Robert Kubica will miss at least the early part of the 2012 Formula One season for Renault while he recovers from injuries that once threatened his life.
Kubica crashed in the Ronde di Andora rally in Italy on Feb. 6. He sustained massive injuries to his right side - a forearm that was almost severed and leg and shoulder fractures. Renault says he can walk and has regained movement in his elbow and hand, but needs more rehabilitation.
Renault had been hoping Kubica would be its No. 1 driver from the start of season. The team said Wednesday it will talk to a few drivers for next season. Current drivers Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna and test driver Romain Grosjean are considered the leading candidates.
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Reds dodging multiple off-season trade rumors
It is not only the time of year for turkey and cranberry sauce and the season to be jolly, it is rumor time in the baseball world.
With free agents on the market and trades to be made to fill holes, there is more than Christmas presents on the minds of baseball general managers.
The season hardly ended before a rumor surfaced on the internet that the Cincinnati Reds were talking to the Tampa Bay Rays about trading first baseman Joey Votto for pitcher James Shields.
Said one veteran National League scout, hearing the rumor, Trade Votto? Are the Reds nuts? Hes their best player. By far.
Rumors about Votto perplex and exasperate Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who said, I dont know where these things come from. Were not talking about trading Votto and were not interested in trading Votto.
In many aspects, that trade makes sense on both fronts. The pitch-rich Rays believe they can seriously make a run in 2012 and adding Votto would enhance those chances immensely.
The Reds are resigned to the fact that Votto will test free agency after his contract expires in 2013, when hell be making 17 million.
And the Reds could use a starter of Shields ability. He was 16-12 last year with a 2.88 ERA. He is affordable signed through 2014. Hell make 7 million in 2012, then 9 million, then 12 million.
With closer Francisco Cordero gone, the Reds have 12 million off the books and by trading Votto theyd move 9.5 million more.
And it would make room for Yonder Alonso to play first base.
On the other hand, it makes no sense for the Reds to deal Votto now a bargain for 2012 at 9.5 million in baseballs current inflated economy.
As the scout said, Votto is the teams best players, by far, and need him to make a run for 2012. Now if the Reds are not in contention at next years trade deadline, the team might be listening to offers before they have to pay him 17 million in 2013.
But there are other things the club might do and need to do.
With Cordero gone, the closer situation needs to be addressed and there are reports that the Reds are interested in Oakland closer Andrew Bailey. The Reds do have in-house options in Nick Masset (who endured a down season in 2010) or lefthander Bill Bray, who had a strong year as a set-up performer.
But Bailey, 27, is a proven closer. The 6-3, 240-pound right-hander has 75 saves in his three seasons since the As drafted him in the sixth round in 2006 out of Wagner College.
He has recorded 26, 25 and 24 saves in his three seasons with earned run averages of 1.84, 1.47 and 3.24. He made the American League All-Star team in 2009 and 2010, but didnt make it last year because he was injured most of the first half of last season.
To get Bailey, the Reds probably would have to deal an outfielder to Oakland, which is about to lose its entire starting outfield from last year due to free agency.
One name that surfaced was Alonso, who is a first baseman, not an outfielder, but is spending this winter learning the nuances of left field.
With Votto still with the Reds, the grand plan is for Alonso play left field next season unless he is traded.
Hearing the rumors, Alonso tweeted, Reds for Life, but he has no control over that. If the Reds want to trade him, he can change that tweet to As for Life, or whatever team.
With free agents on the market and trades to be made to fill holes, there is more than Christmas presents on the minds of baseball general managers.
The season hardly ended before a rumor surfaced on the internet that the Cincinnati Reds were talking to the Tampa Bay Rays about trading first baseman Joey Votto for pitcher James Shields.
Said one veteran National League scout, hearing the rumor, Trade Votto? Are the Reds nuts? Hes their best player. By far.
Rumors about Votto perplex and exasperate Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who said, I dont know where these things come from. Were not talking about trading Votto and were not interested in trading Votto.
