1.
After losing at home to Arizona, the Seahawks lost some luster and are no longer the trendy No. 1 selection in the National Football League power rankings. Seattle slipped to No. 2 this week with the Carolina Panthers (11-4) the new No. 1 in most ratings.
Quarterback Cam Newton is being heaped with praise, although most agree the league MVP is going to Peyton Manning.
Here’s what bleacherreport.com says about Newton: “Newton’s brilliance under offensive coordinator Mike Shula cannot be ignored. Newton has become the quarterback the Panthers needed when they drafted him No. 1 overall. And now the rest of the league is stuck trying to figure out how to stop him.”
2.
With two years left on his contract, Tampa Bay left-hander David Price is available in a trade as the small-market Rays try to get maximum value out of him and haul in some young talent. The Mariners are the team reportedly most interested in Price, only 28 and already an AL Cy Young Award winner.
However, Bo McKinnis, agent for Price, is saying his client would not accept a contract extension with the Mariners, although he would sign with some other teams. Price apparently just doesn’t have much enthusiasm for being in Seattle.
Top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker has been taken off the table by Seattle, but other touted prospects including catcher Mike Zunino and shortstop Brad Miller reportedly are in the mix.
3.
Washington junior running back Bishop Sankey disclosed Monday he has been evaluated as a potential third-round choice in the next NFL draft and plans to make a decision on whether he’ll return to the Huskies for his senior season after the Fight Hunger Bowl game Friday.
Sankey, who this year set a Washington season rushing record with 1,775 yards, asked the NFL for a draft evaluation earlier this month. Collegiate juniors are allowed to make such a request without losing their eligibility.
“It’s pretty much what I expected,” Sankey noted of the third-round grade. “I’m going to talk to Coach (Chris) Petersen and to my family after the bowl game and make a decision.”
