Bolts Sign Bennett

A.J. signed Michael Bennett yesterday, adding depth to the Bolts' running back position and insuring against an injury to LT and/or Sproles. It also would seem to indicate that Jacob Hester is not very good at all. Or at least has fallen a bit in the estimation of the Chargers brass.

Be that as it may, I welcome Bennett to the Bolts. Michael, I see from my exhaustive research (I just looked you up on pro-football-reference.com) that you have amassed 3627 yards in your career at a 4.4 yard-per-carry clip. Your best season was in 2002 when, as a Viking, you rushed for 1296 yards and scored five touchdowns, including an 85-yarder. Not too shabby. More recently you had a 4.6 yard-per-carry average for Tampa last season in limited action. I would be pleased if you performed similarly for the Bolts over the final seven games of this season.

Welcome, and good luck. Now get to work.

Your All Signsed Up, Your All Signsed Up

D.J. Richardson, formerly of Peoria Central, currently of Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, was one of four recruits today to sign their letters of intent to play for the Illini. He joins Tyler Griffey, Joseph Bertrand and Brandon Paul as the newest group to commit to Illinois.

On behalf of this fine, if widely unknown blog, D.J., I welcome you to the Illini. Here's to hoping you join your three fellow 2009 recruits and lead the Illini to a new era of dominance.

I can't wait.

Now then, query Chris Colvin. What's he going to do?

S-S-S-S Signing Day!

It's signing day in the world of college hoops. The Illini are slated to sign Bertrand, Paul, Griffey and Richardson, all rated with four stars at Scout.com (well, Bertrand only has tres estrellas, but that's an oversight by those doing the rankings). Bruce has a press conference this afternoon to announce the signings.

Ger r dun, Bruce!

Trevor

Tonight I learned that the Padres rescinded their contract offer to Trevor Hoffman.

It seems now that Trevor's 16-year run with the Padres is at an end.

You've been a beast, Trev. A pure beast.

Western Michigan ... F

Western Michigan beat the Illini 23-17 last Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. I didn't see one second of the game because I was out in San Diego for the weekend and didn't take the time to find a sports bar with the broadcast. During breakfast at The Tractor Room on Fifth Avenue and Pennsylvania in Hillcrest, I caught a few updates and saw the Illini were down 20-3, then 20-10, then 23-10 and, finally, 23-17.

Later I learned they had a chance to score the go-ahead touchdown late but couldn't get the job done.

Illini Do Iowa

The Illini held on and beat Iowa last Saturday. That was a good thing because Iowa had been a spoiler for the Illini of late, and also because Iowa is inferior to Illinois just as a general matter.

I kid the Iowans. Great state over there. Always enjoy visiting Iowa City and I had a friend growing up who was from Bettendorf. One of my other friends married a Hawkeye graduate. Also my sister once got caught using someone else's credit card in Iowa so, you know, it's good to know the Iowa police are on top of things.

One thing I liked about Saturday's game was the use of Eddie McGee as a slot receiver. He is tall and athletic and, according to T.V. reports, Zooker rewarded him for being one of the players who cares most about the team. I believe Illini football will be in good hands two seasons from now when Juice is playing in the CFL and Eddie is quarterbacking the squad.

When The Games Are Done

Careful, kid. Now that the Phillies finished off the Rays last night in dramatic, three-inning fashion, that stove you're about to touch just got hot.

Figuratively speaking, of course.

The League has a ton of big stories this off-season (CC, A.J., Manny, to name just three) but no team sits more at a turning point than the San Diego Padrinos. Will they trade Peavy? Will they re-sign Trevor Hoffman? Will they pick up Brian Giles' option? Will John and Becky Moores cut Petco Park in half forcing the team to play its home games back at the Q? These are all critical questions that will determine the core of the Padres team next year.

With Peavy, Giles and Hoffman they will have, if some of the younger guys make progress, Chris Young regains his 2006-2007 form and the bullpen becomes (once again) a strength, a competitive team. Without those three guys they are looking at 2011 or later for their next winning season. I don't know about you but that's a long time to wait. If would feel like the beginning of this decade all over again. And that was no fun. Might as well sign Klesko and Nevin and see if Bubba Trammell is available.

So here's to hoping the Drinos make some good decisions, and if they do decide to part ways with Peavy, Giles and Trevor, that they make the right moves on the back end to get this team winning again before the 20-teens.