likely be eliminated from the CFP with another loss, and its also a chance for the young Buckeyes to earn their first statement win of the season. A loss could be devastating to Ohio State, though, as it still has to pl

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves are thrilled with the job that interim manager Brian Snitker did this season.Theyre still going to look at other potential candidates to lead the team in 2017.Less than 24 hours after the Braves finished a last-place season with a flourish, team president John Hart said former managers Bud Black and Ron Washington would be interviewed for the job, and other outside candidates may be considered as well.That doesnt mean Snitker is out of the running.Brian Snitker did a tremendous job, Hart said Monday. The year was spiraling out of control. He restored order.The Braves won 50 of their last 97 games, including their finale at Turner Field on Sunday. The team is moving to a new stadium in the suburbs next season.Atlanta was 9-28 when manager Fredi Gonzalez was fired and stood at 18-46 when it began a dramatic turnaround under Snitker.Hart and general manager John Coppolella both said Snitker was a strong candidate to keep his job based on the way the team responded to his leadership.Snitker even attended an end-of-the-year media session, insisting hes comfortable with the process and doesnt mind waiting for the Braves to make a decision.If I was them, Id be doing the same thing, Snitker said.Hart said it was imperative to look at all potential options before deciding who should be in the dugout for the first season at SunTrust Park.Black spent nearly 8 1/2 years as San Diegos manager, going 649-713 before he was fired during the 2015 season. He had only two winning records and never led the Padres to the playoffs, though he was picked as NL Manager of the Year in 2010.Black appeared to be in line for the Washington Nationals job going into this season, but negotiations broke down and Dusty Baker was hired instead.Washington spent nearly eight seasons as Texas manager, guiding the Rangers to consecutive World Series appearances from 2010-11 and capturing a pair of AL Manager of the Year awards. He surprisingly resigned during the 2014 season, revealing later that he stepped down because he had been unfaithful to his wife of 42 years.Washington spent the last two seasons as a coach with the Oakland Athletics, but his ties to Hart go back to when both worked for the Rangers.When you go outside and talk (to candidates), you learn things, Hart saId. There are a lot of smart guys out there. It would be shame on us if we didnt take this opportunity to take a look at the landscape and get a feel for what people think about our club, our players.In addition to Snitker, the Braves have also interviewed coaches Terry Pendleton, Eddie Perez and Bo Porter. But Coppolella seemed to rule them out when he said it was unlikely the team would hire someone with no managerial experience over Snitker, especially off his own coaching staff.Besides the managerial search, here are some things to watch for as the Braves head into the offseason:---BIG SPENDERS: After several years cutting payroll and bulking up the farm system, the Braves plan to be a player in the free-agent market this winter. The team took on much of Matt Kemps $21.75 million annual salary through 2019 in a midseason trade, and the move paid off handsomely. Kemp (35 HRs, 108 RBI) paired with slugger Freddie Freeman (.302, 34 HRs, 91 RBI) to lead Atlantas resurgence. With the move to SunTrust Park and an expected boost in revenue, team owners have cleared the way for a payroll increase.WHERE TO SPEND: The Braves are likely to go mostly for starting pitching. Julio Teheran has ace-like stuff, though a lack of run support left him with a 7-10 record. Mike Foltynewicz (9-5, 4.31 ERA) looks as though hes finally ready to hold down a spot in the rotation, and Matt Wisler (7-13, 5.00) showed flashes of potential but needs to be more consistent. Coppolella said the team is looking to add at least two new starting pitchers and maybe three for 2017.STANDING PAT: The Braves are happy with their everyday lineup. Rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson is a star in the making, and Adonis Garcia (.273, 14 HRs, 65 RBI) returned from a stint in the minors to nail down the third base job. Tyler Flowers did a solid job at catcher, though the Braves would like to sign another veteran to share the job. Also keep an eye on second base, where top prospect Ozzie Albies is on the verge of breaking through, though a late-season injury in the minors could set him back.THE BACK END: Jim Johnson agreed to a two-year contract extension on the final day of the regular season and will go into 2017 as the expected closer. His presence gives the Braves a chance to bring along some of their younger pitchers in less-stressful roles, including hard-throwing Mauricio Cabrera and Jose Ramirez. Former closer Arodys Vizcaino could be in the mix if he can bounce back from shoulder problems that shut him down this season.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .Dick McAuliffe Jersey . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Travis Demeritte Jersey . 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Cheap Tigers Jerseys . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble.This weekend promises to be epic with several games that could have season-long implications. Many of the nations top teams head out to play true road games for the first time, including Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State. Which players and coaches will have the biggest impact? Our experts break it down:Which game are you most looking forward to this weekend?Andrea Adelson: No. 2 Florida State at No. 10 Louisville (Noon ET, ABC) I will be in Louisville for the top-10 showdown against Florida State, so I have to go with this one. I have been waiting for this game all offseason, because we had an idea the Cards could seriously challenge the Seminoles and Clemson for ACC supremacy. With the way Lamar Jackson has played over the past two games, the time has finally come for Louisville to prove it ... or lose just about any hope at a College Football Playoff spot. Jackson has feasted on subpar competition, so this is his first real chance to show he can succeed against a top-quality defense.Heather Dinich: No. 3 Ohio State at No. 14 Okllahoma This has the best coaching matchup, huge playoff implications and two ranked teams.dddddddddddd Cant beat it. The Sooners would likely be eliminated from the CFP with another loss, and its also a chance for the young Buckeyes to earn their first statement win of the season. A loss could be devastating to Ohio State, though, as it still has to play Wisconsin, Michigan State and Michigan.Chris Low:?No. 2 Florida State at No. 10 Louisville The only downer is that Florida State wont be at full strength with super safety Derwin James out with a knee injury. Even so, the Seminoles are loaded with speed, depth and athleticism on defense, and watching them go up against quarterback Lamar Jackson and a Louisville offense putting up Xbox numbers will be a treat. Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois has also been worth the price of admission, and hell be making his first true road start. ' ' '