Who will win the Heisman trophy this year?

Before the 2011 college football season starts, I'd like to take the time to compile a list of the players I think have the best chance of becoming the 77th Heisman trophy winner.
#1. LaMichael James, Oregon: The junior enters this season with 3,277 career yards, 38 total TDs, and a 6.25 yards per carry average. James rushed for 1,731 yards and 21 TDs as a sophomore and will look to improve on his third-place Heisman finish and the Duck's National Championship berth last year.
#2. Trent Richardson, Alabama: The Crimson Tide lost both McElroy and Ingram to the draft this year so it is likely that they will rely on a strong defense and a steady running game out the junior Richardson. Though he has been former Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram's back-up for the past two seasons, the half-back has racked up over 1,451 yards with only 257 carries. There is even talk in Tuscaloosa that this back might be better than his predecessor.
#3. Denard Robinson, Michigan: The Michigan Man is the ultimate dual threat at quarterback this year. "Shoelaces" has earned National fame from his elusive runs to losing his shoes. Dual-threat Quarterbacks have the highest chance of winning the Heisman, however he'll have to work on his passing if he wants to take the hardware. Unfortunately for Robinson, he plays for a mediocre Michigan Wolverines squad that is in the middle of a rebuilding stage. When you aren't surrounded by top-notch teammates with talent, it's hard to win.
#4. Andrew Luck, Stanford: Though many say he is the best college football player in the country, Andrew Luck lost one of the best offensive head coaches when Jim Harbaugh left for the San Francisco 49ers. Luck has only one proven wide receiver in Chris Owusu and will need more than his 3,338 yards passing last season if he wants to win the Heisman. Luck will also have to beat Oregon to prove he is the best in the west. 
#5. Kellen Moore, Boise State: The Boise State Broncos have one of the nations best quarterbacks in Kellen Moore. He passed for 3,845 yards and had a 71.3% completion rate last season, partly because he played in the WAC. However, this year Boise will play Georgia and TCU, which allows them to earn a BCS Bowl berth if they finish undefeated. If Moore can lead the Broncos to the a Championship, he'll have proved himself worthy of a Heisman label. 

Pujols teases Milwaukee fans by denying a souvenir

The star first baseman of the St. Louis Cardinals had some fun with Milwaukee Brewers fans during Tuesdays game. Pujols offered a baseball to a fan then walked away and threw the ball to the pitcher. This is the only fun Albert will have against Milwaukee since the Brew-Crew are getting ready for the playoffs and all he'll do is watch them on his coach in October.

Toronto slaps around Baltimore, win 13-0

The Toronto Blue Jays routed the Baltimore Orioles as they won 13-0. The Toronto offense picked up 20 hits and smacked 4HRs, including Jose Bautista's 39th (leads the MLB) and Kelly Johnson's first as a Blue Jay. Henderson Alvarez picked up his first Major League win after allowing only three hits in 8 innings. The 21-year old became the youngest Jays pitcher to win a game since 1979. Though Toronto will miss the playoffs this year they have four more years to try to get Joey Bats in October since his contract expires in 2015.

Diamondbacks winning streak at 8, 6 game lead over the Giants

The Diamondbacks beat the Rockies 9-4 Tuesday night and extended their winning streak to 8. Arizona has also won 11 straight at home and now hold a 6 game lead over the Giants as San Francisco lost to Chicago. Justin Upton and Miguel Montero both homered in the victory as Wade Miley picked up his 2nd win of the season.

Diamondback pitchers can hit

The Diamondbacks lead the National League in batting... From pitchers. The rotation is hitting at .198 with 4HR and 29RBI entering Tuesday. Though the average looks bad amongst other hitters, the San Francisco Giants are hitting only .239. Zach Duke has a few home runs and Danirl Hudson has 14RBI. Reaquiring Micah Owings from Cincinnati adds another bat in the rotation, however he plays a relief role this season.

