Looks like the movie is getting solid praise all the way around. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 93. Below is an excerpt from Variety (okay, I cheated: it’s the lead) –

For once, there is truth in advertising: The credits proclaim Daniel Craig as “Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007,” and Craig comes closer to the author’s original conception of this exceptionally long-lived male fantasy figure than anyone since early Sean Connery. “Casino Royale” sees Bond recharged with fresh toughness and arrogance, along with balancing hints of sadism and humanity, just as the fabled series is reinvigorated by going back to basics. The Pierce Brosnan quartet set financial high-water marks for the franchise that may not be matched again, but public curiosity, lack of much high-octane action competition through the holiday season and the new film’s intrinsic excitement should nonetheless generate Bond-worthy revenue internationally.

To check out reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and the full review @ Variety.

He lost out to Zack Morris for Kelly Kapowski, too…

Emmitt Smith Scores Dancing Touchdown

by Natalie Finn

Emmitt Smith was the MVP of the dance floor this year.The three-time Super Bowl champion added a mirrored disco ball to his already crowded trophy case Wednesday night, besting “Super Mario” Lopez to win the third season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.”It is awesome! It is awesome!” cried Smith, whose beefy physique belied the twinkle toes lurking beneath the surface. “We came a long way, we really have.”

While Lopez boasted the more technically perfect moves and some unrivaled hip-swiveling action, it was Smith’s seemingly effortless elegance and graceful-yet-masculine poise that made judge Len Goodman call him his “dancing hero.”

Guess they prayed extra hard last nite?

Lawrence, Kan. (AP) - Marchello Vealy hit his first seven 3-point shots and Oral Roberts stunned No. 3 Kansas 78-71 Wednesday night.

Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the negotiating rights to Japanese star third baseman Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday, submitting a winning bid of about $4.5 million for the power hitter.

On Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox paid $51.1 million for the rights to talk to Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

per Fox Sports

Naples, Fla. - The Phillies have reached an agreement with free-agent infielder Wes Helms on a two-year deal worth approximately $5.5 million, FoxSports.com has learned.

The Giants snagged the Padres’ manager away from their division rival earlier this off-season. Could San Diego respond by signing San Francisco’s star slugger?Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Padres have expressed an interest in signing Barry Bonds.

Gravy train @ the ticket window in the land that is ‘Whale’s Vagina’�

Looks like J.P. Ricciardi wants a DH…

NAPLES, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers’ meetings told ESPN.com.

From the latest Ken Rosenthal @ Fox Sports

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 32 minutes ago

The Orioles are close to signing Jamie Walker, perhaps the top left-handed reliever on the free-agent market, FOXSports.com has learned.

The three-year deal, expected to be worth at least $10 million, would be a blow to the American League champion Tigers, who used Walker as their principal left-handed specialist.

The LPGA will implement a drug testing policy…

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The LPGA Tour will test players for drugs in 2008, making it the first major golf tour to announce a drug-testing program.

Specifics of the testing plan will be worked up over the next six to nine months, LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens said Wednesday. The tour plans to announce the program details, including testing methods and banned substances, in the second half of the 2007 season.

Laura Davies better run and hide…�

Funny stuff…

A Bowman “Signs of the Future” autographed card, issued by The Topps Company, Inc., features a photo of Washington from the waist up in his green Jets jersey with his arms folded across his chest�– and appearing to make obscene gestures with both hands.

The hot stove continues to get fired up…

An excerpt or two –

NAPLES, Fla. - The Cubs, the most aggressive club at the general managers’ meetings, are just getting started.

The team’s ideal blueprint, according to new manager Lou Piniella, includes the addition of two more hitters and two starting pitchers.The Cubs might not accomplish all that, but they’ve already added free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa and re-signed third baseman Aramis Ramirez and right-hander Kerry Wood for a combined $89.5 million.

If they signed free agent Alfonso Soriano, their No. 1 target, to play center, they likely would add a lesser outfield bat to alternate with Jacque Jones and Matt Murton.

and a Cardinals note after the jump (couldn’t post w/out that, could I?) –

More after the jump »

Joe Girardi, unceremoniously deposed as manager of the Florida Marlins after a disagreement with owner Jeff Loria, was named NL Manager of the Year today…

Also, Jim Leyland of the AL Champion Detroit Tigers was named AL Manager of the year, too..