In many aspects, that trade makes sense on both fronts. The pitch-rich Rays believe they can seriously make a run in 2012 and adding Votto would enhance those chances immensely.
The Reds are resigned to the fact that Votto will test free agency after his contract expires in 2013, when hell be making 17 million.
And the Reds could use a starter of Shields ability. He was 16-12 last year with a 2.88 ERA. He is affordable signed through 2014. Hell make 7 million in 2012, then 9 million, then 12 million.
With closer Francisco Cordero gone, the Reds have 12 million off the books and by trading Votto theyd move 9.5 million more.
And it would make room for Yonder Alonso to play first base.
On the other hand, it makes no sense for the Reds to deal Votto now a bargain for 2012 at 9.5 million in baseballs current inflated economy.
As the scout said, Votto is the teams best players, by far, and need him to make a run for 2012. Now if the Reds are not in contention at next years trade deadline, the team might be listening to offers before they have to pay him 17 million in 2013.
But there are other things the club might do and need to do.
With Cordero gone, the closer situation needs to be addressed and there are reports that the Reds are interested in Oakland closer Andrew Bailey. The Reds do have in-house options in Nick Masset (who endured a down season in 2010) or lefthander Bill Bray, who had a strong year as a set-up performer.
But Bailey, 27, is a proven closer. The 6-3, 240-pound right-hander has 75 saves in his three seasons since the As drafted him in the sixth round in 2006 out of Wagner College.
He has recorded 26, 25 and 24 saves in his three seasons with earned run averages of 1.84, 1.47 and 3.24. He made the American League All-Star team in 2009 and 2010, but didnt make it last year because he was injured most of the first half of last season.
To get Bailey, the Reds probably would have to deal an outfielder to Oakland, which is about to lose its entire starting outfield from last year due to free agency.
One name that surfaced was Alonso, who is a first baseman, not an outfielder, but is spending this winter learning the nuances of left field.
With Votto still with the Reds, the grand plan is for Alonso play left field next season unless he is traded.
Hearing the rumors, Alonso tweeted, Reds for Life, but he has no control over that. If the Reds want to trade him, he can change that tweet to As for Life, or whatever team.
Wake won't be watching on Thanksgiving
DAVIE, Fla. -- Cameron Wake will step on a football field Thanksgiving Day. It sure beats the view from a couch.
Wake recalls sitting at his family home in Beltsville, Md., on Thanksgiving three years ago watching Dallas wallop Seattle 34-9. The Seahawks didn't have a single sack of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who shredded them for 331 yards and three touchdowns.
Seems the Seahawks could have used a guy like Wake. But at that time they were one of 32 NFL teams that had bypassed him.
"I remember sitting on a couch watching the Dallas Cowboys play, watching guys I played with, played against or crossed paths with somewhere along the line and in my heart and mind knowing that I should be out there playing," Wake said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. "I know what it's like to sit on a couch (and) to be on the outside looking in."
It was that way for four straight Thanksgivings for Wake after he had gotten out of Penn State in the spring of 2005 and gone undrafted. The linebacker was cut by the New York Giants in 2005, worked as a mortgage broker in 2006 and then played in 2007 and 2008 for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.
The CFL season was over for the Lions by Thanksgiving during each of those years. So that enabled Wade to get back to Maryland to watch football and wonder why he wasn't in the NFL.
Wake finally got his chance when the Miami Dolphins signed him to a four-year, 4.9 million contract in January 2009. By 2010, all Wake did was finish third in the NFL with 14 sacks and make the Pro Bowl.
On Thursday, Wake and the Dolphins will play at Dallas. His mind no doubt will drift back to Thanksgivings of years past and he will feel quite thankful.
"I would assume that it means more (to Wade than) to a guy who's All-American, big payday, first round, and who always had it," Wake said. "I'm very thankful to the supporting cast I had in my family. They never doubted me. They never pushed me to give up on my dreams.
