Captain K's Corner

Terrell Owens- could it be curtains?

2011-06-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Late Sunday night, I read on twitter that Terrell Owens tore his ACL. Now I’m not absolutely sure if this is true and if it is I don’t know how it occurred but the alleged injury did inspire this piece.

Owens is 36 and if the ACL tear is true, it’ll be at the least a six month recovery for him. I’m not sure that’ll end his career but it may. Owens has had a great career by all accounts but his personality and his travels have made him one of the NFL’s more polarizing figures in recent memory. It begs the question, “What will Owens legacy be when he ultimately calls it quits? Is he a Hall of Famer?”

There have been many trials and tribulations in Owens career, seemingly starting with that touchdown catch from Steve Young in the 1998 NFC Wild Card game. That seemed to be when the Star of Terrell Owens was born. He had finally broken through that year as he became a top target for Hall of Fame QB Steve Young and that was his signature moment. The catch between three Packer defenders and the tears that streamed from Owens face after he got up with the ball in his hands simply made that moment everything a signature moment is expected to be.

Owens has had many game changing plays. He’s crossed the goalline 153 times in his career, and he has 1,078 catches at 14 yards a catch. The talent was there, the effort was there for the most part. There aren’t many WRs in this era who blocked with the ferocity that Owens does. There aren’t many who fought for every yard like Owens did. There aren’t many who can break a game open the way he did. I don’t think anything negative that is said regarding Owens and his career that is based on his skill.

But for as good as Owens was on the field and in between the lines, his constant need for attention, and him essentially being an NFL nomad for the last four years of his career has soured many people’s lasting thoughts on him. One can make the argument that his attitude is as bad as his production is good. You know that has to be the case where we can debate the legacy of a man who has 1,078 catches, 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns.

Owens has clashed with players (both offensive and defensive), head coaches, offensive coordinators. He clashed with Jeff Garcia which divided that locker room and ultimately led to the demise of the 49ers. He openly questioned Jeff Garcia’s sexuality (the relevance to football is?), and made that relationship uncomfortable. He then got his wish and got a trade to a winning team, the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2004 he helped trigger QB Donovan McNabb’s best season as a pro as he and McNabb lit secondaries up that entire season. In 14 games, Owens had 77 catches for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns and a 15.6 average. Owens and McNabb just clicked. Short, medium deep, screens, hitches, it didn’t matter. Nobody could stop them as the Eagles stomped through the league to the NFC’s best record and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Unfortunately in a relatively meaningless week 15 game, General Horse Collar (S Roy Williams) did his deed and collared Owens breaking his leg. Owens missed five games and came back in the Superbowl. He played on a broken wheel in the Superbowl and still put forth an amazing performance as he caught 9 passes for 122 yards.

I think that performance and the aftermath/chatter following it sum up the public perception regarding Owens. Some of us looked at the performance and said “Man, what a performance,” then others minimized it. And before we could let the performance marinate, Owens is doing situps on his driveway.

Then he eventually forced his way out of Philadelphia as he could get along with no one. He was traded to Dallas, and that ended unceremoniously for him as well as he was released. Then he was banished to Czechoslovakia (Buffalo), for a year then played in Cincinnati. All I could wonder while this was happening is what would have happened had Owens just been a professional. What if he and McNabb could co-exist? Both of their careers might have taken different paths. McNabb might have some jewelry, and Owens might have a better legacy.

How will I remember Owens? I’ll remember him as a game breaking one of a kind talent who was came into the league without much fanfare and will leave the same way. I’ll remember him as the receiver who could do a little bit of everything, and delivered some of the nastiest stiff arms I’ve ever seen on the gridiron. I’ll remember him grabbing nine balls (many of which were very poorly thrown) in the Superbowl on a bad wheel. I’ll remember him for his frank nature in the media, even if it understandably didn’t come across well.

Most of all, I’ll remember him for being a Hall of Fame Caliber FOOTBALL player. At last check the Hall of Fame is about performance. 1,078 catches, 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns is HALL OF FAMER, no matter how you want to slice it. Like him, love him, have no feelings towards him, the man played and produced like a Hall of Famer. The day it becomes about personality and/or politics should be the day he misses out. But this isn’t a beauty pageant, it is football.

Carmelo Anthony is a New York Knick....finally

2011-02-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

Mercifully, the Carmelo Anthony drama has come to an end as the Denver Nuggets traded him to the New York Knicks Monday night. The Knicks sent F Danilo Gallinari, F Wilson Chandler, C Timofey Mozgov, PG Raymond Felton, a 2014 first round draft pick and 2 second round draft picks to the Nuggets in exchange for F Carmelo Anthony, PG Chauncey Billups, F/C Shelden Williams aka Mr. Candace Parker, G Anthony Carter and F Renaldo Balkman. Minnesota also received Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph in the deal while sending F Corey Brewer to the Knicks.

I like Carmelo Anthony as a player. In my eyes he's the best pure scorer in the game, and there isn't a single thing offensively he can't do. I admit I wasn't on board with this trade a week ago, but when I thought about it, I realized that only one of these players really had a long term future with the team (Gallinari), and that put me at ease. I don't think the Knicks handled it as well as they probably should've but given the magnitude of the player at hand, and the uncertainty of the current CBA something had to be done. As much as the tired 'You could have signed him in free agency' card gets played, Anthony wasn't going to pass up $65 million. If the Knicks were going to get him they needed to do so now, and they did exactly that.

The Knicks also upgraded their point guard spot, getting Chauncey Billups to replace Raymond Felton. Felton is a tough guy, a leader, and I enjoyed watching him play but he can't shoot and he wasn't a long term option at PG anyway. I like Felton but at the very least Billups is a lateral move. Billups is also a knock down shooter from three. Neither one of them is going to be here after next season, so that isn't overly significant one way or another, but I think it helps the Knicks in the short term.

Wilson Chandler is a solid player. He can credibly guard three positions, he can shoot it, he can get to the rim and overall is a solid basketball player. Denver got a nice player in Chandler, and his versatility is a weapon for any basketball team. From the Knicks standpoint, Chandler is a restricted free agent and the Knicks had to renounce his rights to open up space down the road. He wasn't going to be a Knick after this season so that loss is minimal. I think the Nuggets made out well as a whole since there was no way Carmelo was going to come back to the team in the offseason.

Danilo Gallinari is the only part of the trade that hurts for me. Gallinari is already a solid, albeit inconsistent, NBA player who can shoot the ball, put the ball on the deck, and is an underrated defender who is a still developing 22 year old. I like Gallinari and am sad to see him go. I think he has a bright future in the NBA and I personally enjoyed his flair for the dramatic as well as his charisma. I also thought, if somehow the Knicks could have kept him, he would've been a nice piece to go along with the current team. But as the old adage goes, "You have to give to get". As sad as I am to see Gallinari go, I'm even more happy to see Carmelo Anthony arrive.

I thought the Knicks should've drawn the line at Mozgov on general principle alone but at the same time how would Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni ever be taken seriously again if their claim to fame was 'We wouldn't trade Timofey Mozgov for Carmelo Anthony?' Answer? They wouldn't be, unless Timofey Mozgov turned into a top center in the NBA.

The rest of the trade isn't even worth discussing (Eddy "I eat a cheeseburger for every million I steal" Curry, Anthony "Splinters" Randolph).

Did the Knicks give up a lot from a "this year" standpoint? Yes, now the Knicks have absolutely no front court depth. Chandler, and Mozgov were both important in that particular regard. But this trade isn't about this year, it's about competing for jewelry in the near future. Whether or not the Knicks will be, we don't know, but they are closer to that ultimate longer term goal now than they were yesterday.

The Knicks started on the "Let's get two superstars" goal, three years ago. Now they completed that goal, with a third superstar in mind. What's to complain about? I think the first time Mr. Anthony drops 45 on 60% shooting while single handedly winning a game, you'll hear a lot of 'Who did we trade again?' sentiments.

One thing we can all agree on, is the relief that this drama is finally over. After long last, Carmelo Anthony is home. Knick fans, rejoice. In the words of Ice Cube, "Today is a Good Day".

Aaron Rodgers is just NOW elite? Really?

2011-02-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

Now that the Green Bay Packers have won football’s ultimate prize, I have heard sentiments from many that this cements Aaron Rodgers as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. And to those sentiments I have to ask, where have you been hiding the last three years? And why is it that a TEAM accomplishment defines what an individual does? Fact of the matter is, Rodgers had elite numbers, and elite ability long before the clock read :00 on Sunday night. People become too wrapped up in championships and comparing people from that standpoint. How many people does it take to win a championship? How about sticking to comparing individuals.

ESPN’s Michael Smith had a great quote on twitter on the other day that pretty much sums up how I feel on the matter of Rodgers’ greatness. “In a team sport I do not define a player's greatness by how many championships his TEAM has won. I WATCH a player and determine if hes great,” Sometimes people become a prisoner to the “rings” argument. While it is certainly relevant, I think it’s far down the list of tools to determine a player’s greatness. Individual productiona and the good old “eye test” should be the biggest determining factors.

Back to Rodgers, in my eyes he’s been elite for the last two years. Here are his last three years (first three years starting in the league, mind you):

2008: 63.6% completion percentage 4038 yards 7.5 YPA 28 TD 13 INT 93.8 QB rating
2009: 64.7% completion percentage 4434 yards 8.2 YPA 30 TD 7 INT 103.2 QB rating
2010: 65.7% completion percentage 3922 yards 8.3 YPA 28 TD 11 INT 101.2 QB rating

We all saw what we did in the postseason this year, and even last year in a losing effort. I can understand not wanting to jump the gun in 2008 when he first came on the scene because many players, regardless of the sport, flame out after a really good initial year. But after putting up 86 touchdowns and 31 interceptions, there are still people out there who needed MORE to be able to call this man an elite quarterback? Really?

As far as his ability, there is nothing Rodgers can’t do. He has excellent pocket presence, he has one of the strongest arms in the sport, he is mobile, he has arguably the quickest release in the sport, is one of the most accurate QBs in the game and is cerebral on top of that. I completely understand not wanting to crown someone too early before they have accomplished too much but Rodgers three year stretch is top of the line comparatively speaking in the history of the league yet NOW he’s elite because his TEAM won a Superbowl? Really? I just believe too many people put far too much stock into team success and thus far late to the punch bowl in situations like this, where a player has been playing at an elite level for three years.

I'm not saying he's the best QB in the league (though I believe it can be argued that he is), or that he'll be the best quarterback ever or anything of the sort. I'm just saying that looking at what he brings to the table, he's been near the top of the league for a couple of years. His last three years are no accident. I personally rank him right there with Peyton Manning as the two best quarterbacks in the league. I'd probably give Manning a slight edge, but it's close. And when it comes to natural passing ability, Rodgers is as gifted a passer as the NFL has to offer.

I hope Rodgers stays healthy and continues on his already torrid pace, and rewrites some of the history books. He’s exciting to watch as he, in my eyes, is the game’s most gifted passer regardless of what his team just accomplished in winning Superbowl 45.

SB XLV Wrap Up

2011-02-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Superbowl XLV wrap up

-Great game. It wasn’t necessarily the most well played game but it delivered when it came to the excitement. It came down to the last possession and you can’t ask for much more out of a Superbowl.

-Before I get started on the game, I’ll talk about the commercials, the anthem and the post game performance. As far as the national anthem, Christina Aguilera completely botched it and it’s a shame. I wonder how that affects the people who bet on how long it would last. As far as the commercials, the only one that I liked was the Kim Kardashian commercial. I think we all know the reasoning behind that one. The Black Eyed Peas halftime performance was absolutely dreadful. Janet Jackson’s “display” in 2004 ruined the Superbowl forever.

-Aaron Rodgers performance was truly magnificent. Mike McCarthy basically put the game on his shoulders, and Rodgers took that responsibility and played a great game. Despite six drops by Packer WRs, Rodgers still put up 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns. I mentioned in my previous entry that the Packers couldn’t be one dimensional but they were and it worked. McCarthy put everything on his best player and he came through big time.

-James Jones drops a 50+ yard touchdown every game it seems. I thought that play would end up making the game a lot closer than it should have been, and it ended up working out as such. Jones isn’t a bad fourth option but he has had several killer drops.

-I thought the Steelers should have kept with the running game more than they did. They did run the ball quite a few times but I thought they should have ran it more considering Green Bay really could not stop them on the ground. Of course, however, when you’re down 18 like the Steelers were it’s easier said than done to remain balanced.

-Where was Troy Polamalu all night? He didn’t make a single impact play. The Packers did a good job of neutralizing him and Polamalu’s incorrect guess on Greg Jennings touchdown catch hurt.

-I felt bad for Charles Woodson. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t finish out the game but I’m glad he got that long awaited ring. He’s been a good player for a long time, and also been a great teammate. Hats off to #21.

-I thought the Packers were too conservative with the pass rush on Ben Roethlisberger. I’m not sure what the splits looked like but it seemed like they had success when they blitzed him. Capers was content in rushing three and four guys repeatedly and Roethlisberger had plenty of time to pass the ball. Had the Packers lost the game I thought that would have been one of the bigger stories.

-I still find it hilarious that NOW people are coming to the realization that Aaron Rodgers is elite, just because he now has a SB ring. The guy has been elite for awhile, but as usual there are a lot of folks that are late to the punch bowl.

-The Steelers are a tough football team, and I have great respect for them. They are never out of a game and though they were down 18 points, they came back and made it a one possession game. Much props to their resiliency, as they could’ve easily folded up tent and got blown out.

-I’m surprised that on the last possession, the Steelers didn’t target Hines Ward once. He’s been their money receiver for years now, and it doesn’t get much bigger than that possession.

-Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers on winning SB XLV. Well deserved.

-Hopefully this isn’t the last football we see for over a year. Let’s pray on that.

SB XLV- Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers

2011-02-06T00:55:00.000-08:00

An assortment of thoughts on the game:

-How will the Packers respond to the nature of the game? I’m not a big believer in the experience angle and it being in the favor of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but being there for the first time is bound to lead to some jitters. Will Aaron Rodgers be too charged up early? How will the rest of the Packers respond?

-How will the Steelers respond to the Packers spread sets? The Packers like to use a lot of four and five wide receiver sets. Teams spreading out and throwing short passes give the Steelers some trouble. After halftime of the AFC Championship Game, the Jets had a lot of success with the spread sets as Mark Sanchez warmed up and got everyone involved. I don’t view the Steeler secondary as a strength and if Aaron Rodgers gets time to throw the ball, it could be a long day for them.

-How will the Packers defend Rashard Mendenhall? In the first half of the AFC title game, Mendenhall unleashed fury on the Jets as he nearly rushed for 100 yards in the first half of the game. The Packers, for the all the notoriety their defense gets, are terrible in the art of stopping the run. They were LAST in the league in yards per carry against. The only reason that statistic doesn’t get more play is the fact that only five teams saw less rushing attempts against them than the Packers did. If the Packers let Mendenhall get off, then Pittsburgh gets the sight they want to see the most and that is Aaron Rodgers on the sideline spectating.

-Do the Packers fall too much in love with the pass? I realize that Aaron Rodgers is arguably the most gifted passer in the league and that attacking Steeler defense with a methodical air attack is probably for the best. With that said, you can’t become too one dimensional because those pass rushers will make life hell for the Packers offensive line and subsequently Mr. Rodgers. The Jets did a good job of that in the second half of the Title Game. While they were playing “catch up”, they still mixed in the run to keep the Steelers guessing. You cannot let James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley pin their ears back and give them a green light to see off on Rodgers.

-Does Troy Polamalu make an impact? As great as Polamalu is he hasn’t really had a significant tangible impact on the postseason to date. You would think, given his history and the magnitude of the game at hand, Polamalu will have his hand in a big play or two come Sunday. I believe when it comes to pure “game speed”, Polamalu plays faster than the majority of the players in the league. Obviously his foot speed complements that as well, as he runs like a gazelle. The thing about Polamalu that gives offenses trouble, is his penchant for seemingly being in five places at once. One minute, Polamalu will be at the line of scrimmage bluffing blitz and in the next minute he’s picking off a pass 40 yards down the field. He’s football’s David Blaine and it’s imperative the Packers identify where he is at all times, because if anybody can break the game open in the Steelers favor, it’s #43.

-Mike McCarthy vs Dick Lebeau. Who wins this matchup? As a football geek/enthusiast, this matchup is one of the most exciting this game has to offer. I think McCarthy’s offensive genius is truly overlooked and severely underappreciated. While he may have other issues as a head coach, I believe he’s one of the very best playcallers the sport has to offer. His offenses have always been well oiled machines. Dick LeBeau’s resume in the NFL and his time in Pittsburgh speak for themselves. After all the man is revered in football circles as the inventor of the zone blitz. The INVENTOR! Pittsburgh’s defenses have made life hell on quarterbacks for years on end, and have ranked near the top of the league for the majority of LeBeau’s stay. Does McCarthy attack the Steeler defense with spread sets, and try to exploit a spotty Steeler secondary? If he does, how does LeBeau counter? Does McCarthy run a more traditional offense with balance? What wrinkles will LeBeau have for Aaron Rodgers? It’s truly a football purist’s dream.

-While Dick LeBeau seems to have grabbed most of the headlines in the two week hiatus leading up to Superbowl Sunday, Dom Capers is no slouch. The Packers defense has ranked top five in each of the last two seasons. How will he unleash Matthews? How will he free him up? With the dearth of good CBs the Packers have they can afford to play Charles Woodson in a hybrid CB/S role, hence why he blitzes off the slot more than any player I’ve ever seen in my life. I think Capers will have a solid game plan, and it’s up to the players to go out there and execute it. To their credit, they have up until this point.

-How much damage will Ben Roethlisberger do with his legs? Although Roethlisberger doesn’t necessarily look fast, he’s awfully nimble for a man his size. He always makes plays with his legs, and has a penchant for making men miss. He will break contain every now and then and make a play but can the Packers minimize his affect on the game outside the pocket? Can they minimize the missed tackles?

-How will the Packers secondary handle Mike Wallace? While I realize the Steelers have more weapons, I think it is the most imperative to keep Wallace in check because he is a home run threat from anywhere on the field. He didn’t average 21 yards per catch this by accident. I already made mention of the Packers excellent secondary, and the exotic blitz schemes Capers will bring to the party. Will they do enough to stop arguably the most dangerous player that will suit up in the Superbowl?

Final thoughts and Prediction: I can’t really get excited for this game because of how close the Jets came to being in it. Also, I have a strong distaste for “Steeler nation” but that’s neither here nor there. I’ll still watch the game and stuff my face like I always do.

As far as the game itself, Aaron Rodgers has been red hot since the Week 16 game against the New York Giants. Ben Roehlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be a tough obstacle for the Packers to get over but I think the Packers win as the Steelers have issues stopping the plethora of weapons the Packers bring to the table.

