The Ranger's Nasty Bullpen

When the Rangers signed Eric Gagne a few weeks ago the team, the team has gained the image as "the" best bullpen in the league. If Eric Gagne can pitch even the slightest bit like he did when he was the most dominate reliever in the game in 2004, the Rangers certainly have one nasty relieving core. This is how it looks:

1. Eric Gagne
2. Akinori Otsuka
3. Frank Francisco
4. Wes Littleton
5. Kameron Loe
6. C.J. Wilson
7. Joaquin Benoit

The Rangers will most likely go with a seven man rotation this year because they now have a more reliable starting rotation. There will be plenty of competition during spring training to crack this elite bullpen as Ron Mahay, Josh Rupe, Rick Bauer, John Koranka, Jon Rienicker, and Edison Volquez will all be auditioning for a spot. If everybody is healthy, the Rangers should go into the season with the notion that their bullpen will be a big asset to help this team win in close games. Teams that have exceptional bullpens usually are teams that play into October.

There were rumors circling that the Rangers were looking to trade Otsuka in order to fill out there "used to be" depleted rotation. With the addition of Brando McCarthy it looks like the Rangers no longer need to shop Otsuka. Having a one-two punch of Canadian/Japanese flair in the 8th and 9th innings will be something fun to watch this season.

The bullpen was a big problem last year as the team had trouble playing in close games. Many leads were blow and thus many games were lost. This rotation is scary on paper, and overall the Rangers have vastly improved their pitching. Every year we see how good pitching dominated good hitting. It’s a very fact and this year the Rangers have a chance of winning with pitching.

- Big-D Sports

Josh Howard: A Rising Star

Howard, last week's Western Conference player of the week, went 10-for-19 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds in Dallas’ 97-84 win over Charlotte. Dallas is 9-1 this season when Howard scores 20 or more points.

After signing the young star to a long-term contract this off-season, Josh Howard has elevated his game to All-Star status. Josh Howard is becoming a huge threat and is a dynamic sidekick for Dirk. He has improved his outside game and his three point shooting. This gives him a duel threat of driving to the basket, or pulling up for the quick jump-shot. This very element has improved Josh Howard’s status as one the games best young players.

Here is a look at Josh’s stats: 05-06 vs. 06-07

Ppg 15.2 vs. 18.2
FT% 73.5 vs. 85.4
3ptm .5 vs. 1.8
Blk .4 vs. 1.3

Howard, averaging 20.8 points over the last 14 games, would like to be in Las Vegas for the All-Star game on Feb. 18. If he isn't chosen, he'll be happy for a few days off.

"That's a kid's dream always," Howard said. "If the fans and coaches want me, I'll want to play. But I'm not going to cry if I don't make it because there are a lot of good guys out there."

Howard contributed a four-point play and a three-point play during the late third-quarter outbreak. On the three-point play, Howard dunked after rebounding his own miss, bringing the AAC to its feet.

The Mavericks have the chance of sending three to this year's All-Star game. Dirk is already a guarantee, but Eric Dampier and Howard could be joining the dunking Duetchman. With the injury to Yao Ming, Eric Dampier may very well be going to the All-Star game in “sin city.”

Who would have ever though that “Erica Dampier” would make it the All-Star game in a Mavericks uniform? I know that that would be a real stunner if it happens, but he deserves it because he is playing with heart this season and I applaud him for it!

Bah, Humbug!

Four weeks ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were 5-6 and facing the troublesome possibility of playing out the string without starting quarterback Donovan McNabb, lost to a season-ending knee injury.
One month later, the Eagles were a team exuding holiday cheer and a new lease on postseason life. The 23-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys put the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs and on the verge of a fifth division title in six years.

The division was in our hand and the Dallas Cowboys flat out lost it. All of those division championship tee-shirts and hats hot of the press may never be sold, and I’m still not sold on this team.

What a terrible game all around. I’m not sure where to start but this game could be a GOOD thing for the Cowboys. For some reason the Dallas Cowboys need to wake up and stop listening to the media. Clearly this is not a super-bowl caliber team. This team has the potential, but the defense is truly lacking.

The Cowboys' defense appeared wholly unprepared to restrain the Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia, who passed for 238 yards, scrambled for 43 more and is 4-1 since taking over for injured McNabb.

Terrell Owens is still 0-for-2 against the Philadelphia Eagles. That's the least of his problems.

Owens managed one touchdown against his former teammates Monday, but otherwise was not much of a factor. He caught only two passes for 23 yards and hurt his team with two costly drops, resulting in widespread boos from the home crowd.

His frustration was evident after a 23-7 loss, when he scored the only Dallas touchdown, then complained several times that not enough passes are coming his way.

"I just feel like I'm not involved early in the game," Owens said. "Everybody knows that's what I do. Every team that I've played on, I've been involved early and often. It's hard to get in the flow when you're getting a ball here, a ball there."
Owens isn't the only frustrated Cowboys receiver. Terry Glenn and Owens totaled just three catches for 40 yards Monday night.

