Seattle looks to be adding third baseman Chone Figgins to the fold.  Figgins, who had his best season with the Angels in 2009 – a .395 OBP and .298 Batting Average with decent stolen base numbers – would likely bat on either side of Ichiro Suzuki at the the top of the Mariner lineup.  FoxSports and SI are reporting a 4-year, $36 million deal with a $9 million option for a fifth season.

This means, of course, that Adrian Beltre will become a free agent.  The Mariners offered Beltre arbitration, but it would appear that Beltre will decline it and test the market.  Beltre really slipped offensively last year ( 8 – 44 – .265 – 19 walks in 111 games), though he still has as much range as any third baseman in the AL.  If Beltre doesn’t hit for any power, Figgins will generate a lot more offense.  Defensively, however, I show Beltre (and his replacements) to have made about 11.26 plays more than the average third basemen per 800 balls in play – and Figgins is that average third baseman (.30 better than average).

So, let’s figure this out.  Last year, Figgins generated about 100 runs of offense to Beltre’s 53.  Of course, Figgins played the whole year while Beltre missed about 50 games (and his backups weren’t much better), so the net difference is probably closer to 30 runs improvement on offense.  By my defensive rating system, the Seattle’s third basemen likely prevented an additional 58 hits – equal to about 32 runs.  (My system says that for every eight hits saved, the fielder saves his team about 4.38 runs, which is how I get to that number…)  So – the net change, assuming Figgins plays a full season again is, well – no change.  For every extra run scored, the defense will give one back.  Figgins will make less money than Beltre (just finished a five year, $64 million deal) – so that has to be worth something, right?  The Mariners will see the same overall production and save about $3 or $4 million in salary.

I like that deal.

Other Hot Stove News…

The Dodgers signed reliever Justin Miller to a minor league deal.  Miller was successful with San Francisco last year, a 3.18 ERA in 44 games.  They also signed minor league outfielder Prentice Redman to a minor league deal.  Redman has a little power, but at best can be described as “organizational depth”.  [MLB]

Greg Zaun will be around another year – maybe two.  The Brewers inked the veteran backstop to a one-year $2.25 million deal with a club option for 2011.  [FoxSports]

Texas claimed Toronto infielder Joe Inglett off waivers, bringing in a younger utility infielder than last year’s option – Omar Vizquel.  [Fox Sports]

Two who didn’t sign were Brad Penny and Juan Uribe of the Giants.  Each were given one-year deal (Penny got incentives, Uribe a club option), but the players turned down the offers.  [SI]

What?  The Yankees are going to slash their salary budget?  That’s what ESPN reports…

Happy Birthday!

One of my favorite players – and someone who I think SHOULD have had a Hall of Fame career except that injuries continually derailed his career – is Cliff Floyd – and Floyd turns 37 today.

Others celebrating with cake, cards, or remembrances include:  Patsy Tebeau (1864) – a player and manager during the early days of baseball, Giants catcher Frank Bowerman (1868), Emerson “Pink” Hawley (1872), a Pittsburgh area pitcher who crosses Rube Waddell’s path a couple of times, Gus Mancuso (1905),David “Boo” Ferris (1921),  Bill Rodgers (1922), Chico Ruiz (1938), Gary Roenicke (1954), Sammy Khalifa (1963), and Gene Harris (1964).

Afterthoughts…

Sammy Sosa did not attend a hearing in a court case where he allegedly owes more than $200K in unpaid services. [ESPN]

Speaking of steroids, four minor leaguers were given suspensions for the abuse of substances – three were steroids, while the fourth was labeled “a drug of abuse” – which could be anything, really.  No need to name names, unless you want to read the article.  [MLB]

If you haven’t heard, the Dodgers signed righty reliever Justin Miller to a minor-league contract today.  You’re probably thinking that I’ll be frustrated with this, as I have been with the rumors of the last few days. I mean, all of the signs are there, right? Signing an over-30 reliever with increasingly mediocre performances – and who is yet another ex-Giant, no less – is exactly the sort of thing I should hate.

But I don’t hate this. No, it’s not because Justin Miller is any good. If he’s good at anything, it’s being a poster child for how ERA (especially for relievers) can be unreliable. I guarantee that there’s Dodger fans out there who read about this signing, saw his 3.18 ERA, and think he’s a stud. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. After spending 2006 in Japan, Miller’s pitched in at least 44 games in each of the last three seasons, the first two with Florida. How’d that work out? Well, there’s been a declining strikeout rate each year (10.8->8.3->5.7), an increasing walk rate (3.5->3.9->4.3), and an increasing homer rate (0.7->0.8->1.1). That nice ERA in 2009 was largely due to luck, since his BABIP was a far-below-average .227. Put that all together, and his FIP was 4.91, which sounds a whole lot more like it should be.

