Just reading how Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Ben Sheets and a few lesser-name players had filed for free agency on the first day of eligibility. Other quality names are sure to follow including Francisco Rodriguez, A.J. Burnett and C.C. Sabathia, but I'm not too sure owners will be opening their wallets quite as wide as some expect.

The turbulent economic environment we are dealing with affects billionaires too, ya know, and owners will likely use the recession as an excuse to try and re-establish a new line in the sand as far as the seemingly out-of-control player salaries of the past several years (ie... Andruw Jones $18,100,100 & Barry Zito $18,000,00 come to mind).

A lot of people look at this year's crop of free agents as one of the best in years, but while the talent level is high, the huge salary increases that typically balloon to new heights each year might just be a thing of the past. Don't get me wrong, these players will still be getting paid and getting paid well, but I predict the owners will site the economy as a valid reason to curtal their spending in many different areas with player salaries being No. 1 on that list.

I still expect the top prizes in this year's class like Sabathia and Manny to make in upwards of $20 million per year, but don't be shocked if some of the others receive offers closer to those being tossed around 2-3 years agao vs. those from last year. Good to know the ecomomy is hurting the millionaires as well as us poor folks.
 

Here's the official "Beat The Blogger" picks for this week. Anybody who can correctly pick more winners than the Blogger (factoring in the point spreads) will be eligible to win (1) authentic, signed 8-by-10 photo featuring an NFL star. If more than one person outpicks the blogger, one winner will be drawn at random.

Houston +4.5 over Minnesota
Jacksonville -7.5 over Cincinnati
Tampa Bay -8.5 over Kansas City
Cleveland -1.5 over Baltimore
Buffalo -5.5 over NY Jets
Arizona -3 over St. Louis
Detroit -13 over Chicago
Tennessee -5.5 over Green Bay
Denver -3 over Miami
Atlanta -3 over Oakland
NY Giants -8.5 over Dallas
Philadelphia -6.5 over Seattle
New England +6 over Indianapolis
Washington -1.5 over Pittsburgh

GOOD LUCK

Do you remember back in late July when a minor league baseball brawl became major news on ESPN and tons of other media outlets not only because it lasted nearly 10 minutes long, but also because it displayed one of the craziest things ever witnessed in the history of brawls.

Check out the link below to refresh your memory because it's been a few months and you've likely forgotten this ugly scene.
http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=3505522

OK, so you've seen the footage again and you undoubtedly saw Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo enter the frame for a second before firing a baseball toward the opponent's dugout. Well, much like his efforts on the mound that day and throughout his four-year minor league career, Castillio's pitch was off the mark and sailed into the stands where it hit an unsuspecting fan in the forehead.

On Wednesday, Castillo was indicted on two counts of felonious assault and could face up to 16 years in prison. Castillo's lawyers argued that penalties for bench-clearing brawls in baseball are usually sanctioned by the league itself and that his client would accept any penalty his Class-A league would hand out but that taking this case to the courts was a unprecedented and unfair. "In my research, I have found this to be an unprecedented indictment in American baseball," Defense Attorney Dennis Lieberman said. "These are very serious charges that could destroy this kid's chance of ever playing baseball in the United States again."

While Lieberman's contentions could end up being accurate, there was a fairly good chance that kid wasn't going to be playing baseball in the United States again anyway. With a 3-7 career mark that included 76 walks and 75 strikeouts and an ERA near 5.00, Castillo was on the fast track to nowhere and his actions only sped up the inevitable.

I understand that we've all done things in the heat of the moment that we regret and would like to take back but there is simple no excuse for beaning a fan (intended or not) with a baseball hurling at more than 85 mph either. In this case, justice was served and hopefully it will help to keep athletes being held more accountable for their actions in the future. Just because someone commits a crime and it happens to take place on the field of play doesn't mean that a crime hasn't occurred. Case closed.  

Here are this week's Beat The Blogger NFL pick'em matchups for this week. To enter, simply post your picks factoring in the point spreads listed below up until 1/2 hour before the start of the week's first game. If you can correctly pick more games than the Blogger, you could some great sports memorabilia. This week's winner will receive (1) authentic signed 8-by-10 photo of an NFL star. If more than one person, beats the blogger, one name will be drawn randomly to determine the winner. I will post my picks on Friday so you know what you're up against. Spread the word and good luck.

