Water Cooler – September 27th, 2010
Here we go with today’s sports water cooler talk. Here, you won’t just find the straight news; you’ll find the stuff everyone is talking about – the ice breakers, the Twitter Sports Picks and topics…well, basically all the stuff you discuss at the water cooler.
Enjoy!
After a busy weekend, we have the MLB playoff picture, a few NFL injuries and some NBA trade rumors to sort through.
MLB news: Rangers, Phillies clinch playoff berths
After 11 years, the Texas Rangers are returning to the playoffs. They defeated the Oakland Athletics Saturday to clinch the American League West title. Jorge Cantu broke a 3-3 tie with an eighth-inning home run to give Texas the win.
The Phillies were next to clinch. Though they lost to the Mets on Sunday and couldn’t lock down the National League East just yet, the Braves and Padres also lost, assuring the Phils of at least the Wild Card. The Phillies are 19-5 in September and 45-17 since July 21.
NFL news: Steven Jackson, Jahvid Best, Ray Rice injured; 49ers fire offensive co-ordinator
It was a wild, high-scoring Sunday in Week 3 of the NFL. Michael Vick totalled four touchdowns, Kyle Orton and Philip Rivers both topped 450 passing yards and Leon Washington returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
But the news wasn’t all good; as usual, we saw a hodgepodge of injuries. Rams’ workhorse back Steven Jackson hurt his groin and is scheduled for an MRI today.
Detroit rookie sensation Jahvid Best hurt his big toe against Minnesota and left his game with what looks like a ligament sprain for now. In the same game, the Vikes lost tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and center John Sullivan, though both should be OK with Minnesota getting its bye week.
The San Diego Chargers lost Shawne Merriman, the Seahawks lost Aaron Curry and Demaryius Thomas went down for Denver. Baltimore star running back Ray Rice tweaked his knee but the injury didn’t appear serious.
UPDATE: As I type these words, I’ve just learned that the San Francisco 49ers have fired offensive co-ordinator Jimmy Raye. Could Mike Singletary be next?
NBA news: Four-team trade rumored as Carmelo Anthony reports to Nuggets
Today is media day for the Denver Nuggets and it appears Carmelo Anthony will report to the team. But for how long?
With the Nuggets making every player except Chauncey Billups and Ty Lawson available via trade, rumors are swirling. A possible four-team deal would break down as follows:
The Nuggets would receive Derrick Favors, who was the third overall pick in June’s draft, Andrei Kirilenko from the Utah Jazz and two future first-round picks from New Jersey.
The Nets would also move point guard Devin Harris to Charlotte and Quinton Ross to the Jazz; the Bobcats would ship Boris Diaw to Utah. New Jersey would be surrendering a ton of talent and futures but the Nets desperately want to build around Melo and center Brook Lopez.
NHL news: Mark Streit out with torn labrum
The New York Islanders are eager to climb the Eastern Conference standings this season with forwards John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey to build around. But they suffered a massive blow to their 2010-11 hopes over the weekend. Number one defenseman and power-play quarterback Mark Streit reportedly has a torn rotator cuff and will miss the next sixth months.
The Swiss blueliner has posted at least 11 goals and 49 points for three straight seasons. He’ll seek a second opinion on his shoulder but the outlook is bleak at the moment for him.
NCAA football news: Mississippi loses defensive end Lockett for season
Mississippi beat Fresno State 55-38 over the weekend but the win was costly. Defensive end and captain Kentrell Lockett torn his ACL and will miss the rest of 2010. He had five sacks last season and made six tackles through three games this year.
Comments are welcome below!
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