Still, as I said, I don’t hate this. Yeah, he’s not any good, but it’s encouraging to see that guys like this aren’t being evaluated strictly on misleading ERA’s anymore. And it’s a minor league deal, so how can I complain? With bullpen turnover so high from year to year, it’s smart to pile as many arms like this as you can in the minors. Besides, Vin Scully loves talking about Miller’s crazy tattoos whenever he’s faced the Dodgers in the past, so it’s hard to not want to root to hear that on a more regular basis.

**********

From that same article, the Dodgers also signed Prentice Redman. Now, you’re probably asking the same question I am, and that’s “who the hell is Prentice Redman?” My first thought was that maybe it was former Pirates OF Tike Redman, and it turns out I was close – they’re brothers.

Prentice is 30 and his major league career consists of 3 hits in 27 plate appearances with the 2003 Mets. He did manage to get on the board with a homer among those 3 hits, and who was it against? Jose Mesa. Of course it was.

Since then, he’s bounced around between AA and AAA in the Mets, Nationals, Cardinals, and Mariners organizations without getting a sniff of the bigs. The minor league stats are impressive, though. In 2008 he hit 25 homers with a .920 OPS split between Seattle’s AA and AAA clubs; in 2009 it was 21 homers with a .900 OPS in AAA. Is he worth giving playing time to ahead of Xavier Paul if you need another outfielder in the bigs? Probably not, but if he can put up numbers like that in Tacoma, you can expect him to put up huge numbers in Albuquerque. On a minor-league deal, another fine signing.

**********

Not to harp on something that probably wasn’t a big deal in the first place, but Vinny Rottino signed with the Marlins today. You may remember that he’s who Claudio Vargas was traded for in July, which I thought was stupid at the time. It didn’t get any smarter by the time of our off-season reviews:

Vargas went to Milwaukee and continued to excel (1.78 ERA, .530 OPS against), Rottino went to Chattanooga, never to be heard from, and I still can’t find a good reason for any of it.

In exchange for Vargas, the Dodgers got a total return of 89 AA plate appearances. Because somehow that’s a fair trade.

Atlanta Falcons :
*Activated (WR)Troy Bergeron from Practice Squad
*Waived (RB)Verron Haynes

New Orleans Saints :
*Re-Signed (CB)Greg Fassitt to Practice Squad

St. Louis Rams :
*Activated (RB)Chris Ogbonnaya from Practice Squad
*Waived (TE)Eric Butler

Buffalo Bills :
*Activated (DE)Corey Mace from Practice Squad
*Waived (TE)Joe Klopfenstein

Miami Dolphins :
*Activated (DE)Ryan Baker from Practice Squad
*Waived (CB)Evan Oglesby

New York Jets :
*Waived (CB)Justin Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers :
*Activated (QB)Tyler Palko from Practice Squad
*Waived (WR)Shaun McDonald

Kansas City Chiefs :
*Activated (WR)Quinten Lawrence from Practice Squad

In the summer of 2005, I was shopping with my dad for things I might need for my dorm in my freshman year of college. One afternoon, we were in Target and found a  dish chair that was big enough to use as an easy-chair, but it folded almost completely flat and was light enough to carry around. We bought it for, I think, $25. Now, in terms of things I needed for college, that was relatively minor. My guitars were a bigger deal, as was my laptop, and my Xbox. Really, I’d say that there were about 15-20 bigger or more expensive things that contributed more to my collegiate experience than that dish chair.

The best $25 I ever spent

However, because the dish chair was useful and easily moved I still use it every day of my life to this day. It’s this kind of spur-of-the-moment, low-cost purchase that could be the difference between another pennant for the Phillies and watching the Revenge of the Mets next year.

You see, the Phillies are going to college, and Chase Utley’s their laptop, Ryan Howard is the microfridge, and Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth are the TV and Xbox. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are the guitars, becuase they’re noisy and a lot of fun. Ryan Madson and J.A. Happ can be the extra-long bedsheets.

But which scrap-heap free agent is going to be the dish chair? MLBTradeRumors.com (thanks for the link and bump today, btw) published a list of potential non-tendered free agents. These guys are going to be availiable and cheap this  offseason, so instead of making that big trade, why not pick up one of these guys?

