Jamie Moyeris 46 years old and is still getting it done

While playing for the Cardinals, Smoltz allowed 36 hits and three homers in 38 innings.Smoltzy will be turning 43 in May, so he’s on the downside of his career, however the age doesn’t show that he still can’t get batters out. Jamie Moyeris 46 years old, and is still getting it done.When pitchers get past a certain age in their careers, they have to learn how to use their stuff and trust what they still have. Will he go back to the bullpen as a seventh or eighth-inning guyI think he’s better suited for the ‘pen because he doesn’t have the stuff or the health to give you five-plus innings every fifth day. And for the Phillies, he would be insurance to Brad Lidge.He fits with the Phils as a reliever in my opinion, however he could also help the team’s depth at starting pitcher.

Maybe the Phils should promise him a chance to earn a starting job like they did with Chan Ho ParkIt’s unlikely that Pedro will be back, and Moyer seems to be a huge question mark so who knows who will be the fifth starter come opening day. Depth is an issue in terms of starters.Smoltz showed with the Cards that he can still be a serviceable starter, a guy who can give you five quality innings every fifth day. But whether he can he do it over a full season is still up in the air.With his past history of greatness, Smoltz may think that he’s due a few million bucks even though he hasn’t done anything other than show that he could be an OK fifth starter in the last couple of years.The Phillies are in the market for bargain-bin type pitchers for both the rotation and bullpen. Rather than overpay for quality, they’ll pay for average, which I have no problem with.Some fans will have a problem with them looking at players like this because they aren’t “willing to throw out the big bucks.”To those fans, didn’t they acquire a highly paid pitcher at the deadlineGreat teams are ones who aren’t afraid to take risks, like Phils did when they signed Martinez.If the Phillies have proved anything in the last year, the best deal doesn’t always come with the highest price tag. Instead of paying the premium to get Roy Halladay, they gave up less for Cliff Lee.So, instead of targeting John Lackeyor Randy Wolfin free agency, the Phils are looking at John Smoltz-type pitchers. Guys who can be bought for low, and possibly give a high return.Justin DuchschereranyoneFor more Phillies coverage, please go to my blog: Phillies Phandom.

The NewOrleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts are both 11-0 and headed for the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences with a possible Super Bowl match-up to end a story book season for both franchises.For the first time in NFL history, we have two undefeated and untied teams after 11 weeks of competition. The 2007 New England Patriots by any standard were heads and shoulders far better than the Don Shula led Dolphins who were led by the aging Earl Morrall (38) when Bob Griese was injured early in the 1972 season.Morrall and Griese threw for just 15 touchdowns compared to Tom Brady's record setting 50. While the Patriots put up 589 points and 6,580 total yards, Miami posted just 385 and 5,036!Even if you account for the fact the Dolphins played just 14 regular season games, the Patriots still scored 523 point in the same stretch and 5,959 total yards in a true, apples to apples comparison of regular season statistics.In 1972, the Dolphins had several close contests and scares with the Vikings in Week Three (16-14), Buffalo in Week Six (24-23), the Jets in Week 10 (28-24).In the Divisional Playoffs the Dolphins needed a last minute score to defeat the Cleveland Browns 20-14 and would have been eliminated in the first round if not for five interceptions thrown by Brown Quarterback Mike Phipps!For the Patriots, they were never seriously challenged in 2007 until Week Nine when Brady outdueled Peyton Manning for a 24-20 victory. Of there last five games, only the Bills are out of playoff contention.New Orleans at 11-0 travels to Washington, DC to play the Redskins and then to Atlanta to play the Falcons. They then have the Cowboys at the Superdome which could be a potential first round match-up in the playoffs and then the Saints finish with Tampa Bay and Carolina.Other than the Cowboys, the Saints at worst should finish 15-1 or possibly 14-2 with the Minnesota Vikings just a game behind for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.