Author Archive
San Francisco Giants: Young Players Aren’t Getting a Second Chance
Posted: 26th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in MLB
When any self-proclaimed "die hard" Giants fans talk about their team for more than five minutes, the dismal managing duo of Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean almost always comes up in the conversation.
And what is the biggest issue that makes this tandem of field manager and general manager so maligned by the fan base?
The biggest issue that irks the die-hards is San Francisco's inconsistency in giving young players a chance ...
San Francisco 49ers: Why Mike Singletary’s Job Will Be on the Line in 2010
Posted: 24th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in NFL
The San Francisco 49ers head into the 2010 season as the front runners to win the NFC West. With Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner retiring this offseason, the 49ers have become the default choice to win the division in the upcoming season.
Even before San Francisco selects two potential impact players in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, they have already had these playoff expectations thrust upon them ...
Edgar Renteria: The Epitome of Why the “Giants’ Way” is the Wrong Way
Posted: 19th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in MLB
The San Francisco Giants head into the 2010 season with what is expected to be a healthy Edgar Renteria. After battling injuries nearly all season last year, the second year Giants shortstop appears to be eager to move on.
In fact, at the first day of camp he told reporters how disappointed he was with his performance last season. He told them, "I feel embarrassed for last year because I could ...
Why Michael Crabtree Has Made Alex Smith’s Resurrection Possible
Posted: 19th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in NFL
Less than six months ago, Alex Smith, San FranciscoÆs first overall draft choice from 2005, had been beaten out for the 49ersÆstarting quarterback spot by career journeyman Shaun Hill.
After two straight injury-filled seasons, SmithÆs future as an NFL starter seemed incredibly bleak after losing the quarterback competition in training camp.
Heading into the 2009 season, the 49ers were looking to play a hard-hitting defensive style while eating up the clock ...
Thomas Greiss: What a Strong Olympics Could Mean for San Jose
Posted: 17th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
The San Jose Sharks lead the NHL with eight Olympians participating in the Vancouver games.á
Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley, and Dan Boyle are on Team Canada and Evgeni Nabokov will backstop Team Russia. Those five are obvious.
However, if you follow one of the other 29 NHL clubs, a little research was probably necessary to find out the other three.
After some googling, you swiftly figured out that Joe Pavelski is ...
Which Sharks Team Is Better: ’08-’09 or ’09-’10? A Pre-Playoff Look
Posted: 15th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
With about two weeks off for the majority of the San Jose Sharks and for all of their fans, what better time to analyze the improvements (or lack thereof) from last season to this season?
Another regular season is coming to a close, as only 20 games remain after the Olympic break before the Sharks start the grueling grind of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Will the 2010 playoff lineup for San Jose ...
Jody Shelley: San Jose Makes Trade As Fourth Line Begins to Take Shape
Posted: 12th February 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
According to TSN reports, the San Jose Sharks have traded veteran tough guy Jody Shelley to the New York Rangers in exchange for a sixth round draft choice. The pick could become a fifth rounder if the Rangers resign Shelley, who will be a unrestricted free agent after the season.
What does this mean for team teal? Well, with Shelley's 725K contract coming off the books, a bit of extra cap ...
San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean Ignoring His Team’s Need For Speed
Posted: 8th January 2010 by Andy Bensch in MLB
Speed kills, right? Well when it comes to MLB, that isn't always the case. In fact, six of the top 10 teams in base stealing in 2009 missed the playoffs.
And over the last few seasons, it is pretty much a coin flip on whether or not the top base stealing teams in baseball make the playoffs. But in particular, speed at the top of the order has proved more critical ...
Kyle Orton vs Alex Smith: Comparing Two Very Similar Quarterbacks
Posted: 7th January 2010 by Andy Bensch in NFL
With the 2009-2010 NFL season now in the books for the majority of the NFL's 32 teams, it is time for fans to discuss why their clubs failed to qualify for the postseason.
Fans around the league will argue over what went wrong, what they can do better and where they need upgrades.
The majority of these fans are going to throw out absurd ideas about who should stay and who should ...
San Jose Sharks: Why Rob Blake Should Give Up His Captaincy
Posted: 7th January 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
The San Jose Sharks made a change at captain during the offseason, as they took the "C" away from five-year captain Patrick Marleau and gave it to second-year Sharks defenseman and 40-year-old Rob Blake.
When the announcement was made, you didn't hear any Sharks fans complaining, although many would have preferred the captaincy either to stay with Marleau or be given to defenseman Dan Boyle.
But now that we are past the half-way point ...