Scott Olsen, LHP–I know it’s probably bad juju for the two-time defending NL champions to go after a guy who got non-tendered by the Nationals. Olsen’s a guy I’ve liked for a long time. He’s essentially J.A. Happ with no luck and no control: a tall, fastball-slider lefty who gives up more fly balls than ground balls. Olsen, who will only be 26 on opening day, has essentially had two good years and two abysmal years in the  major leagues, and 2009 was one of the latter. He spent half the year in the minors and the other half giving up 11 home runs in 62 2/3 innings with the Nats, good for a 6.08 ERA and a 0.1 WAR. But remember that part about the no luck. In his two abysmal years, Olsen’s BABIPs were .350 and .348, respectively. Now, Cole Hamels had a BABIP of about that this year and pitched much better, but we’re not talking about Cole Hamels. We just need someone to come and keep the  5th starter’s spot warm until Kyle Drabek comes up either next year or in 2011. Now, Olsen can most likely be had for a minor-league deal, and as Jamie Moyer insurance, I can’t think of a good reason not to sign him.

Maybe playing for a winning team with a great offense in front of him and a great defense behind him will inspire Olsen to recapture the form that allowed him to win 12 games and strike out 166 batters in 180 innings in 2006 for an awful Marlins team. If not, what has it cost us?

Mike Fontenot, INF–I’ve argued in this space before that trading for Fontenot wouldn’t be a half-bad idea, mostly on the basis that he’s not Eric Bruntlett. But the Phillies need a guy who can back up all 3 non-1b infield positions to spell an aging Utley, Rollins, and whichever AL player winds up manning third next season. Where Bruntlett was a mediocre defender and the worst offensive player I’ve ever seen, Fontenot is, well, not. Career OPS of .761 in 968 plate appearances next season for a guy who plays mediocre defense. And while he did hit .235 with a few (but not many) walks and no power last year, he is only one year removed from OPS-ing over .900 in 119 games in relief of Ryan Theriot and Aramis Ramirez, good for a 3-win season. I’d like very much for the Phillies to employ this man next season, particularly if he can be had on the cheap. It’s been…well, since Mariano Duncan since the Phillies had a utility infielder who was worth a crap.

Jusin Miller, RHP–Now, the Phillies need another reliever or six, and I think that while closers and 8th-inning guys are worth shelling out for, the Chad Durbins, Clay Condreys, and Tyler Walkers of the world are more or less interchangeable. I really wanted Bill Bray, the lefty out of Cincinnati, but he’s on the scrap heap for a reason: he’s just not very good. Though it would have been cool to hand off from someone named after something that a donkey does (Bray) to a guy named after something that a car does (Park). The Phillies bullpen could have traced the evolution of transportation. Miller’s another guy who’s been around the block. He even had a brief spell in the Phillies’ farm system in 2007 before landing with the Marlins and, ultimately, the Giants. Miller was awful as an up-and-coming cuy in Toronto, but in the past three seasons, he’s never pitched fewer than 46 2/3 innings and never had an ERA of over 4.24.

What is worrying is that last year, when he posted a 3.18 ERA in 56 2/3 innings in San Francisco, he somehow had a 4.91 FIP and was below replacement level. In fact, in the past 3 years, his FIP has gone from 3.08 in 2007 to 4.91 in 2009, and his K/9 has been cut nearly in half. Since he’s 32, this could be the beginning of a decline, but Bill James projects him to bounce back somewhat, to a 4.42 FIP and 7.74 K/9.

The biggest reason to sign Miller, however, is that he is required by Major League Baseball to wear long sleeves on the mound at all times. The reason: his arms are so tatted-up that the tattoos distract the hitter. Pretty badass, huh?

So keep poking around for that big-name Figgins or Halladay appearance, sportsfans. I’ll be looking at the non-tendered free agents, because one of them might be the best $25 the Phillies ever spent.

