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Aaron Rodgers is gradually beginning to get mentioned in the conversation with the best quarterbacks in today’s game. Last week’s dominating performance against the 13-3 Falcons advanced that reasoning even further. Rodgers picked apart the stagnant Falcon D, en route to a 31-36, 366 yard, and four touchdown performance in the 48-21 demolition.

The Packers needed the week 17 victory against the Bears just to get in to the playoffs, but now that they are here, they are having a field day. The undrafted Tramon Williams has morphed into a big play corner. He has three picks and two forced fumbles through two playoff games. No interception was bigger than the pick of Michael Vick in the end zone to ice the game. And then there was the interception return for a touchdown to sway momentum before the half against the Falcons. There is no doubt Jay Cutler will have to watch where he is on the field. He could turn into DeAngelo Hall, who picked Cutler off four times during the early pat of the season.

What’s more impressive is the resilience through the uncertainty. The Packers got to where they are despite losing 15 players to injury throughout the season, six of which were starters. Rodgers even missed a few games with a lingering concussion. But through it all, they are in the final four. Mike McCarthy certainly deserves to be in the conversation for coach of the year considering everything the team has endured.

The Bears may have an antidote for Rodgers potent passing attack in Julius Peppers. The Pro Bowl defensive end’s pass rush is one of the best in the league. Both defenses pose some problems for the opposing offense. The Packers’ Clay Matthews’ presence will be huge in both the pass and run game. It will be interesting to see who will get the upper hand on defense. Rodgers and the offense doesn’t have a cakewalk either, but he has a definitive advantage.

Rodgers’ escape ability is what really puts him over the top. Besides Vick, he is the best at avoiding a sack. That will have to be put on display if Rodgers wants to remain upright.

The Packers have been fighting for their lives throughout the entire season. Their desperation and perseverance kept them in the playoff race during the season and has driven them to success in the playoffs. And who knew who James Starks was before this season? Titletown has an opportunity to live up to its name with the upcoming grudge match with the biggest rivalry in football.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

Packers cornerback Al Harris said Wednesday he will be back on the field with Green Bay this year after major knee injury abruptly ended last season.

In his first comments in the Packers locker room since the injury, Harris said he never thought about calling it quits.

“There’s no doubt in my mind. If there were, then I wouldn’t be here, standing here now,” the 13-year veteran said after the second of four public organized team activities this offseason.

Harris tore a ligament in his left knee on Nov. 22 against the 49ers while defending San Francisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree. He needed season-ending surgery and there had been questions whether the veteran would return.

Harris said it was tough to watch Green Bay lose to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs in January.

“That was hard, the bits and pieces that I did watch,” he said. “It’s still hard to watch, even watching practice. But that’s a part of it, and that fuels you, to watch the guys go out there and work, to watch your friends play cohesive as a group.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

An hourlong rain delay was just what Jaime Garcia needed to refocus.

The St. Louis Cardinals knocked out Bronson Arroyo in the fifth inning and their rookie left-hander overcame a shaky start in a 12-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, forging a first-place tie in the NL Central.

“I think in the first inning, sometimes it’s kind of like a shaky one for me because I’m learning,” Garcia said. “After the delay I was able to stay focused, stay in the game mentally and physically.”

Albert Pujols extended his streak of reaching base to nine straight plate appearances with two intentional walks and a single in his first three at-bats. He finally made an out in the fifth inning, hitting into a double play. Pujols added an RBI single in a five-run sixth, one day after hitting three homers at Chicago.

Click here to read the full article – By R.B. Fallstrom of Associated Press

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Usually when a team has the third pick in the NBA Draft, the team would be lucky to reach the .500 point the following season. For the Thunder, they were able to reach the 50-win plateau for the first time since they moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City. With a core that includes Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, the future could not be brighter. However, it could all come together this coming off-season. Let’s be honest; the chance of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire coming to Oklahoma City is pretty much 0%. However, there will be other all-star caliber players on the market such as Carlos Boozer and David Lee. Do not put it past Oklahoma City management to shell out money for a big man.

Oklahoma City, Seattle, or whatever you want to call them, have lacked a big man for a long time. Since the days of Shawn Kemp, they have not had a huge inside presence. They passed up on Brook Lopez, although they are hardly at fault due to the success of Russell Westbrook. But this team has gone through big men of the likes of Robert Swift and Jerome James. This can all be fixed in the 2010 off-season, if management solves the big man problem.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Even as the losses piled up, Trey Hillman never lost the respect of his players or the Kansas City Royals’ management.

It was evident in the way the Royals allowed him to manage one last game, in the tears that filled general manager Dayton Moore’s eyes as he spoke about the man he hired to rebuild a struggling franchise.

Those losses were just too hard to overlook.

The Royals needed a change and, tough as it was, Hillman had to take the fall.

Hillman became the first manager to get fired this season, bowing out with a graceful exit and a win in his final game on Thursday.

Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost will move from the front office to replace Hillman in the dugout for the remainder of the season.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Paul Molitor 4 Time Silver Slugger Award Winner Upcoming Signing – 5/15/2010 Here are the details: Where: Cow Palace When: 5/15/2010 Phone: (908) 258-7228 All Orders and Mail-Order need to be received by: 5/7/2010 Prices: Flats up to 11X14, Balls: $59.00; Premium Items: $79.00; Inscriptions: $20.00
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Ozzie Smith 2002 Hall of Famer Upcoming Signing – 5/15/2010 Here are the details: Where: Cow Palace When: 5/15/2010 Phone: (908) 258-7228 All Orders and Mail-Order need to be received by: 5/7/2010 Prices: Flats including 11×14 – $59 Premium Items – $99 Bats, Jerseys, Art – $129 Inscription – $20
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