against UTEP drops them down a peg in our mind, although they are still likely firmly entrenched on the six to eight line.
Memphis is also playing their way into consideration. With a roster not expected to do much after coach Cal's exodus, the Tigers are storming back into contention.

MISSOURI VALLEY (2) Champion - NORTHERN IOWA
At-large teams (1):
Bubble teams:

The Panthers of UNI continue to hum right along with the Shockers of Wichita State as their wingmen. The Missouri Valley is a mid-major which often gets tremendous respect, but this year it is mostly a two-horse race with familiar face Creighton well out of it. Illinois State has played their way onto the bubble with some solid late January and early February play, but Missouri State appears to have had their hopes dashed with marginal play in the past few weeks.
However, despite the fact the MVC has solid cred, it wouldn't be entirely a surprise to see UNI as the only representative if they should march through the conference tournament and earn the automatic bid. If I were a fan of the Shockers, I wouldn't be able to breath for a week or two if they were to bow out early in the league tournament.

MOUNTAIN WEST (2) Champion - NEW MEXICO
At-large teams (1):
Bubble teams:

From the Mountain West, New Mexico appears to have overtaken Brigham Young as the conference favorites. We'll learn a great deal more on Feb. 27 when the Lobos and Cougars hook up in Provo.
BYU had flirted with the Top 10 until suffering a setback in Albuquerque back on Jan. 27. The Lobos have a Top 10 RPI and are a slam dunk for the tournament, regardless of how the regular season or conference tournament shakes down.
We had liked San Diego State and UNLV previously, but due to the strong play of bubble teams in the power conferences, the MWC is a league which could very well pay with only two representatives. It's certainly no knock from us on the play of the Aztecs and Rebels, either. They have been sufficient, but if teams like Illinois continue springing upsets over Top 10 teams and someone like UConn can earn a big win or two in their conference tournament, their entry into the field might come at the expense of a deserving San Diego State or Nevada-Las Vegas.

PAC-10 (1) Champion - CALIFORNIA
At-large teams: NONE
Bubble teams:

The Pac-10 continues to get worse, not better.
California has a strong Top 25 RPI and they lead the conference by one. If they were to go on and win the conference tournament, it's very conceivable we have just one team in. Right now, that's what we're going with. A lot of America will be watching this tournament very closely, as someone's bubble bursts if/when Cal bows out.
Arizona State looks good on the surface with an 18-8 record through Feb. 20, but a closer look shows an RPI of just 65 and no real signature wins to speak of. They're a borderline 11-12 seed at best, more likely to end up in the NIT with several teams looking just like them. Washington also has an outside chance of making the field of 65, but they go hot and cold too often. If they're to have any chance, it likely has to be running the table in the league tournament. USC is ineligible, or they would also be a bubble team.

SOUTHEASTERN (4) Champion - KENTUCKY
At-large teams (3):
Bubble teams:

Kentucky continues to roll along and they might give the SEC a No. 1 seed. However, the league doesn't have a whole lot of other promise, as prospects continue to suffer.
Tennessee and Vanderbilt appear to be firmly entrenched as tournament teams. Until a week ago or so, Mississippi and Mississippi State also didn't look like they had any worries. The Bulldogs fought the No. 3 Wildcats to the end, but lost in overtime. They remain just one game out in the SEC West and are still the team to beat on that side of the league.
Arkansas sits squarely on the bubble, not much because of their overall record, but they're solid league mark to lead the SEC West.
Florida, Ole Miss and South Carolina also join the Razorbacks on the bubble. The Gators have been hard to figure this year, winning against Michigan State, but losing to Richmond and South Alabama. They'll have plenty of time to wow the committee when they face Tennessee, Mississippi, Vanderbilt and Kentucky in four of the final five regular season games. However, a dangerous trip to Georgia on Feb. 27 really could seal their fate, as a loss would be severely detrimental. South Carolina needs a lot of help. Another loss and they're likely off of the bubble in the negative way.

