Anyone have any information on time and date? Can't find anything anywhere... I remember Rev posting some pics from previous years... also unable to find that story anywhere on the site

Thanks in advance

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Back in January, I posted some thoughts about the future of the franchise, specifically Albert Pujols' future with our beloved Cardinals.

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/1/20/729175/something-to-thin-about

Today on Deadspin, fellow fan Will Leitch has picked up the ball and shares my concern (and articulates it much better than I did)

http://deadspin.com/5291272/how-the-cardinals-could-lose-albert-pujols?skyline=true&s=x

So, what to do? Stay patient and hope the offense turns it around? Will management go out and make a move to try and help convince Albert that they're still willing to pay to improve the team and are committed to winning?

This is by no means a knee-jerk reaction to the play of late... this was a concern months ago and it continues to grow. I just hope ownership and the front office realize it before it's too late.

On top of whatever general discord is afflicting us a fanbase for the upcoming 2009 season, I was thinking about something that doesn't need to be addressed quite yet but will creep up on us soon enough.

El Hombre's contract is guaranteed through 2010 with a $16 million club option for 2011. If the club picks that option up, I can only imagine how unhappy Albert might be... which brings me to this question:

How much money will it take to lock up Albert when his contract comes up? His current deal was made when the market was decidedly less expensive. I would assume that the Teixeira contract might be used as just a starting point. Are we talking ARod-type numbers? 10 years, $275 million?

Personally, I think the Cards should do whatever it takes to make sure he is a Cardinal for life. What say you?

So... being a Cowboys fan in Southern California, I'm not able to hear a lot of what's been going on since the unpleasantness on Sunday. The overriding question I have is this: How can Jerry Jones justify keeping Wade Phillips?

Does anyone envision any scenario in which Phillips makes it to the 2009 season opener as the Cowboys head coach?

Clearly Bill Parcells was instrumental in the rebuilding of the franchise but he grew tired of having to deal with Jerry... or something along those lines. But he had us on the right track. Last year's 13-3 season was much like Switzer coming in and winning the Super Bowl with Jimmy's players (except there was a colossal pooping of the bed against the Giants in the playoffs).

So, if Jerry can't deal with a Parcells-type and Wade's soft approach is just killing any chances of serious championship contention, who is out there that can provide a happy medium and get the job done?

Obviously some tinkering has to be done with the roster since chemistry is the biggest issue... that can be dealt with later. A fish rots from the head... which coach is the answer that the Cowboys need?

From rotoworld:

Cards GM John Mozeliak said talks with the Rockies regarding Matt Holliday are dead.

Mozeliak admitted that serious discussions took place, but he said all conversations have ceased and "nothing is imminent. That one’s not happening — at all." FOXSports.com reported that the two teams had discussed a deal that would have sent Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker and Mitchell Boggs to Colorado for Holliday. Nov. 10 - 1:20 am et

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

So.... that's a bummer. I had serious doubts about Holliday concerning his home/road hitting splits, but I thought this would have been a good deal to sell high with Ludwick.

So, what's next? Do they still shop Ludwick and/or Schumaker and try to become major players for Jake Peavy?

From rotoworld.com:

Cardinals agreed to terms with RHP Kyle Lohse on a four-year, $41 million contract.

Lohse will receive a $1.25 million signing bonus, $7,125,000 in 2009, $8,875,000 in 2010 and $11,875,000 in each of the final two seasons. He also gets a full no-trade clause. This all for a pitcher who signed a one-year, $4.25 million last March. Lohse's strikeout rate was as mediocre as ever this season. He has improved his command and he's always had pretty good stuff, but he could just as easily be a fourth starter as a No. 3 going forward. Durability is the biggest thing he has working in his favor. Still, we wouldn't want to take our chances on him being worth more than $23 million in 2011 and '12.

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He was a pleasant surpirse this year and our best pitcher from Game 1 thru Game 162. I like that we locked him up but I'm not too thrilled that he'll be getting paid almost $12 million per in 2011 & 2012. Thoughts?

FWST saying that Lions WR Roy Williams reportedly "wants to play in Dallas". I think they should make it happen and dealing away the 28th pick should be more than enough.

Chad Johnson could potentially be too much of a headache and the Bengals seem ready to take a hardline stance with him so it appears unlikely he'll be leaving Cincinnati.

"The Legend" is from Texas so I'm sure he would be welcomed home with open arms. I would LOVE to see this happen.

http://www.star-telegram.com/332/sto...

Does anyone really want Skip Schumaker as the starting right fielder on opening day?

Mr. Barton has been tearing it up and there may not be a player that I'm more excited to see play every day once the season starts (only because of Albert's injury).

Here's hoping that Barton's knee continues to hold up and Bravo to the personnel department for snagging him in the Rule 5 Draft.

Just want to get some opinions out there... if Jason Heyward had been a part of the loaded 2005 high school outfielder draft class, where would he have ranked heading into that draft?

The 1st round that year yielded Justin Upton (1st overall pick) Cameron Maybin (10th), Andrew McCutchen (11th), Jay Bruce (12th) and Colby Rasmus (28th).

Heyward seems to be getting a lot of run as the next high school outfielder to be a big-time prospect, along the lines of the guys mentioned above.

Wow. I didn't see this coming. Not too often that we see an almost guarantedd Top Ten pick bypass the draft for an extra season. Hope it doesn't come back and bite him in the ass.

I'm sure New England would've loved to snag him with the 7th pick. Guess they'll have to look elsewhere now. What does this do to the overall strength of the class of linebackers coming out this season?