*Saints – Chris McAlister
*Jaguars – Brian Witherspoon
*Saints – Mike McKenzie (Re-Signed)
*Jets – Justin Miller
*49ers – Eric Green
*Steelers – Corey Ivy
*Seahawks – Travis Fisher
*Chiefs – Travis Daniels (Re-Signed)
*Lions – Keith Smith (Signed w/ 49ers)
*Buccaneers – Marcus McCauley (Signed w/ Saints)
*Falcons – Von Hutchins
*Browns – Marquis Floyd (Signed w/ Cowboys Practice Squad)
*Steelers – Keiwan Ratliff
*Lions – Jason David
*Texans – Deltha O’Neal
*Colts – Anthony Madison (Claimed off Waivers by Steelers)
*Rams – Jason Craft
*Jets – Ty Law (Signed w/ Broncos)
*Titans – Reynaldo Hill
*Patriots – Jason Webster
*Rams – Fakhir Brown
*Jets – Ahmad Carroll
*Chiefs – Ricardo Colclough
*Browns – Daven Holly
*Chiefs – David Macklin
*Cowboys – Adam Jones
*Raiders – John Bowie
*Dolphins – Evan Oglesby (Re-Signed)
*Bengals – Jamar Fletcher
*Buccaneers – Marcus Hamilton
*Raiders – Ricky Manning Jr.
*Eagles – Ramzee Robinson (Claimed off Waivers by Browns)
*Broncos – Jack Williams (Signed w/ Lions)
*Cowboys – Cletis Gordon (Re-Signed)
*Saints – Aaron Glenn
*Jets – David Barrett
*Bears – Trumaine McBride
*Patriots – Lewis Sanders
*Browns – Terry Cousin
*Cowboys – Allen Rossum
*Chiefs – Patrick Surtain
*Giants – Sam Madison
*Eagles – Jack Ikegwuonu
*Jaguars – Kennard Cox
*Lions – Stanley Wilson
*Saints – Michael Lehan
*Eagles – Trae Williams (Signed w/ Seahawks Practice Squad)
*Vikings – DeAndre Wright
*Cardinals – Wilrey Fontenot
*Colts – Nick Graham
*Broncos – Rashod Moulton (Re-Signed to Practice Squad)
*Texans – Matteral Richardson
*Lions – Chris Roberson (Signed w/ Eagles Practice Squad)
*Titans – Tyrone Poole
*Buccaneers – Mike Mickens (Signed w/ Bengals Practice Squad)
*Giants – R.W. McQuarters
*Texans – Jimmy Williams
*Eagles – Jonathan Hefney
*Saints – Jerametrius Butler
*Chargers – DeJuan Tribble
*Eagles – Stoney Woodson (Signed w/ Buccaneers Practice Squad)
*Falcons – David Irons
*Vikings – Charles Gordon
*Lions – Dexter Wynn
*Rams – Marcus Brown (Re-Signed to Practice Squad)
*Dolphins – Joey Thomas
*Texans – David Pittman
*Broncos – Josh Bell (Signed w/ Packers)
*Bills – Dustin Fox
*Ravens – Anwar Phillips
*Lions – Brian Kelly
*Seahawks – DeMichael Dizer
*Titans – Christian Morton
*Texans – A.J. Davis
*Colts – Brandon Foster
*Titans – Tanard Davis
*Jaguars – Jonathan Zenon
*Lions – Jeff Shoate
*Falcons – Darius Vinnett
*Chargers – Grant Mason
*Giants – Brandon Sumrall
*Jaguars – Isaiah Gardner
*Falcons – Ronnie Prude
*Bills – Kyle Ward
*Dolphins – Scorpio Babers
*Packers – Joshua Abrams
*Raiders – Jason Horton
*Saints – Greg Fassitt (Re-Signed to Practice Squad)
*Bears – Rudy Burgess
*Packers – Joe Porter
*Raiders – Darrick Brown
*Bengals – Antonio Smith (Re-Signed to Practice Squad)
*Raiders – Michael Hawkins

We do a weekly update on major NFL transactions. We include signings, releases, and also players who are put on injured reserve, because they are lost for the year. You can check out the Week 6 transactions here and work your way back through the season.

Additions

Broncos (add P Mitch Berger) – The Broncos made their first roster move of the regular season by cutting Brett Kern and replacing him with Berger, a veteran who is better at directional kicking than the strong-legged Kern was. Berger filled in for the Steelers last year and got a Super Bowl ring out of the deal, so he’s trying to cherry-pick again with a contender.

Titans (claim P Brett Kern off waivers from Denver, sign RB Alvin Pearman) – Kern wasn’t out of work long. He landed with the Titans, who dropped Reggie Hodges. Hodges had been brought in to replace the injured Craig Hentrich, but his gross average of 39.5 yards and his net average of 31.8 were both at the bottom of the league. Kern’s strong leg will be an upgrade, even if he’s not great directionally. Pearman’s signing was special-teams related as well. He’ll replace return specialist Mark Jones, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury that would have sidelined him a month or more. Jones was brought in a few weeks back to stabilize the Titans’ return game after some costly fumbles, and Tennessee must hope Pearman can do the same. The Titans really miss Chris Carr, who left via free agency after last season to sign with Baltimore.