ESPN offers the story.

Tim Leiweke is also entrusting him to land an NHL team for the building…good luck w/ that one

Robitaille�s job: Find KC a team

AEG chooses former star to oversee development of the Sprint Center.

By RANDY COVITZ

The Kansas City Star

Tim Leiweke, chief executive officer of Anschutz Entertainment Group, has appointed former NHL star Luc Robitaille as point man in the search for a team for the Sprint Center.

AEG, which will manage the Sprint Center when it opens in October 2007, owns the NHL�s Los Angeles Kings.

Robitaille, the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history, will be assistant to the governor and alternate governor for the Kings, and his responsibilities will include development of both the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif., and the Sprint Center.

�It is becoming more probable that Kansas City will get a hockey team in the very near future,� said Leiweke, who represents the Kings on the NHL�s Board of Governors. �Luc has some of the strongest relationships in the sports business industry, and he will be a key player in our efforts to acquire a pro franchise for the Sprint Center.�

Paul McGannon, president of NHL21 � the Kansas City organization dedicated to bringing a franchise to the Sprint Center � believes Robitaille�s connections can help attract another franchise to relocate.

Robitaille and Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux are part-owners of the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League, and were teammates in Pittsburgh, a franchise that still has arena issues to solve.

�He knows the Midwest,� McGannon said. �We�re excited that you have a person with NHL relationships with current players, current owners, and the league office, and they�re grooming Luc. � I was excited to see Kansas City is part of his responsibility in his new job.�

From Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal…

Mets acquire OF Ben Johnson from Padres

NAPLES, Fla. - The Mets added another outfielder to their left-field mix Wednesday, acquiring Ben Johnson and right-hander Jon Adkins from the Padres for right-hander Heath Bell and left-hander Royce Ring, FOXSports.com has learned.

Three quarters of the ‘Scoop’ deals with the Matsuzaka saga and I think the story has been beaten to death enough that I won’t comment on it further here.

Here is an excerpt of the Notes portion of the article:

Around the Majors

� Minaya teased writers by suggesting he thought he’d make a trade before he left here. Minaya gave no clue as to what that trade could be.

� The Mets are one of many teams who will show interest in one or more of a trio of White Sox starters — Freddy Garcia, Javier Vazquez or Mark Buerhle – who could be available. The White Sox have interest in Mets pitching prospect Mike Pelfrey, but one person said “Pelfrey isn’t going for any of those pitchers.”

� Cubs GM Jim Hendry responded “sure, why not?” when asked if he could still vigorously pursue Alfonso Soriano even after spending $73 million on Aramis Ramirez. Ramirez said he was looking for a little bit of both” pitching and hitting. No wonder Lou Piniella was wearing a smile all day in the hotel lobby.

� The Tigers are expected to take a cost-efficient lefty-hitting first baseman such as Doug Mientkiewicz. But if they can trade for Ben Broussard, they’d probably prefer to do that.

� The Devil Rays bid $4 million and may win the posting process for third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Red Sox, Padres and Indians were also bidding on Iwamura, who can be expected to be converted to a second baseman for Tampa. In that scenario, Jorge Cantu would be moved to first base.

You can read the rest of Heyman’s scoop (information on the Zito to NYY or NYM rumors, the Mets and Randolph contract negotiaions and yes, Matsuzaka) can be found @ SI.

It’s well-known that Alex Rodriguez has an option to void the last three years of his deal, much like fellow Boras client J.D. Drew did last week in Los Angeles. The question is, as ESPN’s Buster Olney speculates, will he do it?

Here’s an excerpt from his most recent blog entry –

So let’s just say, for argument’s sake, that A-Rod opted out of his contract after the 2007 season. He might get a seven-year, $20 million-per-year contract — a package of $140 million, or an extra $60 million above and beyond what he is guaranteed now. Maybe he would get a little more; I have no doubt that Boras would argue that he could get more than that.

Now, if he were to keep to the terms of his current deal, A-Rod would make his $81 million from 2008 to 2010 and then become a free agent — but at age 35. It’s possible that he would still be a very productive and marketable player in the fall of 2010 and might be in position to get a pricey three- or four-year deal.

The rest can be found on Insider…another excerpt on the other notes is after the jump

More after the jump »