WEST COAST (2) Champion - GONZAGA
At-large teams (1):
Bubble teams:

The West Coast conference continues to sail right along as the most competitive basketball league in the Pacific Time Zone. The Gonzaga Bulldogs always get plenty of props for being the little engine that could. They have brought fame and fortune not only to Spokane, but to the entire WCC as well. It's a wonder that someone like the Mountain West or WAC haven't come calling to see if the Zags are interested in stepping up.
St. Mary's looked to be in, but they're chances are flagging. They lost at Gonzaga late last week and suffered an overtime loss in Portland last Saturday. The Gaels are going to have to turn it around in a hurry if they wish to receive a dance card. 21 wins looks impressive at the outset, but an RPI of 46 is just so-so when compared to someone like Rhode Island.
Portland has really put it together after a difficult December and early January. Remember, Portland beat Oregon, UCLA and Minnesota earlier this year. Still, with an RPI of 78 and no remaining regular season games against Gonzaga, the Pilots likely are NIT-bound unless they can rise up in the league tournament.

Brackets are only three weeks away and this might help you start researching your picks. Let the Madness begin!

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Major League Baseball Team Names and Addresses

2010-02-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

Considered "America's favorite pastime," the game of baseball was introduced in the early 1800s and soon caught fire with the public. As more and more people became interested in the game, baseball was institutionalized by the National Association in 1858. The Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional team in 1869.
The National League was instituted in 1876, while the American League was instituted in 1903. The first World Series, in which the champions of each league faced off, was played in 1903.
A Negro League was also instituted in the early 1900s, but in 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson and removed the color barrier in baseball. As more and more African American players were signed on to teams in the National League and American League, the Negro League dissolved.

Since it was first introduced, baseball has continued to gather more and more momentum and has fans of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds. Many fans are passionate about the teams they support, and rivalries such as that between the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees, as well as the Giants and the Dodgers, have become long-standing and legendary.
Today, there are 14 teams in the American League and 16 teams in the National League. Each year, the champion of each of these leagues face off in the World Series, which is held each October. For those who can't make it into their favorite stadium, baseball games are well broadcast on both television and radio, and sports paraphernalia of all sorts is available for all Major League teams.

Looking for the address for your favorite team? We have enclosed them for you below.

Team-by-Team Information
	National League Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field 401 East Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85001 Phone: (602) 462-6500 dbacks.com losdbacks.com Atlanta Braves Turner Field 755 Hank Aaron Drive Atlanta, GA 30315 Phone: (404) 522-7630 braves.com bravesbeisbol.com Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field 1060 West Addison Chicago, IL 60613-4397 Phone: (773) 404-2827 cubs.com loscubs.com Cincinnati Reds Great American Ball Park 100 Main Street Cincinnati, OH 45202-4109 Phone: (513) 765-7000 reds.com Colorado Rockies Coors Field 2001 Blake Street Denver, CO 80205-2000 Phone: (303) 292-0200 ColoradoRockies.com Florida Marlins Land Shark Stadium 2269 Dan Marino Boulevard Miami, FL 33056 Phone: (305) 626-7400 marlins.com marlinsbeisbol.com Houston Astros Minute Maid Park 501 Crawford Street Houston, TX 77002 Phone: (713) 259-8000 astros.com astrosdehouston.com Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium 1000 Elysian Park Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012-1199 Phone: (323) 224-1500 dodgers.com losdodgers.com Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park One Brewers Way Milwaukee, WI 53214 Phone: (414) 902-4400 brewers.com New York Mets Citi Field Flushing, NY 11368 Phone: (718) 507-6387 mets.com losmets.com Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park One Citizens Bank Way Philadelphia, PA 19148 Phone: (215) 463-6000 phillies.com Pittsburgh Pirates PNC Park 115 Federal Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Phone: (412) 323-5000 pirates.com San Diego Padres PETCO Park 100 Park Boulevard San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 795-5000 padres.com padresbeisbol.com San Francisco Giants AT&T Park 24 Willie Mays Plaza San Francisco, CA 94107 Phone: (415) 972-2000 SFGiants.com sfgigantes.com St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium 700 Clark Street St. Louis, MO 63102 Phone: (314) 345-9600 stlcardinals.com Washington Nationals Nationals Park 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003-1507 Phone: (202) 349-0400 nationals.com losnacionales.com Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at Collectibles of the Game, American League Baltimore Orioles Oriole Park 333 West Camden Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Phone: (410) 685-9800 orioles.com Boston Red Sox Fenway Park 4 Yawkey Way Boston, MA 02215 Phone: (617) 267-9440 redsox.com Chicago White Sox U.S. Cellular Field 333 West 35th Street Chicago, IL 60616 Phone: (312) 674-1000 whitesox.com orgullosox.com Cleveland Indians Progressive Field 2401 Ontario Street Cleveland, OH 44115 Phone: (216) 420-4200 indians.com Detroit Tigers Comerica Park 2100 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 Phone: (313) 471-2000 tigers.com Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium One Royal Way Kansas City, MO 64129 Phone: (816) 921-8000 royals.com losroyals.com Los Angeles Angels Angel Stadium 2000 Gene Autry Way Anaheim, CA 92806 Phone: (714) 940-2000 angelsbaseball.com angelsbeisbol.com Minnesota Twins The Metrodome 4 Kirby Puckett Place Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: (612) 375-1366 twinsbaseball.com New York Yankees Yankee Stadium One East 161st Street Bronx, NY 10451 Phone: (718) 293-4300 yankees.com yankeesbeisbol.com Oakland Athletics Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 7000 Coliseum Way Oakland, CA 94621 Phone: (510) 638-4900 oaklandathletics.com losatleticos.com Seattle Mariners Safeco Field P.O. Box 4100 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: (206) 346-4000 Mariners.com losmarineros.com Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field One Tropicana Drive St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Phone: (727) 825-3137 raysbaseball.com raysbeisbol.com Texas Rangers Rangers Ballpark in Arlington 1000 Ballpark Way Arlington, TX 76011 Phone: (817) 273-5222 texasrangers.com Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre 1 Blue Jays Way, Suite 3200 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V1J1 Phone: (416) 341-1000 bluejays.com

