5-Star LB leaving Cal, already????
Posted by UFreak in 
Chris Martin, one of the top-rated outside linebacker recruit in the country, is leaving Cal and it appears he is headed to Florida.
Martin announced his decision on his Facebook page.
The top jumbo athlete in the country, Martin is athletic enough to be the exception to the rule. The rule is that 6-4 and 240 pound linebackers put their hand down and play defense in college, and while defensive end is still a real possibility, Martin has the foot quickness, awareness, effort, and agility to be a big linebacker on the college level depending on scheme. A high character, high motor athlete – Scott Kennedy, Scout.com
“I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive of me through my crazy mental episodes. A special thank you to my mother and father who have supported me no matter what. I love you both. God has granted me a second chance. A chance I cannot mess up. With that said. Go Gators. Thank You to everyone and all the coaches who showed their interest in me.”
The Oakland (Ca.) native signed to play with the Golden Bears in February. He had originally committed to Notre Dame in 2009 as a junior but reopened the recruiting process after the school fired then-head coach fatass Charlie Weis (after his epic failure as College Head Coach).
He explained his decision to leave California in a statement Tuesday: “My decision to transfer definitely does not reflect on the football program or the academics at Cal,” he said in his statement. “Rather, I feel like for me to focus and truly reach my potential I need to leave many of the distractions I have here at home in the Bay Area. I need to venture away from home and start my college career somewhere else where I don’t have those distractions.”
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Martin was considering Florida but chose instead to go to Berkley. His eligibility for the upcoming season is still uncertain but his presence gives Florida another boost on defense.
UPDATE: Since Martin signed up for Summer classes at Cal, he will be required to redshirt this coming season…2010. He will be used in a hybrid DE/OLB position at UFlorida;…unless he continues to get bigger, then he’ll be a Julius Peppers type end.
Reds vs Rangers,..part deux!
The Reds spend more!?!?!…yeah, that might be a little hard to believe, considering (like Machine says) that Josh Hamilton has “help” down in (the heart of) Texas….Cheap help, apparently!
Baseball total payroll, 2009 to 2010
| Team | 2009 | 2010 | Average | |
| Yankees | $201,449,189 | $206,333,389 | $8,253,336 | |
| Red Sox | $121,745,999 | $162,747,333 | $5,611,977 | |
| Cubs | $134,809,000 | $146,859,000 | $5,439,222 | |
| Phillies | $113,004,046 | $141,927,381 | $5,068,835 | |
| Mets | $149,373,987 | $132,701,445 | $5,103,902 | |
| Tigers | $115,085,145 | $122,864,929 | $4,550,553 | |
| White Sox | $96,068,500 | $108,273,197 | $4,164,354 | |
| Angels | $113,709,000 | $105,013,667 | $3,621,161 | |
| Mariners | $98,904,166 | $98,376,667 | $3,513,452 | |
| Giants | $82,616,450 | $97,828,833 | $3,493,887 | |
| Twins | $65,299,266 | $97,559,167 | $3,484,256 | |
| Dodgers | $100,414,592 | $94.945,517 | $3,651,751 | |
| Cardinals | $77,605,109 | $93,540,753 | $3,741,630 | |
| Astros | $102,996,414 | $92,355,500 | $3,298,411 | |
| Braves | $96,726,166 | $84,423,667 | $3,126,802 | |
| Rockies | $75,201,000 | $84,227,000 | $2,904,379 | |
| Orioles | $67,101,666 | $81,612,500 | $3,138,942 | |
| Brewers | $80,182,502 | $81,108,279 | $2,796,837 | |
| Reds | $73,558,500 | $72,386,544 | $2,784,098 | |
| Royals | $70,519,333 | $72,267,710 | $2,491,990 | |
| Rays | $63,313,034 | $71,923,471 | $2,663,832 | |
| Blue Jays | $80,538,300 | $62,689,357 | $2,089,645 | |
| Nationals | $60,328,000 | $61,425,000 | $2,047,500 | |
| Indians | $81,579,166 | $61,203,967 | $2,110,482 | |
| Diamondbacks | $73,516,666 | $60,718,167 | $2,335,314 | |
| Marlins | $36,834,000 | $55,641,500 | $2,060,796 | |
| Rangers | $68,178,798 | $55,250,545 | $1,905,191 | |
| Athletics | $62,310,000 | $51,654,900 | $1,666,287 | |
| Padres | $43,734,200 | $37,799,300 | $1,453,819 | |
| Pirates | $48,693,000 | $34,943,000 | $1,294,185 | |