* 10 Years - So Long, Goodbye'

* Scorpions - 'Media Overkill'

* Scorpions - 'When Passion Rules The Game'

* Scorpions - 'When Passion Rules The Game'

Game Notes: Hunter TD A Record Setter

Defensive end Jason Hunter's 54-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was one he will surely remember since it was the first score of his career, but it also put the 2008 Packers in the franchise record books.

It was the ninth touchdown on a return by the Packers this season, the most ever in team history. The score was also the seventh touchdown by the Green Bay defense on the year, which also set a team record.

Hunter's scoring opportunity came when quarterback Kyle Orton fumbled the shotgun snap from center Olin Kreutz. The ball was accidentally kicked by defensive end Aaron Kampman, and Hunter scooped the ball up and took it the distance.

"It's like a dream come true to score an NFL touchdown," Hunter said. "We've just got some great playmakers. We've got guys that are ballhawks.

"We talk about that all of the time in meetings. They put it on the defense that every chance you get let's get an interception or a strip, and that's what we always practice and the coaches always preach."

Cornerback Will Blackmon's 65-punt return for a touchdown last Sunday was his second punt return for a score on the season, and the Packers' other returns for scores have come on interception returns from safety Nick Collins (three touchdowns), cornerback Charles Woodson (two) and Aaron Rouse (one).

"The way we structure practice and the emphasis we put on taking the ball away and protecting it, everybody here that goes to our practices, that's a part of our daily function," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's showing up on Sundays and that's what you want. The way you train as a football team has to show up on Sundays and I think our defense has done a great job of that so far this year."

Bouncing back
After just missing wide right on a 52-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds that would have won the game last Sunday against the Vikings, kicker Mason Crosby posted perhaps his finest performance of the season against the Bears.

Crosby matched his career-long field goal when he connected on a 53-yarder just before halftime to give the Packers a 17-3 lead at the break. His other 53-yarder came in his NFL debut vs. Philadelphia on Sept. 9, 2007.

Kicking in the coldest temperatures thus far this season, Crosby also had several deep kicks on kickoffs as the Packers limited Pro Bowl returner Devin Hester to just a 22.8-yard average on five returns.

"Our coverage teams were outstanding," McCarthy said. "We've been confident in that area and we've played well in that area. (Special teams coordinator) Mike Stock and (assistant special teams coach) Shawn Slocum were confident this week through the film study that we were going to kick to him.

"We've tried the other things in the past and you give up a lot in the field position part of it and that was not our approach today."

A different view
Not being on the field is something linebacker Nick Barnett has grown unaccustomed to during his six-year career as Sunday was only the third game of his career that he was inactive.

Barnett, who was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL last Sunday in the third quarter at Minnesota, watched Sunday's game from a private box.

"Seeing these guys go out there and win today, it just got me really excited to rehab and pre-hab and come back strong and to be able to get back in there, "Barnett said. "I'm not going to lie to you, for me to sit out and watch a game it's somewhat depressing. At the same time you are excited for the guys that are playing and you're rooting for them."

A.J. Hawk moved over to Barnett's spot in the middle with Brandon Chillar taking Hawk's spot on the weak side. The tandem tied for the team lead with seven tackles each according to press box statistics.

"We've been saying all year long that we've got great depth at linebacker," Barnett said. "It's just we all weren't on the same page as far as the whole defense. From watching this game and getting a bird's eye view, it looked like everyone was on the same page."

Injury/participation update
Tackle Chad Clifton left the game after sustaining a finger injury on the first play from scrimmage, but returned the next series.

Wide receiver Donald Driver banged his knee in the third quarter but returned the next series.

Wide receiver James Jones banged his knee on his 18-yard reception in the second quarter, but returned in the second half.

Running back Ryan Grant got the wind knocked out of him on a second-quarter run, but returned to the field the next series.

Green Bay's gameday inactives were Brian Brohm (third quarterback), cornerback Pat Lee, running back DeShawn Wynn, Barnett, tackle Breno Giacomini, guard Allen Barbre, wide receiver Ruvell Martin and defensive end Jeremy Thompson.

Ground game rules the day

The Packers weren't supposed to be able to run the ball against the Bears, and Chicago's vulnerability was supposed to be its pass defense.

But when Ryan Grant burst through the left side for a 35-yard run on his second carry of the game, it was a sign this game wasn't following the script.

The Bears came into Lambeau Field with the league's fourth-ranked run defense, but the Packers ran, ran and ran some more, piling up a season-high 200 yards rushing, including a season-best 145 from Grant to key a 37-3 blowout on Sunday.

"It wasn't about them. It was about us executing, playing a physical, downhill style of ball," said Grant, who averaged 5.8 yards on his 25 carries. "Playing fast and finishing what we do. They have a very good front seven, but we wanted to make them adjust to what we do."

The Packers had established more consistency on the ground the past two weeks, with Grant picking up 4.5 yards per carry against formidable run defenses in Tennessee and Minnesota. But the effort against the Bears was nothing short of stunning, particularly with the big chunks of yardage the Packers churned out.