Houston +4.5 at Minnesota
Jacksonville -7.5 at Cincinnati
Tampa Bay -8.5 at Kansas City
Baltimore +1.5 at Cleveland
NY Jets +5.5 at Buffalo
Arizona -3 at St. Louis
Detroit +13 at Chicago
Green Bay +5.5 at Tennessee
Miami +3 at Denver
Atlanta -3 at Oakland
Dallas +8.5 at NY Giants
Philly -6.5 at Seattle
New England -6 at Indy
Pittsburgh +2 at Washington

It took three weeks and more than 100 entries, but we finally found a winner in the Beat The Blogger NFL pick'em contest. After picking 10 of 14 games correctly, Mark McDowell rolled to an easy win with the Blogger managing just seven correct picks.

For his efforts, McDowell will be receiving authentic signed 8-by-10 photos of LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees and Marshall Faulk.

The prize for anybody who can Beat The Blogger this week will be one signed 8-by-10 photo to the person who can pick the most NFL games (with posted point spreads) correctly and of course, Beat The Blogger in the process.
This week's point spreads will be posted here on Wednesday and the Blogger's picks will be posted on Friday. You can post your picks any time after this week's schedule is up and can get your picks in right up until a 1/2-hour before the start of the first game of the week.

Spread the word and good luck.

Here's the official "Beat The Blogger" picks for this week. Anybody who can correctly pick more winners than the Blogger (factoring in the point spreads) will be eligible to win (3) authentic, signed 8-by-10 photos featuring NFL stars. If more than one person outpicks the blogger, one winner will be drawn at random.

Baltimore -7 over Oakland
San Diego -3 over New Orleans
NY Jets -13 over Kansas City
Buffalo -1.5 over Miami
Dallas -3.5 over Tampa Bay
Philadelphia -9 over Atlanta
New England -7 over St. Louis
Arizona +4.5 over Carolina
Washington -7.5 over Detroit
Cleveland +7 over Jacksonville
Pittsburgh -3 over NY Giants
Seattle +5 over San Francisco
Cincinnati +9.5 over Houston
Indianapolis +4 over Tennessee

GOOD LUCK

Not sure what to make of the latest Brett Favre "episode." I call it that because it seems like everything the aging QB does these days is something that should be airing on the new "90210" series.

On the latest episode, Favre was caught giving away information about his former team, the Packers, to the Lions, the team Green Bay just happened to be playing that week. As Fox's Jay Glazer reported, Favre and friend Matt Millen, the Lions GM at the time, were talking on the phone in the days leading up to the Packers-Lions Week 2 matchup. After some back-n-forth regarding hunting, the discussion turned to what Favre might know about the Packers gameplan that might be able to help out Millen's Lions. It's not clear whether it was Favre giving up the information without any prodding or if Millen had to push him a little to give it up, but either way, the tarnished spot on the Favre legacy continues to grow.

A few days after the story broke, Favre realized his media-darling image was in question again so he realized it was time to start putting his own unique spin on the story. He admitted talking to Millen but said the two never talked about any gamplan-related information. Then in his best good ole boy southern drawl, he switched gears and stated that he didn't call Tony Romo a couple weeks ago either (Favre had reportedly called the Cowboys QB in an effort to get him to play through the pain of a broken finger) which got a laugh from the media contingent on hand at the press conference. The Packers won the game against the Lions and won rather decisively, so it's not clear if the QB-turned-informant didn't provide enough secret information or if the Lions are simply that bad that they can't win despite knowing what's coming next.

While I'm a huge Packers fan and still remain a Favre fan despite all the drama, it's hard to believe the future Hall of Famer when he continually places himself square in the middle of one controversy after another. As far as who to believe in this one, I can't get passed the now-famous e-mail Favre sent out to the media when talk of him wanting to come out of retirement first surfaced this summer. It stated "It's all rumors." About a week later, Favre was sitting in front of the cameras stating that he wanted to come back and play. Who do you believe? You do the math.     