Score: Packers 27 Steelers 24

Happy Superbowl Sunday!!

As the Melo Turns

2011-01-12T03:38:00.000-08:00

First of all, let me say that I am dog tired of this whole drama involving Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. This is worse than the whole LeBron James free agency extravaganza that took place in the summer. With James, it was the summer and there was no basketball going on and he was arguably the biggest free agent ever. This is going on during the season and every day something different comes about, then you hear the obvious things that everyone knew already. Then Anthony was close to being traded how many times now? It's the NBA's version of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'. The 'he said, she said', this source, that source crap gets old. All of that aside, I do have an interest in it because of the magnitude of the player and because the Knicks are within the heart of the rumors.

It's a complicated situation that doesn't seem to be near to a close. There are so many questions that still need to be answered on Anthony's end, on the Nuggets end, and on the end of whichever team (looking more and more like the New Jersey Nets) is willing to trade for him. Is Denver trying to openly spite Anthony? Is Anthony willing to sign an extension with the Nets? Is Anthony 'all in' on eventually being a New York Knick? There is no way to accurately gauge what is going on within the trade rumors, especially when there is a plethora of different rumors every single day.

I'm not particularly sure why Anthony would want to sign his future off to New Jersey when they currently are a poor team who wouldn't stand to get much better with the trade. Of course though, there is the sticky issue of a new CBA agreement, and the money Anthony would potentially pass up by foregoing an extension now.

Of course I'm somewhat biased here as I'm a Knicks fan but I think his best bet going forward would be playing for the New York Knicks. Given the fact that the Knicks are in a somewhat tricky cap situation in this coming offseason, mostly due to Wilson Chandler's cap hold, the Knicks almost have to trade for him if they want him. Ultimately, if the Knicks trade for him they might clear their pantry of role players but the trio of PG Raymond Felton, PF/C Amar'e Stoudemire and Anthony would be a force for years to come.

If I had to make a prediction now on where Carmelo will end up, I'd say he'll be a Knick. Of course, I also swore LeBron would be a Knick. I'm tempered in my thoughts this time as I saw a similar situation play out last summer. Who knows what Melo wants? Does Melo even know what he wants? Who knows anything involving Melo at this stage that isn't speculative? Nobody knows anything. But I know this, tomorrow features another episode of 'As the Melo Turns'.

For the Jets this showdown may be "business", but for me it's personal

2011-01-11T02:34:00.000-08:00

As anyone who knows anything about me is well aware of, I'm a diehard football fan. Most of all, I'm a diehard Jets fan. I'm not going to sit here and act like I've been a fan of the Jets since football was invented. I'm a young guy, 'only' 23 years old. That doesn't change the fact that I absolutely love this team, and the fact that I cannot possibly be more emotionally invested in this team. The Jets are my favorite professional sports franchise, and I ride with them to the very end. I watch every second of Jets football I can watch, no matter what. 1-15 Jets? I'll watch. Kliff Kingsbury is starting because 4 QBs on your team are hurt? I'll watch. Chad Pennington's shoulder is spaghetti? I'll watch. My passion for this team is simply off the charts. Through everything, I stick with the team I grew up loving.

The last two seasons for the team have been among the best Jet memories I've had. I am fully aware that I'm not saying much with that statement given what the Jets have done for the last 15 years. Since the hire of head coach Rex Ryan, the culture of the team has changed. The team is far more physical than it was under the previous regime. The team in its entirety is more about physicality and beating you straight forward as opposed to the finesse, the smoke and mirrors that marred the Eric Mangini era.

Ryan definitely has his flaws, both on the field and off it. On the field, sometimes his clock management can be spotty. Sometimes, I think Rex's bravado and general overconfidence can have an adverse affect on a game (see: fake punt in Week 16 for prime example). And sometimes all the talking he does gets absolutely old, but overall the Jets are 23-13 as the Jets coach with two straight playoff appearances and three road playoff wins. I'm extremely appreciative of Rex Ryan and what he has done for my team, as far as the culture and obviously the record. I'm encouraged with the direction the team is headed. Now there are quite a few tough decisions for the offseason but this isn't the time for that. Once the season is over, I can talk about the offseason.

The Jets defeated the Colts last week on a "walk off" field goal, setting up Round Three of New England Patriots vs New York Jets. Round One was a decisive Jets victory backed by an impressive performance from QB Mark Sanchez and saw the defense pitch a second half shutout. Game Two, which pretty much decided the division, saw the Patriots take the Jets behind the woodshed behind Woodhead.

Now it's time for Round Three between the rivals. Ryan has talked all year about what he believes his team is capable of, and how anything short of a Superbowl is a failure. He's mentioned how he isn't here to kiss Belichick's rings and his particular distaste for the Patriots. Well it's safe to say that he certainly isn't alone with that particular sentiment. I'm sure many of the other Jets players, coaches, and staff members feel that way too.

More than anyone though, I feel the Jets fanbase HATES the New England Patriots and everything about them. I'm not going to speak for them, as I can only speak for myself. And on my end, I absolutely despise the Patriots. Obviously the fact that they are winning is a small part of the hatred, but everything about that team rubs me the wrong way. From the smug arrogant owner to the QB who whines whenever he gets touched, down to the coach who left us at the 12th hour to go to New England and has won three championships since then (while we've been through four head coaches), everything about them rubs me the wrong way. The fact that this incredible run they have been on for the last 10 years basically started with a fateful hit by Jets MLB Mo Lewis makes it all the more nauseating. Lewis took out then Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe, and Tom Brady took over. And from there, the story tells itself.

I can respect those guys because of how they seemingly ease into any and everything seamlessly. They are a winning franchise, with a winning coach and a winning QB. So while I do hate them with a passion, I'm not a blind fan. I recognize what they have done and why they are a model franchise. And as a result, the exposure they get makes my stomach turn. I'm not trying to say they don’t deserve the admiration and respect they get, far from it. They've been the model of consistency for years now, but the weasel head coach, and the whiny QB, along with the fact that all of this is taking place for a bitter rival in Massachusetts make it difficult to stomach.

Honestly, it hurts. And over the ten year period of dominance all they have done is beat the Jets like they stole something repeatedly. They have owned us for the better part of this decade, and I'm tired of it. The Jets have been a fairly successful franchise over the past ten years, as they have appeared in the playoffs six times. The Jets also have had one home playoff game in that time span, mostly because the Patriots have dominated the AFC East.

Rock bottom for me as a football came during week 13 of this NFL season, as I watched the Patriots run roughshod all over the Jets to the tune of 45-3. I have never been so embarrassed as a Jets fan. As well documented at the top, I’ve seen quite a bit of negative as a Jet fan. There is practically nothing negative as a football fan that I've never experienced. When they say that being a Jets fan "builds character", it's the truth. I can attest to that one.

Honestly that game was the most painful to endure as a Jets fan. I was in a bar full of Jets fans, and midway through the second quarter the game was all but decided, and everyone was dejected. The Jets were tied for the division lead going into the game, and it was probably the biggest regular season game the Jets have ever played in since I became a fan back in 1996. The fact that they lost wasn't the hard part because the Patriots are a damn good team. The fact that they embarrassed themselves, and basically no showed on National television cut deep. It stung like no other loss I've ever experienced, with the possible exception of the 1998 AFC Title Game.

Bottom line, I give the Patriots respect because for all they have represented over the last ten years (even with the cheating scandal and the weasel head coach), as they are epitome of winning. Even with the respect, comes a hatred not matched by any other sports franchises.

All the talk all year from everyone within the team was how the goal was Superbowl or Bust. Go out there and take it. The second step is walking out of Foxboro victorious. Go out there and do the "impossible". Do it for yourselves, do it for the man next to you and do it for me. I'm ready for Sunday, and at 4:30 Sunday we'll see if the Jets are too.

So to the New York Jets players, coaching staff, and everyone who is involved with the team---have the game of your lives. Make yourselves, your fellow employees, the millions of Jets fans in the world and the city proud. Go out there and shock the world. Beat the New England Patriots, and knock the smirk off Tom Brady's face. Make sure he'll hate us even more than he already does. Make sure the fourth quarter of this game won't be a Patriot trash talking fest like it probably was during the week 13 massacre.

For the Jet players, coaches and the like, this may be more business and football than anything else. For me, and a legion of other Jets fans, it's personal. Let's get it. Go Jets.

Thoughts on Wild Card Weekend

2011-01-09T22:40:00.001-08:00

-Though I didn't think much of the Seahawks, and actually laughed (and still do laugh) at the idea of a 7-9 team hosting a playoff game, I ate my crow with ketchup. I like it when a team no one expects to do anything ends up shocking the world. I thought the outrage of them making the playoffs was a bit ridiculous. Yes they were basically the skinniest kid at fat camp but the fact of the matter is they won their division. I think the outrage was a bit much honestly. Good for them.

-The Saints defense is terrible. Besides the ridiculous Marshawn Lynch run, one play was a microcosm of their performance. That long touchdown from QB Matt Hasselbeck to WR Brandon Stokley, where Stokley ran down the field unimpeded as four guys chased helplessly while he waltzed into the endzone summed it up.

-Is Reggie Bush really that bad at the running the ball to the point where he can't beat out Julius Jones. It's the worst kept secret in the history of the world that I don't think much of him as a player, but it really makes you wonder about him, where the Saints find the need to give the ball to Jones more than him. Can he really be that bad a runner?

- That Marshawn Lynch run was perhaps the best run I've ever seen in my life when you take all the factors into account. The man broke eight tackles on one play, and made the Saints defense look like a pee wee defense. And Tracy Porter, all I have to say about you is 'C'mon man'. I think he's still flying from that stiff arm.

-Reggie Wayne. 1 catch, 1 yard. Does anyone STILL not believe Darrelle Revis isn't the best DB in the sport? If you don't, there's no point of return for you. I think Kanye West and Jay-Z put forth the track 'Monster' with Revis in mind, because that's exactly what he is--a monster.

-I thought the offensive playcalling for the Colts was particularly bizarre. Do I realize the Jets basically dared the Colts to run the ball all night? Yes. The Jets dared the Colts, and particularly Peyton Manning to be patient and I believe they were too patient the entire night. I was surprised that Rex Ryan was so patient and conservative with his playcalling and I was just as surprised that Peyton Manning was SO patient. The Colts can't run the ball, and couldn't run the ball despite the Jets giving the run game to them all night. When they passed the ball, the Jets rarely ever touched Manning, so why they didn't pass more I'll never know. I'm glad they didn't.

-The timeout that Colts coach Jim Caldwell called on the last drive was befuddling. You weren't going to get the ball back. The Jets had control of the clock. The Jets were at the 32 yard line, so the field goal isn't exactly a chip shot. In essence, all the timeout did was give the Jets extra time to think about what play they were going to run. Then Caldwell's explanation after the game made even less sense than the timeout itself. It was something to the effect of "We wanted them to run more plays,". Uh, what?

-Out of any quarterback with good numbers, QB Matt Cassel is probably by far the most unimpressive I've ever seen. Honestly, I expected the Chiefs would get blown out simply because I thought their body of work was unimpressive. I thought the Chiefs were the worst AFC team coming into the playoffs. They beat nobody all year asides from the Chargers, who didn't even make the postseason. The Ravens are simply on a different level. Back on Cassel, the guy just doesn't look like a good quarterback. I've seen some of the Chiefs this year and I've never sat there and thought, "Man, this guy is good," He didn't even crack 100 yards and threw three interceptions on Sunday. He looked like a high school quarterback for the majority of the game. Color me unsurprised.

-I will never understand for the life of me why HB Jamaal Charles doesn't get more carries. This isn't so much about yesterday as it is the just generally speaking with the Chiefs. I understand that the guy is less than 200 LBs, but the man averaged more than SIX yards per carry. He had only nine carries yesterday, and in the last two seasons he has only had 400 carries. I understand you don't want to burn him out but the guy has to get more touches. He's far too explosive to 'spare'. They have to use that guy more.

-I like Andy Reid. I think he's one of the brightest offensive minds in football, and I think his resume backs that claim. However, why is it that in EVERY short yardage situation Reid just HAS to try and get cute. I completely understand that the Eagles don't exactly have the ideal short yardage package. The interior of their line is shoddy and with the loss of Leonard Weaver they don't have anything that even looks like a short yardage back. Even so, at some point when do you just run the ball up the middle with your running back? 2nd and short, 3rd and short you run back to back QB draws with your 180 LB QB? Really? That wasn't a big deal in the game (they did score on that drive) but every time I see that I wonder if Andy Reid is trying to win a beauty pageant or a football game.

-QB Mike Vick going for the jugular on the last play of the game throwing to WR Riley Cooper was a little puzzling. Now if the throw was just a tad deeper, this part of the entry might have a different tint, but why not go with what got you there? WR Desean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin, HB LeSean McCoy and TE Brent Celek are the Eagles best skill players. Vick has all of those guys, yet with the season on the line he's throwing jump balls to.....Riley Cooper? Really?

-I'm glad Aaron Rodgers got his first playoff victory. He played a really good game, and I don't think the guy gets credit for how good he is for the simple fact that he doesn't have the playoff success others have. Well, in time he'll get his. He continues to impress.

-The Eagles offensive line should all thank the heavens that Mike Vick is their quarterback. Otherwise, they'd give up an immense number of sacks. They need some tinkering, especially on the interior of the line.

-All in all, three good games and a bad one this weekend. It was a pretty good weekend of football and hopefully next week brings us the same.

NFC Wildcard Game- (5) New Orleans Saints @ ("4") Seattle Seahawks

2011-01-07T23:36:00.000-08:00

I really wish I could summon the energy to type out some serious analysis on the game but the fact of the matter is, this game is as one sided as it gets. You have an under .500 team going up against the defending Superbowl Champions who happen to be led by one of the very best quarterbacks in the sport. Regular season record is not necessarily everything when it comes to a playoff team, as there are other factors like how the team ends the season, health, and matchups among other things.

That aside, this Seattle Seahawk team is putrid. They were outscored by 97 points in the regular season. In order to fill this out a little bit, I'll look at some things to watch for this game.

-Does New Orleans play tight? New Orleans is nearly two touchdown favorites, and it is pretty much world renown how they should have no problem winning this game. In this situation, sometimes teams either underestimate their opponent or flat out play tight and keep the opponent in the game. It'll be interesting to see how New Orleans deals with this.

-While the Saints have one of the best passers in the business, their top two running backs (Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory) are out for this game, leaving them down to Reggie Bush and Julius Jones. That is a very uninspiring duo, but given the fact that the Seahawks defend against the pass and the run equally poorly, it probably won't matter.

-The Saints need to throttle the Seahawks early. As poor as the Seahawks are, in a game of this magnitude, the crowd can be the great equalizer. The Seahawks boast one of the best "12th men" in the league. Unfortunately they are stuck with the first eleven men they have on both sides of the football

-If the Seahawks are to stand a chance, they must play the game of their life. If that is to happen, they must show something they haven't all year. They must show they have the ability to play like a good team.

Final Thoughts and Prediction:

This is a major mismatch, and the Saints will show why it is with a blowout win.

Saints 34 Seahawks 14

WIldcard Weekend- (6) New York Jets @ (3) Indianapolis Colts

2011-01-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

I prayed as hard as imaginable to avoid a situation where my New York Jets would face Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, all that praying didn't work, and the Jets will see the NFL player that scares me the most. As the Tennesee Titans were driving last week, I was feeling good as I thought the Titans were on their way to sending the Jets to Kansas City. Unfortunately Kerry Collins did his best Rex Grossman and fumbled the snap, and thus the game away to the Colts.

Regardless, before I break into the same rage I was in last week watching it, I will talk about the game itself.

It has been an interesting season for the New York Jets to say the least. Exploits both on the field and off have made for the most interesting season in recent memory for the Jets. Dramatic wins in the last minute of games, the Boston massacre at the hands of the Patriots, "tripgate", and "footgate" have contributed to a wild Jets season.

The Colts have struggled by their standards this season as they needed to win the last four games of the season to get into the postseason, winning the AFC South at 10-6. The Colts have suffered through several key injuries, namely to offensive skill players TE Dallas Clark, WR Austin Collie and RB Joseph Addai.

While Peyton Manning threw for 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns he also threw 17 interceptions, 11 of them coming in a rough three game stretch against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers where the Colts lost three straight and nearly compromised their playoff chances in the process. This season was probably the most trying season for the Colts in some time, as they dealt with more adversity than they usually do. Normally they have the AFC South division wrapped up by the beginning of December, but clinched in week 17 this season. Peyton Manning went through the worst three game stretch of his career and the Colts dealt with several key injuries. Despite all of that the Colts still made the postseason, and come into the postseason on a four game win streak.

Thoughts on the game:

-Can the Jets offense step up? Can they sustain drives long enough to help themselves and their defense? The Jet offense has been highly inconsistent all season long, but they have been better in recent weeks with good showings in road games against the Steelers and Bears. The Jets have the skill players to get it done, but often times disjointed playcalling from OC Brian Schotteinheimer and inconsistency from second year QB Mark Sanchez adversely affect the offense's production.

-The Jets have lacked a pass rush for the majority of the season as quarterbacks often sat in the pocket with an eternity to throw the ball. Fortunately for the team, they have arguably the best CB tandem in the NFL featuring all world CB Darrelle Revis and CB Antonio Cromartie which have been a significant help in masking the deficiencies in the front seven.

-How often will the Colts exploit the Jets LBs and nickel/dime backs in coverage? That has been a weak point of the Jets defense all year, as teams have consistently gone to that well and the middle of the field has been open 24/7. Dallas Clark being out there would cause major problems as he's an All Pro tight end, but Jacob Tamme has been solid in his absence. He's built in a similar mold, as he's a pass catching tight end with wide receiver like qualities. The Jets have nobody who can handle him in coverage, and nobody is better at exploiting a mismatch than Peyton Manning.

Final thoughts and prediction:

While I truly believe the Jets are the better overall team, the Colts have Peyton Manning, and I don't feel the Jets team is well enough equipped to deal with him.

Colts 27 Jets 23

Thoughts on SB XLIV (Saints- Colts)

2010-02-07T01:28:00.000-08:00

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

2010-01-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers

Thoughts: As much as I want to pick the Jets, and as much as I want to see them win, I see the buck stopping here for the Jets. I see the Chargers 'secondary' weapons being the reason they win the game. By secondary, I'm talking about guys like Darren Sproles, Malcolm Floyd, Legedu Naanee and others. I don't see the Jets letting Philip Rivers throwing to Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates beat them, so they will force the hands of the complimentary players, and they'll rise to the occasion. While I expect the Jets to hold the Chargers below their offensive averages, and play well, I expect the Jets offense to falter a bit. While they played well last week, there is more that points to that being a fluke than it being a sign. The Jets have a lot of positives for the near and distant future to build on, but the 2009 buck stops in California, as Rivers and company move on to the AFC Championship Game.

