Valley Sports

If last week’s Pac-10 football games taught us anything, it’s this: The conference hierarchy is still a mess.

You have Oregon and USC at the top, and Washington State on the bottom. From No. 3 through 9… well, take your pick. Stanford was making a case for No. 3 in the pecking order before blowing a 15-point lead to Arizona. Washington looked like it had turned things around with some impressive showings (knocking off USC) before self-destructing against ASU.

How will it shake out? It might be one of those seasons where home-field advantage and turnovers decide the majority of these games.

ASU already lost to Oregon State and still has games against USC and Oregon remaining. Assuming losses to those two, the Devils must win two of the following four games to become bowl eligible: at Stanford, vs. Cal, at UCLA, vs. Arizona. Anything more than two wins and they could be in the mix for third or fourth place in the Pac-10, which is a lot better than many predicted coming into the season.

PAC-10 STANDINGS

(Overall record in parentheses)

Oregon (5-1)……..3-0

USC (5-1)…………..2-1

ASU (4-2)………….2-1

Arizona (4-2)……..2-1

Oregon St. (4-2)…..2-1

Stanford (4-3)……..3-2

Washington (4-3)…2-2

California (4-2)…….1-2

UCLA (3-3)………….0-3

Wash. State (1-5)….0-4

D-Backs pitcher John Garland works against the Rockies in the first inning Wednesday in Denver.

Jon Garland became the second Diamondbacks player this month to question his teammates’ work ethic when he popped off after Wednesday’s 4-3 loss at Colorado.

But while Mark Reynolds was universally lauded for speaking out and saying what everyone in the Valley has been feeling for months, it will be interesting to see the reaction to Garland’s comments.

“To me, we’re going out there and playing like a last-place team,” Garland said after giving up three runs in seven innings in Wednesday’s game. “I don’t see any fight in them. I don’t see anyone that wants it.”

The D-Backs misplayed several balls behind Garland on Wednesday, though none were officially ruled as errors.

“When I sat down and went over the three runs they had scored, I give them maybe one,” Garland said. “We gave them the other two, flat out.”

The rant was similar to what Reynolds said after another frustrating loss — also in Colorado — on July 3.

“This is the major leagues, you can’t go out there and make three errors and expect to win a game,” Reynolds said at the time. “We looked like the Bad News Bears out there. It’s frustrating as (expletive) out there. It’s to the point where stuff’s got to change. You can give all the rah-rah speeches you want and have all the team meetings you want, yell at guys or whatever, but guys got to give a damn.

“I don’t really see it. I know I care. I’m out there busting my tail every night. Physical errors are fine, but guys not doing the right thing, guys not being where they’re supposed to be or guys giving up on (at-bats) is unacceptable at any level.”

Reynolds, normally not an outspoken person, drew praise for his outburst — even from the D-Backs’ front office — and backed up his comments later despite the fact that they may not have played that well in the clubhouse.

But Reynolds is one of the few D-Backs having a productive season, and at least he has a little seniority (he has been with the club for three years). Garland, a free-agent acquisition in the offseason, has been inconsistent this season (5-9, 4.41 ERA) and is the subject of trade rumors because the D-Backs likely don’t want to pick up his contract option next season.

Garland’s comments on Wednesday may only hasten that departure.

I took a look at 15 mock NBA drafts, and came up with seven different names the Suns are projected to take with the 14th pick in next week’s draft.

Part of that is due to the fact that the Suns are picking 14th — anything could happen by that point. But part of it is also due to the unpredictability of this year’s draft after Blake Griffin gets taken first by the Clippers.

But the clear consensus choice for the Suns at No. 14 was Wake Forest sophomore forward James Johnson, who was tabbed for the Suns in six of the 15 mock drafts.

NBAdraft.net’s scouting report on Johnson: He’s 6-foot-8, 257 pounds and has a 7-foot-1 wingspan. Very athletic. Can create his own shot off the dribble and could thrive in a point-forward role using his playmaking ability. Plays well in the mid to high post where he can face up and attack or back people down. Negatives are his inconsistency (he doesn’t show up every night) and a streaky outside shot. He’s a mediocre 69 percent shooter from the free throw line. Draws NBA comparisons to Danny Granger.