Grant's early 35-yard run was his longest since a 57-yarder in Week 1 against the Vikings. And his 18-yard run late in the second quarter to set up his own 4-yard plunge for a TD, along with his 22-yarder in the second half to set up a TD pass to Donald Lee, were both longer than any of his rushes since Week 1.

"We have a lot of confidence in our run game," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "We feel like we've been close to getting things going, and Ryan's been running the ball really well lately. We knew it was going to be tough sledding, but the guys on offense, they dominated the line of scrimmage today."

The Bears were coming off a game in which they held Tennessee to just 20 rushing yards, the same team that rushed for 178 against the Packers a week earlier.

But the Packers showed how prominent the run was in their game plan on their second offensive possession. After an incomplete pass on first down, Grant ran for 7 and 3 yards on the next two snaps, taking a big hit from Chicago safety Mike Brown on the latter play that knocked the wind out of him.

But the ground game didn't let up with Brandon Jackson stepping in, as Jackson carried the ball on the next five snaps for 30 more yards. By that time, the Packers already had surpassed the Bears' season average of 74.9 yards per game allowed on the ground.

Though that drive ultimately ended with an interception, the Packers had established they could run the ball on the Bears, and kept doing it. Jackson finished with 50 yards on 10 carries, and even fullback John Kuhn and Rodgers got into the act. Kuhn picked up two first downs on third-and-1 dives, while Rodgers converted a fourth-and-1 with a sneak.

"We've shown how good we can be when we go out there and execute," center Scott Wells said. "There it is.

"He ran hard today and got a lot of extra yards on his own. He was able to get through the first level and make guys miss on the second and third level."

Grant's 105 yards in the first half on 13 carries marked the first time a Green Bay back went over 100 yards in a half in the Mike McCarthy era. The last time that was accomplished was in 2005 by rookie Samkon Gado, who had 103 yards in the first half of a late-season game against Detroit.

"It felt great," Wells said of the early success. "I remember looking up at one time and he was averaging 11 yards a carry. He had five carries for 55 yards. Anytime you're able to do that and be that successful, especially in the first quarter, first half, it opens up a lot of opportunities in the passing game, which is what we were able to do. In the end, we were a little more balanced."

Indeed, the Bears clamped down a bit against the run in the second half, but the damage had been done and Rodgers took care of the offense from there. He completed 13-of-16 passes for 127 yards and a TD in the second half, a rating of 120.6 that pushed his full-game rating above 100 for the sixth time this season.

Much of the credit goes to the offensive line, which not only opened the holes on the ground but kept Rodgers clean (no sacks, no QB hits) after by far the unit's roughest day last week in Minnesota.

"With all the questions about the sacks and different things, I think they responded big-time," Grant said. "They did a great job on Chicago's front seven, who has been good all season. They should be proud of how we played and we need to keep that approach the rest of the season."

The dominant ground game also produced a lopsided advantage in time of possession for Green Bay. The Packers held the ball for 37 minutes, 28 seconds, to just 22:32 for the Bears, four seconds short of a full-quarter disparity.

"We were able to control the ball, run the ball, and when you're running the ball the way we were able to today, it definitely takes a lot of stress off of your defense," receiver Greg Jennings said. "Your defense can pin their ears and do whatever they need to do. We kept those guys off the field, they performed at a high level, and we were able to perform at a high level too."

* Y&T - 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'

* Y&T - 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'

Game Review: All-Around Effort Keys Big Win

Facing a near must-win situation as they looked to maintain hope of defending their NFC North crown, the Green Bay Packers produced their most dominant performance of the season with a 37-3 victory over the division rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

The Packers improved to 5-5 on the season with the win, and with the Minnesota's loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday, moved into a three-way tie atop the NFC North with six games remaining. The victory also improved Green Bay's record in the division to 3-1.

The 34-point win over the Bears was the largest margin of victory in the series since Green Bay topped Chicago 40-3 on Dec. 11, 1994, at Lambeau Field, and the Packers' first win against Chicago at home since 2003.

Sunday's win featured a punishing rushing game that controlled the time of possession, a balanced passing attack and strong play from the defense.

"We've really played some very good football throughout the season and today we were able to put it all together for four quarters," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's a credit to the staff and to the players. They stayed the course.

"I thought we had an excellent week of practice and we've really been practicing extremely well the last couple weeks, and it carries over to Sundays. We believe in that and that's how we operate. We played at a high level and I was proud of the guys."
The Bears entered Sunday's contest with the No. 4-ranked rushing defense in the league and were coming off their finest performance off the season as they limited the Tennessee Titans to just 20 yards on the ground on 29 carries last Sunday.

The Packers topped that total on the second play of the game on their way to 200 yards on 38 carries against the Bears on Sunday, a season-high 145 coming from running back Ryan Grant. It was the first team's first 200-plus yard game on the ground since the '07 season finale vs. Detroit, and the Packers' rushing success enabled them to win the time of possession by almost a full quarter as they held the ball for 37:28 compared to Chicago's 22:32.