Subtractions

Jets (put RB Leon Washington on injured reserve) – Washington was a key part of the Jets’ attack as a returner, receiver, and runner, although his performance in ‘09 didn’t match the standard he set in ‘08. But Washington suffered a broken leg that will end his season. Rookie Shonn Greene replaces Washington on offense, and the Jets brought back CB Justin Miller to take Washington’s role as a returner. Miller, most recently with the Raiders, had some good moments in that role with the Jets especially in 2005 and 2006.

Dolphins (put CB Will Allen on injured reserve) – Allen suffered a torn ACL last week, and it will end his season. Now the Dolphins must rely on rookies Vontae Davis and Sean Smith to perform at cornerback if they are to have a solid pass defense.

Seahawks (put OT Walter Jones and LB Lofa Tatupu on injured reserve) – Jones hasn’t played this year because of a lingering knee injury, and the Seahawks finally gave up the ghost and put him on injured reserve. While the 2009 impact of this transaction isn’t significant, it is important because it could mark the end of a Hall of Fame career for Jones. Tatupu’s season-ending pectoral injury is far more important to the ‘09 Seahawks. He is the playmaker and signal caller in the middle of the defense, and he’s now falling apart. With Tatupu and Leroy Hill out, the Seahawks LB corps has been gutted to the point that rookie Aaron Curry must become a big-time playmaker. This may speed Curry’s development a bit, but it won’t help the Hawks win this year.

49ers (put OT Tony Pashos on injured reserve) – Pashos joined the 49ers from Jacksonville in the offseason and became the team’s starting right tackle. But he suffered a fractured scapula and will have to miss the rest of the season. The 49ers can use Barry Sims to replace Pashos, or they can shuffle the line to move someone outside. They signed Chris Patrick off the Chiefs’ practice squad to take Pashos’ roster spot. The Niners also cut LB Marques Harris and promoted training-camp phenom Diyral Biggs from the practice squad.

Falcons (put rookie S William Moore on injured reserve) – Moore, the Falcons’ second-round pick, played in only two games before a hamstring injury ended his season. The Falcons’ top two draft picks, Moore and DT Peria Jerry, are now out for the season, limiting their development along with their ability to help a defense that was rebuilding. To replace Moore on the roster, Atlanta signed veteran RB Aaron Stecker, who will help provide depth with Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling both banged up.

Eagles (put LB Omar Gaither on injured reserve) – Gaither started three games at middle linebacker for the Eagles early this season, but he got hurt two weeks ago vs. Oakland with a listfranc foot injury that will end his season. Will Witherspoon replaced him last week, and this week the Eagles put Gaither on IR. To replace Gaither on the roster, Philly signed RB P.J. Hill off the Saints’ practice squad as insurance against Brian Westbrook’s injury.

Saints (put FB Heath Evans on injured reserve) – Evans was a role player on the Saints’ offense at fullback, and he had three touchdowns in the first six games of the season. But a torn right ACL ends his season. To replace him, the Saints added journeyman fullback Kyle Eckel.

Buccaneers (cut OG Marcus Johnson) – Johnson, a backup guard for the Bucs, was released Tuesday after being arrested on charges of driving under the influence.

Wire services

Kansas City running back Larry Johnson was told Tuesday to stay away from the team while the NFL and the Chiefs complete their investigation into his use of a gay slur.

The latest chapter in Johnson’s stormy career with the Chiefs began Sunday night when he questioned coach Todd Haley’s football credentials on his Twitter account. He used a gay slur during an exchange with one of his Twitter followers. A day later, he used it again as he brushed off reporters and told them he would not comment, according to the Kansas City Star, which recorded the comment.

Haley refused to address the matter Tuesday, saying it was still being investigated.

“I’m just not going to comment any further because there is some stuff going on,” Haley said.

Johnson, 29, signed a five-year contract extension in 2007 that included $19 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $45 million. The team could be checking to see whether Johnson violated contract provisions that would allow the Chiefs to cut him with reduced financial obligation.

The Chiefs said they’ve told Johnson he would not be allowed to practice with the team or participate in team activities until the matter was resolved, though he has not been suspended. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would have no comment pending the investigation.

Johnson apologized to Haley, the team, fans and league “for the words I used. I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate.”

Jets: New York re-signed cornerback-kick returner Justin Miller, acquiring a replacement for the injured Leon
Washington on special teams. Miller was a second-round draft pick of the Jets in 2005 and made the 2007 Pro Bowl season after leading the AFC with a 30.1-yard average on kick returns. He was waived by the Jets last season and signed with the Raiders, who re-signed him for one game this season before releasing him Oct. 6. Washington, a Pro Bowl returner last season, was placed on injured reserve after breaking his right leg Sunday in the Jets’ 38-0 victory at Oakland.

