Main page | March 8, 2008 »

Multimedia: Paul Kenyon previews URI-Charlotte

Click the play button below to see and hear the show, as Paul Kenyon previews the Rams' regular-season finale Saturday against the 49ers.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:07 PM to URI Basketball | Permalink | Comments 0

Multimedia: Kevin McNamara previews PC-Villanova

Click the play button below to see and hear the show, as Kevin McNamara previews the Friars' regular-season finale Saturday against the Wildcats.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:00 PM to PC basketball | Permalink | Comments 0

Multimedia: Rob Lee previews the Division I boys championship

Click the play button to see and hear the show, as Carolyn breaks down the rematch of last year's girls title game between La Salle and Bay View.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:05 PM to High School | Permalink | Comments 0

Multimedia: Projo SoxTalk with Sean McAdam

Today, Sean discusses Jonathan Papelbon's new contract, the general mood around the team this spring, Bartolo Colon's latest bullpen session and Joe Torre's challenges with the Dodgers.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:40 PM to Red Sox | Permalink | Comments 0

Goodell seeks more inspections, harsher penalties for spying

NEW YORK (AP) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to crack down on spying next season with more inspections and harsher penalties, steps that follow the disciplining of the New England Patriots for taping opponents' signals.

Goodell is urging tougher action on teams and employees that would include unannounced inspections of locker rooms and coaches' areas in press boxes and a lower standard of proof for imposing discipline on those who violate rules. Loss of draft choices would be a possible punishment.

The changes, first disclosed in The Washington Post on Friday, are contained in a memo obtained by The Associated Press. It was sent to the league's rule-making competition committee, which will make recommendations to the owners at the league meeting starting March 30 in Palm Beach, Fla.

"I think there are a number of steps that should be taken in advance of the start of the 2008 season to improve and strengthen the enforcement procedures designed to preserve the competitive integrity of the game," Goodell wrote in the memo.

It is a direct outgrowth from Spygate, which resulted in severe fines against coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, and the forfeiture of New England's first-round draft choice after the confiscation of tapes during the opening game of the season against the New York Jets.

The tapes and other evidence were subsequently destroyed, leading to further outcry, including a meeting between Goodell and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who expressed his displeasure at disclosures that the Patriots' spying may have gone back to 2000.

Competition committee members also suggested Friday that the memo is less about Spygate than it is about finding a way to keep up with advances in technology.

"When we met with commissioner, the discussion was how we proceed in an era when technology is expanding exponentially," Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian said. "The question is how do we keep on top of that. This is far less about what happened in the past and how we deal with it in the future."

Among other things, Goodell wants fewer constraints on him in punishing violators.

"Too often," he wrote, "competitive violations have gone unpunished because conclusive proof of the violation was lacking. I believe we should reconsider the standard of proof to be applied in such cases, and make it easier for a competitive violation to be established.

"And where a violation is shown, I intend to impose more stringent penalties on both the club and the responsible individual(s). I will also be prepared to make greater use of draft choice forfeiture in appropriate cases. I believe this will have the effect of deterring violations and making people more willing to report violations on a timely basis."

Enforcement would include spot checks of team offices, including locker rooms, coaches' booths and in-stadium communication systems and equipment as well as "enhanced monitoring of team practices."

"Many of these checks will be virtually unannounced and clubs would be expected fully to cooperate with this effort," Goodell wrote.

On another matter, Goodell said he supports the use of radios for defensive players to get signals from the sideline, which now are limited only to offense.

The measure came up at last year's meetings but was not approved because coaches and team officials were concerned that too many players might have to be wired because in many cases, a player with a radio in his helmet might be out of the game on some plays. On offense, only the quarterbacks have radios in helmets.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:28 PM to Patriots | Permalink | Comments 0

National MS Society profiles Jordan Sigalet

The Providence Bruins goalie is one of five subjects profiled on the organization's Web site for MS Awarness Week, which is next week. Click here to see the bio.