"This is November football and this is how you have to do it," McCarthy said. "There's no doubt about it. I thought we played very well up front on both sides of the ball. I thought the run-blocking unit, in particular the offensive line, time and time again, we were able to get the movement up front and get the back to the second level. That was big."

Green Bay was able to establish its running game immediately with a 35-yard gain from Grant on the second play from scrimmage, his longest run since a 57-yarder in the season opener vs. Minnesota. Even though the Packers didn't score on their first possession, the 48 yards from Grant on the series set the tone for the afternoon.

The Packers got on the board first with an eight-play, 73-yard drive that was capped off with a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to wide receiver Greg Jennings. Rodgers completed three passes for 39 yards to Donald Driver as well as a 19-yarder to rookie wideout Jordy Nelson.

After Bears kicker Robbie Gould's 35-yard field goal narrowed the lead to 7-3, the Packers extended their lead with a drive that once again featured a heavy dose of Grant as he gained 36 on six carries, including an 18-yard run down to the Chicago 4. He scored on the next play to put the Packers up 14-3.

"When we are running the ball like that, it's fun to watch," Rodgers said. "The line dominated the line of scrimmage. Our tempo was good in and out of the huddle. I felt like we started to wear on them a little bit.

"I saw we had like 18 minutes of possession in the first half. It not only gives you confidence as an offense, but it gives our defense time to rest on the sideline."

Green Bay increased their lead with another long drive in the third quarter, with most of the production this series coming from their passing game. Rodgers hit four different receivers, including Jennings and Driver for 29- and 21-yard gains respectively, and finished off the drive with a play-action pass to tight end Donald Lee for a 5-yard score to put Green Bay up 21-3.

Rodgers, coming off perhaps his worst performance of the season last week at Minnesota, completed 23-of-30 passes for 227 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for a 105.8 rating. He was not sacked all afternoon and the press box stats did not credit the Bears with even a quarterback hurry.

After converting a season-worst 1-of-11 on third down last Sunday in Minnesota, Green Bay's offense bounced back to pick up third downs at a 50 percent clip (7-of-14) against the Bears.

"The importance of third down is really first and second down, and we had third-and-manageable today," Rodgers said. "I don't think we had a third and over 11 yards, and that's due to the fact that we ran the ball very effectively.

"You're going to convert a lot more of those third downs and keep drives going and finish them off if you have third-and-manageable, and that's what we did today."

Equally impressive on Sunday was the play of the Packers defense as it limited Chicago to just nine first downs, a season-best for the Packers, and 234 total yards, the second-lowest total allowed this season. The Bears converted only 3-of-12 (25 percent) third downs and moved inside Green Bay's 20-yard line just once on Sunday.

Quarterback Kyle Orton was limited to just 133 yards passing, and outside of a 36-yard pass to wide receiver Rashied Davis in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand, the defense did not give up any explosive plays of 20-plus yards.

The Packers were playing without starting middle linebacker Nick Barnett, lost for the season with a knee injury last Sunday at Minnesota. A.J. Hawk started the first game of his career at middle linebacker with Brandon Chillar opening up on the weak side.

"I thought our defensive staff did an excellent job with the plan," McCarthy said. "A.J. Hawk managed it very well for the first week at middle linebacker. The communication and the sideline operation was very smooth, so I was very, very pleased with the way the defense played."

After falling short in disappointing losses on the road against Tennessee and Minnesota the last two weeks in the closing seconds, Sunday's effort by the Packers came at the right time for a team looking to build confidence for a stretch run.

"We were disappointed because we felt like we definitely could have won the last two games," Rodgers said. "We didn't execute, a play here and a play there, and that's tough to deal with. It makes for a long week when you've got to watch that film and listen to the things that are said.

"We realized how important this game was. We didn't want to fall two games behind Chicago. We know it's going to be a tight race down the stretch and we knew we needed this game."

Oh

More Booker T

LOL - I forgot about that...

138 yds at halftime - I think they're goin' well over 200 easily!

25 stuffin' it down the Bears' throats!!

LOL

A phone filled Friday for the Giants

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants made a quick call to the bullpen Friday, focusing on relief pitchers as open bidding for free agents began.

Asked if the Giants made any formal offers, general manager Brian Sabean said, "We're active. We're talking to people who are definitely interested in us."

Left-hander Joe Beimel is among the relievers commanding San Francisco's attention. A source familiar with the negotiations called the Giants' pursuit of Beimel "sincere." Also, Bob Howry "may" draw interest from the Giants, as the right-hander's agent, Craig Landis, said in an e-mail.

Right-hander Juan Cruz and left-hander Jeremy Affeldt also are likely to be on the Giants' list. San Francisco needs bullpen reinforcements after a season in which its relievers tied for 14th in the National League with a 4.45 ERA and allowed the third-most home runs (62) despite pitching the fourth-fewest innings (487 1/3).

