RF Sports Radio

MLB: Top 10 Free Agent Predictions

Will Robinson Cano get the $300+ he wants? Photo
credit MLB

MLB Free Agent Winter Spinning Wheel

by Rodney Fisher

Now that the World Series champion has been decided on the field, the front office battle between teams starts. The baseball winter meetings will begin December 9th through the 12th in Lake Buena Vista Florida. This will be every teams chance to add veteran pieces to their roster in hopes that the player is the one piece needed to win it all.

In Nashville in 2012, teams like the Los Angeles Angels made it rain for big hitters like Josh Hamiliton to the tune of $125 million. The club still could not compete for the AL West. Other teams like the Boston Red Sox that added free agent Mike Napoli for a one year $5 million deal were rewarded with a championship. The Los Angeles Dodgers added Zack Grienke and made a nice postseason run, while the St. Louis Cardinals won the national league by sitting on their wallets. Nevertheless, the money fountain will be flowing. Let’s take a look at the top free agents available this winter:

Can Cam Newton and the Panthers keep winning?
Photo credit NFL

by @Swampy_Swami (Gene Henke)

Hello and welcome everyone to the week 13 edition of The Weekly Muck. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and got your eat on while enjoying some football. What is better than that huh?! Nothing really if you ask me. Food, drinks, and football on a day off from work! It is like God’s gift to man. A big thanks to the Pilgrims and Indians, Swampy loves you baby! Now onto some business, last week the SwampMan had his worst weekend yet for his top five picks going an ugly 2-3 for the week. The Rams and Patriots pulled out the wins while the Texans, Redskins, and Browns all got their butts handed to them. This week the SwampMan promises to make that up to you by providing five brand new sexy picks for ya to sink your teeth into. I suggest you call your local locksmith and get him on standby because without further ado, I bring to you the five locks of the weekend! Enjoy!

LIVE: DeSoto Eagles vs Arlington Martin Playoff Game

Listen LIVE:
(if having trouble, click link below)

DeSoto Eagles vs Arlington Martin

CLICK HERE FOR MOBILE DEVICE

NBA: Jason Kidd pulls slick move for an extra timeout

by J.T.

Jason Kidd fined $50,000 for spilling drink on
purpose. Photo credit YES

With no timeout left with less than 9 seconds left in the game Jason Kidd told Tayshawn Taylor to bump into him so he would drop his drink. Hilarious, but smart because it gave him a free timeout to allow the Nets to draw up a last possession play.

NFL: How many lives does Matt Flynn have?

by J.T.

Matt Flynn back in position to start for Packers. Photo credit NFL

I know some people are looking at the title of this article and they are saying who gives a flying fill in the blank of whatever you want to say there. Some people probably are laughing with me because they know I pay close attention to the whereabouts of Mr. Flynn.

NBA D-League Game of The Week:

Fort Wayne Mad Ants vs Texas Legends

NBA: Heat Need To Stay Hot

by +Rodney Fisher

LeBron James and the Miami Heat need the top seed in the
playoffs. Photo credit NBA

We are not even a third of the way through the NBA season and I'm already bashing the Heat. At least most of our loyal readers with think so. With a 9-3 record, the Miami Heat should have seemingly nothing to be concerned about. The will make the playoffs and have a chance to three-peat as champions, LeBron James will be a strong MVP candidate once again, and the new bench pieces are fitting in okay.

Hindsight, however, is 20-20 as they say. The Heat took possessive control of the Eastern Conference last year to solidify the #1 seed when the playoffs rolled around. The closest competition, New York Knicks, were 12 games behind them. The truth is 9-3 is only good for second place currently, and the team is first does not want to give up their spot or lose home court advantage.

