FGC will be down for the next couple weeks as I try and retool the format and content. I want to try and get a weekly podcast going, so hopefully we'll be back up in March.

Baseball

Tim Kawakami's Hitmen of the Year, Tim Lincecum/Barry Zito. [SJ Merc] Yup, that prety much sums the current state of the Giants.

Football

The Niners' win is tempered by the crappy opponent. [SF Gate]

The investment in Ahmad Brooks is paying off. [SF Gate]

Alex Smith is still sending mixed signals about his abilities. [SJ Merc]

The big news for the Raiders yesterday was Janikowski kicking a 61-yard FG. You're 2009 Oakland Raiders! [SF Gate]

Basketball

The Warriors stil stink, while other once stinky teams have bettered themselves. [SF Gate]

Hmmm, the last month has been a rollercoaster for me: 3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 0-2-1. Time to right the ship over these last two weeks. I can't lose to RT in back to back weeks.

This week's picks:

RT(18-25-2)

• Browns -3 v. Raiders
  The Raiders won last week and we all know what that means ... they have no chance this week. Then take into account that the Browns are trying their best to fall out of the top five in the draft - you have a lock on your hands. Browns by a lot.
  
  
• Vikings -7 @ Bears
  Everyone knows I root for the Bears but let's face it ... they gave up on their season about 13 weeks ago. The Vikings are coming off two bad losses and they, like the Packers, are going to come out mad and drill the sorry ass football team which is the 2009 Chicago Bears. This game looks good at Vikings -13.
  
  
• Jaguars +9 @ Patriots
  How many weeks do we have to watch the Patriots until we realize that they are not very good. The Jags seem to play the Patriots tough, so give me the points.
  
  

• Ravens +3 @ Steelers
  The Ravens are better than people think and have been playing like it the last couple weeks. The Steelers pulled one out of their arse last week. Baltimore punches its playoff ticket and eliminates the Steelers this week.
  
  
• Packers -14 v. Seahawks
  The Packers lost a heartbreaker next week and are looking to take out their aggression on someone. The Seahawks are the perfect punching bag with terrible cornerbacks for Rodgers to exploit.
  
  
• Eagles -7 v. Broncos
  The Eagles might be the best team in the NFL. Don't believe me? Read this. The Broncos started off hot, but are 2-6 over their last eight. Plus, Philly needs this win to lock up the NFC East.
  

Basketball

CJ Watson is the Warriors "best" player this season. [SJ Merc]

WFB says, "Ho-hum" about last night's loss. [SJ Merc]

Football

It's going to be ugly between Cleveland and Oakland. Very ugly. [CC Times]

Baseball

The A's are winning the offseason battle vs. the Giants. [SFGate] Although I'm disappointed, who cares about winning the offseasaon?

Football

* Singletary decides to apologize for Smith. Last time I check, Singletary is not God so it is not his fault Smith does not have the talent to be a good quarterback in the NFL. [SF Gate]

* Shockingly, smart people don't want to travel to one of the worst cities in the United States. [SJ Merc]

* I hate to say this but ... Tom Cable deserves to be the coach of the Raiders. [CC Times]

Basketball

* Monta Ellis does deserve to an All-Star but the Warriors are terrible so good luck next year. [SF Gate]

* At this point, doesn't it benefit everybody if Turiaf and Biedrins don't come back!? The Warriors need John Wall in the worst way and anything that reduces their odds of getting him is a bad thing. [CC Times]

Football

Don't like Alex Smith? Too bad and get used to it. [SJ Merc]

Gwen Knapp asks why Singletary believes in Smith. [SFGate]

One thing I'll say about Smith. He's the same age as Brady Quinn, 25.

Post Game Wrap from the JaMarcus Russell led comeback victory in Denver. I'm as shocked as you are. [CC Times]

Baseball

Mark Purdy defends the honor of San Jose-ans(?). [SJ Merc]

It's gonna get Crisp-y in Oakland. [CC Times]

Basketball

Understatement of the year? "Warriors coach Don Nelson calls Radmanovic a 'sub on a good team'" [SFGate]

Football

Sure, it's only Randy Moss' fault and not Tom Brady's fault. Both Merrill Hoge and Ron Jaworski watched the NE-Carolina game tape and didn't see Moss shutting it down. But, Gwen Knapp doesn't care what the tape says. [SFGate]

Okay, you cover the NFL and not NCAA, I get it. But, you can't call Sam Bradford Mark Bradford. Seriously? [SFGate]

Every day, I like Ahmad Brooks more and more. [SJ Merc]

Sorry for the delay on Tues Wire Check and not having one yesterday, but I seperated my shoulder, so there.