So will the Suns take him at No. 14? Who knows? These things are far too unpredictable that far down in the draft. But he’d be a good fit. Amare Stoudemire’s future may not be with the Suns and Grant Hill is not exactly a young pup. Johnson could play both power forward or small forward, causing matchup problems.

Other mock draft names mentioned as Suns’ picks:

– Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina

– Earl Clark, SF, Louisville

– Eric Maynor, PG, Virginia Commonwealth

– Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest

– BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State

– Brandon Jennings, PG, International (He’s the high school kid and UA recruit who bolted for Europe… He’s dropping on draft boards, but still probably won’t be around at 14).

– Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona (I think we’ve already seen enough of Budinger in these parts).

Who do you like for the Suns?

As Randy Johnson chases victory No. 300 Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals, one thought nags at me: He should be doing it in a Diamondbacks uniform.

I understood when Luis Gonzalez wasn’t brought back. Gonzo was the face of the franchise because of his personality and presence in the community, but he still thought of himself as an everyday player in 2007, which at that point in his career he wasn’t. And the D-Backs had better options in the outfield.

Johnson, at age 45 and with a history of back and knee problems, was also a risk to bring back before this season began. But he did go 5-3 with a 2.41 ERA after the All-Star break last year, so clearly there was some life left in that fabulous left arm.

The D-Backs never made Johnson a realistic offer and instead opted to sign Jon Garland, whose 4-4 record, 5.75 ERA and roughly $8 million contract are almost identical to Johnson’s numbers (4-4, 5.71, $8M).

Johnson’s surly attitude probably didn’t sit well in the the D-Backs front office, just as it didn’t in the clubhouse or the community. But that snarl and prickly nature are the same temperaments that have made him the great pitcher that he is.

With five Cy Young awards (four with the D-Backs), a World Series co-MVP, perfect game, no-hitter, 20-strikeout game and 4,844 career strikeouts (second only to Nolan Ryan), Johnson will go out as the greatest left-hander of all-time.

I just wish he was also going out as a Diamondback.

A.J. Hinch has been on the job for less than two weeks, but the new Diamondbacks manager has already had his share of difficulties to deal with.
– The team is just 2-6 since he took over for Bob Melvin, who was fired.
– There was a confrontation with pitcher Doug Davis that both sides later blamed on miscommunication.
– And now former pitching coach Bryan Price has chimed in on the decision to hire Hinch, calling it a “poor decision” and “a slap in the face to anybody who has actually managed or coached in the past.”
The D-Backs have acknowledged that Hinch was an unconventional choice because he had no professional coaching or managerial experience. Price took it one step further in an interview with the Marin Independent Journal, saying Hinch has “no credibility.”

“To me it was a slap in the face not only to Bob but to (coaches) Chip (Hale) and to Gibby (Kirk Gibson) and to anybody who has actually managed or coached in the past,” said Price, who resigned after Melvin was fired, out of loyalty to his good friend. “I thought it bypassed people who were more prepared to finish out the year.”

Price, who has since found work as a special assistant with the Philadelphia Phillies, added:

“A.J. has worked hard to get his credibility in the business in that (player-development) side of the game, but he doesn’t have any credibility between the lines as a manager. That, for me, just wasn’t going to work.”

Hinch, to his credit, didn’t get into a war of words with Price.

“I’m not shaken by it,” Hinch said, according to mlb.com. “I have confidence in my abilities running a game and being in this position. We have a job to do, and I think for me to spend a lot of time thinking about the different reactions that are going on out there is negative energy.”

It’s interesting that players haven’t exactly been rushing to Hinch’s defense. Part of that is due to their loyalty to Melvin and the reality that their poor showing led to his firing. But it wouldn’t surprise me if many of them feel the same  as Price.