Manning vs Brady this Sunday. Photo credit NFL

by @Swampy_Swami (Gene Henke)

Hello everyone and once again welcome to the Week 12 edition of The Weekly Muck. Last week your favorite slimeball went 3-1-1 on the Mucky 5. The three wins consisted of the GMEN covering the spread in a rout while the Phins and Bucs both pulled the upset and won outright! The sole loss was when the Skins forgot to come to play in Philly and despite the terrible start, did make a game out of it in the end but it wasn’t enough to cover. The 49ers ended up in a push when they were robbed for hitting Drew Brees too hard and the Saints squeaking a win out via field goal as a result. My god how soft is the game getting today when a hard earned sack fumble can be called against the defense as a penalty? Back in the day that hit on Brees would have been glorified and replayed on the highlights as a great play instead of a controversial penalty. Sheesh, sometimes this patty cake version of the NFL we watch today makes the SwampMan sick, which is hard to do! As we head into the home stretch of the season we are starting to see the playoff picture take form. I don’t know about you, but as a fellow football freak I am pumped for these next couple of weeks! Without further ado, I bring to you this week’s five winning picks straight from the sleaze, deep in the heart of the swamps. Enjoy!

NBA: 1-on-1 with Spencer Hawes of the Philadelphia 76ers

by +Rodney Fisher

Spencer Hawes is averaging a double-double for the first time
in his career. Photo credit NBA

If you don't know who Spencer Hawes is, then it is time to get familiar He is a six year NBA veteran, over seven feet tall, and averages a double-double this season. After a rocky start to his pro career, he has become a weapon for the Philadelphia 76ers and a big reason they have been able to win some big games early in the season.

Trade rumors for Omer Asik. Photo credit NBA

by +Rodney Fisher

We are all expecting to hear that a trade has been completed by the Houston Rockets and an unnamed team to send Omer Asik, but talk is only speculation at this point. Asik has been rumored to request a trade ever since Dwight Howard was signed to play center. An interesting exchange between Asik and Dallas Mavericks fans last night could be foreshadowing of things to come.

Inside The Locker Room: Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers

by +Rodney Fisher

Watch two new episodes of Inside the Locker Room featuring the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers. Interviews include Bradley Beal, Evan Turner, Randy Whitman, Brett Brown, and Marcin Gortat...

Video After Jump

Steve Smith and Aqib Talib scuffle. Photo credit NFL

by J.T.

During Monday Night Football we got to see Panthers receiver Steve Smith and Patriots corner Aqib Talib go head to head. This match-up was chippy the whole night.

Smith had 4 catches for a total of 62 yards.

Smith and Talib had multiple run ins during the game, seemed like they were very close to throwing hands on a few plays.

Tony Allen gives Chris Paul a kick. Photo credit NBA

by J.T.

I saw this information on BSO, salute to them.

Chris Paul got hit with a Jackie Chan kick by Tony Allen. The kick/foul led to Allen getting ejected during Monday nights game.

Allen is known to be an aggressive defender but the Chan kick took it to new heights.

The NBA also suspended Allen for one game.

NBA: So Crazy It Just Might Kobe

What the 2013-14 NBA Season Means To Kobe Bryant's legacy

by Ace Feltman

Although Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and a bunch of Twitter users may object, the Los Angeles Lakers are not a title contender. They are not a threat and they aren’t going to make any noise this year, other than that “dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun dun” after a made basket. They still get some of those, Laker Nation!

Dallas Mavericks: Chance to Build With Three Home Games

by +Rodney Fisher

Mavs have three home games in a row. Photo credit ESPN

After getting only their second win on the road this season against the Orlando Magic, the Mavericks return home with the chance to create some separation between the win and loss column.

James Harden and the Houston Rockets rank 29th in the
league for defense, but 2nd for points. Photo credit NBA

by +Rodney Fisher

They say defense wins championships. The Rockets, however, have chosen to allow offense to win game in the regular season. After winning one out of four games the previous week, they bounce back win three out of four to improve their overall record to 7-4 by simply putting up huge numbers.

NBA: LeBron's 39 points, Heat's 19 steals, Too Much for Dallas To Overcome

by +FISHER ROYCE

LeBron's 39 points too much for Dallas Mavericks to
overcome. Heat win 110-104. Photo credit NBA

The Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-104 to improve their "slow start" to a 6-3 record. Both teams were 5-3 entering the game.

The new and improved Mavs had only two players, Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion, that remained from the 2011 championship team that won it on the same court in Game 6. The only team to beat the Heat in The Finals since LeBron James took his talents to South Beach.

