Crabtree, Set to Return

Former Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree underwent successful surgery on the slight stress fracture in his left foot Wednesday.
Crabtree was still recovering Wednesday afternoon, according to a marketing representative, and was expected to be released Thursday.
Renowned orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. Crabtree was expected to have a pin inserted in his foot, which would sideline him for 10 weeks.
“Michael’s surgery today was successful, and I expect a very routine recovery and a full return to football this season,” Anderson said in a statement.
Crabtree’s injury — which he announced in a statement was a pre-existing injury — initially was discovered during medical testing at the NFL Scouting Combine. After initially saying that he would work out at the Texas Tech Pro Day on March 26, Crabtree reconsidered and opted for surgery.
NFL senior analyst Pat Kirwan has Crabtree, widely regarded as a top-10 pick prior to the combine, going to the Cincinnati Bengals with the sixth overall pick in his latest mock draft.

Michael Crabtree is arguably the most talked about wide receiver to enter the NFL Draft, possibly ever. On March 4, he had a slight setback due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Since then, he has now been doing light exercises and such to prepare him for his NFL career. Only thing is, will certain teams bypass on him because of this setback? I think not. If teams were smart, they would see this work ethic of this young man and put that toward making their decision. Crabtree won't just be a NFL bust. He is going to make and break records for whatever team he lands with. Teams wouldn't very wise to pass on him.

Ichiro Placed on 15-Day DL to Open the Season

SEATTLE -- Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki is being treated for a bleeding ulcer and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, sending Seattle into Opening Day minus one of baseball's best players.
The Mariners said the ulcer is no longer bleeding. Doctors have restricted the 35-year-old outfielder's activity but are optimistic he'll be ready to play when he's eligible to come off the DL on April 15.
Suzuki played for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He complained of severe fatigue earlier this week and missed Seattle's final three spring training games in Arizona, and was diagnosed with the ulcer -- a relatively rare condition for an athlete -- after seeing doctors Thursday.
"I know how much [Ichiro] cares. This is the first time in eight years he's been on the DL," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said Friday night in Las Vegas before the team opened a two-game weekend set against Colorado. "Every indication is that it will be 15 days. We'll see how he is after that."
The All-Star right fielder didn't accompany the team to Las Vegas, instead staying in Arizona and having a light workout at their spring training complex in Peoria on Friday. Seattle opens the season Monday at Minnesota.
"It was a very difficult decision to place Ichiro on the disabled list, especially since we know what a fierce competitor he is and how important it is to him to help the team," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "However, we determined it was in both his best interest, and the best interest of the club, to place him on the DL at this time."
It's the first time in his major league career Suzuki has been on the disabled list. He's been remarkably healthy since arriving in Seattle in 2001, missing just 16 games in his eight-year career and only three games in the last five seasons. Suzuki had played in 197 consecutive games.
The move was retroactive to March 31, meaning Suzuki won't be eligible to come off the disabled list until the second week of the season when Seattle is at home. Wakamatsu said Friday night that either Franklin Gutierrez or Endy Chavez will take over the leadoff spot in the batting order and that a variety of players could be used in right, including Ken Griffey Jr.
"It's unfortunate, but conversely, it is important for him to get healthy," Griffey said Friday night. "We'd rather see him as healthy as possible."
Suzuki didn't arrive at Mariners spring training until March 26, after leading Japan to a second consecutive WBC title. The high pressure of playing in the WBC combined with the expectations from his home country made the championship hugely satisfying.
"The expectation from the people of Japan was incomparable this time. So to become champions in that situation is something that has a lot of meaning for me and what kind of emotions and expectations the Japanese players played upon is something you guys here can't imagine," Suzuki said through a translator when he arrived in Arizona. "That's how much was riding on this. Although three years ago was very fulfilling ... it's incomparable how much more fulfilling it was this time."
Suzuki hit .273 for Japan in the WBC, playing in nine games, including his game-winning two-run single in the 10th inning of the championship game to give Japan a 5-3 win over Korea. In limited spring training at-bats, Suzuki went 5-for-12.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

This is the first time in Ichiro's career he has been placed on the disabled list. It seems like just the other day that Ichiro broke into the MLB. He is already 35 years old and has been healthy ever since. This ulcer just goes to show that age is having an effect on him. In my eyes, Ichiro has already hit is peek on his career and now is in his downward turn. Don't get me wrong, he is still an amazingly talented player and will most likely make the All Star team, but he is not as productive as he used to be. Hopefully this injured ulcer is not a big set back and the Mariners will see their star out on the field very soon.