PREDICTION: Chargers 27 Jets 17

Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts

Thoughts: I'm hearing a lot of love for Baltimore this week, and rightfully so. They are a very good team. They can run the ball, play defense and they have a QB who's not going to hurt them. That being said, I like Peyton Manning and the Colts here, but the game will be a close one. I think the game will come down to Joe Flacco eventually having to make plays to lead his team, and I don't see that happening. Though I think the Colts defense is very suspect, I've seen very little that makes Joe Flacco reliable in a game where he has to win it on his arm. That is what I think he will have to do, as the Colts will do everything in their power to stop the Ravens strong rushing attack. The Ravens fall a bit short, Manning and the Colts move on to the AFC Title game.

Prediction: Colts 31 Ravens 20

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings

Thoughts: Dallas is coming in riding a wave of momentum, and these teams are polar opposites when it comes to their respective season ends. Minnesota finished losing 2 out of 3, and Dallas has won 4 straight. Minnesota has struggled in making Carolina and Chicago's offenses look like world beaters. The Cowboys defense is dominating, and in that four game winning streak, they kept the Saints to 17, they shut out the Eagles, and Redskins, and held the Eagles in check last week. The Cowboys pass rush has become fearsome with Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Ware, and Jay Ratliff leading the way. I think Minnesota's pass blocking is a bit suspect, which Favre covers up for with his excellent pocket presence, and quick release. I think when you combine the pass rush with the secondary play, you'll have a vintage Brett Favre playoff performance. That means, expect to see a backbreaking interception in there somewhere. I think Tony Romo is more trustworthy in this spot, given Favre's history, and his play this year has been superb. Romo has silenced a lot of critics along the way and I expect them to be like a public library after this game. I like Dallas.

Prediction: Cowboys 34 Vikings 27

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints

Thoughts: I hope the scoreboard operator(s) has plenty of light bulbs. This one is going to be high scoring. I could see either one of these teams winning the game, but it's hard to get a read on the Saints right now. They limped into the gate, losing two out of their last three, and before that really hadn't played all that well. That being said, they still have Drew Brees, they still have that offense, and if last week is any indication, defense to the Arizona Cardinals is clearly optional. Kurt Warner is one of the best postseason Quarterbacks ever, and I don't see this game taking anything away from his numbers as he is going against a very suspect New Orleans defense. I see this one being very "Madden-esque". It's a toss up but I'll go with New Orleans at home.

Prediction: Saints 45 Cardinals 38

Thoughts on Wildcard Weekend

2010-01-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

- All the games this weekend were brutal with the exception of the Shootout in the Wild West featuring the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.

- 96 points, more than 1,000 yards of total offense, two QBs picking apart helpless defenses. If not for AZ/GB, this entire weekend of football would have been a disaster when it comes to the caliber of the game. And the fact that the game ended in a defensive score is the highest form of irony. The defensive players in this game played like they were stuck in quick sand.

-On the second play of last drive for Green Bay in the Overtime period, how exactly was Bertrand Berry not called for a penalty? He not only hit Rodgers in the face, but he hit him 'late' (according to the NFL standards anyway), and didn't get called for a thing. I could only imagine if that happened to Tom Brady. Berry would probably be banned for life.

- Dos Cuatro> Ocho Cinco

-Kurt Warner had more touchdowns than incompletions. Wow.

-Seeing Neil Rackers miss that field goal at the end of regulation makes me wonder if there ever has been a worse period for kickers. Brutal

-How many garbage calls did they make against Darrelle Revis in that game? That pass interference was a joke, and on the first illegal contact, the wide receiver ran into him and gave him a two handed shove. The refs were a joke during that game.

- It's rare that you see the Patriots look that bad, but the Ravens really kicked them in the teeth. It was an ominous sign when Ray Rice rumbled for an 83 yard TD before the seats even filled up. From minute one to minute 60, the Ravens simply did whatever they wanted with the Patriots. I look forward to the week worth of 'WWWD' (What Would Welker Do), sentiments/excuses.

-I keep hearing how the Ravens over the Patriots is an upset and I don't understand how. They played earlier this season and the Ravens were done in with a couple awful calls. The Patriots haven't been the same team we've come to know all year. They were evenly matched, so where is this "upset"?

- Did the Bengals hand this game to the Jets too? That's all I heard throughout the week leading up to the game, and the Jets kicked the stuffing out of them on Saturday. They pounded the rock, were efficient passing the ball and played great defense. Mark Sanchez was basically spotless in his first playoff game, and Carson Palmer looked completely brutal.

- The entire Eagle team laid an egg, and I'll get that out of the way. That being said, I'd like to give a shout out to the great Donovan McNabb for adding to his playoff lore with a performance for the ages Saturday night. He's such a leader, and is a top QB in the league. On a more serious note, Saturday night was a 60 minute snapshot as to why Philadelphia will never win anything with him under center. He doesn't have the makeup to get it done.

-I guess no one is bashing Tony Romo these days for being overrated, a guy who comes up small, and being the sole reason for Dallas' failures? Regardless he played very well and has done so for basically the entire season as he has been magnificent. McNabb should take some notes from Romo. He certainly could use them.

-What was Mike Jenkins doing lateraling the ball when his team was up 20+ points? Take your INT, make snow angels on the ground and be done with it.

- I think we've seen the last of Brian Westbrook in a Philadelphia uniform.

- What was the point of signing Jeremiah Trotter? I don't get Philly management. They can let Brian Dawkins go, though his price was reasonable but then they sign Mike Vick and Trotter who's been done for about a decade? Really?

- Whoever thought it was a good idea to put Joe Theismann and Joe Gibbs in the booth together needs to be terminated immediately.

Playoffs?!?!?!?!

2010-01-08T21:48:00.001-08:00

Wildcard Weekend

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals

Thoughts: I keep hearing how the Bengals laid down for the Jets last week, and I can't help but think that is ridiculous. I don't care how much you may/may not want to play a certain team, you don't lie down, get your collective ass kicked and give that team ultimate confidence going into the playoff game.

That being said, these are two evenly matched teams, with the one glaring difference being that the Bengals have a good QB, and the Jets have one of arguably the three worst in the league.

I'll go with the obvious here for a second. The key to this game is the Jets run offense against the Bengals run defense. If the Bengals let the Jets run anywhere near as effectively as they did last week, the Jets chances increase tremendously. The less Mark Sanchez throws the ball, the better for obvious reasons.

Even with the Jets glaring hole at the QB spot I like the Jets defense and running game to lift the team to a victory, sending them to sunny San Diego for a match up for Philip Rivers and the hot Chargers.

Prediction:
Jets 17
Bengals 13

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

Thoughts: I like this matchup in Baltimore's favor for a few reasons. One is the revenge they want to inflict on the Patriots after the early season loss, which featured the worst call in NFL history (the roughing the passer where Terrell Suggs stomped on a bug in the general vicinity of Brady). Another is the simple matchup on paper. These teams matchup well, and while you'll never confuse Joe Flacco with a great QB, or the Baltimore passing game for the 1999 Rams, Baltimore is respectable in all aspects of the game. Their defense, which was much maligned early, has come back strong and finished 3rd in the league.

New England lost Wes Welker for the rest of the season, but I don't think the loss is going to hurt them all that much. While the talking heads make Welker out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, I think his production is more about the role in that offense and what is around him as opposed to him being a world beater. Edelman isn't as good as Welker and that is understood, but the facts are in the two games where Edelman got the majority of the playing time he had 18 catches. Edelman will do enough and not be a liability. Baltimore's secondary is nothing to write home about either so I wouldn't be shocked to see the Patriots spread them out and attack them that way. Oh look, Frank Walker just committed a pass interference penalty as I type this.

The Patriots defense, while it is 4th in the league, is liable in the secondary and I expect the Ravens to take a few shots at them next week. While Brady and Belichick have the pedigree, I expect the Ravens to walk in and win, in the only game that I am confident about this weekend.

Prediction:
Baltimore 24
New England 17

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Thoughts: I think the NFC games are incredibly hard to forecast. The Cowboys beat the Eagles twice this season and held the Eagle offense in check in both meetings, but it's incredibly hard to beat the same team three times in one year, especially when the teams are as evenly matched as these two are.

The Cowboys come in on a roll but I don't buy regular season momentum carrying over into the postseason, but I do buy the change in Tony Romo's style of play. Maybe a playoff win will get the credit Romo the credit that he deserves since he gets bashed more than nearly every other QB in football. 4,483 yards, 26 touchdowns, 9 interceptions later, Romo has put up yet another excellent regular season. The Cowboy defense has been good, but I don't like the matchup of their secondary vs the Eagle WRs. Had it not been for Donovan McNabb doing his best "McNabb in a big game" impersonation, Philly might be at home right now waiting for the next opponent.

As far as the Eagles, I expect the defense to throw the entire arsenal at Tony Romo and the Cowboy offense this week. Last week in the first half, the Eagle defense didn't look good, but the second half they had some success, while McNabb and the offense stalled. The Eagle offense is very reliant on the big play, especially with Desean Jackson scoring a 50+ yard TD seemingly every week. They are very feast or famine. Their running game lacks but that is nothing new.

The Cowboys are probably slightly better and are at home so I like the Cowboys this week. I don't trust McNabb at all in big spots, so I'll take Dallas in a close one.

Prediction:
Dallas 27
Philadelphia 21

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

Thoughts: This game is a 50/50 toss up in my opinion. It features two fairly even teams, and two explosive offensive teams. I'm sure the Packers absolutely regret handing the reigns to Aaron Rodgers. Upgrading at QB was the worst thing the Packers could ever do. On a more serious note, Rodgers is one of the best QBs in football. He went for 65% completion percentage, 4,434 yards, 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and has proven himself to be one of the very best quarterbacks in the business. I fully expect the Packers to take advantage of Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, considering his penchant to be overaggressive combined with his injury.

The Cardinals defense is about middle of the pack, but on a team featuring an offense like that, an average defense is all that is needed. I think their secondary is suspect and I see Aaron Rodgers having a coming out party (for those who still can't get over Brett Favre or overemphasize wins/playoff wins) of the ages on Sunday. Ryan Grant will be a non factor, so expect Rodgers to toss it around on the Cardinals defense. I don't think they'll be up to the task of stopping him.

The Cardinals offense should put up plenty of points, even without Anquan Boldin. When Warner is in rhythm he's right up there with the game's best. He better be on point Sunday, or the game could get ugly quickly.

In the wildest game of the weekend, I like Green Bay to win a shootout.

Prediction:
Green Bay 38
Arizona 34

Top 10 Sports Memories of the Last Decade (2000-2009)

2009-12-31T22:14:00.001-08:00

10. Yankees/Angels ALCS Game 2- October 17, 2009

I notice that a lot of these games happened around my birthday (10/14). This one is on the list simply because of what I was doing while the game was going down. I had just walked into the club and was drinking a little when Alex Rodriguez came to the plate with the Yankees down 3-2, and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Based on what had transpired this past season with Rodriguez and Fuentes’ propensity to implosion, I thought something big was coming. When Rodriguez hit the ball, and it proceeded to barely make it over Bobby Abreu’s glove, the place went CRAZY. Then immediately after the “walk off error” by Maicer Izturis, the DJ proceeded to play a mix of Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind” and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”. That is one of the two times I actually appreciated the song “Empire State of Mind”. The other was, you guessed it, the 2009 World Series ticker tape parade/rally. This was one of those nights, and the Rodriguez homer triggered it.

9. Mike Piazza’s Game winning HR against Braves- September 21, 2001

I'm not a Mets fan, but the feeling I had when Piazza hit this HR isn't matched by many in my years of watching sports. While I understand sometimes the overemphasis of the importance of sports, this game was a getaway of sorts. With all the stuff going on, the tragedy and such the game was a nice way to get away from it all. It was ten days later but the lingering effects were still there, and this was the first professional sports game in New York since the tragedy.

In a city in need of an emotional lift of any kind, Piazza stepped up to the plate with his team down 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning with a man on base. He proceeded to homer to center field, and sent chills down my spine and lifted a city in turmoil. That home run was about more than baseball. It was like something straight out of a movie and it almost felt as if a spirit was watching over the Mets that night as they gave the city a well needed jolt.

8. Jets/Dolphins, Monday Night Miracle- October 10,2000

For once, my undying loyalty to the Jets paid off. For the most part, unless Kliff Kingsbury is playing QB, I stick around until the game is over. While I was a young pup at this time, that was still my modus operandi. At 30-7, all I can think was that the game over, and then the unthinkable happened. The Jets were on the giving end of a heartbreaking, gut wrenching defeat. I’ll never forget the look on Jumbo Elliott’s face as he looked up to the Jumbotron after catching the game tying touchdown pass. Honestly, the only reason this one is so far down the list is because I wasn’t old enough at the time to truly recognize the magnitude of the comeback and appreciate it for what it was.

7.Jets/Packers, Win and you’re in regular season finale- December 29, 2002

The game itself was relatively uneventful as the Jets blew the doors off Brett Favre and the Packers, 42-17. The events before, and during the game made the game and the day special for Jets fans. The Jets needed a win and some assistance from the hated Patriots to make the postseason.

They needed the Patriots to beat the then division leader Dolphins, and it didn't look good when the Patriots trailed 21-10 with five minutes left to play. Then the tables turned in unbelievable fashion as the Dolphins folded like a cheap tent. They let the Patriots score 11 unanswered in the last 4 minutes, and proceeded to lose in Overtime. I remember seeing a 'Game Break' on Fox detailing the loss, and being excited. For once as a Jets fan, I had no doubts they were going to win, and they did exactly that setting off a three and a half hour long party in the Meadowlands

6. Yankees/Red Sox- July 1, 2004

I know most remember the game for Jeter diving in the stands and bloodying his face, but the game itself was an incredible game. On a side note, a forgotten nugget in that game is that Nomar Garciaparra was the only active player on EITHER SIDE not to play in the game, and that basically hastened his exit from Boston. In the game itself, it was a hotly contested game, and I'll personally never forget the image of Ruben Sierra huffing and puffing while looking like he was about to collapse, on his way to home plate on the game tying RBI triple on Miguel Cairo. Then John Flaherty, the lightest hitter on the team, came through with the GW RBI 'double' to win it. This was yet another awesome game in the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry.

5. Jets/Chargers AFC Divisional Playoff- January 8, 2004

This game honestly should not even be on this list. Had it not been for Eric Barton going Mortal Kombat on Drew Brees head needlessly and unnecessarily, this game wouldn't be here. That is part of the Jets charm though since in the rare instances they do win, it is never painless. Up 17-10, on a 4th and goal inside the ten, the Jets had the victory before Eric Barton decided to deliver an elbow to Brees’ head, which gave the Chargers new life and they proceeded to force OT. The Jets then got a missed FG from Nate ‘Baby Face’ Kaeding, and proceeded to drive down for the winning FG. As usual with the Jets, after the game is over I felt like I was on the field with them for 60 minutes.

4. Yankees World Series run/subsequent parade- November 2009

Honestly, most of the games were fairly nondescript (save for Game Two of the ALDS, Game Two of the ALCS, Game Four of the WS), but just being old enough to actually appreciate the title, and being there among literally a sea of Yankee fans was an experience I’ll never forget and hope to replicate in the near future.

3. Yankees/D'Backs 2001 World Series Games Four and Five- October 31- November 2, 2001

I’m telling you, the Yankees always make things interesting. This series came on the heels of 9/11, and while the Yankees were outclassed in pretty much every way imaginable the entire series it seemed like it was destined for them to win the series. Regardless, games Four and Five were all kinds of drama. Tino Martinez hitting a two out game tying HR in Game 4, and Scott Brosius hitting a game tying two out, two run HR in Game 5 marked the loudest I’ve ever heard Yankee Stadium. I felt the noise all the way from the Northeast Bronx. Both those home runs gave me the chills, and you had Game Four ending with Derek Jeter hitting a walkoff home run at the very beginning of November. That was an incredible 2 nights of baseball.

2. Giants/Patriots SB XLII- February 3, 2008

As everyone and their mother knows, I loathe the Patriots. I’m also a Giants supporter. I’m a New York kid, so I support all the locals besides the Mets. That being said, this entry is more about the hated Patriots losing their bid for perfection than anything else.

I remember the week before the game, ESPN with ‘fantasy matchups’ of the Patriots vs teams like the 1985 Bears, and had the Patriots “winning”. That kind of stuff just made me say “Can they win the damn game first before we crown them? Good grief,” Lo and behold, The Giants defense put Tom Brady on his back countless times, and Eli Manning drove the troops down the field, in a drive that will go down in football lore, to win the game. And the David Tyree play was probably the most shocking play I have ever seen in my life, considering this guy was cut a year later, and that year had 4 catches. It was great to see someone finally one up Tom Brady, and end the Patriots run for perfection. Thank you Eli Manning. I wonder how Mercury Morris felt?

1. Yankees/Sox Game 7 2003 ALCS- October 16, 2003

This is probably the most heart pumping, exciting baseball game I’ve ever watched. As much as I get tired of the Yankee and Sox centric coverage, I definitely miss the Yankees- Sox ALCS’. They featured fights, great games, great players, and just epic wars. This game itself was epic. The Yankees fell behind 4-0 early, then got two Jason Giambi home runs.

They were trailing 5-2 going into the eighth inning, where Derek Jeter, like he has so many times, got the rally started with a double to right field. Bernie singled him home , Matsui then doubled, setting up a matchup between Jorge Posada and Pedro Martinez, who had a confrontation earlier in the series where Martinez pointed towards his own head as if to say that is where he’d hit Posada. Posada then served a blooper into no man’s land to tie the game and I swear I felt my TV shake. After three innings of impeccable scoreless relief from Mariano Rivera, Aaron Boone stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 11th inning. He took one mighty swing at one of Tim Wakefield’s knuckleballs, sent Yankee Stadium into hysteria, sent me into my pillow screaming in joy, and sent the Yankees to the World Series.

Honorable mentions-

Jets release Chad Pennington
Jason Kidd traded to Nets- Summer 2001
Jets blow out the Colts 41-0 in 2002 Wildcard Round
LeBron James goes off for the last 25 Cavalier points in Game 5 of ECF vs Detroit
Nets make the finals in 2002
Nets make the finals in 2003
Yankees come back from 0-2 down against Athletics
Jason Giambi's walk off Grand Slam against Minnesota in the rain in 2001

Thoughts on NFL Week 16

2009-12-28T23:09:00.000-08:00

-While I think the 'Indy benching scandal' is being overblown, considering what the Colts have to play for at this point, I didn't agree with how they handled the situation. I thought, at 15-10, Caldwell should have given the offense a shot to go up two scores. Then once you get up two scores, bench your starters and such, or just have them play three quarters. I think if you play the starters for three quarters each of the last two games, that keeps them 'fresh' enough and in good enough 'game shape' for the postseason. That being said, all the folks who are complaining and criticizing now, would be the same ones who would be complaining and criticizing had an important player went down with a significant injury. Health>being undefeated.