Eagles give Vick a 6-year $100 million contract extension

The second mega-deal the elusive quarterback recieved in his career came from the Philadelphia Eagles a year after Vick led them to an NFC East championship. The Eagles have been especially busy this offseason and look primed for future playoff success. Hopefully Vick will not get in trouble like the last time he was given a long-term deal.

Hudson picks up 14th win, Arizona leads San Francisco by 5 games

The Arizona Diamondbacks ran their winning streak to 7 as Daniel Hudson pitched seven scoreless innings in a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The effective performance was good enough for his 14th win of the season. The San Francisco Giants lost to the Chicago Cubs 7-0 as Tim Lincecum picked up his 11th loss of the season. The 2-time Cy Young Award winner allowed 4ER over 6.0 innings. After their Colorado series, the D-backs will travel to the bay to take on the reigning World Series champions.

Toler out for season, Peterson thrust into starting role

Greg Toler tore his ACL on a non-contact play against the San Diego Chargers on Saturday. The number one cornerback on the Cardinals depth chart will be out for the season, putting rookie Patrick Peterson into a starting role. The rookie impressed as he scored a 34 yard INT for a TD after picking off Philip Rivers Saturday night. The Cardinals have depth at cornerback and they'll need it after a forgetful 2011 season which had many big passing plays that hurt the Cardinals.

Should Justin Verlander win the AL MVP?

Justin Verlander became the first MLB pitcher to win 20 games this season and the fastest since to do so since Curt Schilling won 20 with the Diamondbacks in 2002 during late August. The ace leads the AL in Strikeout and Wins and has a good chance of winning the Triple Crown. So heres the question, should Verlander win the AL MVP? He has been the most valuable player to Detroit but he only plays once every 5 games. However, since Verlander averages 116.6 pitches per game, he can rest relievers for the games he doesn't play. There are many other candidates but when voting opens, Verlander should definitely be on the ballot.

Kennedy picks up NL leading 17th win as Diamondbacks sweep the Padres

The Arizona Diamondbacks ran their winning streak to 6 after they swept the San Diego Padres. Ian Kennedy pitched 7 innings of one run baseball while striking out 7. The Arizona ace now has an NL best 17 wins. Aaron Hill hit 3-5 with 3 RBIs and his first home run as a Diamondback. Collin Cowgill also had a homer. Orlando Hudson hit a home run against Kennedy in his return to Chase Field as a Padre. San Francisco lost to Houston in extra innings, so the D-backs now hold a 4-game lead in the NL West. Arizona will host Colorado and then travel to San Francisco on Labour Day Weekend.

Bengals cut ties with the Palmers

The Cincinnati Bengals officially cut ties with both Palmer brothers as they released Jordan Palmer Saturday afternoon. Elder brother Carson retired earlier this offseason after the Bengals refused to trade him to another team. The 7-year veteran will be replaced by the rookie Andy Dalton. Jordan Palmer was released after the Bengals opted to stick with Dalton, Gradkowski, and LeFevour instead.

Terrelle Pryor is now an Oakland Raider

Terrelle Pryor was selected by the Oakland Raiders during the NFL supplemental draft. The former Ohio State quarterback was given a 4 year deal after Pryor opted to leave college due to a suspension for his memorabilia-for-money scandal. The QB will face a 5 game suspension for the beginning of the season issued by Roger Goodell. Oakland has three quarterbacks so it will be interesting to see if they develop Pryor into a QB or a WR. (Pryor played both positions at Ohio State) Terrelle will not be allowed to wear the number 2 because the Raiders don't want to be reminded of Jamarcus Russell.

Salazar beats out Zendejas for UA kicking job

Jaime Salazar has been named the starting kicker for the Arizona Wildcats. He beat out Alex Zendejas for the starting role. Zendejas, a preseason Lou Groza award candidate, lost his job after a poor conclusion to the regular season and his incumbent performance this offseason. The Wildcats will look to improve on PATs and field goals this season. Their home-opener is September 3rd against DIV II in-state rival Northern Arizona.