The Weekly Muck: NFL Picks from the Black Lagoon Week 11

by Gene Henke (@Swampy_Swami)

RG3 and the Redskins take on the Vikings. Photo
credit NFL

What’s up my fellow football freaks? Long time no talk; at least that is what it feels like to the SwampMan. I apologize for The Weekly Muck not making it on the site last week due to technical difficulties. Furthermore, I apologize for it being late this week as well. It won’t happen again. Last week was another great one in the Swamp with the Panthers, Texans, and Ravens covering while the Packers and Chargers decided to be party poopers. The Charger pick missed by a half point, while the Packer’s backup QB’s backup was forced to take the reigns when the original backup was hurt early in the game. I hope your still with me after that sentence. So in a nutshell it was another solid 3-2 week for Swampy although none of this matters since it was not posted on the site for you to view. So that being said, I don’t know why I am even bringing it up. I apologize once again, and will just shut-up and dive on into this week’s Muck 5. First up:

NBA: Monta Ellis Key For Dallas To Beat Miami

by +Rodney Fisher

Monta Ellis warms up before game against Miami Heat.
Photo credit Rodney Fisher

The Dallas Mavericks are on the road tonight to face a familiar foe in the Miami Heat. Only a two players on the current roster have great memories of American Airlines Arena from Game 6 in 2011 when the Mavericks won their first championship title. The most important player tonight for the Mavs to pull off a rare road victory is a player with a more recent memory of facing the Heat in the playoffs. Monta Ellis, last year with the Milwaukee Bucks, was swept by the Heat in the first round in the 2013 playoffs. Tonight he will have to be the key for a win.

Business as usual for the San Antonio Spurs (8-1).
Photo credit NBA

by +Rodney Fisher

We have some movement on our NBA Power Rankings this week. This past week hurt more than helped most teams as we watched buzzer beaters and blowouts permeate the association. Will the Miami Heat remain in the top five? How good are the Houston Rockets? Let's get right to it...

NBA: 1-on-1 with Rising Star Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards

by Rodney Fisher

Bradley Beal off to great start this season, but will it
be enough. Photo credit USA Today

No second-year player in the NBA has started the season hotter than Washington Wizards' guard Bradley Beal. After being drafted third in the draft and ending his season early on April 3rd with only 56 games, he has improved in every statistical category this season. I had the chance to speak with the well versed 20-year old about his new start and how he handles the added pressure to perform big every night.

by Matt Silverston
from blog.sidelinesapp.com:

Hate it or love it, but the NBA hype machine fed experts misinformation this off-season. It’s important to identify fact versus fiction before things get out of hand. Myths regarding this year’s rookie of the year, the best free agent find in Texas and the top team in the East need to be busted.
Welcome to NBA Mythbusters folks.

Knicks are 2-4, bottom of Eastern Conference.
Photo credit NBA

by Rodney Fisher

Just when Knicks' fans thought the 2013-14 season could not start any worse, the Spurs come to town and blowout the team by 31 on their home court. Coach Mike Woodson called the loss "unacceptable".

Soon to be free agent Carmelo Anthony said, "We didn't compete today, and it showed out there on the court." Getting J.R. Smith back in the lineup apparently wasn't the answer. Now at 2-4 and tied for last in the Eastern Conference, just how bad are the New York Knicks?

Mavs get first road win over Bucks. Photo credit NBA

by Ace Feltman

The Dallas Mavericks season is nearly two weeks old and so far the newest collection of Mavs has tallied 4 wins to 3 losses. Of course, wins and losses dictate your fate and a 4-3 pace is certainly not one to be desired. But all things considered the Mavericks 2013-2014 season is off to an encouraging start, all things considered. Nine new faces and only four old ones that are rotation players (Dirk, Matrix, Vince, and Crowder) was a threat to overcome the talent the team possesses. Because chemistry can be your biggest weapon. (See: 2011 NBA Champions)

Houston Rockets now 4-3 after bad week. Photo
credit NBA

by Rodney Fisher

courtesy of Blitz Weekly

The week was setup perfectly for the Houston Rockets to show everyone, including themselves, how much of a Western Conference contender they really are. After losing the the Clippers twice and getting upset by the Lakers, the Rockets (4-3) search for answers to get back on track. Here are five questions they need to answer:

NBA: Power Rankings Top 10

by Rodney Fisher

Paul George leads his 5-0 Indiana Pacers.
Photo credit NBA

Time for our first NBA Power Ranking of the regular season. Sure it may be early, but there are some teams that have clearly proved their are ahead of the others. After five to six games we can now see how some free agency moves have helped or hurt teams. The impact of some young rookies will play a big role in this first Power Ranking. Let's get started...

by Rodney Fisher

On this edition of Inside the Locker Room we cover the Mavericks beating the Lakers 123-104. Interviews with Mike D'Antoni, Monta Ellis, Nick Young, and DeJuan Blair.