-On a related note, thank you to the Indianapolis Colts and Jim Caldwell for benching Peyton Manning. I'll be at the game next week (my first, and the last at the Meadowlands), and now it is actually for something. That was the best Christmas present I got.

-The Cincinnati Bengals are the Shrek of football. Hopefully they don't look like Snow White this week.

-Why are the Ravens such an undisciplined football team? I swear, every time I look up they are being flagged, but most of all some of them are either boneheaded, completely obvious or both. On the TD return on the INT by Dominique Foxworth, Terrell Suggs committed a block in the back that had absolutely no impact on the play. Suggs could have literally lied on the field making pretend snow angels, and Foxworth would have scored, so why the penalty that costs your team 6 pts? They have always been a chatty bunch, full of talk and bravado, but a dumb one as well.

-Who the hell was that playing QB for the Rams this past week? I consider myself an avid football fan, and I have never once heard of the guy in my life.

-The Giants are an absolute embarrassment. It's bad enough laying an egg like that, making Matt Moore look like an All-Pro, and getting steamrolled in every sense of the word, but it was also the last game in the Meadowlands for the Giants. This is how they say farewell to the Stadium? What a joke. I have no idea what happened to that defense but I think it's safe to say, from a football sense, that the Giants and Steve Spagnuolo both miss each other dearly.

-All the Tony Romo bashing that I've heard repeatedly over the course of the years, does it stop? Or is it now, that he played an excellent December, he needs to win in the postseason? Whatever it is, he deserves a ton of credit, as he played very well in December which I was led to believe was an utter and complete impossibility of apocalyptic, earth shattering type of proportions.

-The New England Patriots win this week helped the Jets. So, I'll throw them a thank you. Thanks New England. On a related note, to the Jaguars, you might want to get a hand on that guy named Moss. I've heard he's alright.

-That is the Jay Cutler I've come to know and love. He played an excellent game, though the Vikings defense is struggling. Too bad it's too little, too late. Hopefully he can build on that for next season.

- San Diego will represent the AFC in the Superbowl. As much as I don't trust them, the only team in the AFC I see getting in their way is Indianapolis, and I think the Colts D is soft like tissue paper.

-I swear, the Texans and 8-8 go together like peanut butter and jelly, Bonnie and Clyde, like chocolate cake and ice cream. And next year all the prognosticators again will tell me how it will be the year they will breakout. Now it very well may be, but it reeks of throwing stuff at a wall and hoping it sticks. Every single year, Houston is supposed to breakout and it never happens.

-Watching Jay Cutler and Brett Favre, as much as I can't stand Favre, go tit for tat was great. I absolutely enjoy great QB play, and that game had it all in that regard.

-Do the Packers still need to have Brett Favre and were idiotic for letting him go? Or will the media, and others FINALLY let that go and admit that Aaron Rodgers is the BUSINESS?

-The Redskins, per the usual, are a hot mess.

-I'm curious to see how this Eagles-Cowboys game plays out next week. Both teams are playing well, and the Eagles are now playing for a first round bye. Who would've thought that was possible about, oh, 2 weeks ago? Boy, can things change quickly.

-On his last throw of the Steeler/Ravens game, what in the name of everything that is holy and sacred was Ben Roethlisberger doing?

-The Denver Broncos started out 6-0, and have gone 2-7 ever since. But wait, I thought Kyle Orton was this winner? Yet, their PPG took a dip, and Eddie Royal (at this point, he almost warrants a 'Who?', even though I was led to believe that he was simply unbelievably awesome and a top flight WR) has completely disappeared. At least the ridiculous Orton nonsense, making him out to be something he is not (anything more than average, and an MVP candidate) has died like a bug on a windshield.

-Happy Holidays to all those who read.

Video entry: Thoughts on Allen Iverson's pending retirement

2009-11-29T11:07:00.000-08:00

Link-->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iywZ3qGvUUI

Thoughts on Week 5 of the NFL season

2009-10-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

-I don't think this story is getting enough play, but the Bengals winning that game, with the death of Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife hanging over their heads was a nice story. The fact that they won the game with Zimmer choosing to be there with them on game day was nice, and giving Zimmer the game ball (along with the speech that came with it) was very touching. It was all around great win for Cincinnati, and I'm happy they won that game in light of what was going on with Zimmer.

-I don't know what's worse, the fact that Derek Anderson completed two passes in a professional football game, or the fact that the Buffalo Bills lost to a team who completed two passes the entire game.

-The Patriots look mortal these days. Tom Brady just doesn't look good to this point, as he probably needs to overcome the mental block of the knee surgery. That pass he missed to Wes Welker in the 4th quarter was absolutely crucial, and he also missed a TD from about 35 yards out to Randy Moss in the first half.

-What about the Broncos? 5-0. Who saw that coming? Their defense is playing lights out, and Orton played a great game this past week. They're going well, and they're getting all the breaks as well. There was one play where the ball was deflected 3 times by Patriot players only to land in the waiting arms of Jabar Gaffney. Those are the kind of breaks you get when you are going well.

-I think all the talk of Josh McDaniels celebration being exaggerated is somewhat unnecessary, but I'll admit that the celebration was a bit much. Take a second though to consider the magnitude of the game for him personally, and for his team, and all he has been through as the coach, I can see why he celebrated like he did. It was a big game, and his team is 5-0, good for him. It's not often you see have a moment like that between the fans and the coach. I thought it was refreshing.

-How about them Cowboys? I know they needed a win, but the fact that this game was so important from a team temperament standpoint, and they came out and played a very average game full of mistakes speaks volumes about them. I know a 'W' is a 'W', but it would have been a lot more encouraging if they had come out and whip the Chiefs but they did not. They left them in the game, and the Chiefs just were not good enough to take it.

-How about Miles Austin? 250 yards, and 2 TDs in his first career start. What a game for him, and what bad tackling on KC's part. It's one thing to be slippery and break a lot of tackles, but watching that game you essentially saw the same play several times. The Chiefs might want to practice tackling a bit harder in practice this week.

-The only game on locally on Sunday early was New York-Oakland. Imagine my dismay, as the Giants smashed Oakland into a fine dust. Can you say, mismatch? When asked about the game this week, Richard Seymour said something to the tune of 'The weather is nice'. Indeed it is Richard, indeed it is.

-The clock is ticking on Jim Zorn. Tick, tock. I don't agree that he should be on the chopping blocks but someone has to be held accountable, and Zorn is probably the first guy on that line.

-How about Jeremy Maclin in his first career start going for 142 yards and 2 TDs. I liked that guy in the draft and McNabb looked for him early and often Sunday, including an absolute rope on the first TD. Props to McNabb on a good game, coming back from the injury, and props to Maclin making the most of his first career start.

-Can the St. Louis Rams be removed from the NFL? The word to describe their startling ineptitude hasn't been created yet.

-Dre Bly's "display" after catching an INT on Sunday was absolute comedy. Catching the interception then doing the "Deion" when he hadn't even reached midfield, then proceeding to get stripped, all the while being down 25 points, was absolutely hysterical. I'm surprised Singletary didn't come on the field and tackle him.

- Andre Johnson is simply a monster. That TD catch to tie the game at 21 against AZ was ridiculous. In my opinion, he is the best wide receiver the NFL has to offer.

-Peyton Manning might be playing the best football of his life, and that is saying a LOT.

-While the Jets did lose, the performance of Braylon Edwards was very encouraging. He brings a dynamic at the WR position that I have never seen in my years of following the team. Ultimately, that and Mark Sanchez' resilience were the only things to be encouraged about on this night. The defense' performance was embarrassing, and I thought the coaches did a bad job as well. Hopefully it was just a bump in the road for the defense, although I was and still am worried about the lack of a ace pass rusher. Schemes and exotic blitz schemes can only account for so much

Thoughts on Week 4 of the NFL Regular season

2009-10-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

-Brett Favre looked like vintage Brett on MNF. As much as I have 'Favre fatigue' and as much as I think Rodgers is better overall and was better Monday night, Favre still played an excellent football game. The Packers took Adrian Peterson out of the game and forced Favre to beat them and he obliged. The TD pass he threw to Sidney Rice in the second quarter was a Hall of Fame throw.

- I thought, especially given the circumstances, that Aaron Rodgers performance was absolutely magnificent. Yes, I know he threw an INT, and had a costly fumble, but the Vikings front four was killing the offensive line (and subsequently Rodgers), all night, and he still managed to light up the place. That kid is a really good QB.

-Steve Smith (the NYG version), is absolutely putting on a clinic week in and week out. The guy just knows how to get open. He works all of the field, and has excellent hands. Smith and Eli Manning have incredible chemistry, and it shows in the numbers, and how often Manning looks to him on 'big' downs.

-Mark Sanchez finally played like a rookie and it cost the Jets big time. I thought it was especially evident on the fumble in the endzone when he should have just thrown it in the first row. Although, considering the fact that he threw a INT that just went for a TD, it would be nice to know why the Jets are even throwing inside their own 2 anyway.

- The Jets defense is absolutely for real, and having Calvin Pace back just makes them that much better.

-I really, REALLY do not like Brian Schotteinheimer. I'll leave it at that, before I break the computer and am unable to finish this entry.

-Can we just call the Rams 'The Ringling Brothers'? Good lord, they are bad. Steve Spagnoulo, I hope you are enjoying the fatter paychecks because that is all there is to enjoy in St Louis at the moment.

- Trent Edwards is the worst QB in the NFL not named JaMarcus Russell.

-To put JaMarcus Russell's ineptitude in perspective, Shaquille O'neal's free throw percentage is higher than JaMarcus's completion percentage. Enough said.

-Jay Cutler is the man. As damn near everyone knows, he's my favorite active NFL player. He makes the players around him better, and that TD run was awesome. He really put his body on the line, and won.

-To this point, I think Johnny Knox has made a good case for himself as the Rookie of the Year.

- Peyton Manning is a machine. The man simply is not real. 70% completions and 9 TDs in four games thus far this season. Are you kidding me? Best QB in the league, and this year's MVP to this point. I know I gush about him every week, but I do it because I think football fans take him for granted. '300 yards, ho hum'. He's ridiculous.

-New England is like the character in the horror movie that just won't die. I picked against them the last two weeks, and they've shut me right up. Oh by the way, next time how about catching the ball, Mark Clayton?

-Tennessee is awful. Is it a combination of things, or did Haynesworth make that big a difference? I personally think it's a combination of both, as they haven't played well and haven't been able to catch a break either. Soon it's going to be Vince Young time in Nashville, and given how bad he is, there might be a lot of bottles of 'Tums' purchased in Tennessee.

-Denver is 4-0. I never thought I'd see that. The Denver defense is playing great, and McDaniels has done a great job of changing the "laid back" culture up there. Though, the amount of props Kyle Orton is getting is actually nauseating. He stinks. He has contributed next to nothing to the 4-0 start. He's bad, and him being on a winning team (a classic media misconception) doesn't make him any more or less, bad.

-That play by Brandon Marshall to win the game Sunday was excellent. It was a poorly thrown ball, Marshall 'Mossed' Terrence Newman and came down with the ball, then proceeded to run up his 'YAC' total, owning half the Dallas defense en route to the endzone. Good for him.

-San Diego is the league's paper champion every year. I think the first half of the game Sunday night was a 30 minute snap shot as to why. That team is poorly coached and poorly prepared every single week. If not for Philip Rivers, god knows where that team would be. They have all the talent you need, but their coaching staff is absolutely dreadful.

Thoughts on Week 3 of the NFL season

2009-09-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

- I have to give up to Old Man River aka Brett Favre. That was a hell of a drive he led culminating in a hell of a pass to win the game. I don't think the catch gets nearly as much credit as it deserves, but the throw was pretty much in the only spot Favre could have put it to have a chance for a completion. That was a great play by Favre.

- San Francisco is going to be a tough out this year. They aren't the most talented team, but they play a tough, disciplined brand of football, and Singletary has them playing a tough brand of football. I think the 9ers will find themselves in the postseason this year.

-Peyton Manning is just simply the best, period. Besides the fact that he is just damn great, he is definitely fun to watch. I definitely get a kick out of him getting to the line with 20 on the clock, then proceeding to gesture and jump up and down and around and around. He's the best QB I've ever had a chance to see play.

-It was good to see Jay Cutler come up big again for the Bears in the waning moments of the game against Seattle. I think the guy is growing as a QB. And also much props to Devin Hester, who has silenced the critics (including myself) to this point with solid play to this point. And on a somewhat related note, Devin Hester has more yards than both Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal combined. Interesting stuff.

-The topic of 'Troy Polamalu being absolutely great and vital to the Steelers' is old and misguided. Week 1, the Steelers gave up 10 points playing the majority of the game without Polamalu. Week 2. they gave up 17 points and week 3 they gave up 16. The defense is holding up it's end of the bargain. The Steelers have been screwed by a couple individual plays. This week it was the Sweed TD drop, and last week it was Reed missing 2 FGs. The notion that Polamalu being out being the main reason Pittsburgh is losing is head scratching.

- Cleveland is an unmitigated disaster.

- I've never seen so much hoopla over an 0-2, 7 rushing yard effort. I heard someone on the radio say "Vick looked comfortable, and he looked crisp.'' Completely forgetting that he played, I decided to peep the box score only to realize Vick didn't even complete a pass. I see the standards are still delightfully low when it comes to Vick. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

- The Seattle Seahawks jerseys made me feel like I was watching a team of Human lifesavers. Whoever came up with those uniforms should be released of his duties immediately.

-The Jets are 3-0. This start for them is completely unexpected. I don't think the defense played particularly well this week, but they did enough with the game on the line to come through with the 'W'.

-Jerricho Cotchery is 3rd in the league in receiving yards to this poont (Vincent Jackson, Reggie Wayne). Hopefully he keeps ir up).

-Every week Philip Rivers completes a bomb to Vincent Jackson that is mouth dropping. 3 guys draped all around, Jackson and he just comes down with it like it's nothing. Jackson is really making a name for himself among the game's top receivers.

- The play where Pennington injured himself didn't look that serious. Unfortunately for him, it was serious, and now his career is in jeopardy.

Thoughts on Week 2 of the NFL season

2009-09-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

-Did Seattle put 11 guys on the field on D, Sunday? All I saw was Frank Gore, looking like Usain Bolt at an Olympic track meet, running untouched and unimpeded in straight lines in the open field.

-Miami's tiring usage of the wildcat tells me one main thing. They have little to no confidence in Chad Pennington leading the offense and putting up enough points, so they rely on trickery and gimmicks to try and score points. That is why he is a lame duck QB and is as good as gone in the offseason.

-Was JaMarcus Russell really 3/22 at one point in Sunday's game? 3/22? Really? You would think one would be able to complete more than 3 passes out of 22 by accident.

-Baltimore needs to find a way to get Kelly Washington into the endzone more often. That TD dance is absolutely hilarious.

- The last drive for SD in the BAL/SD game was absolutely baffling. On second down, Legedu Naanee is 1-2 stepping like Reggie Bush in the backfield, meanwhile he needs one yard for a first down. Why didn't the guy just lunge forward and get the first? I don't mind passing the ball on 3rd and 2, but it's almost as if Norv got his playcalls mixed up for the respective 3rd and 4th downs. If you are going to run the ball on one of those downs why not make it 3rd and 2? And on 4th and 2, for the ball game, how does running a 175 LB back through the middle of a defense featuring Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis make any sense, especially considering Rivers had 425 passing yards in the game and is one of the league's best QBs? I think that drive puts into perspective why SD has always been paper champions.

-Ray Lewis' play on the aforementioned 4th down was absolutely ridiculous. I'm surprised that:
A) Sproles held onto the ball
B) Sproles is still alive and well

-The Jets talked the talk, and then walked the walk. They brought the heat at Tom Brady all game long, and he was clearly flustered. Right now he is not the same QB. I think it's the psychological hurdle of having to overcome the 'fear' of the knee more than anything else.

- Randy Moss is sore and it's quite funny. 'Revis isn't a shutdown CB. No one is a shutdown CB, they all need help. Revis had help.' Did Revis have help every where on the field? You might as well have filed a Missing Person's Report because Moss was nowhere to be found on Sunday. And if Revis isn't a shutdown CB because he needs "help" then there are no great or "dominant" players in the NFL then, since they all need "help", no?

-Eli Manning leading his team on a fourth quarter comeback. Ho hum. It's amazing how good Eli looks on a regular basis, when the game is at its most chaotic stages. It's commonplace for him. That is the way to beat the Cowboys in the first game at their new palace.

-Carson Palmer rebounded from a tough start and led his team to a W at Lambeau Field. Good for him. Hopefully he rebounds from an injury plagued 2008 season.

- Can someone explain to me why Byron Leftwich has a starting job in the NFL? The guy is not good, and is a 'never was'. I guess he is just holding the fort until Josh Freeman is ready, but man is Leftwich brutal.

-Indianapolis ran 34 plays on Monday Night, and they scored 27 points in those 34 plays. Peyton Manning is just that damn good.

-It was nice to see Jay Cutler rebound and play a good game against the Steelers yesterday. He played disciplined smart football. He left the across the body madden esque throws in Green Bay, and it showed. Chicago needed some luck to win that game, but Cutler delivered when it mattered, leading the team to two scoring drives accounting for 10 points in the last 6 minutes of the game. On a related note, Johnny Knox looks solid.

-I'm in a gang of fantasy leagues, and in HALF of them I faced off with Chris Johnson. Guess how many of them I won for the week? Yep, zero. He's really good, but on that one long pass play what exactly was the Texans defense doing?

- The Redskins beat the Rams 9-7. Where was the Skins offense?

-Kurt Warner, 24-26. That is video game esque right there.

-Drew Brees and Marques Colston are percolating right now. It's hard to believe Colston was a 7th round draft pick. He's a very good wide receiver.

-Jake Delhomme rebounded fairly well from his latest stinker, but then did what he does best with the game on the line. He threw an interception.

-The Cleveland Browns are really, REALLY bad. Brady Quinn needs to step up and do something, ANYTHING, to keep his job and to point Cleveland in the right direction.

-The Broncos are 2-0. That's a mild surprise, but they have played 2 pretty nondescript teams in the process (Cleveland, Cincinnati). The Broncos D looks FAR better than it did last year.