Pitchers and Catcher Report in less than 2 days!

2010-02-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

As the snow keeps falling throughout the country, this article by Mark Newman of MLB.com encapsulated the excitement surrounding the annual ritual of the start of the baseball season, the pitchers and catchers report. So many baseball fans have been in hibernation since the last out of the World Series and now we can rejoice that baseball is back again. Questions abound, which rookie is going to impact their team, which free-agent acquisition will change the dynamic of their division, which team is going to surprise the pundits and challenge for first place? The answers, will that take a season to figure out, are why we all watch the games, read the box scores, watch MLB Network and play fantasy baseball. Let the fun begin and enjoy the article. I will be posting entries starting February 27th from Spring Training in Florida. 12 days and counting....

Spring Training is sunshine -- therapeutic, inspiring, been-too-long-without-ya sunshine. . . . The beginning of Spring Training each year has always been a moment of hope, a reassurance that the landscape of snow and gray skies and barren trees will soon pass, and the world will again be green.
Charles Fountain in "Under the March Sun: The Story of Spring Training"

The moment of hope and reassurance arrives again this week, right on time. It is that moment when you know what's past is past, when buds and baseball emerge, when everything is new with a bright future. It is the moment you have waited for all winter.

Pitchers and catchers report.

They are four of the happiest words in our lexicon, right there alongside "Happy Birthday to you." We say these four words all the time until we are blue in the face. "Thirty days till pitchers and catchers report!" "Five days till pitchers and catchers report!" Pitchers and catchers may officially start reporting to their Arizona and Florida camps starting on Wednesday, signaling the beginning of a traditional process that is our way of life, ending with a World Series clincher and a parade through smiling masses. Happy leads to happy.

The defending World Series champions lead the way back into camps as the Yankees, Orioles, Royals, Pirates, Cardinals, Angels and Giants are the first clubs whose pitchers and catchers report Wednesday. First reports happen Thursday for the Red Sox, Rays, Phillies, Mets, Nationals, Tigers, Cubs, Reds, Mariners, Rangers, Rockies and Padres.

