The writing is on the wall for Shaun Alexander in Seattle. On Monday, the team signed its second free-agent running back of the offseason as they inked former Cowboy Julius Jones to a four-year deal.  Jones joins fellow veteran T.J. Duckett as new additions as the Seahawks desperately try to reshape their backfield. The team averaged 4.0 yards per carry in 2006 and just 3.8 yards per carry last season and much of that blame has been placed on the 2005 NFL MVP, Alexander, who has had back-to-back injury riddled seasons.

The 30-year old running back managed just 716 yards last season, his lowest total since taking over for Ricky Watters as the team's starter in 2001. With Maurice Morris coming off a productive season and Jones and Duckett now in the fold, Alexander's place on the team is in serious question. While the injuries have contributed to the injuries many critics have questioned Alexander's heart and effort in recent times. He did not look like himself last season and showed zero explosiveness as he hit the holes.

Alexander's contract calls for him to make $4.475 million in base salary next season and he would count $6.75 million against the Seahawks' salary cap. If Seattle released Alexander, it would not have to pay him his salary; however, it would have to account for three-fifths of his signing bonus under the salary cap. That bonus was $11.5 million, meaning there is still $6.9 million that must be accounted for under the cap.

If he were released, that $6.9 million could either count against the salary cap in one lump sum in 2008; or if the Seahawks chose to designate him a post-June 1 release, he would count $2.3 million against the cap in 2008 and $4.6 million in 2009, according to the Seattle Times. That suggests the team will be in no hurry to make a decision.

ESPN's John Clayton suggested that his days in Seattle are over and speculated that two teams that are at the top of the list as potential suitors as being the Cincinnati Bengals, Alexander's hometown team (Florence, KY), and the Houston Texans, who lack any type of consistency at running back.

The Bengals' Rudi Johnson was equally as disappointing last season and former first rounder Chris Perry hasn't see too much of the football field over the past two seasons.  Second-year running back Kenny Irons is coming off major knee surgery and veteran Kenny Watson is a role player at best. 

Alexander, if he is indeed cut, is not going to be able to demand to much on the open market and could be a nice fit for a team looking to take a low-risk flyer. 

Reds' Hall of Fame beat writer Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News takes his best crack at the team's Opening Day 25-man roster: 

STARTING PITCHERS: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Matt Belisle.

BULLPEN: Francisco Cordero (closer), David Weathers, Edinson Volquez, Jeremy Affeldt, Jared Burton, Kent Mercker, Todd Coffey.

CATCHERS: Paul Bako, Javier Valentin.

INFIELDERS: Joey Votto, Scott Hatteberg, Brandon Phillips, Edwin Encarnacion, Jeff Keppinger.

OUTFIELDERS: Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce, Norris Hopper, Corey Patterson.

INFIELDER-OUTFIELDER: Ryan Freel.

DISABLED LIST: Pitcher Bill Bray, pitcher Bobby Livingston, catcher David Ross, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, infielder Juan Castro

MY TAKE: I agree with Hal for the most part.  However, I don't see the mention of Josh Fogg anywhere. The Reds didn't shell out $1 million to not give him a shot.  I see him in the rotation, at least in April.  Also, it looks like Hal is in the same boat with me in thinking the Reds will eat the $3 million on Mike Stanton. I like Affeldt in the bullpen and after getting my first good look at Volquez in a Reds' uniform on Monday night I really like him in the bullpen at the very least. It should be interesting to see.

This is why us WILDCAT fans believe the Big Blue will rise again. 

Billy Gillispie Named SEC Coach of the Year. Patrick Patterson named Freshman of the Year; Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford All-SEC

UK head coach Gillispie was named the SEC Co-Coach of the Year, along with Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl, by league coaches. He was also given the honor by Rivals.com.

The Gillispie-led Wildcats overcame numerous injuries to tie for the SEC’s second-best league record (12-4) and second-place in the SEC East.

It is fifth-straight year Gillispie has been named his league’s conference coach of the year. In 2004, he was the WAC Coach of the Year honor at UTEP. He then won similar recognition by either coaches or a media outlet for each of the three seasons he was at Texas A&M.

It is the 15th time that a Kentucky coach received the league’s coach of the year honor as voted on by SEC coaches.

Patterson, along with Florida’s Nick Calathes, was named the SEC’s Co-Freshman of the Year by league coaches, despite missing the final three conference games with a stress fracture in his left foot. He was also given the honor outright by Rivals.com.

Patterson finished the regular season as one of two freshmen to rank in the SEC’s top 10 in both scoring (8th) and rebounding (7th), and is one of two players in the league’s top 10 in points, rebounds, field goal percentage (5th) and free throw percentage (9th).

It marks the first time that a Wildcat has been named the league’s freshman of the year.

Bradley, Crawford and Patterson were all named All-SEC by league coaches.

Bradley was a first team All-SEC selection, while Crawford and Patterson were both second team selections.

Patterson was also voted to the SEC All-Freshman team, while Bradley was named to the SEC All-Defensive team.

Billy Crystal will sign a one-day minor league contract with the Yankees and play for them in a Spring Training exhibition game. The deal was agreed upon by Bud Selig and the Yankees organization. I think it's a fantastic thing for Crystal, who's one of the biggest Yankee fans around and will turn 60. What a great birthday gift. So, I thought I'd find out what your ultimate sports birthday gift would be.

I'd have a couple. One, I'd like to suit up with the Bengals and come out of the tunnel with them to Welcome to the Jungle. I'd be so fired up. Now, I would NOT want to play in the game as I'd get clobbered, but I'd like to feel like I was on the team, at least for the introductions.

I'd also like to caddy for Tiger Woods for a round at Augusta. I would not want to play a round with him, as it'd be too intimidating. But, if I could pick up a couple tips on my swing from the best golfer ever, that would be super. I'm a huge Tiger fan and Augusta is the ultimate in golf courses.

Lastly, I'd like to have the headset on and stand next/with Brian Kelly as he calls/coaches a Bearcat football game. I think BK is one of the most risk taking/innovative coaches around and I'd love to hear how does it. I'd like to be with him to see his halftime speeches and to hear how he interacts in the game.

 I'm not an athlete and would not want to do what Billy Crystal is going to do, as I'd just make an idiot of myself. But I'd sure like to get up close and personal with some of my sports dreams. What are some of yours?

I wrote recently that there's a dearth of good baseball nicknames these days.  Now here's a nickname for you:

Is it a good thing or a bad thing to have blind hatred of a team? As a fan of one program, isn't it okay to have hatred of one of your rival teams as well? I constantly get knocked by people for my blind hatred of two teams. I actually get joy when either Xavier or the Pittsburgh Steelers lose a game. If they do so in an embarrassing fashion or choke in a big opportunity, I'm even happier. Yes, I'd prefer my UC Bearcats or my Bengals win, but if they can't (and let's be honest neither of those teams are doing well right now), I'm motivated by my hatred of the Muskies and the Steelers. I go out of my way to root against them. Is that a problem? Or is that part of sports? I think it's part of sports. I think lots of Tar Heel fans, while they may respect  Duke, want them to lose whenever possible. Same with Buckeye fans wanting nothing good to happen to the Wolverines. Note, how many Buckeye fans bought Appalachian State gear when the Wolverines were upset. I'm sure if I were a rabid Buckeye fan I would've been loving life then too.

So, should I take the moral high ground and only cheer FOR my teams, or am I more than allowed to cheer AGAINST teams that I don't like? With the current state of Bearcat basketball, I have nothing else to cheer for in March Madness, other than Xavier's ultimate demise. And with the current state of the Bengals, I always find myself cheering for whoever is playing the Stealers.