Baseball

* The Mayor of Oakland wants a water front park which he thinks will revitalize the city. In other news, rich people root for the Giants so there is no way it can be privately financed and the city of Oakland is broke. Good luck with that. [SF Gate]

* It is time for the Giants to sign Holiday. He will cost a fortune but the 2010 Giants season will just as pointless as the Warriors 2009-2010 season without the addition of a big time hitter. [SI]

* Garko will not be back with the Giants. Who else is excited that the Giants traded a bunch of prospects for Freddie Sanchez instead of Victor Martinez!? [SJ Merc]

Football

* The Niners are officially the Vikings without Brett Favre! How exciting! [SF Gate]

* Nothing like ripping the defense when the quarterback can't throw the football more than 25 yards. Great reporting! [SJ Merc]

Basketball

* Keep losing Warriors ... we need John Wall. [CC Times]

* How pointless is the Warriors season? Someone at the Chronicle thought this story was newsworthy. My journalism 101 teacher would have failed me if I turned this in. [SF Gate]

Football

The Radiers win streak ends, at one. [SFGate]

With Gradkowski injuring both knees, will Davis turn the ship back over to JaMarcus? [SJ Merc]

So, Toby Gerhart wins the award for best running back in college football, but finishes second in Hesiman voting to...a running back? WTF? [SFGate]

49ers Q&A for Matt Maiocco from his readers. [Press Democrat]

Kevin Lynch ranks Scot McCloughan's first round picks. [SFGate]

Basketball

Bruce Jenkins' NBA thoughts. [SFGate]

Warriors Fast Break thinks the Warriors could beat the Sixers and salvage something on this road trip. [SJ Merc]

Baseball

Jack Cust will not be an A next year. [CC Times]

Ryan Garko will not be a Giant next year. That trade worked, eh? [SJ Merc]

Football

Remember when all the good bowls were on New Year's day? [SFGate] The hypocrisy of the NCAA is that they claim a playoff would cause players to miss more class, but the bowls now extend further into January than ever.

One last case for Toby Gerhart for Hesiman. [SJ Merc]

The Cardinals are ready for the 49ers. [Press Democrat]

Ron Jaworski is noticing Alex Smith's mechanics. [SJ Merc]

The positive about DHB being hurt? No drop off in production. Thank you. Thank you. [CC Times]

JaMarcus Russell, in his own words, still ridiculous. [SFGate]

Baseball

Johns Shea takes the Giants temperature after the winter meetings. [SFGate]

The A's finally got tired with Santiago Casilla not reaching his potential. [CC Times]

The Giants' offseason: Fans, please lower your expectations. [SFGate]

Basketball

MTII had a live chat with Stephen Curry yesterday. [CC Times]

Baseball

Bruce Jenkins recycles his defense of McGwire for the Hall of Fame. [SFGate]

The rest of Jenkins' 2010 HOF ballot. [SFGate]

Bobby Crosby is headed to Pittsburgh. Meh. Also, look for the A's to kick the tires on Matsui and Vlad. [CC Times]

The Giants are going to stay young and stay away from Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye. [SJ Merc]

Bochy discusses the top of the Giants' lineup. Ugh. [SFGate]

Barry Bonds' son got arrested. [SJ Merc]

Football

Maiocco's 53-man review from the 49ers-Seahawks game. [Press-Democrat]

The Niners dropped the ball, literally. [SFGate]

Gradkowski wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. [CC Times]

Football

The 49ers were run crazy in the first half of the season and opponents adjusted and now, it seems, the 49ers are pass crazy. It didn't lead to a win yesterday, but at least we can better evaluate Alex Smith. The Seattle loss was on the coaches. [Sac Bee]

The 49ers are what they are. Mediocre. [SJ Merc]

The 49ers botched that game. [Press Democrat]

The Raiders go into Pittsburgh and upset the Steelers? With Bruce Gradkowski throwing three 4th quarter touchdowns? Whaaaaaaaaa? [CC Times]


Baseball

The Giants and A's have different approaches to this offseason than a year ago. [SFGate]

Joe Stiglich will update us on the A's front at the baseball winter meetings. [CC Times]

Same with Andrew Baggarley for the Giants. [SJ Merc]

Brain Sabean is the new Senior GM in the league and start the speculation about Adrian Gonzalez. [SFGate]

Football

Could the Raiders cut JaMarcus Russell? [CC Times]

The 49ers offensive line will be tested in Seattle. [Press Democrat]

The Raiders juggle some defensive starters. [SFGate]

Basketball

Don Nelson's back, Warriors lose. Anybody surprised? [SJ Merc]

Raja Bell had surgery and is out 3 months. He "could" be back in time for the Warriors to trade him, or so they hope. [CC Times]

Baseball

What free agent mistake will the Giants make this year? McCoveyChronicles ranks the contenders. [MCC]

The A's made a deal to get Aaron Miles. Yay? [SFGate]

Football

* If Gore likes it, I like it. [SF Gate]

* Breaking news: the Raiders still suck. [CC Times]

* Wait a second, Vernon Davis is now a play maker? Is it opposite day? [SJ Merc]

* Great college football game tonight. [ESPN]

Baseball

* What do two CY Youngs get you? An ESPN commercial. [SF Gate]

* What do you do when your pitching staff is dominant and you can't hit? Get rid of your leading RBI guy who happens to be play catcher. Makes sense to me ... it is opposite day. [SF Gate]

* I added the A's article because I thought someone from Portland might want to read about their future baseball team. [CC Times]

Basketball

Even though Monta Ellis has reached "IT" status, the team is still dysfunctional. [SFGate]

Ice Randolph is out 1-2 weeks. [CC Times]

More Ellis gushing. See if you can spot the blasphemy in the blog post title. Think musical. With all this Ellis love flowing, maybe RT will write something for us? [SJ Merc]

Baseball

The Giants don't offer Bengie Molina arbitration. [SFGate] Meh.

