The University of Alabama apparently won’t drop it’s pursuit of Miami Dolphin coach Nick Saban. Desperation, thy name is Crimson Tide.

Saban can earn $15 million for the three years left on his contract with the Dolphins, but the newspaper is reporting that Alabama will guarantee him about $40 million during the length of a contract.

According to a source close to the Tide, Alabama had planned to make a last overture toward Saban.

I know I’m getting a preemptive strike here, but just wanted to wish all The Lead readers (all three of you), the very best for 2007.� Thanks for reading and looking forward to get this thing humming soon.

Again — all the best for 2007 and stay safe tonite.

SC

Buried within a piece written by San Francisco Chronicle writer Ray Ratto, he discusses the possibility of the Oakland A’s going after general manager’s dream player, New York Met Lastings Milledge.� The bait? Starter Joe Blanton.

Interestingly, though, the next cleat to fall will not be on the Giants’ side, but in Oakland, where the dramatically more successful Athletics, having already lost Frank Thomas, Jay Payton and Ken Macha, are likely to also dispatch their winningest pitcher, Joe Blanton, to New York as part of a deal that would fetch one of Billy Beane’s longest-held desirables, outfielder Lastings Milledge