Johan Santana Derby Nighty Cap
• It's a game of chicken and it appears that both the Yankees and Red Sawx are blinking.
The Red Sox yesterday did an about-face and decided to include outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury in a package for the premier pitcher. Previously, the Red Sox had declared both Ellsbury and pitching prospect Clay Buchholz off-limits in trade talks.
That, however, was before the New York Yankees -- the Red Sox' chief rival on the field and in these negotiations -- reluctantly agreed to include top pitching prospect Phillip Hughes in their offer to the Twins.
The Yankees either will reach an agreement with the Twins sometime Monday on a trade for Johan Santana or pull their offer from the table, senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Sunday night.
If the Twins had only negotiated their stadium deal this well. As it is with Pohland still owning the team, whoever wins the Santana derby can buy back their players as they become too expensive.
• I always hate to be Yankee-centric, but hey they are in the news. Andy Pettitte, who contemplated retirement this winter, has told his good friends, a few former Astros teammates and some current Yankees teammates that he will return to the Bronx for the 2008 season.
• If I were a kicker I would rather try a 36 yarder to win the game rather than a 51 yarder. But how in the world do you get the ball moved 15 yards in your favor? Just play against Coach Gibbs. Gibbs called consecutive timeouts while trying to ice Buffalo kicker Rian Lindell with 4 seconds remaining. That prompted a 15-yard penalty -- back-to-back timeouts are illegal -- and Lindell made a 36-yarder for the win. Somewhere Chris Webber is smiling.
But that's not all the Gibbs news that's fit to print. Gregg Williams excited his players Saturday night by deciding to leave Sean Taylor's free safety spot vacant and let his defense start its first series with just 10 men on the field. Trouble is, the Redskins assistant head coach-defense didn't get his signals straight with coach Joe Gibbs, who said after the game he didn't know of the plan. I hate to say it, but it looks like Coach Gibbs has been lapped a few times this season.
• Karl Dorrell is expected to be out as UCLA coach as early as Monday, a person close to the situation told ESPN's Joe Schad on Sunday.
A short list of candidates has been assembled, sources familiar with the athletic department told The Los Angeles Times on Sunday.
Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker could be considered for the potential opening, according to Schad. Walker is also a candidate for the Washington State opening.
• Ohio State is No. 1, LSU is No. 2, and Virginia Tech, Oklahoma and Georgia and Ed Zipper are just numb. I have never liked Ohio State even as a kid. A buckeye... That's just fucking nuts. But let's get to the facts. Ohio State played Youngstown State, Akron and Kent State, at home, by choice.
If you combine the best players from the three small schools they still shouldn't have any business on the "#1 team's" schedule. Is two losses to quality opponents better than three cupcake wins. In reality yes, in BCS land no. College is allegedly a place of learning. All I have learned from this season is that Greed is Good. Shame on you BCS. LSU by 17.
• The Padres, taking a chance on a pitcher coming off shoulder surgery, have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf on a one-year contract, according to major-league sources. I have always thought that Wolf has been underrated his whole career. While not an all-star he is a solid competitor that keeps his team in games. He should have a good year considering half his home games will be played in a canyon.
• Things Peter King thinks that none of us will understand:
Leon Washington. Joe Washington. Same guy. If you're 45 or older, you see that.
Miami's going winless. (He sure goes out on a limb here)
LaDainian Tomlinson is looking a lot like LaDainian Tomlinson again.
Tarvaris Jackson spent his second straight game looking like a first-string quarterback.
When I watch the Bills, I feel like I'm watching a bunch of guys who would play football for free.
Where did Roddy White come from? Ten more catches yesterday in St. Louis. Nice player
Things worked out for the BCS. Ohio State-LSU is the game I want to see for the marbles.
Coffeenerdness: My daughter Mary Beth informs me that The Barge, the campus coffeehouse at Colgate University and her employer, has shipped out two pounds of Colgate Blend to a South Dakota man, based on my review of the black gold in a recent column. You won't regret it, sir. That's a strong, delicious cup of Green Mountain coffee.
People I couldn't write football stuff that stupid if I was on the staff at the Onion. I do not have words to describe how inept and out of touch Fatty McButterPants is with the sport he allegedly covers. And I refuse to link to his drivel. I refuse to even show him that amount of respect.