Sigalet returned to action with the P-Bruins in January after missing close to two months following an on-ice collapse due to complications of multiple sclerosis. He was diagnosed with MS in March 2004.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:20 PM to P-Bruins | Permalink | Comments 0

Multimedia: Carolyn Thornton previews the girls Division I championship

Click the play button to see and hear the show, as Carolyn breaks down the rematch of last year's girls title game between La Salle and Bay View.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:45 AM to High School | Permalink | Comments 0

Colon looks sharp in latest 'pen session

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon just completed his third bullpen session of spring and looked sharp during the 50-pitch workout. He was able to mix in his offspeed stuff for the first time, including 10 sliders to his session with Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell looking on.

''He threw the ball very good,'' said Farrell. ''He kept the endurance and the tempo of his session consistent through the 50 pitches he threw this morning. The breaking ball and slider he added was a solid pitch for him. . . It was another good workday for him.''

Next up, Colon will toss a 40-pitch BP session on Sunday. After that the Red Sox will decide if March 15 is still a realistic starting point for game action.

Farrell said it would be ideal for Colon to pitch twice in games before the team heads to Japan.

''The work he’s been doing here every day has been very diligent and his work ethic has been tremendous,'' Farrell said. ''He’s making every progressive step we were hoping to see, and the next one will be batting practice.''

The one noticeable aspect of Colon’s session this morning was how fast he was working. The right-hander would throw, get the ball back and quickly deliver again.

''He has a tendency to get a little rapid fire, which a lot of pitchers do,'' Farrell said. ''He even acknowledged the other day that he needs to slow himself down a little bit because when you get too quick it can cause him to rush a little in his delivery, and lose command of the baseball.''

When Colon arrived at camp there was some concern with his body type, but he’s always been short and stocky. Even Farrell was quick to point out that Colon has been able to make it work to his advantage.

''He’s been pitching a long time very successfully,'' said Farrell. ''He has a very good feel for his body and when he does misfire with a pitch he can quickly make the adjustment that’s needed.''

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Papelbon happy with deal

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon, who accepted $125,000 less than he had hoped for in his 2008 contract Thursday, nevertheless said he was happy with his one-year deal.

''I'm pleased,'' he said, ''because I feel like I was able to set a precedent for pitchers to come. That was definitely one of my goals and I feel like the Red Sox were on board with that.''

Papelbon's $775,000 salary, agreed to Thursday afternoon, represents the most money ever given to a non-arbitration eligible reliever, topping the mark set almost a decade ago by Mariano Rivera. Papelbon had hoped to match the $900,000 given to Ryan Howard in 2007, but in the end, took less.

''I feel like the Red Sox were very fair,'' he said, ''and I was fair. We can move forward and continue to have a good relationship. Rivera was the one that set the tone 10 years ago. Hopefully, I can follow in his footsteps for years to come.''

For a time, it seemed like Papelbon might have his deal renewed at the Red Sox' choosing, but they were able to reach a settlement.

''You always want to get things done,'' he said. ''It's all part of the process. No feelings were hurt. I don't think anybody wants to renew. It doesn't look good for the club and I didn't want to renew either. We wanted to maintain the good relationship we have.''

General manager Theo Epstein said Thursday that Papelbon understood the Sox' position when they provided him with some context.

''They were saying to me, 'We're putting you as the No. 1 two-year pitcher in history,' '' said Papelbon. ''That was their intent to recognize me. (They were saying,) 'This is pretty much all we can do.'

''I still feel like I deserved what Ryan Howard got, but at the same time, you've got to pick and choose your battles.''

Papelbon said he would listen to any overtures from the club about a multiyear extension. "But I don't think I'll take it into consideration unless it's very inviting.''

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:44 AM to Red Sox | Permalink | Comments 0

A-Rod limited by sore shoulder

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a sore right shoulder and is scheduled to be the designated hitter in Friday's game against Houston.

Rodriguez said he felt discomfort Thursday and the shoulder bothers him only when he throws. He took part in all drills Friday except the 10-minute throwing session. At that time, he took extra grounders at third.

The three-time AL MVP had a heat pack on the shoulder before going through pregame drills.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments 0

Download today's sports cover

On today's sports cover, Kevin McNamara reviews PC's rousing win over UConn, while Bill Reynolds wonders if it is enough to save the Friars' season. Paul Kenyon reports some very interesting numbers on Will Daniels of URI, and Sean McAdam tells you why Joe Torre enjoys being in Dodger blue.

Click here to download the file in pdf format.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments 0