This link is an interview Rudy did with a Spanish publication. I haven't seen this posted yet and thought it might provide some insight into what type of player the Bulls might be getting if a trade ever happens. The following is a translation from HoopsHype:

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via www.nancarrow-webdesk.com

According to the Dolphin's official site, the team has released LB Joey Porter today. Porter's relationship with the team had grown contentious causing him to request to be released, and the Dolphins did just that earlier today. (edit: here is the FOX Sports report as well)

A former 3rd round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Porter has been in the league 10 years and is turning 33 in March. He is an intriguing OLB, the main issue with him being that he has played in a 3-4 system his whole career so I don't know how well he would perform in the Cover-2. However, at 6-3 and 255 lbs he is plenty big enough to play in a 4-3. This past year he posted 9 sacks in 14 games and the year before he had 17.5 sacks in 16 games. For his career he has 92.0 sacks with 24 forced fumbles. IMO we're pretty set with our starting linebackers (assuming Pisa resigns and is healthy) so I don't know that we would have a spot for him, but I have to admit he would be a very interesting candidate for the strong side. So while I think he could add some much needed playmaking ability to our front 7, I don't see there being a spot open for him on the Bears this year. What do you guys think?

Let me preface this post by referencing this rumor from Yahoo. For those too lazy to click the link, that rumored trade would send the Cav's Zydrunas Ilgauskas and his expiring $11.5 million to the Hornets for David West straight up. The Hornets would then most likely buy Ilgauskas out and waive him in order to get under the luxury tax for the year. Seeing this rumor made me think of a potential 3 team trade that would be beneficial for all 3 teams.

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via cdn1.sbnation.com

The Athletics and Cardinals have completed a trade that sends outfielder Matt Holliday to St. Louis in exchange for third baseman Brett Wallace, outfielder Shane Peterson and right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen, sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

In addition, sources said the Athletics will throw in $1.5 million to the Cardinals.

 So the Cardinals have now made two significant trades within the last 2-3 weeks (DeRosa and Holliday) and have given up a good amount of decent prospects which shows that they're putting all their chips on the table for a postseason run this year. If they manage to sign Holliday to an extension after the season then this could turn out to be a great trae. However, if he signs elsewhere the trade would be a very, very bad one. I don't know much about the Card's farm system (anyone with information on the players they traded please feel free to share what you know), but giving up what are sure to be some of their top prospects for a half year rental could be disastrous (just ask the Brewers how they feel now about that Sabathia trade).

I believe the Cubs need to make a move now, not necessarily one as big as the Harden acquisition from last year. A left handed reliever (George Sherrill, John Grabow) and/or a starting SS/2B (Freddy Sanchez) should be the teams main focus. 

How do you guys think this changes our chances, and the NL Central overall?

Here is another post from mlbdailydish.com, another SBNation site that is great at covering trade rumors and other MLB news. Check out the story and help support their site!

ESPN and Yahoo have reported that Anquan Boldin has filed papers to the NFLPA to fire superagent Drew Rosenhaus. This move most likely stems from his inability to either get Boldin a new contract or to get him traded. Rosenhaus put out a release with all the usual "I respect Anquan's decision blah blah blah" and he also said he still expects Boldin to be traded before the start of training camp (or maybe he said before the start of the season, not positive). I don't know how this will (if it does at all) impact the Card's trade demands for Boldin but it's at least worth discussion. What do you guys and gals think?

ESPN Link

Yahoo Link

via cache.boston.com

I just heard it announced on ESPN1000 that the LA Times are reporting that Manny Ramirez is going to be suspended 50 games for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. I can't find a link to it yet (because it hasn't been officially announced by the league) but I'll post one as soon as it becomes available. The announcement should be coming later today.

So how does this affect the race to the NL Championship?

**Update: they just posted the link...

Linky

ESPN Link

Yahoo Link (w/ Manny comments)

I was just watching ESPN and they announced that the Jaguars have signed Torry Holt to a 3 year 20 million dollar contract. He would've been a good fit for us not only as a receiving option but as a mentor for our current receivers and any we might draft. Oh well, guess you can't have it all... So how do you guys think this affects the Bears plans?

Link attached.

ESPN link

Hey everyone I'm new here and this is my first post so please take it easy on me! Yahoo is reporting that the Broncos are officially looking to deal Cutler after the two sides couldn't resolve their issues. The Bears need to get on this now!! First and second picks and let the Broncos pick a player, that should be fair enough I think. Looking forward to contributing to this awesome blog!!

Story Link

And this one...