The newZletter 

  • Eli Manning stated in August that he was in the same upper NFL Quarterback echelon as Tom Brady.  There are currently four QB's in the upper echelon:  Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning.  The next echelon is Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers and Eli Manning.  He has some climbing to do before he reaches the highest echelon.
  • Norv Turner should have been fired by San Diego three years ago.  
  • The Blues should look at the Sabres' Thomas Vanek in a possible trade.  I see him as a potential 40 goal scorer.  
  • Some people are crying for St. Louis Rams DE Chris Long to make the Pro Bowl... forget it.  Not only did Jared Allen (MN), Jason Babin (PHA), and Jason Pierre-Paul  (NYG), have better years, so did several others.  
  • T.J. Oshie is the best on the St. Louis Blues roster.  
  • The Cardinals are shopping Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook, but no takers so far.
  • The Rams do not want to hire Jeff Fisher as their next head coach.
  • Don’t forget the Blues Watch Party, Tuesday, January 10th at the Sport’s Attic. At 8212 Manchester Rd.  All attending will be in a drawing for a St. Louis Blues jersey.
  • The Aneheim Angels just signed a cable T.V. deal that will pay them $150 million per year.  Meanwhile, the Padres are about to sign a deal worth $25 million per year.  Tim Sullivan of the S.D. Union Tribune said it best:  "So long as revenue disparities continue to grow in a sport with no salary cap, mid and small-market clubs are destined to operate at a severe competitive disadvantage."  I can't believe more people aren't talking about this.  Cardinal fans better wake up.  
  • Anyone screaming to cut Sam Bradford... forget it.  It would cost us $12.5 million against the salary cap for the next 2 years.
  • I like the Cardinals signing free agent Carlos Beltran, but it makes me awfully nervous.  Remember, he only played 64 games in 2010, and 81 games in 2009.
  • The Rams will have the 2nd overall pick.  Many teams will want to trade up for Baylor QB Robert Griffin III.  I'd target the Browns and ask for their 5th and 22nd pick in this year’s draft.
  • Can you name the one player in the top ten with the most RBI's in MLB history who is a switch hitter? Answer:  Eddie Murray, #9 with 1917 RBI's.
  • Good news for Missouri Tiger fans.  Although he hasn't shown up for class yet, reports indicate former Oregon guard, Jabari Brown, has committed to the Missouri Tigers. Brown, a 5-star recruit, is a 6 - foot - 4 shooting guard and should be eligible after the first semester next season.
  • The Top 10 TV shows ever:
    • 1.    The Andy Griffith Show (with Barney, of course)
    • 2.    The Rockford Files
    • 3.    Seinfeld
    • 4.    The Simpsons
    • 5.    The Honeymooners
    • 6.    24
    • 7.    M*A*S*H
    • 8.    Monk
    • 9.    The Odd Couple
    • 10. Mannix (watched it with my father every Sat, night)
  •  If you have a moment sometime, compare the numbers of Johnny Bench, Ted Simmons, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, and Yogi Berra.  Four of them are in the Hall of Fame.  Can anyone explain to me why Ted Simmons is not?  
  • Another name for Missouri Tiger fans to watch out for:  Dorial Green-Beckham.  He is a 5-star recruit who many compare to Randy Moss.  The star WR recruit has yet to choose a college.  
  • Although the Rams probably won't be in a position to go after him, RB Trent Richardson out of Alabama is a future NFL star.  
  • Speaking of the NFL draft, if CB Janoris Jenkins from N. Alabama is still on the board with the 2nd overall pick in the 2nd round, the Rams should snag him.  Yes, he has had a few run-ins with the law, but he is possibly the most talented CB in this year’s draft.  
  • You won't see much of them in 2012, but 2 RHP in the Cardinals' minor league system are Shelby Miller and Carlos Martinez.   Both are top of the rotation studs.
  • Free Agents the Rams should be looking at:  Brent Grimes CB (Atl), Reggie Wayne WR (Ind), Vincent Jackson WR (SD), DeSean Jackson WR (Pha), Carlos Rogers CB (SF), Dwayne Bowe WR (KC), Robert Meachem WR (NO).  Brandon Lloyd should be made an offer and would be a stellar #2 WR.  I had Buffalo Bills LT Demetrius Bell on the list, but his recent injuries scare me.

THIS IS THE JANUARY EDITION OF A MONTHLY NEWZLETTER SENT OUT BY “ON THE LINE WITH THE Z-MAN,” HEARD M – F, 9a – 11a, ON SPORTS RADIO 1380.  IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTINUE RECEIVING THE NEWZLETTER, JUST E-MAIL ME AT ZMAN@SPORTSRADIO1380.COM.
Thanks,
Z