I don't care if Mike Ditka picked them to win it all and I don't care that they're the only undefeated team in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans are not the best team in the league. Sure, they spanked the Chiefs around in Arrowhead, but these ain't your father's Chiefs we're talking about and Arrowhead is about as unpleasant as a trip to Hawaii for opponents these days so let's hold back on the kudos for now.

Let's check back in five weeks and see how the passing-challenged Titans are doing after facing Indy, Green Bay, Chicago, Jacksonville and the Jets in consecutive weeks. As of now, the Titans are 6-0 but have beaten six teams with a combined record of 12-26. While the running game made the passing game unnecessary for most of the game against the Chiefs, when you manage just 123 total yards in the air and guys named Bo, Ahmard and Lavelle are catching passes from a guy named Kerry, it's only a matter of time before your one-dimensional offense catches up with you.

While I'd like to show some compassion for my fellow man when they fall on hard times, it's kind of hard to find the pity when they continually do things that question their intelligence. Reading today how Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain was picked up for drunk driving, speeding and possessing an open container of alcohol in his vehichle while in Nebraska this weekend. He said his actions were "an error in judgement" and I agree with him on that. I can't fault any guy for getting his drunk on in Nebraska because well, I've been there, and Nebraska without a buzz is about as close to hell on earth as it gets.

But what I don't understand is how these high-priced athletes can't simply shell out a few bucks to hire a person to drive them around when they're drinking and need to get from place to place. Chamberlain made more than $500k this past season and will become an instant millionaire when he signs his next contract. You can't tell me he can't afford to hire a driver to be at the ready at all times for $50k a year. In fact, I'd like to apply for the position right now. Joba just give me a call and we can work something out asap. I'm sure his legal fees will add up to close to that amount and driving around an star athlete likely has its bonus perks anyway, right? It's a win-win for everybody.

Just thought I'd chime in on a few topics that caught my eye the last few days and see if I'm the only one thinking Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones panicked in making the trade for WR Roy Williams?

Williams is a former Pro Bowl caliber player and could easily regain that form now that he has a legitimate quarterback throwing to him, but the first post-Matt Millen move made by Detroit has all the makings of a highway robbery. Jones said he has been coveting Williams for the last two years and couldn't get a deal done during the Millen era. Knowing how smitten Jones was with Williams and realizing injuries to Tony Romo, Felix Jones and Sam Herd had decimated the Cowboys offensive capabilities, the Lions simply held out for more and Jones eventually caved. Watching billionaires like Jones get outsmarted like that makes you wonder how they built their financial empires in the first place doesn't it?

Speaking of bad Jones' decisions, it looks like the Pacman experiment was more trouble than it was worth. Seems the trouble-prone defensive back got all liquored up and started a fight with the guy the Cowboys assigned to keep him out of trouble. What? Pacman's issues would probably be more tolerable if he was an elite defender or even an above-average return specialist like many said he was but that has not been the case and now the Cowboys are forced to admit their mistake in giving him a second chance and move on.

When it comes to quarterbacks, one of the intangibles scouts and GMs look for is field awareness. In general terms, this basically means that a guy is always in the game as far as knowing the down and distance, understanding the score, his team's position on the field and most importantly what he can and cannot do with the game on the line. Apparently Lions' backup QB Dan Orlovsky was home sick on the days the team went over such things in Training Camp because his safety in last week's loss to the Vikings was both comical and inexcusable at the same time. Tied 0-0 in the first quarter against the Vikings, Orvlosky took the snap at his own two yard line and dropped back to pass in his own endzone. Minnesota's Jared Allen forced him from the pocket and Orvlosky retreated back a couple yards while scrambling from the pressure and was called for the safety as he appoached the first row of seats behind the endzone. Talk about lack of awareness. This guy was out of the endzone for about as long as the cheerleaders were coming back after the commercial before he realized what was up. Clueless, totally clueless.

And last but not least, how about a shout out to the impressive Rays of Tampa Bay. Not only are they taking care of the defending champs, they're doing it with an offensive barrage like no other. I believe the Sox are rolling out Josh Beckett in an attempt to prolong the inevitable but it might take Josh Gibson to slow down these sizzling bats.

I was fortunate enough to take in Game 3 and Game 4 of the Brewers-Phillies NLDS games this past weekend and despite the quick exit by my hometown Milwaukee squad, I couldn't have been more impressed with the effort made by the Brewers' faithful in the stands.