Additionally, the Giants sought to address their infield needs, as the agents for shortstop Rafael Furcal and third baseman Casey Blake confirmed being contacted by San Francisco.

"There is strong mutual interest," said Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, who noted that eight to 10 teams are eyeing his client. "They've been one of the more aggressive teams and have let me know they really like him."

"He's one of a number of scenarios they're processing right now," said Blake's agent, Jim McDowell. "They're like some other teams. They have some trade expectations."

Sabean acknowledged that the Giants are continuing trade talks but are concentrating more on free agents at this juncture "because that's what you can control."

Although Sabean declined to name any of the free agents the Giants are considering, it's apparent that left-hander CC Sabathia remains on the Giants' list of possible acquisitions, despite his staggering price tag. The New York Yankees reportedly offered Sabathia a six-year contract worth close to $140 million. Yet plenty of buzz persists throughout the industry that San Francisco ultimately will accelerate its efforts to land Sabathia, who would turn the Giants' respectable starting rotation into a formidable one.

Indications were that the Giants weren't in the running for the other two premier free agents, first baseman Mark Teixeira and left fielder Manny Ramirez. Scott Boras, who represents both sluggers, made minimal remarks about the Giants' involvement. "I can only say that I've communicated with the baseball people of the Giants, as we always do," Boras said.

Even free agents other than Sabathia, Teixeira and Ramirez won't be discounted. Beimel, who had a $1.925 million base salary with the Dodgers last season, and Cruz, who earned $1.9375 with the D-backs, can expect to significantly increase their annual wage.

Nor will position players come cheaply. Furcal, 27, is coming off a three-year, $39 million deal with the Dodgers, although the injuries he has endured the last two years could temper his demands. McDowell expects that Blake, who earned $6.1 million last season, during which he was traded to the Dodgers, will get the three-year contract he seeks despite being 35.

Signing Furcal likely would prompt the Giants to move Emmanuel Burriss to second base and try Kevin Frandsen at third. Acquiring Blake would make Pablo Sandoval the favorite to claim first base, with Travis Ishikawa and John Bowker providing competition. Yet the Giants would have some flexibility, given Blake's experience at first base and in the outfield.

Representatives for other free agents who could fill the Giants' needs -- including infielder Edgar Renteria and relievers Brandon Lyon and Kyle Farnsworth -- said they hadn't been contacted by San Francisco as of Friday afternoon. The Giants have plenty of time to add such players to their shopping list. Last offseason, for example, the Los Angeles Angels signed center fielder Torii Hunter with a late offer that trumped all others.

"I think other teams have gone to school on that and there will be a certain amount of that," one agent said. "What really means something is when offers start showing up."

Angels owner prepared to lose K-Rod

The Angels seem to have closed the door on re-signing All-Star free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez and opened it for Manny Ramirez, owner Arte Moreno said in a report Wednesday.

"We're turning the page on this one," the Los Angeles Times quoted Moreno as saying about K-Rod in an interview with local radio station AM-830 before the Angels Baseball Foundation Golf Classic in Newport Beach, Calif.

"Believe it or not, we really spent a lot of time and effort trying to re-sign Frankie. There were six different offers on the table at different times, and this time last year, we thought we had him signed. Then [Mariano] Rivera got his deal.

"I'm not one of these never-never people, but I think as a whole, it's time to turn the page and move forward and get to things we need to do."

The Angels are also in the process of trying to re-sign free agent Mark Teixeira and if that doesn't happen they may turn their sights to Ramirez, the Dodgers free-agent, Moreno said.

"He single-handedly took L.A. to the promised land," Moreno told the radio station about the former Red Sox left fielder whose Dodgers lost to the Phillies in a five-game National League Championship Series. "He did a heck of a job, he hit great, he was a fan favorite, he did a great job with their young players. At the end of the day, you want people who can hit, and he may be one of the top right-handed hitters ever."

Rodriguez set a single-season Major League record with 62 saves last season. He also added a 2-3 record and a 2.24 ERA.

The Angels, though, lost a first-round playoff series to the Red Sox for the second consecutive postseason, and by then K-Rod seemed to be out of gas.

After the 2007 season, the Angels tendered Rodriguez a three-year, $34 million offer, but it was rejected after the Yankees signed Rivera to a three-year, $45 million deal.

The Angels join the Cardinals, Mets, Rays and Indians in searching for closers. Trevor Hoffman of the Padres, Brian Fuentes of the Rockies and Brandon Lyon of the D-backs are among the closers on the free-agent market, which opens in earnest on Friday.

Moreno said the Angels would offer Rodriguez arbitration on Dec. 1 to reserve the possibility of compensatory first-round and sandwich picks in next year's First-Year Player Draft. He also said the Angels would undoubtedly go into the market for another closer via trade or free agency.