Cutler's Favorite Target to have Hip Surgery

As if the Broncos’ decision to welcome trade proposals for Jay Cutler wasn’t enough of a blow to Denver fans.
The Denver Post reports that WR Brandon Marshall — Cutler’s favorite target over the last two seasons — has undergone hip surgery and is expected to be out until late July:
The surgery was performed by Dr. Marc Phillipon, who has been dubbed “the hip doctor to the stars.” Phillipon, who works out of the renowned Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, also performed hip surgeries in recent weeks on beleaguered baseball star Alex Rodriguez and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.
Marshall’s surgery came eight days after his 25th birthday. The hip started bothering him last season to the point he noticeably struggled to separate from defenders late in the season, relying instead on his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame to ward off cornerbacks.
Marshall is coming off a Pro Bowl campaign in which he amassed 104 receptions for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns, but the news has been anything but positive for the three-year pro since the season ended. As The Post notes:
(Marshall) could be facing a season-opening suspension and he most likely won’t have Jay Cutler as his quarterback.
Cutler is on the trading block and it’s possible Marshall could be found in violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy after his arrest in March on a disorderly conduct charge. Although charges were quickly dropped, Marshall has several prior off-field incidents that drew a one-game suspension last season.

With all the "hoop-lah" going aroung with Bronco's quarterback Jay Cutler, it seems only fitting to do a blog on his favorite target last year; Pro Bowl standout Brandon Marshall. For those of you who don't know, Cutler is on the verge of getting traded and will be traded before the 2009 NFL season opens. Brandon Marshall was a standout last year and had a break-out year. This hip surgery does not intend to sideline him for the season as he is expected to be ready for opening day, however his off the field troubles may keep him out of that game. Why couldn't these things happen when the Broncos beat my Packers in Super Bowl 32?

Bynum is Coming, Along with the Ring and Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum's rehab from a torn knee ligament has progressed to small-sided games -- and carrying Playboy playmates on his shoulders.
As Bynum expressed confidence on his Web site this week that he'll return before the end of the season, coach Phil Jackson defended his big man over pictures that have peppered the Internet showing Bynum at the Playboy Mansion last weekend posing with a girl on his shoulders.
Bynum
"I think there's a lot being made out of that that is unnecessary," Jackson said before Tuesday's game against Charlotte. "This is a young guy. I don't think Andrew is 22 yet, is he? He's a 21-year-old guy. He's been out of basketball 5½-6 weeks. He's got to have some energy and vent and have some fun. Now I don't know if putting a girl on your shoulders..."
Bynum was averaging 14 points and 8.2 rebounds when he tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee against Memphis on Jan. 31. In a question-and-answer session on Bynum's Web site Tuesday, he vowed to be back soon.
"Yes, I am going to make a return this season," Bynum said. "I'm already doing strength and conditioning as well as playing 2 on 2 and 3 on 3, while waiting on the team to return."
It was welcome news to Jackson, who hasn't spoken to Bynum since the Lakers began a seven-game, 13-day road trip that ends Wednesday in Milwaukee. The Lakers entered Tuesday's game with the second-best record in the NBA, but may need Bynum's inside presence to win the title.
"I think the best news from that blog that he sent out was he said he thinks he's going to play a regular season game," Jackson said. "That shows me some confidence. The last time I talked to him before we left on this road trip, Andrew said he was hopeful. But he sounded confident."
And his knee is strong enough to carry around a playmate, too.
"The fact that people are beating him up over that, I think that's crazy," Jackson said. "Andrew is doing fine and he's going to be fine."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

What a sigh of relief this is for us Laker fans. Andrew Bynum, the sole reason why L.A. wasn't crowned the champs in last years finals matchup. Bynum went down a few months ago and I just lost my breath when I was watching the game. Kobe Bryant (arguably the best player on the planet) fell and rolled into Bynum's knee and it buckled the opposite way re-injuring his meniscus and spraining his knee very badly. I thought it was last year all over again. However, everything is progressing fairly well and Bynum is expected to be ready for the start of the playoffs. Lakers have held the #1 spot since the beginning of the season and that alone is a remarkable feat. To do it without one of their best players is even more remarkable. Celtics, we are coming for you and we want to in the finals.

Will KG Be Ready?