Redskins: A doctor’s second opinion on Chris Cooley’s broken right ankle gave the Pro Bowl tight end hope he could return to the field in a month. Cooley will have surgery today, and he gave details via his Twitter feed: “3 pins go in the ankle tomorrow. Hopefully be back in 4 weeks.” Earlier in the day, coach Jim Zorn said Cooley would be sidelined a minimum of six to eight weeks and probably would be placed on season-ending injured reserve. But Zorn also said Cooley was awaiting a “final evaluation” from another doctor to make sure.

Eagles: Running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) will go through medical tests before his status for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants is determined. Coach Andy Reid says he won’t risk Westbrook’s health at the expense of the game. … Former Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson (strained foot) should be ready to play Sunday.

Titans: Team owner Bud Adams informed coach Jeff Fisher that he wants Vince Young to start over veteran Kerry Collins on Sunday against Jacksonville, according to the Tennessean. In an interview on WKRN-TV, Fisher said the quarterback decision would “be revealed over the next couple of days.” He also denied any tension existed with Adams. Fisher has stuck with Collins through an 0-6 start.

Falcons: Running back Aaron Stecker was signed by Atlanta ahead of Monday night’s game in New Orleans. Stecker played nine seasons in the NFL, including five with the Saints (2004-08). The Falcons also placed rookie safety William Moore (hamstring) on injured reserve.

Buccaneers: The team released lineman Marcus Johnson, 27, after his arrest on a charge of driving under the influence. A Tampa, Fla., police lieutenant says he found Johnson sleeping Tuesday in a car near Raymond James Stadium.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_13656047?source=rss

Green Bay Packers :
*Activated (WR)Jake Allen from Practice Squad
*Placed (WR)Brett Swain on Injured Reserve
*Signed (WR)Biren Ealy/Ravens to Practice Squad
*Re-Signed (WR)Patrick Williams to Practice Squad
*Released (OL)Stanley Daniels from Practice Squad

Atlanta Falcons :
*Signed (RB)Aaron Stecker/Saints
*Placed (S)William Moore on Injured Reserve
*Placed (CB)Glenn Sharpe on Injured Reserve from Practice Squad
*Re-Signed (S)Erik Brock to Practice Squad

Carolina Panthers :
*Waived (S)Keith Lewis
*Activated (S)Dante Wesley from Reserve/Suspended List

Tampa Bay Buccaneers :
*Released (OL)Sean Mahan
*Released (OL)Marcus Johnson
*Activated (OL)James Lee from Practice Squad
*Released (LB)Erik Bakhtiari from Practice Squad
*Signed (LB)Lee Robinson/Cardinals to Practice Squad

St. Louis Rams :
*Signed (LS)Ryan Neill/Bills
*Actived (LB)David Vobora from Reserve/Suspended List (Roster Exemption)
*Placed (CB)Bradley Fletcher on Injured Reserve

San Francisco 49ers :
*Signed (OL)Chris Patrick off Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad
*Placed (OL)Tony Pashos on Injured Reserve
*Released (LB)Marques Harris
*Activated (LB)Diyral Briggs from Practice Squad

New York Jets :
*Signed (CB/KR)Justin Miller/Raiders

Cleveland Browns :
*Signed (WR)Darnell Jenkins/Texans to Practice Squad

Tennessee Titans :
*Claimed (P)Brett Kern off waivers from Denver Broncos
*Waived (P)Reggie Hodges

Kansas City Chiefs :
*Re-Signed (WR)Quentin Lawrence to Practice Squad

San Diego Chargers :
*Waived (CB)Simeon Castille
*Re-Signed (CB)Dante Hughes
*Placed (OL)Ryan McDonald on Injured Reserve from Practice Squad
*Signed (OL)Joe Toledo/49ers to Practice Squad

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders brought back running back Gary Russell and released kick returner Justin Miller.

The Raiders had re-signed Miller last week but released him Wednesday after he averaged 17.7 yards on six returns in a 29-6 loss to Houston.

Russell provides insurance at running back with Darren McFadden out two to four weeks with a knee injury and also can help out as a kickoff returner. Russell was released at the end of training camp.