First workout dates for pitchers and catchers are Thursday beginning with the Orioles, Royals, Angels, Yankees, Mariners, Cubs, Reds, Rockies, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals and Giants. Subsequent first workouts are gradual, with the Indians the final club to hold first workouts, on Feb. 23, in Goodyear, Ariz. It will be the first spring that both of Ohio's Major League clubs train in Arizona -- and at the same complex -- now that the Reds have left Florida to join the Indians, making it the first even split for the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues at 15 teams each.

Full-squad workouts will commence on Feb. 23, starting with the Orioles, Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Braves, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals and Giants. Other clubs follow progressively until the Twins and Brewers conduct the final first full-squad workouts on Feb. 27. Then Spring Training is completely under way and routines become established.

That is how the pop of the catcher's mitt and the crack of the bat first become pronounced and part of our consciousness again. But the first exhibitions take it to another level, as we get the first glimpses of mano-a-mano competition, of game situations, of hit-and-run strategy and home runs and strikeouts. Then it all comes back to us again. The Braves are at the Mets at 1:10 p.m. ET in Port St. Lucie, Fla., starting the exhibition season. It is the first actual day that the daily master schedule on MLB.com is populated with games featuring two Major League clubs, and from there through the regular season the schedule is active, devoid of games only on July 14, the day after the All-Star Game in Anaheim. This is how it all starts.

Spring Training is anticipation realized -- like the arrival of the weekend after the long workweek. But Spring Training, too, is anticipation heightened; it is Saturday afternoon and thoughts turned to Saturday night, because for all the sensory pleasures of Spring Training itself, it leads ultimately to the climax of Opening Day.

Opening Day has evolved into Opening Week around Major League Baseball in recent years. It will begin with Yankees at Red Sox on the night of April 4, followed by those traditional Monday openers. It will be a sight to behold as usual, and just imagine how it will feel for Twins fans who will attend Opening Day at their brand-new Target Field outdoor venue on April 12 against the Red Sox. Starting this week, the preparation begins.

Roy Halladay will be in Clearwater, Fla., for his first training camp as a Phillies pitcher -- not far at all from his former Blue Jays camp in Dunedin. Cliff Lee will be at his first Mariners camp in Arizona. Joe Mauer, the 2009 AL MVP, will report this week with Twins catchers to Fort Myers. John Lackey, after so many camps with the Angels, will report Thursday to his new Red Sox camp in Fort Myers, Fla. Stephen Strasburg, the top overall Draft pick last June, will report to the Nationals' camp on Thursday. The names, the places, the excitement -- it is back.

Truthfully, it is nothing like it used to be in the old days. Way back in the day, ballplayers typically would leave the game for the winter, many of them taking any available jobs in their local towns, helping to make a living, falling out of "baseball shape," and then all convene again in the warm weather to work their way back.

One tradition within the tradition of Spring Training is the matter of pitchers and catchers reporting first. The Baseball Hall of Fame Research Library delved into the subject in hopes of determining exactly why it is that pitchers and catchers report first. Jim Gates, library director there in Cooperstown, N.Y., said the best one can offer is this theory:

"Spring Training began, and for many years was primarily for the purpose of getting out-of-shape players back into playing shape by working them hard to shed winter weight. Pitchers were the most out of shape, and it was also felt that they needed more time to get their arms into shape. Catchers were needed to catch the pitchers."

Over the years it became a formal phrase within the National Pastime: Pitchers and catchers report. Although it is official, in truth it is something of a formality. Today's Major Leaguers and aspiring ballplayers stay in shape over the offseason, and position players are often right there around the Spring Training centers along with pitchers and catchers. Indeed, when MLB.com talked to 2009 All-Star Adam Jones of the Orioles during the recent Super Bowl, he said he was looking forward to showing up when pitchers and catchers show up. It was very typical.

You may be surprised to know that "pitchers and catchers report" actually is not the complete phrase, usually omitting other important people who are permitted to report. "Injured players" also are allowed to report with pitchers and catchers. Then comes everyone else. The fans are an important part of the reporting process as well; they come from everywhere, called by a game that refreshes them, so simple and yet so important.