Top 10 Building Blocks/Cornerstones- NFC West

2009-08-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

If I was to draft 10 players from the NFC West to serve as my core of a Superbowl contender for the next 3-4 seasons, the players I would draft and the priority I place on them are:

10. John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks- I'll be completely and bluntly honest. There are two reasons that Carlson is on this list. One of those reasons being that he used to play for the Fighting Irish, and another because the NFC West is absolutely pathetic. That being said, Carlson is a bright young player with a lot of skill who had an excellent rookie year. He had 55 catches for 627 yards, and 5 TDs, playing with a bunch of nobodies on an injury ravaged Seattle offense. He has a bright future ahead of him. Oh, and go Notre Dame!

9. Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, CB, Arizona Cardinals- While he has a tendency to give up the big play, as he showed in the postseason, he still is an incredibly gifted athlete who showed some good things as a rookie. His kind of natural ability isn't matched by many CBs in the NFL. if he can harness the nuances of his position, the sky is the limit for this guy.

8. OJ Atogwe, S, St Louis Rams- I rarely hear this guy's name mentioned among the league's best safeties, but he definitely is one of them. He's one of those really good players on a REALLY bad team so he doesn't get the notoriety some other players would. The last three seasons, Atogwe has 16 interceptions, and 24 pass deflections . He has proven he is adept in coverage, and has done so despite playing with a team practically devoid in talent in every other aspect of defense.

7. Lofa Tatupu, MLB, Seattle Seahawks- Lofa is Mr Reliable. He isn't going to wow you with his natural ability, but the guy is a really good football player. He always seems to be in the right spot, and hits very well. The last four years he has racked up 431 tackles and nine interceptions. He is one of the best middle linebackers in football.

6. Darnell Dockett, DT, Arizona Cardinals- Dockett is one of those guys who is just a disruption up front. He causes havoc on most weeks for whoever happens to have the unenviable task of blocking him. He's one of the league's better pass rushers from the defensive tackle spot, and can line up anywhere on the defensive line and cause problems. He doesn't have the greatest numbers in the world, but numbers aren't as paramount for defensive tackles, and don't really tell the whole story.

5. Marcus Trufant, CB, Seattle Seahawks- I like Trufant. I believe he's a top CB in the league and has been so for awhile. He has great physical ability, and has been excellent for the Seahawks. He has poor hands, but that is not a prerequisite to being a good CB, it is a bonus. Trufant and Cromartie give the team a potentially dynamic set of CBs.

4. Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona Cardinals- I think Wilson is behind only Ed Reed when it comes to safeties in the NFL. His speed, his size and his hitting ability (just ask Trent Edwards) makes him one of the league's best defensive players. He also is one of the league's best blitzers from the safety spot.

3. Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals- The only reason he isn't #2 on this list is durability concerns. Boldin plays fairly recklessly so he's a risk, given his age and injury history. All that being said, the guy is a top WR in the game and embodies consistency. Year in and year out, you can rely on Boldin for very good numbers. He is arguably the league's best possession WR, but can beat you in a variety of ways. Add to that the fact that he's probably one of the two or three hardest WRs in the league to tackle and you have a force.

2. Patrick Willis, MLB, San Francisco 49ers- There might not be a more talented defensive player in the league than Willis. He might also be one of the fastest players in the NFL, and an LB being in that discussion is saying something for sure. Willis flies to the ball and makes a ton of plays. His 315 tackles, 15 pass deflections and 5 sacks over the last two years speak to that ability and the scary part is that he can get even better.

1. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals- Fitzgerald is one of the game's very best wideouts. His size, his strength, his physical ability and most of all his amazing hands separate himself from the pack. Regardless of the terrible QBs and offensive lines he has been around, Fitzgerald has produced in a major way pretty much every season he has been in the league. He's one of those receivers you can pretty much build an entire offense around, and be successful that way.

Others who garnered consideration
Stephen Jackson, HB, St. Louis Rams
Frank Gore, HB, San Francicso 49ers
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals
TJ Houshmanzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Michael Vick signs with the Eagles

2009-08-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

About a month after his reinstatement to the NFL, Michael Vick has found his way back into the NFL. Vick signed a one-year deal, with an option for a second year, with the Philadelphia Eagles marking his official return to the NFL after a two year hiatus.

Personally, while I've never been high on Vick as a football player, it's cool with me that he is back in the NFL. I realize what he did was absolutely heinous, disgusting, reprehensible, among a laundry list of other not so flattering words. That being said, he did his time, and hopefully he learned from it and is a stronger person as a result. I'm not buying the whole sob story act, or the whole 'I'm sorry, please forgive me' act, because in reality if he didn't get caught, who's to say he wouldn't STILL be doing those disgusting things? Am I saying it is impossible for a human being to be rehabilitated? No, I am not, but I am skeptical by nature. It always kills me when people say 'Oh, well he looks remorseful,'. Well, some people are better actors than others. I'm not saying he can't be remorseful, just that I don't buy it. All that being said, I'm not one to hold grudges and I definitely believe that he deserves a chance to redeem himself for the wrong that he has done. However, I'm not buying any of the 'woe is me, I'm sorry for what I did' rhetoric.

I do think that some of the 'He shouldn't be allowed to play ever again in life' sentiments, and even as far as callers on sports radio wishing him injury is somewhat extreme. I can understand why people would be outraged, especially those who love animals. I can even understand those who say the punishment wasn't strict enough, but really, not allowing him to ever play again in the NFL? Really? Honestly, if Vick isn't allowed to play again then there are a ton of NFL players who shouldn't be allowed to play again, based on some events that we know of (Stallworth-yes I'm aware he got suspended for a year, Leonard Little among others), and several others of which we don't know (Ray Lewis, probably half of the rest of the NFL). If there is consistency in the argument, I don't mind it, but if the crying foul is exclusive to Vick, that isn't right. I AM NOT trying to rationalize what he did, but the extreme nature of some of the complaints regarding Vick are a bit misdirected and exaggerated. He is not the most evil man that has ever walked the face of the planet.

And for the people crying foul about him being able to regain his job as a result, let's not forget the fact that, in essence, Vick DID lose his job. He was employed for the Atlanta Falcons making a truckload of money and got fired, and lost a ton of money during his jail stint. I also read a lot of comparing Vick to the regular joe. As unlikely as it is, someone fresh out of jail can also get a job somewhere else. Vick was released from his duties, went to jail, came out and another organization was interested in his duties. While Vick is playing in the same league, he now plays for a different employer for a reduced paycheck in a reduced role as he tries to rebuild his career.

I'm glad he is getting a chance to redeem himself, and genuinely hope he takes advantage of it. Will he ever be a good guy? Perhaps not. Is he actually sorry for what he's done, or what he lost as a result of getting caught? Who knows. But as a forgiving person, I hope he succeeds and becomes the latest good ol' American comeback story. What he did was heinous and inhumane, but I hope he rebounds from the adversity that he has faced, and conquers it.

As far as the football ramifications, I think the name and the luster of the story far outweigh what he will actually do on the field. The Eagles already have a QB, they already have a stable of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, and I'm not buying into the 'fad' called the Wildcat. I can see him being on the field for 7-10 plays a game and someone to be accounted for, but can't see him doing enough to make the signing a noteworthy one.

Thoughts on the Yankees/Red Sox series

2009-08-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

-The crowd was as loud as I've heard it all season over the weekend. A winning team and the hated Red Sox tend to have that kind of effect.

-A.J. Burnett was simply marvelous Friday night. While Burnett can be somewhat erratic at times, his start Friday night was a snapshot to why the Yankees paid the man $82 million this offseason to be their #2 starter.

-Boy, John Smoltz has hit a wall hasn't he? If he was on any other team, I'd probably feel a little bad for the guy. It has to be tough for someone who has seen nothing but success for the majority of his career to have his performance just fall off a cliff like that. Regardless, I'm glad the Yankees were able to bash him into his current 'DFA' status.

- It's truly a beautiful thing to watch Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter turn the double play. There were three that stuck out to me this weekend, those being the Ortiz 4-6-3 on Friday night, the 4-6-3 on Lowell Saturday, and the 6-4-3 on Bay tonight. Boy, can they turn it or what?

- The ESPN broadcast team, as I've said ad nauseum, is absolutely horrendous. They make John Sterling sound like a combination of Marv Albert, Vin Scully and Al Michaels.

-It's good to see Alex Rodriguez come through with big hits for the team. Rodriguez is vilified far too much for a player of his stature. While he brings some of it on himself, the guy is a great baseball player. It's nice to see him come through in a big spot. He has actually done that quite a bit this year, and even in his relatively abbreviated season, he has come through quite a bit in the big spot. That was an absolute shot he hit off Lester tonight.

- Mark Teixiera is simply an awesome baseball player. To this point that signing has been a rousing success. His offensive numbers, and his defense have been top notch. I think you can make a very good argument for him as the American League MVP. To this point, he has been worth every penny. That bomb he hit off Bard was incredible, and I've never heard the Stadium that loud.

-This series was well pitched from the time A.J. Burnett took the mound on Friday to the end of the series. It's a pleasant change of pace from the usual sloppy, back and forth slugfests for which these two teams usually partake.

- While the Red Sox did get swept, I have to admit that they have the makings of a nice pitching staff with Beckett, Lester and Bucholz in the future. We all know about Lester and Beckett, as they are proven commodities, but Bucholz has nasty stuff and pitched very well on Saturday.

- Mariano Rivera is so automatic that it's a surprise when he puts a runner on base. I'm going to miss that man when he retires

- The chants of 'Sweep' at the end of Sunday's game was great. Hopefully the Stadium remains like this for the rest of the year, and the 'public library' atmosphere goes away. That is for the birds.

-Johnny Damon, like the rest of the Yankee team, has benefited immensely from the short right field porch in the New stadium, but that shot he hit last night was legitimate. He blasted it, and sent the Stadium into a frenzy. He has been a very good offensive player for the Yankees this year, artificially enhanced numbers or not.

-The sweep is a significant body blow to the Red Sox. They were already reeling and the Yankees set them back even further. It will be interesting to see if they can recover from it.

- The chant of 'Sweep' at the end of last night's game was incredible.

-Lastly, GO YANKEES!

Eli Manning gets paid

2009-08-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

And when I say 'paid' I mean 'PAID'. Can you say 'mucho dinero'? The Giants made Eli Manning, the NFL's highest paid player. Manning agreed to terms on a new contract that will pay him $106.9 million (I got a little light headed typing that) over the next seven seasons. He gets a six year, $97.5 extension added onto his current contract which has him making $9.4 million for this upcoming season, the final season of the previous contract. The average yearly salary of $15.23 million, between now and 2015, is an NFL record. The contract features $35 million as the signing bonus, Manning will see $41 million in the first two years of the pact.

Eli Manning is one of my favorite players in the NFL, and is my guy. That being said, this contract is a bit on the ridiculous side. I like him as a player, because he is a good QB. But is just a "good" QB, worth this contract? Eli has always handled himself like a champion through good and through bad, and is as good as it gets with the game in the balance. At the most chaotic of times during the course of a game, Eli's calm demeanor is never fazed. While Eli's statistics were never particularly pretty, he has thrown at least 20 TDs in every full season in the NFL. I think that particular fact is often overlooked when it comes to Eli. Manning is also one of the best QBs in the league in clutch situations, which he has displayed on a consistent basis.

The Giants were in a tough spot when it comes to the negotiations, especially considering this is the last year of Eli's deal. If they offered Eli what he considered a "lowball" deal, what if he basically tells the Giants off, and says 'I'm going to free agency'? You then risk the guy leaving. For all of Eli's faults, he is a good quarterback and during the Superbowl run he was excellent. Do you take a risk on that particular fellow, who is also the Giants "franchise" QB leaving? Or do you pay him handsomely to keep him happy? This is, in essence, throwing a dog a bone. It's a 'Thank you for being a class act, and being so good during the last SB' pay raise for Manning. The only part I think it will affect, is the fact that a contract that big takes dollars away from other parts of the team down the line. I don't think the overpaying of him is really that big a deal, it's no different than the Steelers overpaying for Roethlisberger after last season.

Michael Vick "reinstated"

2009-07-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Michael Vick's "reinstatement" into the NFL and the five game suspension

I realize what he did with the killing of the dogs was heinous, and what he did running the gambling ring revolved around dog fighting, deems him untrustworthy at this point. That being said, suspending him for 5 games in my opinion is a bit much. I know the suspension 'can be uplifted' on 'good behavior, but the man has done two years in prison, lost two years of his NFL career, lost a lot of money. When does punishment beyond that become excessive?

I've heard this, 'Well, he's lucky he has a chance to play in the NFL, and he's lucky he still has a job.. If that was me...' Well, it isn't you. The reality of the situation is Vick is a professional athlete, and professional athletes, like it or not, are held to different standards. Leonard Little killed a woman and did three months in jail, Donte Stallworth killed a man and did 20 days. They are held to a higher standard, so in some instances comparing the average human being to an athlete is a really flawed way to look at things. For the most part, common folks don't have the access to the money, the legal teams, and don't have the notoriety that these athletes do. 50,000 people aren't coming to see 'us' play. Fact of the matter is, athletes for the most part are viewed in a different light when it comes to everything. Is it fair? Not necessarily, but it's the way it is for the most part.

Am I saying Vick should have gotten off scot free? No, not necessarily. I think a two game suspension would have been just and fair. Suspending him two games is a punishment, it's clear, and it gives Vick a better opportunity to catch on with a team and potentially restart his career. Now with the five game suspension that is "subject to change", none of the teams know when the guy is going to be officially off the hook. Hell, Goodell can get up tomorrow morning and while eating his wheaties say, 'Hey, I should suspend Vick until week 10, ' Who can stop him? After all it IS subject to change. I think the five game suspension does a major disservice to Vick because the teams are going to be gun shy as it is with all the negative press, but not knowing when he's going to play could affect these teams and their pursuit of him as well. The suspension just puts an even bigger cloud of uncertainty around Vick.

So my question to Goodell is, when is enough, enough?

I'll leave his startling inconsistency when it comes to issues around the league for another day.

Potential suitors for Vick?

As far as the his potential suitors, it comes down to a few questions in my opinion:

1. When does he get to start playing?
2. What are the teams going to look at him to do?
3. Is his potential production as your starting QB good enough to offset the negative press and the distractions that are bound to come from his involvement with the franchise? I think that is a resounding 'NO', but who knows, maybe in the right offense he can improve. I doubt it, coming off of two years in the pen, but crazier things have happened.

If a team is really desperate (Minnesota I'm looking at you) , I think signing him, bringing him in on a cheap deal couldd be an astute move. If he doesn't work out, cut him. As a starting QB, I'm not sure his caliber as a QB offsets all the baggage he brings at this point. I don't think it does.

That being said, I think EVERY team in the NFL should look into him as a gadget player/weapon because (assuming he can still run CLOSE to the way he used to) he is still useful in the fact that you can line him up on the field and do some different things using Vick in space. Having a weapon like that can't hurt, and I think it would be smart for all the teams to at least entertain that idea.

I don't see him starting this year for someone barring an injury, but I think in a QB starved league for the most part, some teams should at least look into it.

Top 10 Building Blocks/Cornerstones- NFC South

2009-07-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

If I was to draft 10 players from the NFC South to serve as my core of a Superbowl contender for the next 3-4 seasons, the players I would draft and the priority I place on them are:

10. DeAngelo Williams- I thought coming out of the draft that Williams would be the best halfback of the 2006 class, and so far he has been up there with Maurice Jones Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars production wise. He is coming off a career year where he ran for 18 TDs, and 1,515 yards. I don't expect him to replicate those numbers again, but he will be solid along with Turner in support of Brees

9. Gaines Adams, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Adams, is a young, gifted DE who showed a penchant for getting to the QB in his rookie season with an impressive 6.5 sacks. He has all the tools and while we have two other stud DEs on the team, you know the saying, 'You can never have too many pass rushers'

8. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons- As much as I don't particularly like this fellow, going back to the Jets days, his impact cannot be understated. While he isn't exactly the most stout player against the run, he makes up for it with deadly pass rushing moves that makes Sundays difficult for a lot of tackles in the NFL. While his injury history, and his limited threshold for pain is definitely a concern, it's hard to overlook his production and pure ability. He is coming off a season where he put together 16.5 sacks, and has 50 in his last 5 seasons. The bottom line is, this guy can get after the QB, and guys who can do that are extremely valuable commodities.

7. Jon Beason, MLB, Carolina Panthers- The University of Miami aka 'The U', is just a factory that produces very good NFL players. Beason is just one of the many to come from Miami. He burst onto the scene in 2007 as a rookie, and has started every game since. He has put together 278 tackles, 14 deflections and four interceptions. He's a young, fast, athletically gifted LB who has a bright future, and will be the captain of the defense for many years to come.

6. Jordan Gross, T, Carolina Panthers- I need a guy to protect my superstar, shiny QB, and Gross is widely considered one of the best tackles in the game. He should keep the star pass rushers in check a bit.

5. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans- Colston is one of the best late round gems in the 2006 draft (Good job to the Jets missing out on a guy that played in your backyard). In three seasons, Colston has put up 3,000 yards and 24 TDs, and that is with missed time last season. He's the big possession target that is often important in an offense and with his 215 catches during his first three seasons he has proven his hands to be more than reliable. He has a chemistry with our QB, and is a 26 year old with a bright future

4. Michael Turner, HB, Atlanta Falcons- I'll be honest, I thought Turner would be LaMont Jordan Part II in Atlanta. To this point I couldn't have possibly been more wrong. Turner was the heart and soul of that offense last season, as Atlanta shocked everyone in posting an 11-5 record, making the postseason. Turner is a great north and south runner who has enough speed to separate in the open field and is an absolute terror to bring down. The Falcons have built a nice offensive nucleus for this upcoming season with Ryan, Turner, White and newcomer Tony Gonzalez. Expect Turner to have even more space with which to work this season.

3. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers.- Yes, I already have two defensive ends but you can never have too many pass rushers. While Peppers had a very shaky 2007 season, he rebounded last season with 14.5 sacks, reestablishing himself as one of the premiere pass rushers in the NFL. Supreme physical ability, great pass rushing moves, and incredible closing speed make Peppers a nightmare for offenses all around the NFL. 70 sacks in seven seasons and still chugging. Peppers will be the anchor of my defensive line for the next 3-4 seasons, and I expect him to play at a high enough level to make that a smart choice.

2.Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers- He is arguably the best player in the division, and clearly the division's most explosive player. At a diminutive 5'9, Smith offers incredible strength, breakaway speed, and good route running. Overall he has a good polish to his game, and has been very productive for a long time despite the not so ideal QB situation in Carolina. Smith and Brees will make my offense a force.

1. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints- What more can be said about this guy at this point? At this point, the guy IS the New Orleans Saints offense, yet goes out there and throws for 5000 yards. He has been the most productive QB in the league statistically since he signed in New Orleans, and has done so without much of a supporting cast. He hasn't had much at WR outside of Marques Colston and he has had nothing at RB to take pressure off him. He goes out there every Sunday with a Bulls eye on his chest and produces. I want that guy leading my football team, though I think he has some questions to answer as far as performance in big situations goes.

Others who garnered serious consideration:

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Aqib Talib, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Jonathan Vilma, MLB, New Orleans Saints
Barrett Ruud, MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Top 10 Building Blocks/Cornerstones- NFC North

2009-07-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

If I was to draft 10 players from the NFC North to serve as my core of a Superbowl contender for the next 3-4 seasons, the players I would draft and the priority I place on them are:

10. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears- I'm aware that Urlacher is getting up there, and that he has declined a bit but he is still a good LB. He has always made all the difference in the world to the LBs playing with him, and is a great leader. He is also an asset in coverage. He should be good for the next three to four seasons. And if not, he still has some value in the "mentor" role.

9. Steve Hutchinson, G, Minnesota Vikings- Even though he is 34 years old, Hutch is still one of the best run blocking linemen in the business. That being said, I'm putting him on the list more for the influence he'll have on the rest of my linemen, than his actual caliber. Along with being great in run blocking, Hutchinson also brings a significant mean streak to his craft. Hutchinson has also made quite an impact on the RBs he has played with, most recently been Adrian Peterson. Just think, Shaun Alexander with Hutchinson was an MVP. Without him, witness protection? Where has he been anyway?

8. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago Bears- Olsen will never be confused for an extra offensive lineman, but the size and skills he brings to the position aren't matched by many. He can split out if you need be, and is a guy that has to be accounted for at all times. With a new QB, and the QB of my fictitious team, Jay Cutler now leading the huddle, Olsen should see a rise in his numbers as more balls will come his way.

7. Aaron Kampman, DE, Green Bay Packers- Kampman is a very good pass rusher, which is shown with his 37.5 sacks over the last three years. It will be interesting to see the transition he ends up making this season since he will be playing in a 3-4 defense for the first time in his NFL career. Pass rushers come at a premium and Kampman is one of the better ones in the league.

6. Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings- There might not be a better OVERALL defensive tackle in football than Mr. Williams. Not only is Williams one of the two main anchors on a consistenty great run defense, he has put up 16.5 sacks in the last 3 seasons, along with 16 pass deflections and 2 INTs. He can do a little bit of everything and he will be the anchor of the run defense.

5. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers- I mentioned him in another entry as the most underrated player in the NFL. He has explosive speed, good hands, is tough as nails, and is great with the ball in his hands. He's a cost controlled, young stud WR, who reaches the endzone a lot. He will be one of the best complimentary players in the game on my squad.

4. Adrian Peterson, HB, Minnesota Vikings- Now, before I go on, let me just make it clear that Adrian Peterson is the best player on this list and that point probably isn't debatable. That being said, he is a running back and the career spans for those guys are fairly short ,and I don't think having a great RB is really a necessary component of a championship team. Peterson is definitely the best RB in the league though, and one of the most explosive players in the entire NFL.

3. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions- I don't know what is more scary: how good this guy already is on the worst team in NFL history, or how good the guy CAN be given he just completed his second season in the league. Johnson is arguably the best WR prospect ever, and put up a monster season this past season. In my opinion, he is the best WR in the league, and he is all of 23 years old. His potential is scary.

2. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings- I flip flopped one and two for awhile before finally coming to a conclusion. I don't think people really see and appreciate just how good this guy is. 30 sacks in his last two seasons and 57.5 sacks in the last 5, show that this guy is one of the very best pass rushers in the business. The only thing that I value as much as good QB play, is a good pass rush, and who better than Mr. Allen? Not many.

1. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears- Cutler is currently one of the more polarizing figures in the NFL right now based on his tantalizing talent, the people who realize that talent and the production that comes with it, along with the people who criticize him for the way he orchestrated his way out of Denver or because he hasn't had the ability to single handedly bring garbage teams to the promised land like so many other QBs in the NFL do (that is sarcastic). Consider me in the "fan" boat, as I love the guy and the way he plays. His arm is among the best in football and he came off a season where he threw for 4500 yds and 25 TDs. He was the focal point of the Broncos offense and yet still succeeded with the pressure of having to score on damn near every possession. Cutler is still learning but has already established himself as one of the top young signal callers in the game. He has the physical tools, and his pocket presence is very good. A young franchise caliber QB with a rifle arm, accuracy and top notch production to go with it trumps all.

Guys who garnered consideration:
Ernie Sims, LB, Detroit Lions
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Chad Greenway, LB, Minnesota Vikings
Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears
Matt Forte, HB, Chicago Bears
Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
Antoine Winfield, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Nick Collins, S, Green Bay Packers
Olin Kreutz, C, Chicago Bears
Nick Barnett, LB, Green Bay Packers
AJ Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers
Robbie Gould, K, Chicago Bears

Top 10 Building Blocks/Cornerstones- NFC East

2009-07-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

If I was to draft 10 players from the NFC East to serve as my core of a Superbowl contender for the next 3-4 seasons, the players I would draft and the priority I place on them are:

10. David Diehl, LT, New York Giants- You need someone to protect the QB's blind side. After watching Jason Peters get beaten like a runaway convict all of last season, I can't put him on the list. Diehl is a good, but flawed player. He makes the list by default.

9. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants- Umenyiora showed his value in the Superbowl, as him and the rest of that defensive line was all over Tom Brady like Roseanne Barr at a buffet table. The only reason he isn't higher on this list is because of the injury he is coming off of last season. From 2004-07, Umenyiora compiled 40.5 sacks, establishing himself as one of the best pass rushers in the business. As is proven over and over, a great pass rush is one of the most important components of a Superbowl winner. The last two SB winners (Giants, Steelers) are great examples of that. With Umenyiora, who is only 27, he should continue to be a productive pass rusher for the next 3-4 years.

8. LaRon Landry, FS, Washington Redskins- Landry is an intimidating safety who runs like the wind, and hits like a truck, but is also more than adequate in coverage. I like those kind of players. I thought he would establish himself as a top two or three safety but he is still very raw. He has all the skills in the world, but he has a lot of growing to do on and off the field. He is only 24 years old and the sky is the limit, and if Landry reaches anywhere near his potential he could be the best safety in the entire NFL down the line.

7. Justin Tuck, DE, New York Giants- In the last two seasons, Tuck has 22 sacks, and has proven to be a terror for offensive linemen all around the league (just ask Logan Mankins). He has the ability to line up anywhere on the defensive line, as he lined up mostly at the tackle spot in the "four aces" look the Giants employed in 2007. He is now a full time defensive end, but has the versatility to line up at tackle if need be. In addition to being a deadly pass rusher he also plays strong against the run. At 26 years old, he has many more good years left, and with Umenyiora we have a fearsome DE combination.

6. Brian Westbrook, HB, Philadelphia Eagles- I'm not a big fan of putting Westbrook this high because of his age and injury concerns but there is no denying this man's talent and production. While he's on the injury list every week, and never practices he still manages to produce. He has also played in 44 of a possible 48 games the last three seasons. While he had a down year (for him) last season, his versatility and the threat of him out of the backfield make him a good pick at this spot.

5. Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins- Cooley has always been among the most productive tight ends in the league despite not ever having a good quarterback to throw him the ball. He has always been a focal point in the Redskins offense but still has managed to get his. Cooley is a great pass catcher, who brings versatility and good hands to the table. He is also taken at that spot to make up for a lack of clear, legitimate receiving options available at the WR spot in this division (Roy Williams has a lot to prove).

4. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys- Another TE? Really? Yes, I want my QB to have plenty of weapons to throw the ball to, not taking into account the form in which they come. Witten is a "seam buster", a guy who has good hands, and is very much in tune with the QB who will lead my team (Romo). He is the definition of safety blanket, and should be the 'go to guy' when Romo is in trouble.

3. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys- I don't put much stock into the fact that Eli Manning "won" a Superbowl, and no I don't care what McNabb does or has done in his career. Romo is clearly the best QB in the division in my eyes. His arm, the touch, the accuracy, and the arsenal of throws he brings to the table as well as his mobility and feel for the pocket make him the pick here. There is no doubt that Romo's performance in big games is worrisome, but that can be alleviated over the course of time, especially when you consider his "failures" in big games are at a whopping number of two. That being said, you can't teach the skill that Romo has.

2. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Washington Redskins- Haynesworth is a beast without question. The guy is a disruptive force, and for a man that size he is quite nimble. He was a wrecking ball in the middle of the Titans defense and also lined up at end many times and was a nightmare for tackles all over the league. The thing about Haynesworth is I truly believe that the guy could also be an all-pro defensive end if placed at that spot. He is truly a special player, and hopefully he keeps motivated enough to make full use of those tools. With the defense we employ, we now have another guy we can lineup all over the place.

1. DeMarcus Ware, LB, Dallas Cowboys- I'm still not quite sure how he didn't win Defensive Player of the Year this past season, compiling a mind blowing 20 sacks, but this guy is an unbelievable football player. Is there anything he cannot do? The best pass rusher in the business, and the best 3-4 OLB in the business, Ware has absolutely dominated to the tune of 53.5 sacks in 4 years. He is a dominant, unstoppable force who is also a do-it-all LBer. I definitely think Ware will eventually set the record for sacks in a season, when it's all said and done. With Ware, Umenyiora, Haynesworth, Tuck, QBs better watch for their lives!!

And my coaching staff, for fun
HC- Tom Couglin
OC- Andy Reid
DC- Jim Johnson

Others who garnered serious consideration:
Desean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Roy Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Antonio Pierce, LB, New York Giants
Chris Snee, G, New York Giants
Shawn Andrews, G, Philadelphia Eagles
Clinton Portis, HB, Washington Redskins

Thoughts on the Baseball Season halfway through

2009-07-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

-Joe Mauer is a complete and total stud. The guy missed an entire month and still managed to hit .373 with 15 HR, 49 RBI, a .622 Slugging Percentage and 1.069 OPS. The guy is so good it's ridiculous and he's only 26 years old so he has room to improve. It will be interesting to watch his progress in the second half of the season. You can make the argument that he is the most valuable commodity in baseball, and that he is the game's best player. All I know is, when it comes time for free agency Mauer will get paid hansomely. He is a machine.

-Albert Pujols' first half would be a breakout season for 75% of the players in Major League Baseball. He is hitting .332 with 32 HRs, 87 RBis, twice as many walks as Ks (71 to 35), .456 OBP, .723 slugging, 1.179 OPS, and just to add the cherry on top he also has 10 stolen bases. The NL MVP race is over.

-Justin Verlander is absolutely nasty. It is good to see him performing at a high level once again, as he is exciting to watch. He possesses a high octane fastball, and nasty breaking stuff. He has a 3.38 ERA and has struck out 149 batters in 122 innings and has a WHIP of 1.19. He's shown glimpses of why he was considered one of the best pitchers in baseball just two years ago.

- Yankee Stadium needs to be altered in the offseason. And as a type this I just hit one out to right field from the seat of my desk chair.

-It will be interesting to see what happens with the Halladay situation in Toronto. Unless you live in a cave, you know that Halladay has been made available by Blue Jay management. I've heard that Toronto is essentially using Vernon Wells as a poison pill in the deal. In other words, if a team wants Halladay they have to take on the remainder of Wells' 100 million contract. That narrows down the potential suitors to a select few. Toronto, given their position, probably will not get market value for him if they decide to move him. I'm curious to see who antes up for Halladay. The guy is a top 3 pitcher in baseball right now, and an asset to any team.

-Citi Field might as well be called Yellowstone. When you hit one out there, that is a REAL accomplishment. I feel bad for the Mets though, as it seems like every significant piece of their lineup but David Wright has been hurt all year. The Mets have fielded the near equivalent of a Triple-A lineup for far too long. I hope Reyes, Beltran, and Delgado get healthy soon. Hang in there, Mets fans.

- I hope the Washington Nationals set the record for most losses in a season (121). Why? I don't know. I'm an evil person, apparently.

-The Dodgers have made the jump to MLB's elite. A big reason for that is the high level of performance from three young stars in the making in Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, and Chad Billingsley. Those guys have all taken major strides this season, and it has helped the Dodgers establish themselves as arguably the best team in baseball. Andre Ethier has also made major contributions, and Jonathan Broxton has been steady. In the offseason, the Dodgers also got the steal of the offseason, signing Orlando Hudson who has been his usual steady self. The Dodgers are obviously the favorite in a very weak NL, and it'll be interesting to see if they are able to win it all.

-The Phillies signing of Pedro Martinez will end up being a good one. Martinez isn't going to turn back the clock to 1999, but he can definitely be solid enough to help Philadelphia maintain their division lead. He'll probably pitch to a 4 ERA, with around a 1.3 WHIP, go at or around 6 innings per start.

-If the Giants can acquire a power bat from somewhere, they will be a tough out come postseason time. Lincecum and Cain form arguably the best 1-2 punch in baseball, and we have all seen how a great 1-2 pitching combination can elevate a team to heights they otherwise wouldn't see (see: 2001 Diamondbacks).

Shawn Marion traded/Anderson Varejao resigned

2009-07-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Marion traded to Dallas in four way deal.

While this deal makes Dallas better for the moment, does it really put them over the top? I think this deal could potentially make Dallas the 4th best team in the conference behind the Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets. Marion, while his statistics took a precipitous dip without Steve Nash, is still a versatile player who can guard multiple positions, run the floor and finish. Marion can also guard PGs, which helps since Jason Kidd can't stay in front of the quicker PGs in the league.

I think Dallas is right in the middle right now, in between being serious title contenders and being a lottery team. It's that kind of "basketball purgatory" that can lead to long periods of futility as in most cases, the GM tries to add little pieces that really don't get the team any closer to a title but "show the fans that they are serious". Ultimately the team comes close but never wins, and as a result get no premium draft picks out of it. It was a good move for Dallas for the moment since they gave up nothing, but 3 or 4 years from now, it probably won't look as good. Marion isn't the type of player that SIGNIFICANTLY boosts your championship chances as his own entity.

Cleveland signs Anderson Varejao (6 years, $50 million).

This seems like a lot of money to pay for someone who has little to no offensive game. I am not trying to say basketball is all about offense because it is not but unless you are Ben Wallace (in his prime), or someone like a Dwight Howard, how many people are really worth this much based on what they do defensively and energy wise alone? I know LeBron James loves the guy but does he really love him that much? Now Cleveland has, in essence, taken themselves out of the 2010 FA bonanza in the name of giving big money to Anderson Varejao.

The only logic I can see to defend the deal is the decrease in cap this year and the potential for a bigger drop in cap next year, so they wanted to keep someone they liked. Other than that, it's somewhat baffling especially considering that he wasn't likely to get that from any other team so the Cavs essentially bid against themselves. "Hustle players" who can rebound and defend are a necessity on most basketball teams, but paying them that much money is somewhat detrimental to the long term, continued success of the team. Of course though, they could have let him go, then watched the cap shrink $3-5 million next season, and end up with neither Varejao or a big FA. Also taking into consideration the Cavs lack of depth among the front court, and lack of options for a starting power forward, Varejao had leverage in that regard. All in all though, I think the Cavs will regret that deal.

Thoughts on the NBA offseason developments

2009-07-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

Spurs trading for Richard Jefferson:

Although I have always felt Richard Jefferson was overrated this trade was about as one sided as can be. The Spurs gave up four virtually useless players, and got back at the very least, an above average one. As of right now, there probably isn't a better fourth option in the league. Jefferson doesn't really excel in any part of the game, which is why I view him as overrated and overhyped, but in San Antonio he really doesn't have to carry the load because of what they already have on the team. All he has to do is play within himself, score a little here and there, provide some defense and have a couple games where he picks up the scoring load on an off night. From Milwaukee's vantage point it was a salary dump and nothing more. Considering Jefferson is scheduled to make 33 million over the next two years, it was a smart move on their part as well. Great move for both sides.

Lakers signing Ron Artest:

The Lakers now arguably have the best scorer and best defender in the NBA, along with a very skilled big man. Artest brings a toughness, a nastiness to the team, and can also score on the low post. His offensive game is very erratic though, as he takes a ton of bad shots, and isn't a particularly good shooter. Considering what the Lakers already have, Ron won't be anywhere close to a primary ball handler or scorer, as others can create offense for him. I don't see his often combustible personality being an issue since the Lakers are the World Champions, and Kobe will put him in place if he gets out of line. Jackson has already handled a player like this as well (Dennis Rodman), so I don't see his personality being an issue. Artest is a major upgrade over Trevor Ariza, who is the latest marginal player to get far too much love and appreciation for simply being in the right place at the right time.

The rich continue to get richer.

Minnesota drafting Rubio and then the potential aftermath:

David Kahn had to have taken this guy with the thought of a virtual auction in mind. That is the only thing that makes sense. Did he really think Rubio was going to fork over six million to come play in Minnesota? And to add to the matter, they then drafted Jonny Flynn, who plays the same position as Rubio. Did Kahn really think that was going to sit well with Rubio? Why not just draft Flynn and Curry/DeRozan and call it a day, avoiding all this drama. Given all the uncertainty surrounding Rubio at the moment, it's not a given that Kahn is going to get a team to pony up for him. Then if they don't trade him, what if he doesn't come to America at all? Then the T'Wolves wasted a top five pick, in a situation where it made little sense to take the guy. Seriously, they took Rubio then took someone who plays the same position with the NEXT PICK. The ensuing drama was bound to happen. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Boston signing Rasheed Wallace:

The economy along with the potential bonanza in 2010 really helped out the Lakers and the Celtics who signed Artest and Wallace to bargain basement deals. Wallace helps the Celtics because he is a nice player, he helps the overall depth on the team as well. He is a big man who can shoot the three, hit the mid range jumper and most importantly is a very good post defender. He is another presence down on the block, who can do a little of everything. But I think an aspect that is being overlooked in the signing is the impact on Kevin Garnett. Garnett can now be relied on for less minutes, and in the event that Garnett comes back and isn't right, Wallace can step in during Garnett's absence. This is a good move on all fronts for the Celtics.

Allen Iverson:

'If I can't go somewhere and start, I'll probably retire.' That is paraphrasing what AI said, and I find ir particularly odd, that he feels that way. Is his ego that big? I respect AI from the standpoint that he doesn't just want to latch onto a championship team, as I find that to somewhat lame. That being said, he is going to "ego" himself out of the league with that attitude. Is it not enough to go and get significant playing time from a team? Iverson apparently has an ego the size of China, and he might force himself out of the league as a result.