Dallas Cowboys :
*Signed (CB)Cletis Gordon/Lions
*Re-Signed (RB)Chauncey Washington to Practice Squad

Washington Redskins :
*Signed (P)Glenn Pakulak/Jets to Practice Squad
*Released (WR)Trent Shelton from Practice Squad

Chicago Bears :
*Re-Signed (CB)DeAngelo Smith to Practice Squad
*Released (DE)Joe Clermond from Practice Squad

Detroit Lions :
*Activated (LB)Zack Follett from Practice Squad
*Waived (LB)Darnell Bing

New Orleans Saints :
*Re-Instated (K)Garrett Hartley from Reserve/Suspended List

Tampa Bay Buccaneers :
*Re-Instated (S)Tanard Jackson from Reserve/Suspended List

St. Louis Rams :
*Released (LB)Justin Roland from Practice Squad
*Released (DT)Marlon Favorite from Practice Squad

New York Jets :
*Re-Instated (LB)Calvin Pace from Reserve/Suspended List

Cleveland Browns :
*Signed (DT)Carlton Powell/Broncos to Practice Squad

Houston Texans :
*Placed (LB)Khary Campbell on Injured Reserve
*Activated (DE)Tim Jamison from Practice Squad
*Released (TE/LS)Clark Harris from Practice Squad
*Signed (RB)Chris Henry/Titans to Practice Squad

Indianapolis Colts :
*Re-Signed (RB)Chad Simpson
*Waived (LB)Jordan Senn
*Re-Signed (WR)Sam Giguere to Practice Squad

Oakland Raiders :
*Released (CB)Justin Miller

By JOSH DUBOW, AP Sports Writer

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)— Darren McFadden has been haunted by his performance in last week’s loss to the Denver Broncos, reliving every detail of his three fumbles that helped contribute to Oakland’s 23-3 defeat.

Bottom of Form

“It’s been hard for me this week because I’ve been thinking about it,” McFadden said Wednesday. “That’s something you just have to try and shake it off, come back from it in the next game. It’s all about having a short memory.”

In a performance that left enough blame to go around to the entire team, McFadden shouldered his share for his miscues.

McFadden fumbled on the second play from scrimmage when he lost the ball on a screen pass. Center Chris Morris recovered that one, sparing Oakland Raiders a turnover. He fumbled on a run up the middle in the second quarter, getting saved when Zach Miller recovered it.

The most costly fumble came in the third quarter two plays after Denver turned it over deep in its own territory, giving Oakland a brief bit of hope. McFadden ran a sweep around right end and lost a fumble just before going out of bounds, spoiling Oakland’s best opportunity for a touchdown all day.

“It wasn’t any big hits or anything that made the fumble,” he said. “It just was me not being ball conscience and having my arm all the way tucked in.”

McFadden came into the league with a reputation as a fumbler. He lost 9 of his 23 fumbles in three seasons at Arkansas, but many of those came on kickoff returns or as the quarterback in the wildcat formation.

He did a better job with ball security last season, fumbling just three times as a rookie and losing only one of them. But after three weeks this season, McFadden has four fumbles in 47 touches for the worst rate of any player with at least 20 touches.

Perhaps just as concerning has been McFadden’s inability to break off the long runs the Raiders expected when they drafted him fourth overall out of Arkansas in 2008. He has only three carries all season that have gone for more than 10 yards, with his longest being just 15.

McFadden is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry this season. He has failed to reach 100 yards rushing in his last 14 games since doing it for the only time in his career against Kansas City in Week 2 last season.

With defenses keying on the run even more than usual because of the struggles of JaMarcus Russell and the passing game, the Raiders have had trouble running the ball early this season.

“We have to run the football better,” coach Tom Cable said. “We have a very talented backfield. So that falls directly on my shoulders, being able to run the football, because that’s what I know how to do.”

The Raiders are 20th in the league in rushing at 103.3 yards per game. Oakland ranked in the top 10 the past two seasons, relying almost entirely on the running game.

With the Broncos stacking the line last week and the Raiders playing from behind almost from the start, there were few opportunities for running. But this week, the going could be easier against a Houston defense that is allowing an average of 6.3 yards per carry through three weeks.

“We haven’t been in position to where we can stay committed to the run,” backup Justin Fargas said. “We put ourselves in some tough situations to where we can’t really do what we do so I think the main thing is just trying to stay on track, commit ourselves to the run game, because that’s where our strength is, and don’t waver from that.”