"Spring Training is the essence of baseball's core," said Dr. Charles Steinberg, the Dodgers' VP of marketing, in Fountain's book. "Baseball itself is pristine and divine. Everything you needed to play baseball was in the Garden of Eden. You had the grass. You had the dirt. You had a branch from a tree to make a bat. There had to be a cow somewhere to give you the ball and the glove. I was telling this story once and some wise guy said: 'Yeah, they even had a snake for the media.' But you had everything you need. Out in the sun. You don't need a manufactured court; you don't need a metal-rim basket. You just need a bat and a ball and the good Lord's earth to play on."

Spring Training is the GAME again...

For some, Spring Training means an annual sojourn to warmer climes, to escape and get up-close to their favorite players in ways that is naturally harder come summer. Donna Swikow is a Rays fan in Clearwater, who eagerly awaits the arrival of players back into her environs. She has been psyched for the "pitchers and catchers report" mantra to become reality.

"They are four words that remind you of the greatness to come," Swikow said in an e-mail to MLB.com. "A fresh slate, a new season, another chance. Baseball Spring Training is a multi-sensual experience. The smells: fresh-cut grass and popcorn. The sounds: peanut shell's crunching under your feet, a wooden bat (I loathe aluminum) hitting a ball or the ball smacking into a mitt. The sights: a bright blue, cloudless sky that hurts to look into, the sunburned skin of snowbirds. The touch of your own glove hoping for a foul ball, the sting of that pop up if you forget the glove. It's when the new year begins for a sports fan.

"Things slow down when you watch a ball game. There is a symmetry, a balance that no other sport gives you. Anyone can follow along. Young and old know the rules and can enjoy at their own pace. The sport is the same to me now at 48 as it was when I was 5 watching the Cardinals play at Al Lang in St. Petersburg. I have newspapers from the announcement of St. Petersburg, my hometown, getting a team. I cried every time I thought of it. The stadium was built where I grew up. Great things were to come. The Rays, my team. We were there when Aki [Iwamura] caught the ball and made the out in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS."

Swikow said she will be there to see Yankees vs. Rays in Tampa this spring. She will be there at Tropicana Field for the last Spring Training exhibition against the Mets. "On Opening Day, I'll take a nap so I don't miss a minute. Can't wait for the season to start. But the next best thing, it's pitchers and catchers reporting. Those four words sound as good to me as 'You won the Lottery' or 'Will you marry me?'. Yeah, I said it."

One day last week, the physical education coach at her daughter's school, who is from Greece, asked Swikow when Spring Training starts. He was trying to learn the sport. "His eyes glazed over when I asked if he meant pitchers and catchers reporting or actual games," Swikow said. "Then I listed the upcoming games and where they would be, I actually told him the exact number of days. I don't know if he'll ask me about baseball again."

Spring Training is millionaire, rock-star Major Leaguers playing catch and eating lunch with $1,500-a-month Minor Leaguers who are hoping to maybe play at Double-A, and who may never get closer to The Show than this. The ballparks are small -- Minor League size -- and the crowds, though swollen tremendously since the 1980s, are still only a fraction of those at a regular season game. This gives a proximity that allows for not only autographs and pictures, but eye contact and conversation as well.

There's little heckling or booing in the stands in Spring Training; fans have a patience with imperfection in March that will be but a memory in July.

That says it well, and it is something that has been said for generations and generations. Spring Training is the moment of hope and reassurance, the time for baseball to take its rightful place again. This is the week that it all starts. This is baseball.

The clock is ticking......get ready....the season is here...Baseball's back!

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

Collectibles of the Game Sports Memorabilia

2010-02-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

The term sports memorabilia usually refers to anything that can be directly connected to a sports event or personality. These items are generally gathered by the fans of the particular sport, athlete or team that the item signifies or by collectors who find value in the rarity time-value of these collectibles. "Sports memorabilia" often refers to autographed sports items as well. Sports memorabilia can either have a sentimental or monetary value to the collector. Lately the sports memorabilia market has broadened to include collectibles such as team gnomes and player bobbleheads.