"(During Thanksgivings, Wade would) sit around the dinner table, the game's on, just like so many other people are going to be doing this holiday. And in my head I'd be watching and saying, Look at that linebacker there. I'm bigger than he is. I'm faster than he is.' And I'm sitting on the couch."
It remains a mystery why Wade fell through the cracks. It wasn't as if he had gone to a Division III school. He played at Linebacker U., finishing his Nittany Lions career with 191 total tackles, including 8 sacks and 24 tackles for losses. He had seven blocked kicks.
"If you find out, please let me know," the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Wade said of why he garnered such little interest. "There are so many guys, and you can look it up, that were drafted (in 2005) and they're sitting at home now. And I'm blessed to still be playing."
Well, let's look it up. Five linebackers taken in the first three rounds in 2005 no longer are in the NFL.
"I don't know if it's an indictment on personnel scouts or what the deal is that it took him that long to get to (the NFL)," said Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor, a six-time Pro Bowl selection. "You see the kind of player he is and the ability that he has. It's a shame it took that long but he's here with us. It's not always a pretty road but the destination is great.
Wade knows that quite well. He says he takes nothing now for granted.
Yes, he means nothing.
"I'm very thankful for every time I get to step on the field," he said. "Every time I get a cut and I'm bleeding. Every time my lungs burn. Every time I go through the struggles and triumphs that are part of football. And I appreciate every piece of it."
Wade hasn't had as much success this season as he did in 2010. But he's still leading the Dolphins with 5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
With the Dolphins having won three straight games after a 0-7 start, Wade has been doing his share of celebratory dancing. But Wade, who twice won the CFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the Lions, has earned that right.
"Really good story, just great story," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said of Wake's road to the NFL. "Obviously, fell through the cracks and had to fight, scratch, claw to get his way into this league.
"He's a very humble guy, he really is. He doesn't kind of forget how he got here and that's probably, besides how he plays, one of the biggest compliments that you can pay a guy like that. He doesn't forget. He understands completely how he got here and everyday he goes about doing his work. He does it with that kind of passion."
Taylor said "the great thing about Cam is he kept believing." He sure did.
Before he joined the Dolphins, Wade always always assumed one day he would play in the NFL. He just needed to find somebody who believed in him.
"Yes," Wade said of knowing he would make it. "Because I just feel that's the way I was built. If I get something in my mind, I don't let it go. I call it a pit-bull mentality. Whatever it is, I was determined that I was going to succeed. There was no obstacle that would break me down If you had told me three years ago (at Thanksgiving), I'd be playing in the NFL, you're damn right I'll be playing in the NFL. And I'm going to do everything I can to make myself the best linebacker period."
Wade last season wasn't all that far from that. He was named second team All-Pro by the Associated Press and finished just 1 sacks behind Dallas' DeMarcus Wade for the NFL lead. But there's no shame in that considering Wade was the first linebacker taken in the 2005 draft.
As for Romo, he might not have been sacked once when Wade was watching from his couch in 2008. But he would wise to keep a close eye on Wade now that he's on the field on Thanksgiving.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter @christomasson
Wake recalls sitting at his family home in Beltsville, Md., on Thanksgiving three years ago watching Dallas wallop Seattle 34-9. The Seahawks didn't have a single sack of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who shredded them for 331 yards and three touchdowns.
Seems the Seahawks could have used a guy like Wake. But at that time they were one of 32 NFL teams that had bypassed him.
"I remember sitting on a couch watching the Dallas Cowboys play, watching guys I played with, played against or crossed paths with somewhere along the line and in my heart and mind knowing that I should be out there playing," Wake said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. "I know what it's like to sit on a couch (and) to be on the outside looking in."
It was that way for four straight Thanksgivings for Wake after he had gotten out of Penn State in the spring of 2005 and gone undrafted. The linebacker was cut by the New York Giants in 2005, worked as a mortgage broker in 2006 and then played in 2007 and 2008 for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.