The Diamondbacks rout the Nationals to end their road trip as Miley picks up his first Major League win

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks concluded their 10-game road trip with an 8-1 win against the Washington Nationals. Left handed rookie Wade Miley picked up his first Major league win as he threw six scoreless innings while striking out four. Fellow D-backs rookie Paul Goldschmidt hit a home run and batted in three. the Diamondbacks will return to the desert after posting a 4-6 record against the NL East's top three teams. Arizona will take on the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies in their six games back at Chase Field.

Jim Thome traded to Cleveland

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Minnesota Twins traded DH Jim Thome to the Cleveland Indians this afternoon. The trade came 10 days after Thome hit his 600th home run. Thome will return to the team that drafted him 20 years ago from Illinois Central University. The 40 year old's return might help the desperate Cleveland Indians who are 6 1/2 games behind the first place  Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

Yankees hit 3 grand slams as they rout Oakland 22-9

Source: Yahoo! Sports

After yesterday's 6-4 loss in 10 innings to the Oakland Athletics, the New York Yankees bounced back by hitting 5 home runs including 3 grand slams in a 22-9 rout. Russell Martin, Robinson Cano, and Curtis Granderson hit grand slams making the New York Yankees the first team to hit 3 grand slams in an MLB game.

Ortiz strong in return as Red Sox rout Rangers to take First place in AL East

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Big Papi went 2-5 with an RBI and 2 Runs in his return to the Boston line-up as the Red Sox routed the Rangers 13-2 Wednesday night. The Boston Red Sox regained the lead in the AL East as the New York Yankees lost to the Oakland Athletics 6-4 in 10 innings. This was Ortiz's first action in two weeks.

Colts agree to terms with QB Kerry Collins

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Indianapolis Colts signed former Titans QB Kerry Collins Wednesday afternoon. The signing gives the Colts a capable back-up and possibly a starter if Peyton Manning doesn't play week 1. Collins retired earlier this offseason after Tennessee Titans drafted Jake Locker and signed Matt Hasslebeck. Collins 17 year career makes him a good mentor for Peyton Manning's heir apparent, Curtis Painter.

Cardinals sign QB Croyle, waive Max Hall

The Arizona Cardinals signed QB Brodie Croyle Wednesday afternoon after fourth-string QB Max Hall suffered a shoulder injury at practice on Monday. Croyle signing gives Arizona three active quarterbacks for Saturdays match-up against the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium as John Skelton is out with a high-ankle sprain. Croyle has spent the last five years in Kansas City which made him an attractive quarterback after spending the past two years under former Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Toronto and Arizona swap 2nd basemen for the remainder of the season

The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 2nd baseman Kelly Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays for Aaron Hill 2B and John McDonald SS Tuesday afternoon. The swap strengthens the Arizona defense for their playoff push in September. Johnson has been struggling this season on offense with a .209 batting avg. However, both Hill and McDonald are not solid hitters but rather sound defenders.

Maryland Terrapins have the coolest football helmets ever!!

The Maryland Terrapins unveiled their new underarmour football uniforms today. The creative helmet is revolutionary and a tribute to an animal that epitomizes defense. Go Terps!

Diamondbacks snap 6-game losing streak, Kennedy becomes first 16-game winner in the NL

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 for their first win since their impressive 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies last Tuesday. This is the clubs 70th win this season which is a remarkable turnaround given last years 65-97 record. Sean Burroughs scored the games only runs as he homered in the top of the 7th inning. Ian Kennedy pitched seven scoreless innings, earning him his 16th win of the season. JJ Putz earned his 31st save of the season as the Diamondbacks shut out the Washington Nationals for a much needed win to gain a two game lead on the San Francisco Giants in the NL West division race. The reigning World Series champions lost to the San Diego Padres 7-5 Tuesday night.

Larry Fitzgerald Contract Extension

Source: sbnation.com

Larry Fitzgerald -- now officially the highest paid non quarterback in the NFL -- accepted a $120 million, 8 year contract extension with a $50 million guarantee from the Arizona Cardinals.