Teixeira batted .358 with a .449 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 43 RBIs for the Angels after a July 29 trade from Atlanta. If he signs elsewhere, Manny, who hit .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 53 games after a July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline deal with the Red Sox, could fit in nicely.

"That's a question for Mike and Tony," Moreno said, referring to Angels manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Tony Reagins. "For us, Manny hits. He's a clutch guy.

"He did a great job with Boston, and he did a great job with the Dodgers. Some people just hit, whether they're 30, 32 or 37. And I think he's better fitted for the American League because we have the designated hitter."

Ortiz: Manny deal had to be made

BOSTON -- When the Red Sox pulled the trigger on the blockbuster three-team swap that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers and brought Jason Bay to Boston, nobody was more conflicted than David Ortiz.
Not only had Ortiz and Ramirez tattooed opponents in unison for five and a half seasons, but they were also close friends.

In a candid interview with Boston radio station WEEI-850 AM on Wednesday, Ortiz opened up about the situation, which he could see from both sides.

Ortiz was asked if the Red Sox would have repeated as World Series champions if Ramirez had, in the words of show host Gerry Callhan, "stayed, played hard, just sucked it up."

"Probably, probably," Ortiz said. "I'm not going to lie to you. You just traded your cleanup hitter, and that's not easy."

However, Ortiz also realizes that Ramirez's mindset during his final days in Boston was erratic, and that it was probably time for the mercurial slugger to part ways with the Red Sox.

"He wasn't happy here, and everybody knows that," Ortiz said. "When the relationship gets to that point, you have to make a move just like we did."

In so doing, the Red Sox got a quality run producer in Bay, who was heroic in the four-game Division Series victory against the Angels.

But the pros and cons of the Ramirez trade seemed to come to life again after the Red Sox lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1. Though the Dodgers were knocked out in the NLCS in five games by the Phillies, Ramirez had an epic postseason run, hitting .520 with four homers and 10 RBIs in eight games.

If the Red Sox had gotten just one or two more clutch hits in Game 7, they could have been back in the World Series.

Ortiz wouldn't go far as to say Ramirez quit on his teammates during those final days, when ownership was poised to suspend the left fielder if he didn't return to the lineup for a game against the Yankees. Ramirez had taken two games off because of soreness in his knees, and the Red Sox sent him for an MRI, which came back negative.

"Well, to tell you the truth, there was something going down between the Red Sox and Manny Ramirez that I can never really break that down for you," Ortiz said. "There's some personal [things] that he had with our owners, and I never got to the bottom of it. He's got his feelings. He got to the point where he really wanted to play for somebody else."

Interestingly, Ramirez's increased involvement with the media in his final months in Boston might have been the byproduct of a conversation Ortiz had with him.

"I encouraged Manny to talk to the media and make [their jobs] easier, and it was because [the media] are the ones who let people know what's happening, what's going on in the clubhouse and everything," Ortiz said. "He definitely agreed with me, and he started talking to pretty much everyone. Everything started when, one day, I told Manny, 'Look, with the numbers you've put up your whole career and you've never been able to win an MVP, there's a reason why. The media is our family.'"

"I told him, 'Pull yourself together and start getting connected to the media because that's how you can express your feelings and people can know Manny's good things -- things that people don't know about Manny.' And, he agreed with me."

Ramirez is now a free agent. Meanwhile, Ortiz, for the second consecutive day, expressed hope that the Red Sox will go out and find another slugger to help replace some of the production they could always count on from Ramirez.

During the 20-minute interview, Ortiz expressed hope that teammate Dustin Pedroia will win the American League Most Valuable Award, which will be announced Tuesday.

"If I can only pick one, I gotta give it to Pedroia," Ortiz said. "He did something that ... it's just not normal. The guy carried this team for, I would say, since Day 1 all the way to the end."

Williams satisfied as free agency opens

CHICAGO - Major League Baseball's free-agency period officially began at 11:01 p.m. CT on Thursday night, meaning the exclusive negotiating window between teams and their respective free agents had closed.
For the White Sox, the chance for these players to now sign with any club didn't put the slightest sort of crimp into their offseason plans or outlook for 2009 and beyond.

Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, third baseman Joe Crede, relief pitcher Horacio Ramirez and infielder Juan Uribe all filed for free agency, while the White Sox declined respective club options on outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and catcher Toby Hall. Both Griffey and Hall then filed for free agency.

Of these six players, the White Sox did not intend on bringing any back.

Uribe, a most popular and entertaining clubhouse figure since he arrived via trade from Colorado prior to the 2004 season, could have emerged as an option later in this process if he couldn't find a starting job elsewhere. That possibility was erased on Thursday, when the White Sox acquired utility infielder Wilson Betemit as part of the return package from the Yankees for outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher.

In fact, White Sox general manager Ken Williams presented a bit of a free-agent farewell address during a Thursday conference call to discuss the Swisher deal.

"You know, I haven't thought a lot about Juan recently," Williams said. "He's a quality player, and before he's ready to commit to such a thing [returning to the White Sox as a utility player], I think he's going to try to find a home where he can get more extended playing time than with us.

