Also to be discussed: NFL Free Agency, Brett Favre retires, Rockets continue to soar, Nuggets pick up their game after T- Money rips them a new one, and all the usual, weekly segments brought to you by ATS!

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Getting inside T- Money’s Head:
MLB – So Cole Hamels is complaining about making $500,000 going into his second full season in MLB.  Do not get me wrong, Hamels is a great, young talent.  Key word: young.  At the same amount of service time, Scott Kazmir, Chien Ming Wang, and Dontrelle Willis all made less then $500,000, while Kerry Wood made over $100,000 more then Hamels (numbers and names thanks to David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News).  If Wood is a point of argument for young Hamels, look at his career.  Do you think the Cubs made the right decision paying him as much as they did? Yes, Hamels is the real deal, and he will eventually make his money (hence, expect millions next year like Ryan Howard got this year compared to his $900,000 last year). He will need to at least duplicate his season last year to prove he is the real deal, and prove he can stay healthy.  Hamels had a history of injury problems that would seem to be behind him.  But the Phillies are playing “smart ball” as they know they have Hamels for at least four more years until he can become a free agent.  Like I said, Hamels will make his money, but he needs to continue off of one good season.  He needs to realize this is a business and he will make his money, but he needs to look at the history of other players that have been at the same service level and same predicaments before he holds a grudge over the franchise that is going to offer him more in the future.  What the future holds for Hamels…. Arbitration in 2009!

NFL –Wow, have the Cleveland Browns turned their team around.  Derek Anderson bloomed into a fantastic quarterback after the team shipped out Charlie Frye to Seattle last season.  In return, Anderson received a three year deal with the team to become the starting quarterback for at least this season.  Sophomore player Brady Quinn will look to give some healthy competition to attempt to win that job during training camps.  On top of already having Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Willie McGinest, Joshua Cribbs, and a few other decent names, the Browns have gone out to try and fix a few more pieces to the puzzle to attempt to win a seemingly pitiful AFC North.  Big spenders during the first few days of free agency, the Browns picked up WR Donte Stallworth who played last season with the New England Patriots, traded cornerback Leigh Bodden to the Detroit Lions in exchange for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, and traded the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Corey Williams.  They also chose to resign running back Jamal Lewis to a three year deal.  Lewis came over from the Baltimore Ravens, an AFC North rival, and seemed to revitalize his career.  The Browns are taking the next step to try and win the AFC North, which it seems as though the Browns will battle it out with the Pittsburgh Steelers with their revised roster going into the 2008 season.

NBA – Kobe Bryant is an absolute monster.  This guy is unstoppable.  I am not going to say he is better then Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain, or even at their level yet, but he is approaching that “super” level.  The guy is not human! Last night against the Dallas Mavericks, which felt like a playoff game with two of the top Western Conference squads, Kobe showed how he can take over at any given time.  Dirk Nowitzki scored thirty points in this game, which was impressive.  Not as impressive as Kobe Bryant’s 52 points, including 30 in the fourth quarter and overtime.  It seems as the moves made by the Mavericks (acquiring Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets) and the Lakers (acquiring Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies) are starting to work out for both teams, especially when you compare them to the Suns who continue to struggle with Shaquille O Neal now on their team.  Even without Pau Gasol, however, Kobe is the most dangerous player currently in the NBA.  He does not lead the league in fourth quarter points, that distinction is held by “King” James, but Kobe is a more consistent scorer who has proven he can go off at anytime, and that has to scare all the Western Conference teams now that he has other weapons.  Kobe Bryant is the Tiger Woods of basketball.

Fantasy Corner – We are all getting prepared for our fantasy baseball drafts, and wanted to focus on a few good players to pay attention to on draft day. 

Nick Markakis (RF, Baltimore Orioles): Playing through only two full seasons, outfielder Nick Markakis has made his mark as a consistent fantasy producer.  He hits for average, power, and even has some speed which will earn you an occasional stolen base.  In his rookie season in Baltimore, Markakis homered 16 times, drove 62 RBIs, stole only two bases, all while hitting a respectable .291.  In 2007, he stepped his game up a little more.  Last year he homered 23 times, drove in 112 RBIs, stole 18 bases, and hit .300.  Great production even while playing for a weakened team.  What to expect in 2008 from Markakis?  He will continue to be a decent contributor to your team, but do not overspend on Markakis.  Make him your number two outfielder, with no chance of being your number one.  He is a weak lineup, which lost Miguel Tejada who was Markakis safety net.  Mockdraftcentral.com ranks Nick Markakis 46^th in the site’s Average Draft Position. 

WWE:

In pro wrestling, Wrestlemania is the “Grand Daddy of them All.”  The undercard for the show, however, is as entertaining.  An annual classy move by Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment allows performers who have given their all and made a mark in this business that they love to be enshrined in the greatest group of wrestlers ever assembled, WWE’s Hall of Fame.  The hallowed hall has been honored by such greats as Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Jessie Ventura, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Bret Hart, Vincent McMahon, Sr., and many more talented individuals.  This year’s class, so far, includes women’s wrestler Mae Young, Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia who are the father and grandfather of The Rock respectfully, and the first ever currently competing inductee “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.  The class this year is very impressive, and all deserving.  Thinking about the HOF the other day, however, I decided to make a list of performers who I believe deserve to make it in to the Hall in the future.

“The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino—Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat—Jake “the Snake” Roberts—“The Original Diva” Sunny—“The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith—The Von Erich Family—The Honky Tonk Man—“The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase—“The Beast from the East” Bam Bam Bigelow—“Ravishing” Rick Rude—Howard Finkle—“The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels—“The Rocket” Owen Hart—“Double A” Arn Anderson—Tully Blanchard—JJ Dillon—Warrior—The Undertaker—Legion of Doom with Paul Ellering—Bob Backlund—Yokozuna—Madusa—James E. Cornette—Vader—Goldust—Stone Cold Steve Austin—Triple H—The Rock—Midnight Express—Rock and Roll Express—Fabulous Freebirds—Magnum TA—Mick Foley—Terry Funk—Team 3D—The Big Show—Kane—Chris Jericho—Booker T—Kurt Angle—Rey Mysterio—trish Stratus

I am sure there are more, and I would love to hear your recommendations.  
 
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Previous Show:  ATS’s One Year Anniversary Show!

http://www.fantasyinsideronline.com/view.asp?id={F21F54E2-7971-4508-B468-F8C67AD7A12B}

It has been one heck of a year, and T- Money wanted to celebrate.  This two hour special featured comments from Redsarmy.com contributor John Karalis, FIO contributor Matt Hinzpeter, and “Mr. Movies” Steve Miller.  Topics in the NFL, MLB, NBA, Floyd Mayweather and a lot more were featured on this show! All the regular ATS segments were also on the show including 5 Things!, Overtime!, and Power Play featuring Rob Edwards.

Previous Show: Trading Spaces

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Coming off of last week’s interview with Talkhoops.net contributor Zach Harper involving NBA trade scenarios, we found out all about the trades made at the deadline this week.  T- Money gave his thoughts on the trades, MLB news (including fantasy implications), NFL news, and much more including the usual ATS segments including 5 Things!, Overtime!, and Power Play featuring Rob Edwards!

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Tim “T- Money” Miller

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Skype: tmoneydaman69