Notes: The Raiders brought back kickoff returner Justin Miller and placed DB John Bowie on injured reserve with a knee injury. … WR Chaz Schilens did not practice and does not seem likely to return this week from a broken foot. … S Hiram Eugene missed practice and is questionable with a calf injury.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-raiders-mcfadden&prov=ap&type=lgns

After sauntering around town picking up some checks (how fun!) I stopped in at Inven.tory where they were having the launch party for a beautiful and price savvy line of one of a kind key jewelry! There were bountiful amounts of free pizza from Lasso and baby vamps and I ate it all…mwhaha! Then we flitted off into the night and went underground… to Submercer for James Murphy’s FASHION WEEK IS OVER party… Chatted with Aussie hunks, saved baby bear from Aussie hunks burning them…danced to some disco, saw lots of friends… ran off into the night for more pizza!

xo

Vanessa

This is what it’s all about – a family going to the ball game.  Steve Monforto, a long-time Phillies fan, takes his wife and two daughters to the game and for the first time catches a foul ball.  After sharing the moment with those around him, he does the nice thing and gives the ball to his daughter – who promptly throws the ball over the railing and down to the lower deck.  The girl immediately realizes (from the reaction of the fans around her) that throwing the ball may not have been the right thing – but Daddy rescues her by giving her a big hug.

And this morning (Thursday), the family will be on the Today Show.  Click on the link and watch the MLB video (or watch it here, below) – it’s priceless.  The article on MLB is also well written and contains a number of great story lines.  [MLB]

As expected, Jorge Posada and Jesse Carlson were suspended three games for their roles in a bench-clearning incident.  Posada needed three days off anyway… [ESPN]

The Texas Rangers lost a fourth straight game (maybe I should add the Rangers to the “Is it Over” segment below), this by a one-hitter to Oakland (!) – mostly because they don’t have their two most productive hitters in the lineup.  Michael Young may play this weekend against the Angels, but his hamstring is still a problem.  And, Josh Hamilton not only has lower back pain and a strained glute (are they related?) – and is worried he might not play again in 2009.  [ESPN]

This is what happens when  your team goes from playoff contention to losing twelve of thirteen.  Tampa’s Carl Crawford gave a shout out to Pat Burrell, resulting in a bit of a screaming match requiring Joe Maddon to call both to his office to clear the air.  [ESPN]

Yankee starter Andy Pettitte missed his start yesterday to rest a “tired” shoulder.  Pettitte is now scheduled to pitch against Los Angeles next week.  [FoxSports]

In a classy move, the Tigers invited Ernie Harwell back to Comerica Park and to thank him for his more than 40 years of service to the Tigers community.  Harwell used the opportunity to thank those people in Detroit and all of Michigan for sharing their love and concern for him.  Harwell nears 92 years old and has inoperable cancer.  I listened to him on the radio back in the day – and nobody was better at making a ballgame seem like baseball was a large part of a community’s fabric.  An equally classy move – Tigers Manager Jim Leyland called a team meeting to explain to the younger players just how much Harwell meant to baseball in Detroit and beyond.  When Harwell was brought out, both dugouts watched in awe, many players taking pictures to capture the moment.  [ESPN]

Roy Oswalt’s season come to an end as the Astros ace doesn’t want his back and hip pain (now affecting his shoulder, too) to linger into 2010.  So, Oswalt will begin the rest and rehab process now instead.  Oswalt finishes with eight wins on the season – far below his normal levels of success.  Hurry back, Roy – baseball needs more guys like you.  [ESPN]

Another pitcher who may not pitch again in 2009 is Tiger Jarrod Washburn, whose knee injury isn’t healing very quickly.  Washburn says he’s hurting the team by going out there, and doesn’t know why the team would let him pitch. [FoxSports]

Cleveland centerfielder Grady Sizemore’s second surgery, this to repair a sports hernia, was a success.  Here’s to coming back healthy and strong for 2010 as well.

Not Fun Stat Mark Reynolds may have 42 homers and is hitting .272.  On the other hand, for the second straight year he has 200 strikeouts (!), and should break his record of 204 sometime by the end of the week.  Amazing, really.

Is it Over? The White Sox waived Bartolo Colon.  Colon was signed, got hurt, and would disappear during rehab stints.  I think we’ve seen the last of him.

Welcome Back! Randy Johnson was activated by the Giants.  Greg Dobbs (Philles), Clay Condrey (Phillies), Laynce Nix (Reds), Carlos Silva (Mariners), Alfredo (Marriage of) Figaro (Tigers) all came off the DL.

Hurry Back! Billy Sadler (Astros – Shoulder), Justin Miller (Giants – Elbow), Sean White (Mariners – Shoulder) and Mark DeFelice (Brewers – Shoulder) all head to the DL to start the rehab process and get ready for 2010.

Afterthoughts… Tommy Lasorda’s portrait will be hung in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.  Who doesn’t love the guy, really?  If you don’t love Lasorda, you don’t love baseball.