Orlando trading for Vince Carter/losing Hedo Turkoglu:

Hedo Turkoglu was a nice player for the Magic but I think he is overrated based on the virtue of the Magic making the Finals. He is a nice player who is better than his statistics indicate, but he is also a 30 year old small forward who isn't getting better. I think the loss hurts from the standpoint that they lose what in essence is, a 6'10 point forward who can handle the ball, run the offense and do most things you would want in an offensive player. It puts more pressure on Nelson to handle the ball handling and distributing duties, but I think the addition of Carter can offset the loss of Turkoglu even though they are different kind of players. Carter is just a flat out better basketball player than Turkoglu, and he can get to the basket on pretty much anyone in the NBA. I can understand the owner declining to pay Turkoglu 10 mil a year over the course of the next five years when he is a 30 yr old player, who has reached his peak. I can't blame the guy for trying to be fiscally responsible.

Thoughts on the Knicks offseason to this point

2009-07-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

The drafting of Jordan Hill with the #8 pick in the Draft

I wanted Stephen Curry badly on draft night, as I think that kid has a bright future in the NBA. When he went the pick before to a team who is already full of shooting guards who play no defense, I was upset as I think Curry has a nice future ahead of him in the NBA. That being said, the Knicks got one of the guys they coveted, according to Coach Mike D'Antoni and GM Donnie Walsh. He is an active, athletic big man who can rebound, score a little and block a couple shots here and there. He is raw and still has a long way to go in his development, but there wasn't much there at 8 for the Knicks to take.

David Lee's pending restricted free agency-

I am not a big fan of Lee. I respect his effort, I respect his intentions but after watching him for the last 4 seasons, I just don't feel he is that good a player. I recognize that his production, statistically speaking, has improved every year since he has been in the league and I recognize that he is an absolute demon on the boards which is obviously valuable to a basketball team. That being said, where is the offensive game? Where is the jumper? Where are the post moves? Where is the post defense? He is a useful player with a ton of easily noticeable flaws. If the Knicks could bring him back at a reasonable clip like 7 or 8 million I have no problem with that, but anything above that, ship him somewhere and try and get some young talent in return (like Rudy Fernandez). He's a nice player, but he isn't a centerpiece to a title team so it makes no sense to overpay for his services. I'm pretty sure you can get similar production from someone else for less $$$.

Nate Robinson's pending restricted free agency-

I wonder what the market actually is for Nate. He doesn't really have a clear position, as he is not a distributor, and is far too small to be taken seriously as a shooting guard. I like Nate's game, and when he is clicking on all cylinders he is one of the most explosive offensive players in the entire league, but it seems like D'Antoni isn't really a big fan of his antics and his attitude. The Knicks also drafted Toney Douglas, a similar small off guard type who can score, in what looks like an effort to replace Robinson.

Considering the market doesn't look too strong for Nate, the Knicks could bring him back at a reasonable and that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Nate can play, but his attitude and general lack of consistency are his two biggest issues. Having a guy who can fill it up like Robinson can coming off the bench can be an asset going forward. Robinson is an exciting player who is likable more times than not, but if the Knicks manage to move him for young talent OR to get rid of the contract of Jared Jeffries I won't lose any sleep.

The Knicks interest in Jason Kidd and offering him a 3 year contract-

I have changed my mind on this topic about 100 times, as it is a hard topic for me to have a definitive opinion about given the player involved. Jason Kidd is probably my favorite player of all time, and still is a productive player despite his decline. The floor vision, the passing skills and the leadership skills he possesses are second to very few. He has lost most of his lateral quickness and cannot guard the quicker guards in the league, but contrary to the seemingly popular belief he isn't "useless" defensively, as he can still guard bigger guards. If you have a smaller guy who can keep up with PGs, Kidd can be an asset defensively. On offense, Kidd will never be a knock down shooter, or great scorer but he did shoot over 40% from 3 last year. Throughout his career has made teammates better, can push the pace, and is as good a passer as there is in the NBA.

I think the Kidd signing makes sense from the standpoint, that a guy like Kidd, even at his age, making MLE money is a steal in today's NBA where you have guys like Troy Murphy making 10 million and the like. Also, considering the Knicks won't have their first round pick, doing all it takes to win this year makes sense. It doesn't make sense from the standpoint that you are banking on Kidd being Kidd until he's 40. That is a gamble that isn't likely to pay off. Ultimately, if they sign him, it's a decent move that can either boom or bust. However, I do believe that Kidd can "quarterback" the Knicks to a fringe playoff berth.

The Knicks interest in Grant Hill-

Just... why? I understand the need for veteran leadership but why? Hill definitely has something left to offer, but he isn't going to turn the Knicks into a winner, and the team already has 1000 SFs, so the need for another or the inquiry for another is mind boggling at best.

Shaquille O'Neal traded to Cavaliers

2009-06-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

NBA Draft talk featuring Steve DeAngelo

2009-06-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

Top 10- Underrated Players in the NFL

2009-06-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

The title is self-explanatory, no caveats, no funny stuff, just simply the most underrated players in the NFL in my opinion.

10. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LT, New York Jets- A lot of the lack of appreciation for D'Brick has to do with who he was drafted over (Jay Cutler in particular), and the city in which he plays. He has started every game since being drafted fourth overall in the 2006 NFL draft, and is one of the league's best pass blockers. I also believe his draft spot plays into this, as there is an expectation for him to either be the best LT in the business or comparable to guys like Walter Jones, or Orlando Pace. There is a reason those guys are Hall of Famers. D'Brick can only be himself, and to this point he is a great pass blocker.

9. John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks- Notre Dame stand up!!!!!! Carlson came in, and in his rookie season put up nice numbers with 55 catches, 628 and 5 TDs, with an unstable QB situation due to the injury of Matt Hasslebeck. I expect him to have a monster season this year if Hasselbeck stays healthy. He reminds me of Jason Witten. That isn't to say that he is as good as Witten, but he is a similar player.

8. Sean Jones, S, Philadelphia Eagles- Whenever the topic of safeties comes up, all I ever hear is Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. There are other guys out there who don't get the recognition they deserve at the S spot, and one of them is Sean Jones. Watching him play, he flies to the ball, looking at his numbers, he gets a lot of INTs and pass deflections. But, as is a common theme, when a guy plays for a bad team in the middle of nowhere (Browns) he won't get as much credit as he deserves. I have a new name for that, it's called Larry Fitzgerald syndrome.

7. Darnell Dockett, DT, Arizona Cardinals- He doesn't have the shiny numbers for the most part, as is the case with most good DTs, but his presence cannot be denied in the middle of that defense. He is a very good pass rusher, who often wreaks havoc for the middle of offensive lines. Look no further than the SB for evidence as he had 3.5 sacks and consistently found his way into the Steelers backfield. He can line up anywhere on the line, and be successful, and has the strength and quickness to make life hell for most offensive linemen.

6. Ty Warren, DE, New England Patriots- Warren is another one of those defensive linemen who don't have the shiny statistics but plays an intrical part of his team. He lives in the shadow of the gang of notable players in New England, including his defensive line mates Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork but one could make the argument that he has been the best of the bunch.

5. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys- I know this is a weird entry on this list, but as I mentioned in a prior entry Romo gets called overrated and bashed endlessly for a variety of reasons to the point where he is very underrated. You can talk about his supporting cast if you will, you can talk about his decision making if you wish, but the man's production isn't matched by many. Over the course of the last two seasons, Romo has put up monster numbers, throwing for 62 TDs, and 7,659 yards, yet he's "overrated", and "overhyped", meanwhile guys like Donovan McNabb are "great". Give me a break. He isn't as celebrated as he should be, and though he gets plenty of hype, he gets FAR too much hate and people are far too quick to take credit away from him.

4. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions- Coming in as arguably the best WR prospect ever, Calvin had a decent rookie season and absolutely exploded last season to the tune of 78 catches, 1331 yards and 12 TDs on the Detroit Lions, yes the 0-16 pathetic, sorry sack Detroit Lions. He has arguably the most physical talent in the game, and still has some room to improve. He arguably would be considered the number one wide receiver in the league if he was on a winning team.

3. Lofa Tatupu, MLB, Seattle Seahawks- I think this is one of those where the "lack" of eye popping athletic ability, as well as playing in the Pacific Northwest contribute to the lack of attention Tatupu gets, but the guy just goes out there and gets the job done. In a way I compare him to pound cake. For the most part, Lofa isn't going to 'wow' you, he isn't going to make any plays that will make the Sportscenter Top 10 plays, but he goes out there and gets the job done. He is coming off a bit of a down year, statistically speaking, but statistics from LBs can be twisted and molded to fit what you feel anyway.

2. Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo Bills- Evans has long been one of my favorite players in the league, and is absolutely exciting to watch. Over the last three years he has totaled 3,158 yards, 16 TDs, 16 YPC, and 200 total catches. Over the course of his career Evans has scored 32 TDs in 5 years, and has maintained the aforementioned 16 YPC clip. Evans is arguably the fastest man in the NFL, runs good routes and puts up good production despite being the only legitimate receiving option on that team, and never having played with a decent QB. Don't be surprised to see Lee Evans outproduce Terrell Owens this season, though Owens presence will create more space for Evans to work. It's scary to think what he could do with a good support system around him.

1. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers- Jennings is one of the very few complete WRs in football. When I say complete, I mean from the standpoint that he does EVERYTHING on the field well. He rs a good route runner, he blocks well, he breaks a lot of tackles, has breakaway speed, goes over the middle to make the tough catches and scores a lot of TDs. Over the last two seasons, Jennings has put up 133 catches, 2212 yards, 16.6 YPC and 21 TDs. And still when the topic of 'Top WRs in the NFL' comes up his name is almost never mentioned. The guy just gets it done. Maybe if he changed his name to Ocho Cinco, took sharpies out of his sock, waved pom poms after scoring a TD, say 'I love me some me', cut himself a blond mohawk, fake propose to a Packer cheerleader, do situps on his lawn or just be a gigantic, self aggrandizing, narcissistic ass he would get more attention. Who knows, but he is one of the best young WRs in the game and he is getting better.

Others who garnered consideration:
Adrian Wilson, SS, Arizona Cardinals
Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers
Michael Griffin, S, Tennesee Titans
Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Nick Collins S, Green Bay Packers
Dunta Robinson, CB, Houston Texans
Derrick Burgess, DE, Oakland Raiders
John Abraham, DE, Atlanta Falcons

NBA offseason

2009-06-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

In some ways, I actually enjoy the NBA offseason more than the season itself, though as a Knick fan the offseason has featured more heartbreak than the actual season itself in recent memory. That being said, leading up to the draft these are some of the things I will be interested in following:

-Where will Allen Iverson will end up? With about half the league saving up for the potential 2010 shopping spree, it doesn't seem as if there is much money to be given out in '09. I don't see a good team signing him because of a possible disruption in chemistry. There aren't too many teams out there with cap room, and the bad teams will probably want to go the young route. The only team, off the top, I can see him signing with is the Kings if for nothing else to put fannies in the seats. I read a quote a long time ago from someone (I can't remember who), saying 'Allen Iverson is a weird case, because he's, in essence, a Hall of Famer who really isn't an ideal fit for any team'. It will be interesting to see how that situation develops.

-Where will Ben Gordon end up? The Pistons have some cap room and have been linked to Gordon, as well as Knicks F David Lee. I read that he has a promise from the Pistons which seems bogus to me. But in the event that the Pistons do sign Ben Gordon, where do you put Rip? A backcourt featuring Stuckey and Gordon, where's the defense going to come from and who is your point guard? In the event that Gordon doesn't get a contract that he views suitable, does he go overseas?

-What trades will happn pertaining to the draft, and what players will be moved? The rumors are endless, but it seems like a lot of teams are trying to move up in the draft. It will definitely be interesting.

-Where will Ricky Rubio end up? He has a 6 million dollar "give-back" clause in his contract, that kicks in, if he leaves to go play in the United States. There is the possibility of Rubio staying in Spain and not reporting to the US if he gets drafted by a team in a city where he doesn't want to play. Will teams be shied off by this possibility? Who will take the chance? Will a team aggressively trade up in pursuit of him?

-What will happen with Shaquille O'neal? Steve Kerr was quoted as saying he's had "conversations" with half the league about Shaq's services. A rumor had surfaced last week about the possibility of him going to Cleveland. The Cavaliers seem to be revisiting that after turning down a Wally Sczerbiak/Sasha Pavlovic for Shaq swap right before the trading deadline. That is just another example of the great Cleveland management.

- What will the Wizards do with the #5 pick? There have been several rumblings that the Wizards are going to try and trade for a veteran with the pick and have already made offers for Ray Allen and Manu Ginobili. Will they then move Antwan Jamison, to relieve some of the burden due to the luxury tax?

-What will the Knicks do with their pick? Being an avid follower, I've heard that they like damn near every prospect. I hope that Stephen Curry falls to the Knicks, but I don't see it happening. Do they like Jordan Hill enough to take a shot? Ty Lawson? Will the Knicks use their bankroll to acquire a pick or two? With the Knicks going strong for the summer of 2010, hitting on this pick is an absolute must. Will David Lee be a part of a post-draft swap of picks?

-What will Cleveland do to please LeBron James? With the roster painfully devoid of talent, Cleveland has to try and do something to get better, but at the same time cannot take on too big a contract which would sabotage their chances at getting another top FA in 2010, to pair with LeBron in an effort to keep him in Cleveland.

-Will the Celtics make any noise? Will they make use of Ray Allen's expiring contract? I read that they offered Memphis Kendrick Perkins and Bill Walker (who?) for the #2 pick in the draft, and that sounds like offering a bag of marbles for a potential star player. Will they move up? If so, how will they do it? Will they break up the core group of players?

-What will the Phoenix Suns do with Amar'e Stoudemire? His contracts runs out after this season, and his name has been floated out there in trade talks. Will the Suns keep him and try and extend him after the season? Will they keep him and try and move him at the deadline? Will they try to move him for a combination of young talent/expiring contracts?

-Will the Nets move Vince Carter? Cleveland has shown interest and San Antonio (who has shown interest for a long time now) also has inquired about Carter. The Nets have been reluctant to move him but with ownership supposedly losing money, and Carter not being a difference maker on a winning Nets team, it makes you wonder how long before the Nets pull the plug.

-Where will Jason Kidd end up? Portland will definitely be interested, they have been trying to get a veteran PG for a long time. Will Dallas try and keep him at all costs? Who else will get into play? Knicks? Pistons?

Top 10 QBs under the age of 30 years old

2009-06-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

This list is based on almost strictly production, and future potential as well as ability. In other words, I don't put much weight behind this winner/loser stuff, and I put a high value on 4th quarter performance. This is simply 'Who is the better pure QB', as well as to a slightly lesser extent who I believe will succeed more in the future.

10. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens- I definitely think Flacco gets far too much credit for the Ravens playoff run, as he did nothing but babysit essentially, but I've already beaten the topic of 'winner/loser' to a pulp. Flacco has all the physical tools you want in a QB, and seems to have the desire to get better. If the Ravens get him a WR (Marshall?), Flacco could be one of the top QBs in the league for the next decade.

9. Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans- While this guy cannot stay healthy, when he is actually on the field he is very effective. Last year in 11 games, Schaub threw 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 3,043 yds and had a 66% completion percentage. Now if he can stay healthy, he has plenty of weapons at his disposal like Steve Slaton, Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels and enough ability to make use of these weapons.

8. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons- The only reason he is so low, is because he is a rookie. Ryan came in and took the league by storm in his first year, shutting up many of the critics, myself included. I can only imagine with another year in the same offense, and being surrounded by weaponry such as Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, Jerrious Norwood (the most underused player in the NFL this side of Leon Washington), and Mike Turner. The sky is the limit for Matt Ryan.

7. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants- Eli is one of my favorites in the league, ant his spot on the list will probably be surprising to some, but Manning played under control football for the first time in his career last season, and I think he succumbs ability wise to the rest of the guys on the list. Eli will probably never be "great" statistically and from a "eye test" standpoint, but when the game is on the line there are few QBs in the game more trustworthy than Eli.

6. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers- I have a weird way of ranking Ben Roethlisberger. His toughness, his leadership and most of all his ridiculous habit of pulling magic out of his hat in the fourth quarter has me place him in the top 5 in the NFL. There is no one I'd rather have with the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter. That being said, Roethlisberger has a lot of flaws, and has only been impressive statistically for one season in the NFL, and since I am rating on mostly ability and production that's what pits him 6th.

5. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers- I debated back and forth for a few minutes between Rodgers and Romo, but being consistent with my theme that Romo is actually one of the more UNDERRATED players in the NFL, I went with Rodgers at this spot. Rodgers came in last year, after about a decade waiting on Old Man River to move on. He threw for 4,038 yards, 28 TDs and 13 INTs and led the Packers to a top 10 offense. The future is bright in Mr. Rodgers neighborhood.

4. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys- As I mentioned above, I think Romo gets hated on to the point where he is actually one of the NFL's more underappreciated and underrated players. After all if EVERYONE and their mother says the guy is overrated, does that make him underrated? I call that the 'Tiki Barber argument'. Every one on planet earth said Barber was underrated, so if everyone acknowledges that he is underrated, how he is still underrated? Anyway, back to Romo, the guy has always had the luxury of having Terrell Owens around him and has put up monster numbers, throwing for 62 TDs, and 7,659 yards over the course of the last 2 seasons. Along with great production, he has a great feel for the pocket and makes Dallas' offensive line look a lot better than it is. He has some decision making deficiencies at times but perhaps he gets better with that over the course of time.

3. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears- The 2-5 segment of this list was really thought provoking. I like Cutler's production, and the fact that he did it in his second year starting as well as him probably having among the most raw talent at the position. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts this season going from having a guy like Marshall compared to having a guy like Devin Hester (is that night and day or what?) , though I do think the fact that he is a good, accurate QB who gets the ball there in the blink of an eye could make the players around him better. Also, I think Matt Forte is arguably the biggest benefactor of the trade, since he will have more space to do his thing. The Bears should do their best to build their offense around Jay, get him some reliable pass catching targets to compliment Olsen and their running game. If they do that they'll have their first franchise QB since World War I.

2. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals- As I said earlier the 2-5 segment of this was very thought provoking. I had Palmer at every single spot at one point or another, before I finally settled on the #2 spot for him. He is coming off an injury plagued campaign, where he struggled and eventually was KO'ed for the season, a quarter of the way through it. But the two seasons before that he did throw 54 TD passes and for over 8,000 yards. It's hard to argue with a guy with Palmer's natural ability and total production rebounding and playing like the elite QB he is.

1. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers- Even though he throws the ball like he is in a shotput competition at the Olympics, Rivers gets the job done. He gets better each season and last year led to a 34 TD, 11 INT, 4,000 yard campaign. He has a nice set of weapons at his disposal. Having stability around him as far as the playbook helps immensely. It seems like everyone understands that except the Washington Redskins. Barring any injury problems Rivers should and probably will put up big numbers on a consistent basis for the San Diego Chargers.