BOSTON -- Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers would be "very, very surprised" if Kevin Garnett, resting a sore right knee, isn't playing in the opening game of the playoffs.
Rivers also said Wednesday night he thinks the Celtics can win their second straight championship even if Garnett is not completely healthy.
"I believe that," he said before Boston's game against the Charlotte Bobcats. "Defensively is where we need him. Offensively we need his shot and all that, his leadership on the floor. And I think he will be 100 percent or close to it."
Garnett missed his third straight game and 16th in Boston's last 20 on Wednesday night. He's expected to miss at least three more and could return for the final three regular-season games.

As an avid Laker fan, I hope KG isn't ready but we will be ready for him and the rest of the Celtics IF (and that's a big if) they make it to L.A. KG has now missed 16 of the Celtic's last 20 games due to a "knee strain." I don't buy this knee strain injury. I think Garnet actually tore something minor in his knee. There was word that he opted out of surgery for whatever was REALLY hurt. A knee strain does not take this long to heal, especially at the athletic level such as KG. This so called knee strain is a bit more serious than what the Celtics and their fans really hear.

Manny "has" a sore hamstring...

PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez was scratched in his first scheduled spring training start because of tightness in his left hamstring.
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Ramirez had been in the lineup as a designated hitter for the Dodgers' exhibition against South Korea on Thursday. He was replaced by Mark Loretta.
Manager Joe Torre said he expects to use Ramirez as his designated hitter against Texas on Friday.
"He wanted to play today, and I didn't think there was much sense in doing that," Torre said after the Dodgers' 4-2 victory over South Korea.
Ramirez has been working out with the Dodgers since agreeing last week to a $45 million, two-year contract. He can void the deal after one season.
Ramirez told reporters that he felt some tightness in his left hamstring while running before batting practice. He plans to come in early Friday and get hot and cold whirlpool treatments. Manager Joe Torre told him to rest the hamstring another day as a precaution.
Ramirez expects to make his Cactus League debut Friday against Texas.
"It felt kind of tight when we were doing the drill from second to home,'' Ramirez said. "It's not a bad thing. I'll probably be in there tomorrow. It's not that bad.
"I'm not disappointed. We've got plenty of time to get ready, and that's in my favor. I'm going to take it day by day.''
Ramirez said he'll need about 40 to 50 at-bats to be ready for the season opener.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick was used in this report.

Here is just another case of Manny being Manny. We saw all sorts of these sagas when Manny was in Beantown. If Manny's hamstring was so tight, then why was he seen riding a big tricycle around the Dodger's Spring Training facility? I don't wish bad on Manny I really don't because I still like him. The only thing I do hope on is that L.A. gets a dose of this Manny being Manny on the bad end of the stick. We see him laugh and joke around, but when he fakes an injury in order not to play, we'll see what L.A. does then.

Hossa Nails the Board

ST. LOUIS -- Detroit Red Wings forward Marian Hossa was hospitalized for observation after crashing head-first into the boards after being checked in the first period of Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Blues.
Hossa, who leads the team with 34 goals and 27 assists in 62 games, did not lose consciousness and had feeling in his limbs, team spokesman John Hahn said. The game was delayed for several minutes while Hossa lay prone near the end boards in the Blues' end.
In a text message to ESPN the Magazine's E.J. Hradek, Detroit GM Ken Holland said that Hossa will be traveling with the team to Denver Wednesday.
"I don't think he's playing tomorrow but he's flying with us," coach Mike Babcock said. "They're doing a bunch of tests on him and everything looks real good."
Hahn said a CT scan was negative.
Babcock had no complaints about Roman Polak's hit, describing it as a "bump" while Hossa was on one leg following through on a shot.
"He just kind of turned and hit the boards with his head," Polak said. "I don't want to injure the guy, I just want to play hard. I saw it and I didn't feel good after that."
Medical personnel took extra attention because Hossa missed the previous two games with a neck injury, Hahn added. Hossa was taken off the ice while strapped to a gurney.
"You're a little concerned, a little worried, but then we got a little update that he was OK," forward Daniel Cleary said. "The one thing we talked about was 'Let's take it to them, let's get this thing out-of-hand.'"
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Ok, I don't wish bad upon anyone because that is just unhuman and wrong. But Marian Hossa, if you just signed with the Bruins in the offseason like you were supposed too, you wouldn't have faced the Blues at this time and none of this would have happened. Hossa is a great player don't get me wrong, but he is greedy. With him signing with the Red Wings, this in time will hurt him next year.With the economy the way it is, Hossa's deal will be dead next year and he is going to be a bargain for someone. Good move, the boards in Boston will be waiting for you next time.