The CFL season was over for the Lions by Thanksgiving during each of those years. So that enabled Wade to get back to Maryland to watch football and wonder why he wasn't in the NFL.
Wake finally got his chance when the Miami Dolphins signed him to a four-year, 4.9 million contract in January 2009. By 2010, all Wake did was finish third in the NFL with 14 sacks and make the Pro Bowl.
On Thursday, Wake and the Dolphins will play at Dallas. His mind no doubt will drift back to Thanksgivings of years past and he will feel quite thankful.
"I would assume that it means more (to Wade than) to a guy who's All-American, big payday, first round, and who always had it," Wake said. "I'm very thankful to the supporting cast I had in my family. They never doubted me. They never pushed me to give up on my dreams.
"(During Thanksgivings, Wade would) sit around the dinner table, the game's on, just like so many other people are going to be doing this holiday. And in my head I'd be watching and saying, Look at that linebacker there. I'm bigger than he is. I'm faster than he is.' And I'm sitting on the couch."
It remains a mystery why Wade fell through the cracks. It wasn't as if he had gone to a Division III school. He played at Linebacker U., finishing his Nittany Lions career with 191 total tackles, including 8 sacks and 24 tackles for losses. He had seven blocked kicks.
"If you find out, please let me know," the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Wade said of why he garnered such little interest. "There are so many guys, and you can look it up, that were drafted (in 2005) and they're sitting at home now. And I'm blessed to still be playing."
Well, let's look it up. Five linebackers taken in the first three rounds in 2005 no longer are in the NFL.
"I don't know if it's an indictment on personnel scouts or what the deal is that it took him that long to get to (the NFL)," said Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor, a six-time Pro Bowl selection. "You see the kind of player he is and the ability that he has. It's a shame it took that long but he's here with us. It's not always a pretty road but the destination is great.
Wade knows that quite well. He says he takes nothing now for granted.
Yes, he means nothing.
"I'm very thankful for every time I get to step on the field," he said. "Every time I get a cut and I'm bleeding. Every time my lungs burn. Every time I go through the struggles and triumphs that are part of football. And I appreciate every piece of it."
Wade hasn't had as much success this season as he did in 2010. But he's still leading the Dolphins with 5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
With the Dolphins having won three straight games after a 0-7 start, Wade has been doing his share of celebratory dancing. But Wade, who twice won the CFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the Lions, has earned that right.
"Really good story, just great story," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said of Wake's road to the NFL. "Obviously, fell through the cracks and had to fight, scratch, claw to get his way into this league.
"He's a very humble guy, he really is. He doesn't kind of forget how he got here and that's probably, besides how he plays, one of the biggest compliments that you can pay a guy like that. He doesn't forget. He understands completely how he got here and everyday he goes about doing his work. He does it with that kind of passion."
Taylor said "the great thing about Cam is he kept believing." He sure did.
Before he joined the Dolphins, Wade always always assumed one day he would play in the NFL. He just needed to find somebody who believed in him.
"Yes," Wade said of knowing he would make it. "Because I just feel that's the way I was built. If I get something in my mind, I don't let it go. I call it a pit-bull mentality. Whatever it is, I was determined that I was going to succeed. There was no obstacle that would break me down If you had told me three years ago (at Thanksgiving), I'd be playing in the NFL, you're damn right I'll be playing in the NFL. And I'm going to do everything I can to make myself the best linebacker period."
Wade last season wasn't all that far from that. He was named second team All-Pro by the Associated Press and finished just 1 sacks behind Dallas' DeMarcus Wade for the NFL lead. But there's no shame in that considering Wade was the first linebacker taken in the 2005 draft.
As for Romo, he might not have been sacked once when Wade was watching from his couch in 2008. But he would wise to keep a close eye on Wade now that he's on the field on Thanksgiving.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter @christomasson
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/wake_wont_be_watching_on_thanksgiving/8275570
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Fish loses to Tsonga in straight sets
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga earned his first win at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday, beating Mardy Fish of the United States 7-6 (4), 6-1 in his second Group B match.