Baggarly combs through the arbitration-less free agents and identifies some possible Giants targets. Dye, Damon, Hudson, Tejada? [SJ Merc]

Football

Maiocco's 53 man review of the 49ers-Jaguars game. [Press Democrat]

The 49ers are bringing in Dwight Clark to help make "The Catch" on the business end. [SJ Merc] Please, no complaints about terrible puns stretched terribly thin.

Raiders fans buy a billboard to try and sway Al Davis' cold black heart.*[Sac Bee]
*Al Davis' heart color and temperature are speculated.

Hockey

The Sharks continue to kick so much ass they don't bother taking names. [SFGate]

Football

* Is Roger Craig a Hall of Famer? Not really. [Pro Football Reference]

* I love how the Niners have one good offensive weekend and people are talking about who gets the credit. How about the people who should get fired for running such a terrible offense for the first 11 weeks of the season!? [SF Gate]

Hockey

* The first person to tell you the Heatley trade was a no-brainer was ... ME! Nice try Mark Purdy. [SJ Merc]

Basketball

* Monta - Stephen Jackson = All-Star / IT player. Remember when you were talking to that guy that said trading Jackson was a bad idea? How dumb does that guy look!? [SF Gate]

* NBA Rookie rankings. [CNNSI]

Football

The offense is in a state of flux, but the 49ers will make the playoffs on the play of the defense. [SFGate]

Mike Singletary's actions point to him being less stubborn than we think. [SFGate]

Mark Purdy flip flops on Alex Smith and apologizes. [SJ Merc]

Singletary was impressed by the leadership from his offensive players. [Press Democrat]

Basketball

You know how the Warriors need a true point guard? Well, apparently there's a ton in the NBA today. [SFGate]

The bottom 10 plays from the Raiders Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys. [SFGate]

Baseball

Pay the man. [SFGate]

The A's are showing interest in a Cuban defector, just not the good one. [CC Times]

Football

Singletary is starting to feel the sting of losing and things not going according to plan. [SJ Merc]

Bill Belichick and Bill Walsh have three Super Bowl rings a piece, but Belichick's coaching tree isn't growing like Walsh's did. [SFGate]

The 49ers need continuity on offense. [Press Democrat] It's interesting that Mike Johnson (QB Coach) spent his year away from football getting his college degree AND studying the spread offense. Hmm. Jimmy Raye's longest run as an OC was three seasons. Hmmm. Also, Allen Rossum was cut by the Cowboys because he couldn't stay healthy, the same reason the 49ers cut him earlier this season.

The 49ers dropped the tampering charges against the Jets. [Sac Bee]

Tom Cable punted on 4th and 1 and then thouhgt about going for two instead of the tie. [CC Times]

Basketball

Don Nelson won't make the Texas road trip with the Warriors as he battles pneumonia. [SFGate]

Pneumonia is a hell of an excuse to get away. [CC Times]

Nelson is sick as a dog and CJ Watson is recovering from swine flu. No wonder Jackson wanted to leave so bad. [CC Times]

Football

Is it time for the Niners to tailor the offense to Smith's strengths? [SFGate] It already feels like it's a game too late. But, it might not matter. Alex Smith is not the future of the 49ers. Colt McCoy anyone?

Mark Purdy seconds the notion that Alex Smith isn't the answer. [SJ Merc] Here is the key quote from Alex Smith that highlights the notion: "I think we came out, for whatever reason, apprehensive, cautious and kind of waiting for somebody to make a play." When you are the #1 overall pick, YOU aren't suposed to be apprehensive. YOU are supposed to make plays. I've been a staunch Smith supporter since he was drafted, making various excuses for his play. But, it's over, Smith is not the answer.

Gradkowski brings a much needed energy to the Raiders. [SFGate]

With the playoffs now pretty much a pipe dream, Maiocco outlines the 49ers remaining goals. [Press Democrat]

The 49ers' coaches put a bad gameplan together despite hacing extra time to prepare. [Sac Bee]

Jerry Mac's Raiders post game wrap. [CC Times]

Top 10 plays from yesterday's Raiders win. [SFGate]

Baseball

The A's signed Dallas McPherson. [CC Times]

Some Giants notes, including the notion of moving Freddie Sanchez to third if they acquired Dan Uggla. Not good. [SFGate]

Basketball

The glass is half full at the Fast Break Warriors blog. [SJ Merc]

Baseball

Lincecum wins the Cy Young and talks about getting busted. [SJ Merc]

Rob Neyer takes a closer look at NL Cy Young balloting. [ESPN]

The Giants are unlikely to go adter Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. [SFGate]

Football

Niners need to limit the YAC on Sunday. [SJ Merc]

Becuase you were dying to know, Q&A with Bruce Gradkowski. [CC Times]