It could be said that collecting sports memorabilia goes back to the first decades of the 20th century, when many people would collect baseballs from baseball games and many asked Babe Ruth for autographs. As years passed and many other sports stars joined their sports, memorabilia collectors also began to broaden their horizons. When the NBA, MLB, NHL and NFL began selling their jerseys in stores during the 1980s, jerseys became a hot item among sports memorabilia collectors. To wear what the player wears has tremendous appeal to collectors and they like to show off their pride boldly.

Adding an autograph to an item used in a particular game or by a particular star can increase or decrease the value of the item, depending on the situation. If the autograph has been personalized (i.e. "To Mark") the autograph devalues the item on the public market. Also, collectors put little value on autographed memorabilia that is sold without a certificate of authenticity. Several companies have developed systems to prove authenticity of game-used or autographed memorabilia, and collectors will generally seek out dealers that offer a lifetime, money-back, authenticity guarantee.

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

Since 1994, Collectibles of the Game has been the place to go for authentic autographed sports memorabilia and collectibles. We have conducted autograph signings with some of the biggest names in sports, including: Muhammad Ali, Peyton Manning, Joe Namath, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Pete Rose, Willie Mays, Barry Sanders, Joe Montana, and many more! Whether you're looking for a unique gift, a certified signature from your favorite athlete, a piece of game-used material, or the perfect display case in which to show off your favorite piece of memorabilia, Collectibles of the Game is the place. Our products include items that are officially licensed by the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA, and NASCAR. Every one of our autographed items has been witnessed and is unconditionally guaranteed to ensure its authenticity.

10 years ago, the world lost the Football Coach Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys.

2010-02-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

Today, February 12, 2010 marks the 10 year anniversary of the death of Tom Landry, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

Tom Landry led the Cowboys for 29 season and he won 2 Super Bowl titles (VI, XII), 5 NFC titles, 13 Divisional titles, and compiled a 270-178-6 record, the 3rd most wins of all time for an NFL coach. His 20 career playoff victories are the most of any coach in NFL history. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in NFL history, creating many new formations and methods. He invented the now popular 4-3 defense, and the "flex defense" system. His most impressive professional accomplishment is his record for coaching the Cowboys to 20 consecutive winning seasons (1966–1985), an NFL record that remains unbroken and unchallenged. It remains one of the longest winning streaks in all of professional sports history.

Tom Landry once said "When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn." and "I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game." These are definitely two quotes that all coaches should live by. Always be willing to learn, to teach, and to be prepared. I guess that could apply to real life as well.

Tom Landry's departure came shortly after the Cowboys were sold to Jerry Jones before the 1989 season. When Landry met with his players two days later, to tell them how much he would miss them, he began to cry. The players responded with a standing ovation.Tom Landry's unceremonious dismissal by Jones was denounced by football fans and media as totally lacking in class and respect. In the years since, while most fans retain their support for the team, there persists significant levels of derision towards Jones over the perceived mistreatment of Landry.

Tom Landry was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and has a bronze statue outside of Cowboys Stadium. He died on February 12, 2000 of leukemia. The Cowboys wore a patch on their uniforms during the 2000 season depicting Landry's trademark fedora.

Tom Landry had several of his players also make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Rayfield Wright and Randy White. He was very influential as a person and coach and is still missed by the Dallas Cowboys faithful fans.

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at Collectibles of the Game

National Football League (NFL) Team Addresses

2010-02-11T18:15:00.000-08:00

Today's blog entry is more about information than a story. Below is the address, phone and website link to every NFL Team. As you may have heard, there is a distinct possibility that a labor dispute affecting the league could happen in 2010 or 2011. If you want to enjoy the games, you may feel compelled to contact your favorite team and express your concern.

On the lighter side, if you just want to request an autograph from your favorite player, here is the address to send the inquiry. Most teams will forward the request to the player during the off-season.

NFL Team Addresses. Click on Logo to go to team's website.