Fish seemed to be slowed by the left hamstring injury that has disrupted the end of his season, while Tsonga struggled to find consistency.
The sixth-seeded Frenchman was twice up a break in the first set before finally taking it in a tiebreaker. Tsonga was broken at love to start the second set but reeled off six straight games.
Defending champion Roger Federer was to face longtime rival Rafael Nadal later Tuesday at the O2 Arena.
Tsonga's win means that Federer will qualify for the semifinals if he comes out on top. Nadal will be guaranteed to advance only if he wins in straight sets.
Fish followed his opening three-set loss to Nadal with a second straight defeat.
The 29-year-old American hit his troublesome left leg with his racket several times during Tuesday's match, although the pain didn't stop him from attempting a through-the-legs shot in the tiebreaker. He also ran across the court to reach a short ball toward the end of the second set, vaulting the courtside bench.
Tsonga, beaten in three sets by Federer in his opening match, had a chance to serve out the first set at 5-4, but sent an ambitious drive volley into the crowd from the frame of his racket en route to being broken for the second time.
That was one of 21 unforced errors for Tsonga. But his 33 winners, including a glorious backhand pass to take a decisive 3-1 lead in the second set, were enough to beat a fading Fish.
Fish seemed to be slowed by the left hamstring injury that has disrupted the end of his season, while Tsonga struggled to find consistency.
The sixth-seeded Frenchman was twice up a break in the first set before finally taking it in a tiebreaker. Tsonga was broken at love to start the second set but reeled off six straight games.
Defending champion Roger Federer was to face longtime rival Rafael Nadal later Tuesday at the O2 Arena.
Tsonga's win means that Federer will qualify for the semifinals if he comes out on top. Nadal will be guaranteed to advance only if he wins in straight sets.
Fish followed his opening three-set loss to Nadal with a second straight defeat.
The 29-year-old American hit his troublesome left leg with his racket several times during Tuesday's match, although the pain didn't stop him from attempting a through-the-legs shot in the tiebreaker. He also ran across the court to reach a short ball toward the end of the second set, vaulting the courtside bench.
Tsonga, beaten in three sets by Federer in his opening match, had a chance to serve out the first set at 5-4, but sent an ambitious drive volley into the crowd from the frame of his racket en route to being broken for the second time.
That was one of 21 unforced errors for Tsonga. But his 33 winners, including a glorious backhand pass to take a decisive 3-1 lead in the second set, were enough to beat a fading Fish.
Iowa vs. Nebraska: Latest Spread Info, BCS Impact and Predictions
No. 21 Nebraska is hanging on to the BCS rankings for dear life after losing two out of their last three games.
After losing to Northwestern, barely beating a Penn State team that was in the midst of the biggest scandal in college football history and being blown away 45-17 by Michigan, the Cornhuskers are in a dire situation.
Iowa managed to take down Michigan, and though they've been up and down recently as well, they finally won on the road last week against Purdue and have a solid shot in this Big Ten showdown.
Let's take a closer look to see how this game will shake out.
Where: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE)
When: Friday, November 25th at 12 p.m. EST
Watch: ABC
Spread
Nebraska -9.5, according to SportsBook
Take the Points
Nebraska has looked pathetic since they took down Michigan State, and Iowa is catching them at the perfect time.
Over/Under
53.5, according to SportsBook
Go with the Under
The over is tempting, given that both teams score over 30 PPG, but Nebraska's offense has failed to put forth more than 17 in either of their last two games, and Iowa has only allowed more than 30 points three times this season.
Key Injuries (According to USA Today)
Iowa
Nolan MacMillan, OL, (Hernia) Questionable
Dominic Alvis, DL, (Knee) Out for Season
Shane DiBona, LB, (Achilles) Out for Season
Nebraska
Courtney Osborne, S, (Undisclosed) Questionable
Thaddeus Randle, DT, (Knee) Questionable
Andrew Rodriguez, OL, (Foot) Doubtful
Ben Cotton, TE, (Shoulder) Doubtful
Jared Crick, DT, (Pectoral) Out for Season
Jake Cotton, OL, (Knee) Out for Season
BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications
Losing this game would be the final straw for Nebraska. They have managed to stay ranked despite their late-season skid.