"I can tell you this much. I will always remember guys like Juan Uribe and guys like Joe Crede, who helped us win a championship. I have great respect for them, fond memories, and I'm wishing them well.

"At this point, we need to turn the page," said Williams, referring to his free agents' departure.

Hall, who did a solid job backing up starting catcher A.J. Pierzynski in 2008, expressed a desire to return to the White Sox at a reduced salary from his declined $2.25 club option. Instead, Hall's two-year run in Chicago comes to an end, with injuries preventing him from playing to his full capabilities. The White Sox will look for a backup with handling the pitching staff as the top priority.

"He was a great asset, in particular in the clubhouse and handling our staff," said Williams of Hall. "I love Toby, but I think we are going to look in a different direction."

Ultimately, the White Sox are more likely to tweak the roster or re-adjust the team's on-field look through trades, as opposed to free agency. Williams has the option to continue to mix in young talent with proven veterans such as Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome, with a healthy Josh Fields presently in place at third base and the combinations of Chris Getz and Jayson Nix in play at second and Brian Anderson, Jerry Owens and Dewayne Wise fighting it out in center.

Williams also seems more than satisfied with his starting rotation, bolstered Thursday by the addition of Jeff Marquez to compete with Clayton Richard at fifth starter. But Williams' offseason work is far from settled.

Just as Williams didn't have to work his own free agents into the White Sox roster equation, he won't concern himself with the escalating salaries for big-name outside free agents as he tries to build another champion.

"I'm not concerned with the market at large," William said. "I'm more concerned with were we fit with each individual club. The market as a whole, in our situation, doesn't affect us.

"Everything is a big deal right now. It's only Nov. 13, so I'll continue on and try to put the best team together and explore all possibilities."

Report: K-Rod loves New York

Some time ago, shortly after free agency crawled from its infancy, an agent representing a Mets player made derisive comments about the organization, charging that the Mets were incomparably unwilling to deal with the changing financial landscape of the game. And, indeed, they were. But they hardly were alone in that regard, as was pointed out in The Sporting News the following week. The same agent had used almost identical phrasing while chastising other clubs, and the magazine published a half zone club reports with little more than the names differing.

Let history serve as a warning. Agents representing free agents often try to create markets for their clients at this time of year by making public pronouncements. And now, with the abundance of news outlets and Web sites masquerading as news outlets, those pronouncements are omnipresent. Grains of salt -- perhaps small salt shakers -- are needed to distinguish between expressions of genuine interest and "agent speak."

Comments attributed to Paul Kinzer, the agent representing free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, and appearing in Thursday's editions of the New York Post are, no doubt, based in truth. "New York and the Mets are very attractive to him," the Post quoted Kinzer as having said.

Of course, the Mets, not to mention their millions, are quite appealing to Rodriguez; and, probably, to anyone else without a contract for 2009 who has converted a big league save opportunity. And Rodriquez is on the Mets' list of prospective replacements for Billy Wagner. But as of today, the final day of the free-agent filing period, the Mets can base their interest only on what they have read and heard from people other than Kinzer, that Rodriguez wants a five-year contract worth more than $70 million.

And if those numbers prove to be remotely close to the truth, whatever interest the Mets do have in the record-setting reliever will sink a Bruce Sutter splitter. In private conversations, Mets people have acknowledged an interest in the 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who saved 62 games for the Angels in 2008, his sixth full season in the big leagues. They know that Kinzer's other comment -- "K-Rod's pitched in high-pressure games, he's been in a pretty big market since he was 19-years old and thrives on it" -- is true. But at the same time, they have included the same proviso in every acknowledgment -- "if his asking price comes down" or "yeah, but not for that much or that long" or variations on that theme of budget-consciousness.

Of course, what the Mets say publicly and privately is designed to send a marketplace message as well. Only the Yankees beat their chests about a willingness to spend.

The words -- public and private -- will begin to flow in earnest Friday, the first day all clubs can negotiate with and sign any free agent. And some of the private conversations actually will lead to legitimate news.

Dodgers withdraw Manny offer

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have withdrawn the contract offer extended to free agent Manny Ramirez a week ago, but negotiations are expected to continue.
The Dodgers had offered Ramirez a two-year deal guaranteed for $45 million, plus an option year at an additional $15 million. The offer expired Thursday night, coinciding with the vanishing of the Dodgers' exclusive window for re-signing departing free agents like Ramirez.

"We still have an interest in him," general manager Ned Colletti said. "This doesn't mean we won't continue discussions. They just can't accept that offer flat-out. It's like any other free-agent negotiation now. We'll have conversations and sometimes you're able to sign the player and sometimes you're not.

"Our exclusivity ended yesterday and now they'll have a chance to hear what other clubs are willing to pay and for how long."

Scott Boras, Ramirez's agent, said Colletti was "very upfront" with the decision to withdraw the offer but declined to comment on specifics of Ramirez's free agency.

