Here’s what went down Friday on G&A…

Jon Gone!…the D-backs sent Jon Rauch to the Twins Friday for the always popular player-to-be-named later.  Gambo reported the Diamondbacks will save around $3 million by dealing the inconsistent reliever.  The guys know Rauch was fine when the game wasn’t on the line, but often folded when called upon in clutch situations.  Mark knows the D-backs will likely spend the money they’re saving by trading Rauch to use on starting pitching.

Whiz and the Bean(ie) Stalk…Beanie Wells is expected to make his NFL debut in the Red Birds third exhibition game against the Packers.  Gambo is anxious to see what the first-round pick brings to the table in his first live game action.  He still believes Wells, if healthy, will be the week 1 starter when the NFC Champs host the 49ers.  Mark is looking to see how Beanie, as well as the Cards defense, performs against a talented Packer team.

Suspended…talented, but troubled, Brandon Marshall was suspended by first-year coach Josh McDaniels for the remainder of the preseason after Marshall refused to seriously participate in Thursday’s workout.  G&A wonder how much control the 32-year-old McDaniels has over his team.  Gambo thinks Marshall is making a mistake as he enters the final year of his contract.  Shut up, go play, put up big numbers, make bank.  Ash compared Marshall’s antics to those of Anquan Boldin, who also expressed a desire to be traded last year.  G&A agree “Q” took a more professional approach to his frustrations with Cards’ management last year.

Short-handed…the Suns will not have starting guard Jason Richardson for the first two games of the regular season after the NBA suspended him following his DUI arrest this past season.  Gambo knows J-Rich has two strikes and the Suns need to sit down and tell him enough is enough because you represent the organization 24/7.  Ash knows, judging from the Suns’ history, they won’t tolerate much more from Richardson.

Arizona Diamondbacks President DERRICK HALL discussed the season and what lies ahead this winter with plenty of question marks heading into 2010.  He also previewed the Luis Gonzalez tribute scheduled for Saturday night at Chase Field and why the team decided to part ways with reliever Jon Rauch.  D-Hall said Rauch’s trade value had peaked after a string of successful appearances so the time was right to strike a deal with Minnesota.

Going Gonzo…the Diamondbacks will honor Luis Gonzalez Saturday night and Gonzo will accept a position within the organization as an assistant to Derrick Hall.  The guys concur he will be remembered as one of, if not, the most popular Arizona athletes.

We caught up with cnnsi.com college football insider STEWART MANDEL who looked ahead to the college football season which kicks off in less than a week.  He shared his thoughts on Dennis Erickson’s ASU Sun Devils, the Heisman Trophy race, and what non-BCS team could make a BCS bowl in January.  Mandel feels Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is pacing to be the greatest player in college football history if he takes home his second Heisman Trophy in December.

Etching His Legacy…Tim Tebow has the world in the palm of his hand.  The senior Florida quarterback is looking for back-to-back National Championships as the Gators are loaded heading into the season.  With college football season less than a week away, G&A debated if Tebow, when his career concludes, will go down as the greatest player in college football history.  Ash feels Matt Leinart ranks as one of the best, Gambo disagrees.  John believes Nebraska’s Tommie Frazier is the greatest college player in the history of the game.  The guys agree Tebow, if he wins his second Heisman Trophy this year.

Empty Wallets Means Empty Seats…the NFL is still king among sports fans, but not necessarily at the box office.  Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, the Cards are positioning well for home sellouts throughout the season, including Friday’s pre-season game against the Packers in Glendale.  The same can’t be said for fellow postseason contenders Minnesota and San Diego.  It’s so bad in Jacksonville, the Jags are sectioning off parts of their stadium in hopes of selling out games and lifting local blackouts.  The guys know NFL games aren’t cheap (but not overpriced) and by blacking out home games in certain markets, they are lowering their advertising revenue stream in this poor economy.  John thinks the NFL should lift the blackout policy, especially in Detroit where jobs are scarce.

 

 Derrick Hall [9:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18)

 

 Stewart Mandel [9:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (17)