It's too late for Iowa to get in the game, but they can certainly play spoiler to their new conference rival.
Keys to Iowa Win
Attack Taylor Martinez
Martinez hasn't rushed for more than 56 yards in any of his last three games, and his ridiculous 39.1 percent completion rate vs. Michigan made victory impossible for the Huskers.
Keep Martinez in check, and Nebraska's offense will have a tough time moving the ball.
Feed Marcus Coker
Coker is a big 230-pound back who has the ability to take over a game. He's racked up more than 100 yards seven times this season, and the Hawkeyes will need him at his best to take down the Huskers.
Keys to Nebraska Win
Stop the Run
With the offense struggling like it is, Nebraska can't afford to give up a lot of points.
Iowa has one of the most underrated rush attacks in the nation, and the Huskers have to load up the box to slow them down.
Get Rex Burkhead Back on Track
Burkhead has been up and down the past few games and has less than 69 yards in two of his last three games.
Not so coincidentally, the Huskers won the game in between, where he produced 121 yards on the ground.
Prediction
Iowa 24, Nebraska 21
Monday, November 21, 2011
Adu, Convey, Ching available for Impact
Philadelphia forward Freddy Adu, San Jose All-Star defender Bobby Convey and Houston forward Brian Ching are among the players left unprotected in Major League Soccer's expansion draft for the Montreal Impact on Wednesday.
Toronto midfielder Julian de Guzman, Houston forward Carlo Costly and New York midfielder John Rooney - the brother of Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney - also were unprotected Monday, as were Washington midfielder Branko Boskovic and Vancouver forward Mustapha Jarju.
Also available are Philadelphia winger Justin Mapp, Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams, Houston forward Carlo Costly and Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Each of the 18 existing teams may protect 11 players. Homegrown young players don't count against the limit, and high-priced designated players must be protected if they have no-trade provisions. Montreal will select 10.
Toronto midfielder Julian de Guzman, Houston forward Carlo Costly and New York midfielder John Rooney - the brother of Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney - also were unprotected Monday, as were Washington midfielder Branko Boskovic and Vancouver forward Mustapha Jarju.
Also available are Philadelphia winger Justin Mapp, Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams, Houston forward Carlo Costly and Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
Each of the 18 existing teams may protect 11 players. Homegrown young players don't count against the limit, and high-priced designated players must be protected if they have no-trade provisions. Montreal will select 10.
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/adu_convey_ching_available_for_impact/8248909
Tim Tebow Craze: Bears Want In
The Chicago Bears suffered a huge loss this last Sunday as Jay Cutler fractured his right thumb.
The Bears have chosen to name Caleb Hanie the teams' starting quarterback and have put aside the idea of adding a veteran quarterback like Marc Bulger who is familiar with the Mike Martz offense.
Haine has limited experience during the controversial NFC Championship game where Cutler left due to a knee injury.
Brian Urlacher thinks Hanie is a good runner and wants in on the Tebow magic.
According to Pro Football Talk, ?He?s going to be able to move around in the pocket a little bit, maybe a little Tebow offense,? Urlacher told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.[...]
The Bears have chosen to name Caleb Hanie the teams' starting quarterback and have put aside the idea of adding a veteran quarterback like Marc Bulger who is familiar with the Mike Martz offense.
Haine has limited experience during the controversial NFC Championship game where Cutler left due to a knee injury.
Brian Urlacher thinks Hanie is a good runner and wants in on the Tebow magic.
According to Pro Football Talk, ?He?s going to be able to move around in the pocket a little bit, maybe a little Tebow offense,? Urlacher told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.[...]
Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tim_tebow_craze_bears_want_in/8240362
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