Boras, however, said the general tone of the first day of total free agency was active.

"The general theme is that there is more aggressiveness in this market than I've ever seen it," said Boras, whose crop of 16 current free-agent clients includes Mark Teixeira, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, and Oliver Perez.

"Usually, the first day you're not getting the number of calls at midnight [Eastern time] that we got this time. Not just on one client. I got eight or nine calls after 9 o'clock [Pacific time] from a variety of clubs and more today from a number of teams for a number of free agents. We're fielding offers on a lot of guys and the process is in full bloom. There's a lot of interest in a lot of guys. I won't talk about them specifically."

There has been speculation that the field of bidders for Ramirez will be small, possibly limited to the Dodgers, Yankees and Angels. Both the Yankees and Angels want to sign Teixeira, but the loser is likely to turn to Ramirez as a potent fallback bat. Darkhorse teams always seem to surface, with speculation this year suggesting it could be the Giants.

Boras envisions a six-year contract for the 36-year-old Ramirez, a long ways from the Dodgers' two-year guarantee. He points to the performances of Hall-of-Fame-caliber hitters like Willie Stargell, Henry Aaron, Paul Molitor and Pete Rose as they neared the age of 40. He also could have mentioned one of his former clients, Barry Bonds.

Length of contract could be decisive to Ramirez's future with the Dodgers, despite his remarkable 2 1/2 months in Los Angeles after being unloaded by the Red Sox. With no designated hitter rule, the Dodgers showed through their initial offer that they can't envision paying an outfielder of that age that much money for that many years.

Colletti explained that it's typical to withdraw specific offers without closing the door on signing a player.

"If you don't set deadlines with offers and they are left open-ended, the player can come back any time he wants and say, 'OK, we'll do that,' even if the club's situation has changed, perhaps by signing another player or something else occurring," Colletti said. "You've got to attach deadlines."

Colletti said he envisions talks to resume with Boras and Ramirez.

"At some point in time one of us will reach out to the other," he said. "If Manny is still interested, I'm sure Scott will call us."

Mets: No,no on CC

The Mets learned Friday they have more than a passing interest in signing CC Sabathia. They were delighted by the very prospect of a Johan Santana-Sabathia tandem. If they could have pulled off the deal for Roy Oswalt a few summers ago, it could have been Santana-Oswalt-Sabathia -- SOS for their opponents. And why not dream?

Turns out it is a dream, two-thirds of it, anyway. Oswalt never made it to Queens, and from what folks in the Mets hierarchy said Friday, Sabathia won't either; not because the club doesn't want him, but because it has no intention of making a run at him. A published report said the Mets would.

A person familiar with the club's plans, finances and, in general, fiscal responsibility, said flatly the Mets would not pursue the most attractive pitcher in the 2008 class of free agents. "It's a business," he said. "The Yankees are going after him. We're not."

A year ago, the Mets eventually came to see Santana as a solution to their problems -- a pronounced need for a No. 1 starter and a need to reiterate to their public their determination to win after their collapse in 2007. It's different now; they have a No. 1 starter in Santana, and they can demonstrate their determination this time by importing Derek Lowe and either Brian Fuentes or, if his price drops, Francisco Rodriguez.

The Mets anticipate the Yankees paying Sabathia significantly more than they are contracted to pay Santana, $137.5 million for six years. They hardly are questioning the Yankees' "spend money to make money" strategy. The Mets used it themselves in February. Indeed, they paid with talent as well, dealing Carlos Gomez and three others for Santana.

"I'm not sure any club can make that kind of move two years in a row," the Mets man said.

Colleagues know general manager Omar Minaya would love to be in the hunt for Sabathia. But he will be a spectator in this one.

Milwaukee not the most likely next stop for Wood

The Brewers have already been widely mentioned as a possible destination for free agent closer Kerry Wood after the Cubs declared this week they are moving in another direction. The Brewers did express interest in Wood last winter, reportedly to the point of extending a two-year offer, but as we wrote the other day in a story about the Brewers restocking their bullpen, Wood-to-Milwaukee seems like a stretch today for several reasons:

1. The Brewers will pursue starting pitching and left-handed bats before looking at the bullpen. Wood, meanwhile, is among the available closers sure to get strong early interest.

2. When he does address the bullpen, general manager Doug Melvin is unlikely to spend big dollars on one reliever after Eric Gagne's struggles last season. Wood may be seeking a three-year deal.

3. The Brewers have had plenty of success finding closers from within. Dan Kolb and Derrick Turnbow are examples of castoffs from other organizations who became All-Star closers in Milwaukee. Francisco Cordero also revived his career here.

Hard-throwing reliever Seth McClung and changeup specialist Carlos Villanueva are current internal possibilities for the job. If the Brewers do seek outside relief, someone like Trevor Hoffman -- if he's available on a one-year deal -- could be a more likely target.

Big Unit on Cubs' radar
North Siders one of six teams to contact southpaw's agent

CHICAGO -- With Kerry Wood out of the picture and Ryan Dempster and Jake Peavy out in the open, the Cubs are considering another big name -- the Big Unit.

