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Jon Heyman reported yesterday that the Yankees are “expecting to offer about $20 million over two years” to keep Johnny Damon for his fifth season in pinstripes.I have no problems with that price tag. Some may think it is too expensive for a 36-year-old, but when you look at the numbers, they aren’t declining. He also reached 100 runs in a season for the 10th time in his career.Another reason for the high price tag could be his durability. He has played in over 140 games in each of his last 14 seasons.Some may say his arm in left hurts the overall outfield defense too much. The only reason his stolen base count dropped from 29 to 12 in the last two years is because he hit second, not leadoff, in 2009. Hence, Derek Jeter’s stolen bases went up for the first time in five years. This article is also featured on lenNY's Yankees.

According to ProFootballTalk , recently terminatedNotre Dame head coach Charlie Weis had a secret visit and meeting with the Cleveland Browns this past weekend.First there were reports that Weis was interested in a possible offensive coordinator position with the Chicago Bears, now it's the Browns' turn.Weis has ties with current Browns head coach Eric Mangini (one of the few bridges that Mangini hasn't burnt down) when they both worked together as coordinators for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick.Weis' most notable accomplishments are the developing of quarterback Tom Brady for the Patriots and the development of quarterback Brady Quinn when he was the starter forNotre Dame.Quinn is currently starting to find success as the Browns starting quarterback and if the Browns decide that Quinn is in their future, then Weis may actually become the Browns' offensive coordinator in 2010.It is still unknown what will become of current offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who has struggled most of the year in hisgame-planning and play-calling, but it would have to be assumed that he might be shown the front door at the Browns training facility in Berea, OH if Weis is hired.ProFootballTalk also reported that Weis meet with both Browns owner Randy Lerner and General Manager-in-training Bernie Kosar to discuss Weis' possible future with the Browns.Of course, no specific details of the meeting were provided and everything is only an assumption right now, but if Weis is in the Browns' future, does that mean Lerner is happy with ManginiIs Mangini safe if Weis is hired Also, according to the site, Weis will be brought on if Mangini is terminated.So Mangini is on his way outWhat about when a new "football czar" is hired, what will he sayThis is all too confusing.Too many questions and not enough answers, which is usually the way it goes in Cleveland nowadays.Weis calling the plays for the Browns' offense, with Quinn behind center, sounds too smart a move, but is it the right move for the teamOnly time and patience will tell once the season ends and this scenario plays itself out. (Article also posted on Dawg Scooper). I'll drop his OPS in, too.2007: League - .306, Mike - .330, Mike's OPS - .738 2008: League - .303, Mike - .355 (!), Mike's OPS - .909 2009: League - .302, Mike - .281 (...), Mike's OPS - .677One other thing I'd look at: Font's ratio of at-bats against lefties to those against righties over the past three years. From '07 to '09: 1-to-3, 1-to-10, 1-to-6."Basically, in 2008 Fontenot never played against a left-hander and his numbers thrived. Last three years, these are his stats against RH pitchers:ABS: 730BA: .273OBP: .348 SLG: .436OPS: .784Let's compare this to three guys out there that have been mentioned as 2B possibilities if the Cubs manage to unload Bradley. These are their numbers overall compared to Fontenot's numbers just against RH pitchers: Luis Castillo Orlando Hudson Felipe Lopez Fontenot (vs. RH)BA: .289 .293 .310 .273OBP .369 .366 .383 .348SLG: .342 .435 .427 .436OPS: .711 .801 .810 .784They all get on base better, can switch-hit and hit LH and RH equally well, but if Fontenot only plays against RH (about 400 ABs) he's an inexpensive alternative to these other guys (especially since Hendry doesn't have a lot of wiggle room with the $$$ right now).Combined with Jeff Baker, that would be a productive platoon. Here are Baker's numbers only against LH in the last three years compared to the other guys: Luis Castillo Orlando Hudson Felipe Lopez Baker (vs. LH)BA: .289 .293 .310 .275OBP .369 .366 .383 .332SLG: .342 .435 .427 .509OPS: .711 .801 .810 .841Although Baker doesn't get on base, he absolutely would kill lefties if given about 200 ABs. Overall, a Fontenot/Baker platoon in 2010 would average around: BA: .274OBP: .342SLG: .465OPS: .807Though any of the Castillo/Hudson/Lopez trio would be a fine addition, considering the money isn't there to go get them, a Fontenot/Baker platoon wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. And if Fontenot's 2009 wasn't a fluke and is indicative he'll never be good again, you can always go get a 2B in a trade in the middle of the season..

MONTREAL, Jan. 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) FieldTurf and Howie Long announcedthe winners of its inaugural Football Awards for the 2008 season today. Theawards will be formally presented during the American Football CoachesConvention in Nashville on January 11th. Award winners were named in 11different categories and are based on tabulated votes from Howie Long andFieldTurf Tarkett executives, which includes a group of former NFL stars. This year's winners are: NFL Coach of the Year - Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans (TN) NFL Team of the Year - Tennessee Titans (TN) NCAA Division 1-A Coach of the Year - Mike Leach, Texas TechUniversity (TX) NCAA Division 1-A Team of the Year - University of Florida (FL) NCAA Division 1-AA Coach of the Year - Andy Talley, VillanovaUniversity (PA) NCAA Division 2 Coach of the Year - Chuck Martin, Grand ValleyState (MI) NCAA Division 3 Coach of the Year - Larry Kehres, Mount Union (OH) CFL Team of the Year - Calgary Stampeders (AB) NAIA Team of the Year - Carroll College (MT) Junior College Team of the Year - Snow College (UT) National High School Team of the Year - St.

Thomas Aquinas HighSchool (FL)JEFF FISHER, Tennessee Titans (NFL Coach of the Year) Jeff Fisher led theTitans to a first place finish in the AFC South cementing a great regular seasonand locking up a first round bye. Fisher's squad will host an AFC DivisionalPlayoff game at LP Field on January 10 against Baltimore and has madebelievers out of those who doubted the 2008-09 success of his team.TENNESSEE TITANS (NFL Team of the Year) Gaining the top seed in the AFC Southis no easy task. Without adoubt, this year's NFL Team of the Year.MIKE LEACH, Texas Tech University (NCAA Division 1-A Coach of the Year) Oneof the most innovative coaches in the country, Mike Leach has not onlytransformed Texas Tech Football, but also the face of college football with anall-out aerial assault. Hisoverall record also makes him one of the winningest coaches in the country.