Hockey great Wayne Gretzky could be removed as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes if Jerry Reinsdorf is able to buy the team and keep it in Glendale, according to a story in the Toronto Sun.

The Sun reported that Reinsdorf wants nothing to do with paying a coach five or six times the league average coaching salary. Gretzky is set to earn $6.5 million next season and $8 million the following year. His salary reportedly includes money to secure his ownership stake in the Coyotes franchise.

The Coyotes have not made the playoffs in four seasons with Gretzky as coach.

Coyotes coach and minority owner Wayne Gretzky would stand to make as much as $22.5 million if the bankrupt team is sold, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.

If the Coyotes are sold to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million under terms of the team’s bankruptct filing, the Journal reported that Gretzky would receive $8 million as deferred compensation that is owed to him. In addition, Gretzky could make an additional $14.5 million if he exercises an option in his contract to resign due to a change in ownership, according to court documents.

Gretzky , however, would be a huge draw should he stay on board if Balsillie buys the team and moves it to Ontario. Gretzky is still wildly popular in Canada, and was born just outside Hamilton, Ontario. Gretzky’s father, Walter, is also a fixture in the area. Balsillie has reportedly told Gretzky that, if the move is approved, he would build a new hockey arena in southern Ontario and name it after Gretzky’s father.

It’s a shrewd move for Balsillie, who owns Research in Motion — which makes the BlackBerry wireless device. He has already been rebuffed twice before by the NHL in attempts to purchase a team and move it to Canada. If he’s going to be successful in his third try, having Gretzky on your side goes a long way.

These things are extremely over-rated — you can’t really judge a draft class until about three years later — but everybody loves them anyway. So here goes.

Here’s what others are saying about the 2009 Cardinals’ draft class:

ESPN.com-Mel Kiper — B+

Chris Wells was a major acquisition for the Cardinals in the first round of this draft. He was a bargain for a team that was in dire need of a running back to rotate in with second-year back Tim Hightower. Wells gives this team the home run threat that the running game was sorely lacking last season. In addition to Wells, I liked the Cody Brown pick in the second round because he should be a good 3-4 rushing end in the Cardinals’ system. Bringing in LSU offensive lineman Herman Johnson in the fifth round and Illinois defensive end Will Davis in the sixth were good pickups for this organization.

Dallas Morning News.com-Rick Gosselin — A

The Cardinals addressed the worst running game in the NFL with the addition of Wells. They addressed atrocious special teams by selecting the best gunner in the draft, Johnson, and a return specialist in Stephens-Howling.

CBSSports.com-Pete Prisco — B-

This is an organization that has turned the corner when it comes to drafting.
Best pick: Third-round pick Rashard Johnson is a rangy safety who has good instincts. He won’t start, but should be a good special-teams player.
Questionable move: Not trading up to get Donald Brown. He fit their offense better than Beanie Wells.
Second-day gem: Greg Toler. Taken in the fourth round, this corner from St. Paul College has loads of physical skill.

Yahoo! Sports.com-Charles Robinson — B+

Getting Wells with the second-to-last pick in the first round was a coup. He adds exactly the kind of explosion the position needs. Brown should add some pass rushing help and Johnson is a good playmaker who works hard all the time.

Fox Sports.com-John Czarnecki — B

After making it to their first Super Bowl, the Cardinals were in an unfamiliar position at the bottom of the first and second round. They came away with Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells and UConn linebacker Cody Brown. Wells, a powerful inside runner, has a chance to be the featured back next season because Tim Hightower is more of a third-down player.

Sporting News.com-Clifton Brown — B-

Chris “Beanie” Wells was not expected to fall to No. 31, but he gives the Cardinals a quality back. This team is a juggernaut on offense, so it made sense to add defenders like outside linebacker Cody Brown and safety Rashad Johnson.

NBC Sports.com — B

The Cards wanted a speed complement for Tim Hightower at No. 31 and did better than they ever could’ve imagined. Chris Wells, who cracked 4.4 at Pro Day, is Ken Whisenhunt’s new Jerome Bettis. Rashad Johnson, who learned under Nick Saban at Alabama, is a pro-ready free safety and LSU G/T Herman Johnson was a value pick in round five.