Free agent left-hander Randy Johnson, 45, would draw interest from the Cubs if the club is unable to re-sign the All-Star Dempster or acquire the former Cy Young Award winner Peavy. Johnson, a likely future Hall of Famer, is five wins shy of 300.

The Cubs are one of six teams who have contacted Johnson's Chicago-based agents, Al Nero and Barry Meister. The pitcher is unlikely to re-sign with the Diamondbacks.

Johnson knows Lou Piniella from playing for him in Seattle, and he would prefer to remain in the National League.

"It's very preliminary," Nero said Saturday, two days after Johnson filed for free agency. "Obviously, there is a tremendous amount of mutual respect between Lou and Randy. It would be natural for us to consider this."

In 2008, Johnson went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts for Arizona. For a 21-year career, he is 295-160 with a 3.26 ERA and five Cy Young Awards. He is 13-0 lifetime against the Cubs.

While Padres GM Kevin Towers said Thursday that negotiations on a Peavy deal with the Braves and Cubs were dead and the Dempster situation doesn't appear close to being settled this early in free agency, it's unlikely a deal for Johnson would happen any time soon.

Lynch to announce retirement after 15-year career
Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Big-hitting safety John Lynch's crunching collisions are over.

Lynch has decided to retire, officially ending his career with a news conference Monday in Tampa, Fla.

The 37-year-old was a nine-time Pro Bowler for Denver and Tampa Bay, finishing with 1,277 tackles, 100 pass breakups and 26 interceptions in 224 regular-season games.

He departed Denver on good terms in July after being bumped from his starting role and signed with the Patriots. He was cut two weeks later and has been out of the game since.

"Just everything you'd want in a player," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Friday after hearing about Lynch's retirement. "He set an example on how to be a pro."

Lynch made it known that there was a price to pay for coming over the middle -- a painful pounding.

"He made a name for himself with (big hits)," said safety Marlon McCree, whose emergence in Denver eventually led to Lynch bolting the Broncos. "That's the type of player he was."

Lynch played 11 years in Tampa Bay, winning a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers during the 2002 season. But he struggled with neck injuries in his final season there and eventually needed surgery to remove bone spurs.

The Bucs said goodbye, partly thinking his career was complete.

Lynch landed in Denver before the '04 season. He made four more Pro Bowl squads and guided the Broncos into the AFC Championship Game, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

"John was one of the most intense players I have ever played with," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "It was an honor and a pleasure to play four years with John Lynch. I learned a lot from him."

Lynch set the tone for the defense with his jarring hits.

"There was nothing better than for John to get that first big hit early," Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. "The whole defense rallied around that. It got everybody hyped up, everybody ready to go."

Lynch's decline in playing time began last season as he started to come off the field on passing downs. Still, he played every snap over the last three games, and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen talked him into signing a reduced deal in the offseason.

As practices wore on, Lynch became disappointed with the amount of time he was receiving. He asked the team to let him explore other options.

The Broncos did just that, understanding his choice.

"You want them to be happy with how they finish things off," receiver Brandon Stokley said. "You want what's best for him. He was a great player, great teammate and somebody the NFL will miss."

Not receivers, though.

Stokley took a couple of Lynch's licks while playing for Indianapolis. Lynch's blows hurt. A lot.

"He was somebody you always knew where he was," Stokley said. "He brought it every play."

McCree thanks the likes of Lynch for his pocketbook. He says Lynch, Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins and others are the reason hard-hitting safeties are well compensated.

"I feel like every safety that plays this game is indebted to him," McCree said. "The safeties they are drafting now, they're drafting to model a guy like John Lynch."

The prototypical safety is someone who seeks out contact -- just like Lynch.

He's made numerous rib-rattling hits, like knocking Colts tight end Dallas Clark silly in the final game of the regular season in '04. He drew a hefty fine for that one.

Then again, he's drawn quite a few fines throughout his playing days.

Lynch has also been featured in his fair share of videos promoting fierce hits. His collisions are the stamp on his career.

"Those big hits -- that's a good thing to be known for," Ekuban said. "We all looked for him to make that big, big hit early in the game, so we knew we were coming to play."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80c7be75&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

* KISS - 'Sure Know Something'

* KISS - 'Strutter'

* KISS - 'Strutter'

* KISS - 'Crazy Crazy Nights'

* KISS - 'Crazy Crazy Nights'

* KISS - 'Heaven's On Fire'

* Roxette - 'The Look'

Pizza does sound tasty...

Mushroom please...

* Eurythmics - 'Here Comes The Rain Again'

* Supertramp - 'It's Raining Again'

* Ozzy - 'Snowblind'

* Ozzy - 'Symptom Of The Universe'

Welcome back, dude!

Good to see ya...

* B.W. Stevenson - 'My Maria'

Very good stuff...

TY

Ummmm - No!

I really don't want to LOL