Monta Ellis scores 30 in blowout win over Lakers 123-104.
Photo credit CBS

by Rodney Fisher

The Los Angeles Lakers never had a chance, as the Dallas Mavericks led from start to finish in a blowout victory 123-104. The Mavs are now 3-0 at home this season, equaling their last season's 3-1 start.

NBA: Are the Philadelphia 76ers East Contenders?

by Rodney Fisher

76ers are tied for 1st place in the Eastern Conference at 3-0
Photo credit NBA

Just when we all thought the Philadelphia 76ers' season plans were all about gaining the number one draft pick they jump out the gate 3-0 and on top of the Atlantic Division. Their best start since the 2006-07 season. Last season they never won three games in a row at any time. After cutting Andrew Bynum and trading their only All-Star Jrue Holiday, are the 76ers better equipped now to be a true contender in the Eastern Conference?

NFL: Jay Ratliff signs with the Bears

by J.T. of Front Office News

Jay Ratliff gets a chance with the Chicago Bears.
Photo credit CBS

Jay Ratliff was recently released by the Dallas Cowboys. He was a staple to their defense when healthy but the last two years he has been injured.

The Chicago Bears signed the 4x Pro Bowl defensive tackle to an one year contract. This is a low risk high reward move if Ratliff can comeback at Pro Bowl form fine, if not they only have ties to him until the end of the year.

Seems like a win/win move for everyone involved, hopefully the 9 year veteran can get a run on clean health to show if he has anything left in the 32 year old tank.

Check me out at http://thefrontofficenews.com
-JT

NBA: Inside The Locker Room - Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks

by Rodney Fisher

Monta Ellis scores 32 in home opener. Photo credit NBA

Derek Jeter resigns with New York Yankees.
Photo credit MLB

by J.T. of Front Office News

The New York Yankees resigned their captain and living legend Derek Jeter to a 1 year deal worth 12 million dollars. Jeter had a player option for 9.5 million that he could've took advantage of but the Yankees took care of their living legend.

Seattle Chucky

by Gene Henke

Hello everyone and Happy Halloween! Last week the SwampMan only hit a disappointing two out of the five murky picks. Sorry about that everybody! The Dolphins blew a huge lead, the Lions decided to win in dramatic fashion and not cover, and the Jets well, they just got their butts handed to them. No excuses however, I’m just sayin! The good news is I am excited about this weekend’s games as I have a slimy bucket full of promising winners to share. I feel pretty strongly about these picks so please enjoy the thought process of my sludgy brain and take my insight into consideration. Without further ado here is this week’s Halloween edition of The Weekly Muck, it’s only treats over here baby!

Eddie Lacy great this week for fantasy lineup. Photo
credit NFL

by Michael Candiloro of Sipi Sports

Don't set your NFL Fantasy Football lineup without it!

RB Back 'em!

Eddie Lacy vs. Chicago Bears:
Lacy is getting his groove on in the stat sheets lately, scoring 56.20 combined fantasy points over the last four weeks. He should continue to thrive on Monday night against the Bears, who have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs than any other team in the entire league since Week 5.

Seattle Seahawks. Photo credit NFL

by Christian Sipione of Sipi Sports

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Criticize me as you will, but I will not demote a side from the top of the power rankings after their 8th successive victory, dragging their record out to 8-0. When KC lose a game, then by strength of schedule so far they will be rightly dropped down a spot or a few, but until then, they are my number 1 team in the NFL.

Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle Live

Watch Rick Carlisle LIVE immediately after Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks season opener.

NBA: Breaking News - Gersson Rosas Resigns From Dallas Mavericks

by Rodney Fisher

Gersson Rosas resigns.
Photo credit NBA

One the first day of the new season, one day before the Dallas Mavericks start their campaign to return to the NBA playoffs, newly hired GM Gersson Rosas has officially resigned.