USA Today.com-Larry Weisman — B

Cardinals needed RB to complement Tim Hightower and found Chris Wells still on the board at 31. Durability issues may have dropped him but he’s a tough inside runner and can only help the NFL’s worst ground game. Rangy DE/LB Cody Brown fits in an area where incumbents Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor are getting up in years. Should give them some flexibility in their 3-4. Ballhawk DB Rashad Johnson will quickly find a role.

Philly.com-Paul Domowitch (Philadelphia Daily News) — B+

Beanie Wells gives Cardinals another power runner to go with Tim Hightower.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Cardinals have lowered their trade demands for Anquan Boldin and are willing to accept a second-round pick and “other considerations” for the disgruntled wide receiver.

That would seem to contradict what general manager Rod Graves told Darren Urban on the team’s Web site this morning, saying the dearth of trade offers means the probability that Boldin will remain with the team is “pretty high.”

Graves said the Cardinals have received only one trade offer for Boldin, but said they “didn’t feel it was very significant at all and we have had no other interest expressed.”

I would hope the ESPN report is inaccurate. A second-round pick and “other considerations” for a Pro Bowl receiver? Surely the Cardinals aren’t that desperate. ESPN also reported that the Giants, Eagles and Jets have expressed interest given the downgraded demands.

The Cardinals have never said what their asking price is for Boldin — although sources from other teams have told media outlets they wanted a first- and third-round pick in return.

If the Cards really are willing to deal him for a second-rounder, that would indicate that the relationship between Boldin and the team is beyond repair, and they are willing to move him at any cost.

The Cardinals have admitted they’re exploring trade opportunities for Anquan Boldin. The trick may be finding a partner willing to cough up first- and third-round picks for the disgruntled wide receiver.

The team said Tuesday it has fielded calls about Boldin, but no offers have been made yet.

And their options may be dwindling.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a glaring hole at the receiver position, filled that need Monday when they signed free agent Torry Holt to a three-year deal.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens think the Cardinals’ asking price for Boldin is too high. There is some speculation they could be willing to part with tight end Todd Heap (a Mesa Mountain View High School product) or running back Willis McGahee — both positions of need for Arizona — in a deal. But that seems very unlikely due to the salary cap hit the Ravens would take. Both players’ unprorated portion of their signing bonus would count against this year’s cap.

New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese has also indicated he’s not willing to trade high draft picks, although without Plaxico Burress, he should be bending over backwards right about now trying to make a deal for Boldin.

The Bears need an upgrade at WR, but they just sent two firsts and a third-round pick to the Broncos to get quarterback Jay Cutler. So they don’t have much in the way of draft picks to offer.

The New York Jets may be looking to replace Laveranues Coles, but Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News doesn’t think the Jets are serious suitors for Boldin.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded a first-, a fourth- and a late-round pick to the Bills for Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters. But they still have another first-round pick (No. 21 overall) and team president Joe Banner told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he wouln’t rule out trading that pick as well in the right deal.

“There are teams that start the year with only one first-round draft pick and they’ve traded them,” Banner said. “If we made another trade with a first-round draft pick, we’d just be in the same position as them. I think we’ll do whatever we evaluate to be the best move with any of the available players.  . . .  Some of the evaluation is about the quality of what we have at certain positions.”

Other teams mentioned as possible trading partners are the Titans, Chiefs and Raiders. But it’s all just speculation right now, as the Cardinals are keeping things pretty close to the vest.

Worst-case scenario? There isn’t one. I still think the Cards should trade Boldin, but he still has two years left on his contract. If the Cardinals can’t make a deal, there are worse things than keeping the league’s most prolific receiving tandem intact for another season. For a team with a mediocre defense (they ranked No. 19 in the league last year) and an abysmal running game, it doesn’t hurt to maintain the best thing it has going for it — at least for one more year. Then we can do all of this again next offseason.