Arizona Cardinals PO Box 888 Phoenix, AZ 85001-0888 (800) 999-1402	Atlanta Falcons 4400 Falcon Parkway Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-965-3115	Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium 1101 Russell Street Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 261-RAVE (7283)

Buffalo Bills Ralph Wilson Stadium One Bills Drive Orchard Park, NY 14127 (716) 648-1800	Carolina Panthers 800 South Mint Street Charlotte, NC 28202 704-358-7800	Chicago Bears Halas Hall 1000 Football Drive Lake Forest, IL 60045 (847) 295-6600

Cincinnati Bengals Paul Brown Stadium One Paul Brown Stadium Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 621-3550	Cleveland Browns 76 Lou Groza Blvd. Berea, OH 44017 440-891-5050	Dallas Cowboys E Randol Mill Rd and N Collins St Arlington, TX 76011

Denver Broncos 13655 Broncos Parkway Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 649-9000	Detroit Lions Ford Field 1200 Featherstone Rd. Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 335-4131	Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field P.O. Box 10628 Green Bay, WI 54307-0628 (920) 569-7500

Houston Texans Reliant Stadium Two Reliant Park Houston, TX 77054 (832) 667-2000	Indianapolis Colts 7001 West 56th Street Indianapolis, IN 46254 (800) 805-2658	Jacksonville Jaguars One ALLTEL Stadium Place Jacksonville, FL 32202 (904) 633-6000

Arrowhead Stadium One Arrowhead Drive Kansas City, MO 64129 (816) 924-9300	Miami Dolphins Pro Player Stadium 2269 N.W. 199th Street Miami, FL 33056 (954) 452-7000	Minnesota Vikings 9520 Viking Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (952) 828-6500

New England Patriots Gillette Stadium 60 Washington Street Foxboro, MA 02035 (508) 543-8200	New Orleans Saints The Louisiana Superdome 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA 70003 (504) 733-0255	New York Giants Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ 07073 (201) 935-8111

New York Jets 1000 Fulton Avenue Hempstead, NY 11550 (516) 560-8100	Oakland Raiders McAfee Coliseum 7000 Coliseum Way Oakland, CA 94621 510-864-5000	Philadelphia Eagles NovaCare Complex One NovaCare Way Philadelphia, PA 19145 (215) 463-2500

Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field 300 Stadium Circle Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (412) 323-1200	San Diego Chargers Qualcomm Stadium P.O. Box 609609 San Diego, CA 92160 (858) 874-4500	San Francisco 49ers 3Com Park 4949 Centennial Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95054 (408) 562-4949

Seattle Seahawks Qwest Field 800 Occidental Avenue South Ste #500 Seattle, WA 98134 (888) 635-4295	Edward Jones Dome One Rams Way St. Louis, MO 63045 (314) 982-7267	Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium One Buccaneer Place Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 870-2700

Tennessee Titans One Titans Way Nashville, TN 37213 (615) 565-4200	Washington Redskins FedEx Field P.O. Box 17247 Dulles International Airport Washington, D.C. 20040

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

Preview of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game

2010-02-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game is Sunday, February 14 and will be played in Jerry Jones' house, Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Over 80,000 people are expected to attend and the game will be broadcasted on the TNT cable network. I guess none of the major networks see the game as a ratings getter. It used to be a big game back in the 1980's when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were battling it out on the floor. Then everyone wanted to watch Michael Jordan soar above the rim and put on a show. Now, the game has lost its luster with the mainstream media and fans.

The lineups for both the West and East Team are set and there are several well known players participating in this year's game.

Selected to start for the Eastern Conference; Celtics' Kevin Garnett, the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and the Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson. All great choices, well except for Iverson, he is a little past his prime and not really all-star caliber anymore. The reserves for the Eastern Conference include Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford, the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo, the Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Wallace,the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, the Hawks' Joe Johnson, the Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Toronto Raptors' Chris Bosh.

Selected to start for the Western Conference: Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire, and the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan. Definitely a formidable team. I think the west will have the advantage. The reserves for the Western Conference include the Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol, the New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul, the Portland Trail Blazers' Brandon Roy, the Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Randolph, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant and the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams.

Whether you are a basketball fan or not, this year's game looks to showcase the talent's of some brightest and youngest stars in the NBA. It should be a high scoring affair, defensive during the all-star game is usually referred to as matador zone. My prediction is the game will be entertaining to those who attend and watch on TV and the score will be 136-124 Western Conference winning.