"I made the personal decision to resign as General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks after determining that the position was not the best fit for me at this point in my career,” said Rosas. “The decision was made solely by me, as I firmly believe this change is in my best interest.”

by Matt Silverston
via blog.sidelinesapp.com:

NBA Preseason Power Rankings are about as reliable as Wikipedia “facts.”

Read them over with a grain of salt because with only rosters, preseason stats and predictions to work with, NBA analysts are bound to make mistakes.

Harmless as they may be, three errors need to be corrected.

Lofty predictions for the Atlanta Hawks, an underestimation of the Orlando Magic and low expectations for the Cleveland Cavaliers are three examples of how the current NBA Power Rankings are far from perfect.

Here is a re-analysis of those three teams:

NBA: 2013-14 Eastern Conference Preview

by Ace Feltman (@MFFeLtman)

NBA: The New Age Houston Rockets

by Rodney Fisher

Courtesy of Blitz Weekly

How good are the Houston Rockets. Photo credit Rockets.com

The Houston Rockets have hashtagged their 2013-14 season the “A New Age”. A fitting description for a team that began their new plan a season ago with the additions of James Harden and Jeremy Lin. This season the Rockets will add the big man they have lauded for, Dwight Howard. The nostalgia of past Rockets’ teams with All-Star big men have the entire city of Houston buzzing. Can the team live up to lofty expectations?

NBA: Utah Jazz extend Favors

by J.T. of Front Office News

Derrick Favors will stay with the Utah Jazz.
Photo credit NBA

Derrick Favors was the key piece in the Deron Williams deal for the Jazz a few years back. Favors who hasn’t played lights out has shown potential. So, the Utah Jazz opened up the check book for 4 years at 49 million dollars with the possibility to earn a little over 50 million.

Andrew Bogut will stay with the Golden State
Warriors. Photo credit NBA

by J. T. of Front Office News

After they lost out on the Howard bidding war, this was a move that had to be made good or bad. Bogut when healthy is a legit contributor, its just a BIG when healthy.

The Golden State Warriors laced Andrew Bogut’s pockets with a 3 year 36 million dollar deal with the potential to reach over 42 million if healthy. Man it pays to be over 6’8”.

NBA: Houston Rockets - Inside The Locker Room

by Rodney Fisher

New Age Houston Rockets. Photo credit Houston Rockets

We go Inside The Locker Room with the Houston Rockets to get their thoughts on the upcoming season and their new team. Interviews include Jeremy Lin, Dwight Howard, and James Harden.

Ryan Tennehill and the Miami Dolphins play the Patriots.
Photo credit NFL

by Gene Henke

Hello everyone and welcome to another addition of the Weekly Muck. It was a rough outing in the Swamp last Sunday and the SwampMan is looking for revenge! I want to apologize for providing you with a bunch of losers last weekend and promise to get back on track this time around. The only team to prevail out of my picks was the Jets, go figure! It was probably the least likely one to do so but that is the NFL for ya! It is where odd things happen. Teams that are supposed to win don’t and ones that aren’t supposed to, do. Write that down. That being said this week I have a bucket full of slimy winners for ya, so let’s waste no more time and dive headfirst into the Muck:

Robert Griffin III, back'em or bench'em? Photo credit NFL

by Michael Candiloro of Sipi Sports

Before you set for NFL fantasy football lineup, check with guys from Sipi Sports. It could be the difference to win big, or lose big.

NBA moves to new Finals format. Photo credit NBA

by J.T. of Front Office News

Welp during the finals I wrote a piece talking about the 2-3-2 format being a disadvantage for the teams with home court advantage. It almost came to a head game 6 when the Heat were down 3-2 on the brink of the defeat at home in Game 6. Who knows if they are in that position if the format is the same as it has been all playoffs?

NFL: Power Rankings Week 8

by Christian Sipione of Sipi Sports

Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked #1. Photo credit NFL

NBA: Can the Heat Three-Peat?

by Rodney Fisher

Can the Miami Heat win three in a row?
Photo credit Miami Heat

The Miami Heat will start the new NBA season with the chance to place themselves among the best-of-the-best squads every assembled to play the game of basketball. Not since the Los Angeles Lakers of 2009-10 has a team been in position to three-peat as champions. With all the roster movement in the Eastern Conference, and the return of MVP caliber players, can the Miami Heat win three in a row?

24/7 Sports Talk