"I don't think we're trying to win; no, not on offense," Glenn was quoted Tuesday in the Dallas Morning News. "You have to execute and get everybody involved. I try not to let it get to me. Man, I've been fighting it all year. I'm trying to be a team player, but there's no reason for it. No reason for it. "I'm not alone. The whole offense is frustrated," Glenn said. "They are looking around saying, 'Why can't we do anything when we have all these weapons?' "

This team needs to gear it up again and prepare for the playoffs. A win next week could really help the Cowboys before the playoffs. Mental toughness will be the key for the Cowboys who are lacking it at the moment. If the defense can’t step it up, I don’t see this team going past the second round of the playoffs.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

Get your popcorn ready and your slay bells ringing because this is a HUGE game for the Cowboys. If the Dallas Cowboys win then the Cowboys are the crowned the NFC East Division champions. If we lose the Eagles have a chance of claiming the NFC East Division for themselves. So the Cowboys just need to win this one!

Who isn't ready for a little Christmas day football between the Cowboys and the Eagles? When I saw this game when the schedule was released months ago this looked like the makings of an classic game. Bad blood between T.O. and Donavan McNabb, who could ask for a bigger storyline on Christmas game? Ok, Donavan will be on the sidelines but guess who will be under center for the Eagles? Yep, Jeff Garcia. I'm sure we all remember the clashes he and T.O. had in San Francisco. Well it looks like the hatred will continue on this peaceful and grateful day.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, has been one of the league's biggest second-half surprises, resuscitating a season that looked all but lost when quarterback Donavon McNabb was ruled out for the year due to a torn ACL suffered against the Titans on Nov. 19th. The Eagles have managed to go 3-1 in McNabb's stead, scoring their most impressive victory during that stretch by going to the Meadowlands and stunning the Giants, 36-22, last week.

Andy Reid's team defeated Dallas by a 38-24 count on Oct. 8th, and a second win over the Cowboys would give the Eagles the tie-breaker advantage should the two squads finish knotted in the standings. Philly will clinch at least a Wild Card berth with a win on Monday, while Dallas has already secured its first postseason trip since 2003.

Garcia should be able to make some hay downfield against a Dallas secondary that has been the weak link in the Cowboys' defensive chain of late. One week after allowing the Saints' Drew Brees to gut them for 384 yards and five touchdown passes, Michael Vick and at Atlanta passing attack ranked dead last in the league managed to throw four more touchdown passes against America's Team last week. Let’s hope they step it up or it could be a long Christmas day, which is never bad but lets hope the secondary steps it up.

Philadelphia is most deserving of its reputation of being soft against the run, though the league's 28th-ranked rushing defense (138.6 yards per game) did a nice job against the Giants' tandem of Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs last Sunday. The duo totaled 88 yards on 22 combined carries with a pair of touchdowns, with neither breaking off a run of longer than 14 yards. MB3 (marion barber III for all ya’ll) will need to have another great game in order to help the cowboys offense moving.

I feel pretty comfortable about this game but the Eagles are a definite threat. Tony Romo is going to have a big day and lets all sing joy to the world when the Cowboys take the NFC East!

- Big-D Sports

More Starting Pitching as Rangers add McCarthy

Today Texas acquired right-hander Brandon McCarthy from the Chicago White Sox in a five-player deal Saturday in which the Rangers gave up their 2003 first-round pick John Danks.

John Danks, the ninth overall pick three years ago, and fellow right-handers Nick Masset and Jacob Rasner were sent to Chicago for McCarthy and outfielder David Paisano.

The 23-year-old Brandon McCarthy already has 65 major league appearances (only 12 starts), and is 7-9 with a 4.39 ERA. He has 117 career strikeouts while walking only 50 batters in 151 2/3 innings. McCarthy has some electiric stuff and will be a fine addition to the starting rotation.

McCarthy worked primarily out of the bullpen for the first time last season, and was 10th in the AL with 75 1/3 innings worked in relief. The Rangers plan to use him as a starter this season.

Danks split last season between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma, where he combined to go 9-9 with a 4.24 ERA in 27 games (26 starts). He has a career minor league record of 21-30 with a 4.20 ERA in 92 games (82 starts). Dank is one of the great minor leaguers in the Rangers orginization but never really got a chance in the big leagues. For some reason the Rangers wanted to groom Danks for a long time before his arrival in the majors.

This is a great deal for the Rangers. After watching Danks at many Frisco Roughriders game, he only looked like a solid 3 or 4 starter in the rotation. It would have taken Danks probably two more years until he was inserted in the the Ranger's rotation, and in return the Rangers recieved a already proven young starter. I like what GM Jon Daniels is doing as he building the Rangers for the future, not just for this season.

- Big-D Sports