For the fans who want to wear what the players wear check out the assortment of All-Star Jerseys available at Collectibles of the Game.

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

2010 Baseball Season is fast approaching!

2010-02-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

For the Baseball Fanatic!!!

This year marks the second season for the MLB Network and for the lucky subscribers on the cable companies that choose to cover it, you have indeed found a great treasure. For myself, I have lost interest in ESPN and their constant coverage of NFL Football, can you give it a break please. The only reason to watch ESPN is Sunday Night Baseball with Hall of Famers Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. Otherwise, MLB Network has ESPN beat hands down.

The access to all teams and games on the MLB Network is amazing. The Live Look-In to the games give you live highlights, the home runs, the great defensive plays, the strikeouts, and also the double plays, sacrifice bunts and even balks. Real baseball, not just the spectacular highlights to get ratings.

The commentators like Victor Rojas, Greg Amsinger, Matt Vasgersian, Trenni Kusnierek, Hazel Mae, Matt Yallof and former players on MLB Network are much more informed and entertaining than ESPN. Harold Reynolds, Barry Larkin, Billy Ripken, Dan Plesac, Joe Magrane, Sean Casey, Jim Kaat, Al Leiter, Mitch Williams and Dave Valle share personal insights as well as excellent flow during the games. They are not afraid to be critical, when necessary, which is refreshing. For the 2010 season, MLB Network has added some great baseball insiders like Hall of Famer Peter Gammons, Jon Heyman, Tom Verducci, and Ken Rosenthal to give updates on the rumors surrounding trades, signing and other happening with Major League Baseball.

In addition to this year's baseball season stars like Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols, MLB Network pays proper respect for the stars of the past. From World Series highlights to great games, fans can relive memories of their childhood. Keeping the younger fans connected to the great players of the past helps insure the great history of the game. Watching the late great Mark Fidrych shut down the Yankees in 1976 to Don Larsen's World Series perfect game to Mark Whiten's 4 homer game, it is great to watch the performances that make the game fun to experience.In addition, Bob Costas does an excellent job in Studio 42 interviewing the Greats of the Game, like Juan Marichal, Willie Mays, and Bob Gibson.

If you get a chance to get MLB Network on your cable or satellite company and you love baseball like I do, take advantage of it. You will have a hard time changing the channel.

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

New entry

2010-02-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

New blog post. Way to Go Saints! Super Bowl XLIV Champions.

Check out the latest Sports Memorabilia, Apparel and Collectibles from your favorite team and player at http://collectiblesofthegame.com

Collectibles of the Game Sports Blog

2010 NFL Fantasy Quarterback Rankings

2010 NFL Fantasy Football Running Backs Preview

Comeback Running Back of Year Matt Forte Chicago Bears

Beanie Wells Will See More Carries With Leinert at QB

Marion Barber Will Lose Carries to Jerry Jones Favorite Felix Jones

Chris Johnson Should be Down in Production for 2010 NFL Season

Final Tips for Choosing Running Backs in Fantasy Football

2nd Entry of 2010 Spring Training Trip

2010 Florida Spring Training Junket Part I

Projecting the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament 3 weeks out.

Major League Baseball Team Names and Addresses

Arizona Diamondbacks

Atlanta Braves

Chicago Cubs

Cincinnati Reds

Colorado Rockies

Florida Marlins

Houston Astros

Los Angeles Dodgers

Milwaukee Brewers

New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies

Pittsburgh Pirates

San Diego Padres

San Francisco Giants

St. Louis Cardinals

Washington Nationals

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

Chicago White Sox

Cleveland Indians

Detroit Tigers

Kansas City Royals

Los Angeles Angels

Minnesota Twins

New York Yankees

Oakland Athletics

Seattle Mariners

Tampa Bay Rays

Texas Rangers

Toronto Blue Jays

Pitchers and Catcher Report in less than 2 days!

Collectibles of the Game Sports Memorabilia

10 years ago, the world lost the Football Coach Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys.

National Football League (NFL) Team Addresses

Preview of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game

2010 Baseball Season is fast approaching!

New entry