I've been to more than 200 Brewer games in my life and I have never witnessed anything close to the atmosphere of this past weekend. The team returned home from Philly down 0-2 in the series but you would have guessed it was the Brewers that were looking for the sweep if you based it solely on the crowd at Miller Park.

From the opening pitch on Saturday right up until the final pitch on Sunday, both crowds did everything they could to keep the Brewers dream alive. Whether it was the non-stop cheers, the feverish wavering of the Brewers towels on Saturday to the deafening noise created by the 86,000 thunder sticks that were given out on Sunday, both Miller Park crowds definitely did their part.

Unfortunately for the Miller Park maniacs, the team was simply outplayed on the field and there was nothing we in the stands could do about it. An error here, a misplayed fly ball there, coupled with the ever-popular strikeout with runners in scoring position and it translated to a recipe for disaster for the playoff-starved Crew. Sure, there were some highlights sprinkled in throughout the weekend but in the end, the quick exit was not only disappointing but it was made even more so by the fact that many of the players who helped make this season a memorable one likely won't be around for another run at the title next year.

If the Brewer brass can just keep rolling out a competitive team we'll be back to lend our support. Next year's Brewers will have plenty of holes to fill on the diamond that's for sure, but at least they can take solace in the fact that their fan base is alive and well, three million strong and growing.

Just thought I'd post some quick-hitting thoughts about what's going in the wild world of sports.

First off, enough already about what a big deal it is when pitchers start on just three days rest. I'm no "baseball purist" by any means and I'm not old enough to remember the days before setup men and situational pitchers and all that, but I know for a fact that pitching on three days rest was a common practice before guaranteed million-dollar contracts became the norm. With the advent of pitch counts and quick hooks, complete games are about as rare as a clutch hit from the Brewers lineup so why not roll with your ace every three days, give him the typical 95 pitches to work his magic and take your chances. The difference between most team's No. 1 and No. 2 starters is usually worth a couple runs so even a No. 1 at 90% is usually better than a No. 2 at 100%.

Give me a staff of rubber-armed Roy Halladay, CC Sabathia and Johan Santana and I'll pitch all three every third day and take my chances.

Planning on going to Game 3 of the NLDS series between Milwaukee and Philly Saturday and while the Brewers will be battling for their lives down 0-2 in the best-of-five series, I sure hope we as fans do our part to try to will a Game 4 into existence. Milwaukee has waited 26 years for this opportunity and I'd hate to see 45,000 turn their backs on the team because they weren't able to get their act together in the postseason. This Brewer team is one of the most frustrating and yet exciting teams I've ever followed, but that's only because they have the talent to advance and it would be such a shame if they didn't display it.

I saw how quick a certain contingent at the "not-so-friendly" confines bailed on their squad when things didn't go their way and I would hate to see our fan base fall into the "fair-weather" variety.

For years, there have been two topics of conversation that tend to be off limits at a bar: religion and politics. And with good reason. The two topics tend to evoke heated conversations that simply don't mix well with adult beverages. When people are drinking their opinions tend to be amplified to a whole new level which can often lead to arguments that nobody wins which is why the subjects were deemed as taboo for drinking establishments long ago.

My point is, some things just shouldn't be mixed together. For example, Chicago Cubs fans and Steve Bartman; Lane Kiffin and Al Davis; O.J. Simpson and anybody named Goldman. The latest to be added to the list is combination of political trading cards with good ole fashioned sports cards.

Both Topps and Upper Deck are featuring political inserts in their latest baseball releases which begs the question: Why? While I'm sure there are some funny satire-inspired offerings in the sets that will draw a few smiles from collectors, I'm also guessing there will be quite a few hardcore baseball card fans who will disappointed they were shorted a chance at a Geovanny Soto RC in favor of a Tina Fey lookalike (Sarah Palin).

Like most in these difficult economic times, sports collectors want to get what they pay for and pulling a cartoon-versioned card of an old war hero will likely not be met with the same passion by those hoping to find the next Cy Young in their pack.

So do us a favor Topps and Upper Deck. Do what you do best and leave the political stuff for CNN and the like and stick to producing the best-valued SPORTS cards you can.