Just missed the cut:
Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins
Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos

Top 10 players in the NFL under the age of 27

2009-06-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

This list is based on, performance now and future potential. The list is actually more heavily weighed toward future potential. I also take into consideration my thoughts on the general positional and player value around the league.

10. Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore Ravens

Suggs has long been considered one of the more fearsome pass rushers in the entire league, but it's his versatility that might separate him from the rest. He is a jack of all trades in the Baltimore system and has been one of the most important pieces of a perennial dominant defense. The sky is the limit for T-Sizzle.

9. Haloti Ngata, DE, Baltimore Ravens

Ngata is getting better by the minute, and will be a key in the Baltimore defense for now and in the future. He's a DE in Baltimore, and is one of the best 3-4 DEs in the entire league. His versatility allows him to move around on the defensive line, as he is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in the NFL.

8. Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans

Super Mario has made a name for himself with 26 sacks over the last 2 seasons, silencing all the critics who blasted the Texans for taking him with the #1 pick in the 2006 draft. He has size and ability that isn't matched by many.

7. Patrick Willis- LB, San Francisco 49ers

Since he was drafted, Willis has been one of the most dominant MLBers in the league He, in essence, was the 49ers D in '07, and he's the guy that keeps it going. In the last two seasons notched over 300 tackles his first 2 years, on top of 15 pass deflections, 5 sacks, and 1 INT. I know statistics aren't everything for LBers, but it's hard not to like Willis given his raw ability and production.

6. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

With his ticket now punched to Chicago, Cutler moves on with a lot to prove. Thus far in his career, he's improved gradually from season to season, and has as much raw ability as any QB in the NFL. As he gets older and more seasoned he should be able to master the nuances and subtleties of the QB position and maximize his potential. Ultimately, I think with a couple more top notch seasons, he can leapfrog several people on this list.

5. Darrelle Revis, CB, New York Jets

After 2 stellar seasons in the league, Revis has already established himself as a top CB in the eyes of many. With his abilities in man coverage, his opportunisitc ways and physical ability Revis looks to be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.

4. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Fitzgerald might have the best hands I have ever seen from the WR position. 1400 yds and 10+ TDs in 3 out of his 5 seasons in the NFL, 46 TDs in 5 years, insane athletic ability and a playoff run last season that dreams are made of make Larry one of the NFL's best players

3. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

I know it's early to put Calvin Johnson here, especially ahead of Larry Fitzgerald but did you see what this kid did last season? 78 catches, 1331 yards and 12 TDs on the Detroit Lions, yes the 0-16 pathetic, sorry sack Detroit Lions. The guy is arguably the best WR prospect EVER and probably would be widely considered the #1 WR in the sport, if not for the whole 'Winner-Loser' stuff that is beaten like a rented mule. And the scariest thing about Calvin is that he could potentially get better.

2. Adrian Peterson, HB, Minnesota Vikings

Essentially, Adrian is 1B on this list. 601 carries, 3,101 yards 5.2 YPC and 22 TDs. The man is as gifted as any running back in the game today and continues to get better. If the Vikings actually consider utilizing him in the passing game (a QB who can find him without using a compass could help in that regard), he could be that much better.

1. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys

I'm still not quite sure how he didn't win Defensive Player of the Year this past season, compiling a mind blowing 20 sacks, but this guy is an unbelievable football player. Is there anything he cannot do? The best pass rusher in the business, and the best 3-4 OLB in the business, Ware has absolutely dominated to the tune of 53.5 sacks in 4 years. He is a dominant, unstoppable force who is also a do-it-all LBer. I definitely think Ware will eventually set the record for sacks in a season, when it's all said and done.

Rant on topics I'm tired of hearing about

2009-06-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

LA wins 15th title, defeating Orlando in 5

2009-06-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

Cleveland seems to be starting the 'Keep LeBron here' campaign

2009-06-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

The offseason hasn't even started yet and there are rumblings about the Cavaliers making moves to try and keep LeBron James happy and in Cleveland for the foreseeable future. After the disappointing, and quite underwhelming performance the Cavaliers supporting cast put up in the series loss to the Orlando Magic, the Cavaliers front office has some decisions to make in an effort to enhance the playing conditions and the chance at a championship(s) for James.

In an article on SLAM ONLINE, I read that the Cavaliers are looking into the possibility of signing Rasheed Wallace to a 2 year, 10 million dollar pact (mid level exception I'm assuming) or the possibility of trading with the Clippers for PF Zach Randolph. At this point, I don't think getting Rasheed Wallace does much for them. Yes, he is much better than Zydrunas 'Big Slow' Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao but how much better at this point? Is his heart into the game? Can he keep his head throughout the games where he feels he is being "persecuted by the referees? There are a lot of questions surrounding Wallace, which would make it a risky signing since in all likelihood that would put a fork in any thought process of signing Chris Bosh to compliment LeBron James.

As far as Zach Randolph is concerned, there is no questioning the man's talent. He can get you 20 and 10 in his sleep, though after watching him for a season and change in NY I am not convinced he can put his ego aside for the greater good. Now LeBron, who is arguably the best leader in the entire sport as well as the game's best player, can probably reign him in, and get him to buy into the team aspect. Zach is very talented, but he doesn't play defense and is quite literally a black hole with the ball in the post. This is another risky proposition since Zach has 3 years and $47 million left on his deal, and that would also put an end to any dreams of LeBron playing with Chris Bosh in a Cavaliers jersey.

This offseason might very well be a make or break for the Cleveland Cavaliers and their future plans. If they sign Wallace or trade for Randolph, and the season ends up in another disappointing loss where LeBron has to do everything, and no one else does anything how will LeBron react to that? If they stay status quo, then what happens if and when they lose at the same point next season? Does LeBron take that as management not trying to get him some help and bolt? Does he take it as a challenge to stay? Who knows, but about half the teams in the NBA will be watching the Cavaliers and their movements quite closely this offseason and throughout the upcoming regular season.

LA/Orlando

2009-06-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

LeBron James sore loser routine

2009-06-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Cleveland/Orlando

2009-05-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on the Conference Finals

2009-05-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

My thoughts on Day 1 of the Draft

2009-04-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

My take on the Jets QB situation

2009-04-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Mock draft- Round 1

2009-04-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Opening day is here!!

2009-04-07T10:57:00.001-07:00

My thoughts:

-C.C. Sabathia looked bad yesterday in his Yankee debut. He didn't get out of the 5th inning, as the Orioles lit him up for six runs. Hopefully this isn't a sign of things to come for Sabathia, as he had no control of his fastball whatsoever.

-Cliff Lee followed his AL Cy Young year with a dreadful opening performance yesterday against Texas, as he gave up 10 hits and 7 runs in 5 innings pitched. Unfortunately for Lee, coming off of last season there is nowhere to go but down. How far he declines is anyone's guess, but if Cleveland expects to win anything this year they need Lee to be a good performer at the very least, especially when you consider that Carl Pavano is their third starter, and they have unproven question marks at the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation.

- If Texas' pitching ever becomes respectable, that team is going to be a major threat in the American League. I am well aware you could pretty much say that for the last decade but offensively those guys can rake.

- Watching the Mets in Cincinnati yesterday, I was cold just watching them. That being said Johan Santana was an abbreviated version of himself yesterday, giving up 1 run over 5.2 innings. The two major Mets acquisitions in the bullpen, J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez, shut the door on the Reds as the Mets secured a 2-1 victory. If the Mets are going to be a postseason team, both of those guys are essential to that.

- I think I just saw the Hanley Ramirez home run ball fly past my window. Was that a bomb or what? I wonder how long before they put him in the outfield? As good as he is offensively, he is terrible at short defensively. His offensive value as a shortstop is ridiculous, but I'm fairly certain his defense will cost you quite a few runs over the course of the season.

- I believe Matt Kemp is due for a breakout campaign, and he started that yesterday with a home run off Jake Peavy. The guy has all the tools to be a very good center fielder. Yesterday the power was on display, as was the defense as he made a great diving play on a line drive to right center field. I think hi and Clayton Kershaw are poised to make marked improvements in their respective games this season.

-Griffey homered in his return to the Mariners. That is good for him, good guy, Hall of fame baseball player. It really is too bad that injuries derailed his career, otherwise we'd probably be talking about him as the career home ru

Jay Cutler to the Bears

2009-04-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

Finally this month long worth of back and forth, he said/she said mess is over. Jay Cutler has been traded to the Chicago Bears along with a 5th round selection in this year's draft for QB Kyle Orton, a 2009 1st round draft pick, 2010 1st round draft pick, and 2009 3rd round draft pick. First of all, FINALLY this is over and maybe it will die down after a week of talking about the trade. I grew extremely tired of hearing who's cell phone was reached and who's was not.

As far as the trade itself: - I am impressed that the Bears finally put the pedal to the floor and went hard after a QB they can build around for the future.

- I am slightly annoyed that the Jets didn't match this package considering it was not an overbearing package. The only reason I am not fully annoyed is because I don't know the level of reluctance on Denver's part to get him out of the conference. If the Jets gave all they could in the efforts, then you just chalk it up to another one lost and proceed forward. They probably would have had to give a Ricky Williams deal to get it done. As much as I like Cutler, he isn't worth that, nor are many others.

- I don't understand why the Broncos would move so quickly in moving the guy, and not give some time for offers at the very least. But with the way they have mishandled this entire situation, I am not surprised.

- As far as the trade from Denver's vantage point, I think they received good compensation but could have received more. I actually think Kyle Orton is a decent QB and is better than any of the alternatives they could have gotten (including the rookie QBs), but I just don't understand the rush to trade him especially when you have Daniel Snyder involved who is known to throw away draft picks for no apparent reason I think they should have strung it along a bit. At the same time, it is possible although unlikely that the Redskins could have pulled out of the running.

-As far as the Bears, they just put a lot in Cutler's basket, now they have to figure out who he is going to throw the ball to, as Chicago's offense features one pass catcher worth noting and that is Greg Olsen. Cutler is a very good QB but they need to give him guys to throw the ball to. I actually think Earl Bennett can make an impact, after all he was Jay's #1 WR at Vanderbilt. I'm not saying to expect Eddie Royal impact, but he should see the field quite a bit. At least Cutler is finally on the opposite side of a decent defense.

- Cutler gets to play for the team he grew up rooting for, and will likely see a new deal some time soon. I assume we won't have to hear Lovie Smith say "Jay Cutler is our quarterback" after every game this season.

-I also believe Cutler is a QB made for that weather. As WFAN host Mark Malusis consistently says, 'The man can throw the ball in a hurricane'. He's built physically for the nasty weather he'll see in Chicago.

-If Kyle Orton was really the deal breaker in this deal, then it will be a short tenure for McDaniels and Xanders. Again, not saying that Orton isn't serviceable, but that is all he is. -Earl Bennett will be on every one of my fantasy teams this upcoming season.

- I wish the Jets could have gotten the guy but it is what it is. I guess they'll have to go to war with an undrafted free agent, and Kellen Clemens. Life as a Jets fan is rough I tell you. Here's to hoping Kellen Clemens can turn into something good. He's had to deal with being replaced/potentially replaced two years straight. You know what they say Kellen. 'Whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger'. Boy that quote applies to me as well in this spot.

Scattered sports related thoughts

2009-03-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

- Dwyane Wade is playing out of his mind. Props to him on an excellent season, as he is carrying a talented but very inexperienced Miami Heat team. I do think though that the way he has completely overshadowed LeBron James in the MVP race is a little ridiculous. LeBron with a little help for once, in the name of Mo Williams, is carrying that team right to the best record in the league. James is averaging 29 PPG, 7 RPG and 7 APG, shooting 48% from the field. He has been his usual stellar self statistically, and is the best player on the best team in the league. Wade is definitely deserving, and the argument can be made that he is playing better than anyone in the league right now, but James should not be overshadowed, and he is still the most legitimate MVP candidate.

- The WBC...What is the point of this? When you have the manager of the U.S. saying things like 'If we lost 2 catchers I'd forfeit the game', and pitchers getting work simply because they need it for spring training regardless of the results, what is the point? A lot of these players don't play winter ball, and it is March, meanwhile other teams have been preparing for this all year round. How is that fair? I don't think anything will happen regarding this, unless a big name player gets seriously hurt. God knows how stubborn Bud Selig is. Congratulations to Japan on winning it.

-NCAA Tourney. It has actually been a pretty nondescript tourney so far, as everything has pretty much went by the book. I am impressed with Ty Lawson, the Connecticut Huskies, the Villanova Wildcats and Blake Griffin. I am very intrigued to see what Lawson does as a professional. I am not impressed with Pitt so far, as they have barely scraped by powerhouses such as East Tennessee State. I do realize the point is survive and advance, I'm just not sold that Pittsburgh's style of play will ever produce consistent tournament success. Call it a jaded or close minded point of view, but I've watched them prove me right year after year. Also, a lot of credit to the Orangemen, as they keep on chugging. Johnny Flynn is another guy I am very intrigued in terms of being a pro prospect.

- Curt Schilling retires- I will probably dedicate an entire entry to this topic in the coming days (mostly his Hall of Fame qualifications, yes I realize that is VERY subjective). Schilling had a very good career, and was on the giving end of Yankee heartbreak three times in the last seven years. He's one of those guys you can't stand but you can't help but respect. Schilling might be a nosy loud mouth, but once game day arrives you can always expect Schilling's best. He is also arguably the greatest postseason pitcher of his generation. Schilling's career produced many memorable moments. Of those what will most be remembered are the performances against the Yankees in the 2001 World Series, and the 2004 American League Championship Series (Game 6, bloody sock).

-Jay Cutler- Coming straight from the "No Surprise" category, I want Jay Cutler to be donning a green and white #6 next season for the New York Jets. That being said, I don't want the Jets to mortgage off the future for the guy either, for a couple of reasons.

1. Who is he going to throw the ball to? I do realize that a QB of his caliber (top then, one of the best pure passers in the business), can make the guys around him better, much like he did for Eddie Royal. But at the same time, we don't have a Brandon Marshall or anything close to him for that matter, and outside of that we have no one with experience playing the position. Does David Clowney and Chansi Stuckey scare you? Well, they scare me, that's for sure.

2. Chalk this up to the conspiracy theorist way of thinking. Well, it is widely thrown out there that Cutler has a large ego, which can work in your favor or against it depending on the guy. But if he does have this large ego, and the Jets then mortgage off the future for the guy doesn't that feed into his ego a little bit. At the same time it could make him feel wanted, so who knows. That is probably too far out there to be legitimate.

As far as his situation in Denver, I think it will end up being like the Anquan Boldin situation. He'll end up playing, and playing well while being "disgruntled", and the trade rumors will continue to surface next offseason.

Terrell Owens released

2009-03-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

So now T.O. has effectively burned his bridges with 3 different NFL teams. It makes you wonder when people will just stop trying with him. Every place Owens has gone, it has ended the same way, with the team cutting ties with him mostly because of his negative locker room influence.

'Fool me once.. Shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me thrice......?, Fool me four times? Then what are you then? A damn fool, I say. ' My thoughts on the Owens release....

- Good move for the Dallas Cowboys. It is likely that Owens performance on the field, can no longer at least answer the question of 'Why would you keep such a divisive influence around?', as he struggled last season, and was no longer the player he was in previous years. He has a lost a step. While he is still good, he most likely isn't worth the baggage he brings. While I think team chemistry is overrated, for all intents and purposes Owens is toxic waste in the locker room.

-Roy E. Williams needs to step up now, and prove to Dallas that he was worth all the picks they gave up for him. He, for the moment, is the #1 WR on the team. The guy is very talented, but his mental makeup, and his loud mouth concerns you a little bit with him. With the laissez faire coaching they have in Dallas, I find it hard to believe that he will be properly motivated.

- I would be surprised if Jason Witten's #s don't take a hit. He's an excellent tight end, but he also benefited from the constant attention that Owens garnered. He'll still be very good, but I doubt he approaches the numbers he put up the last two seasons. I'm not saying he'll be a league worst TE, just not the league's most productive TE.

- How is it that Owens is out of a job, but Wade Phillips still has a job as a head coach? I'm not disputing the Owens release, as I think its the right timing to go through with it given Owens' locker room presence and his declining play on the field. I'm still in sheer shock, especially with the way the season ended, that the NFL's biggest figurehead has a job. What exactly has Phillips done that has warranted he still have this job? I wonder if Jerry Jones watched the final game of the regular season. Wade should have been fired at halftime.

- Also, there is plenty of WR talent in the draft for the Cowboys to pursue if they choose to go that route. Maybe they can find their Eddie Royal in the draft. Who knows, maybe Miles Austin or Sam Hurd steps up and captures the #2 spot. I wouldn't hold my breath on that but it is possible.

- How will this affect Tony Romo? I think this cuts down his interceptions by a few, and more importantly keeps his sanity in tact. Generally, barring a trade that brings a bonafide number one wide receiver in there, I think Tony's numbers will take a slight hit. What it does to the Cowboys in the W-L section will be something to watch.

- As far as teams Owens can end up with, I believe he can end up with the Redskins or Raiders. I mean Snyder has already opened up the pocket book for one loud mouthed egomaniac in DeAngelo Hall, so who's to say he won't open it up for Owens? Him and Hall can have screaming matches in practice or competitions to see who has the bigger ego, it would be a sight to behold. And the Raiders are....well, the Raiders. Do I need to go any further?

Cutler/Broncos drama

2009-02-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Boy I can't wait until the draft, then training camp, and the regular season. The itch for football needs to be scratched and scratched soon. Maybe the start of the baseball regular season will alleviate that itch, but only time will tell.

Today Matt Cassel was traded, along with Mike Vrabel to Kansas City for a second round pick. But a bigger story was the fact that Jay Cutler was supposedly dangled out there in an attempt by Josh McDaniels to land Matt Cassel. Cassel, who is now a Chief, worked with McDaniels last season when Tom Brady went down with a season ending knee injury. Conflicting reports, and sidebars have been going around on this all day. One minute you hear, that Denver has been dangling him in trade talks, and then the next minute you hear that Denver was approached. There is no way of any of us knowing, without inside information which side of the equation is true. I'm going to go with the Denver has been dangling him side of the story, since you don't normally hear the name of a young franchise QB in trade talks EVER. To me, that says that the Broncos had to at least be leading on that he could be available. Now to my thoughts:

-I think the notion that Cassel is better than Cutler, or is worth trading or potentially eternally pissing off Cutler is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, when I heard this and read the unfolding drama that then came after this I couldn't help but say several times, 'All this for a bum quarterback?'. Seriously this is Matt Cassel, we are talking about. The guy who looked lost for the majority of last season, the guy who besides AFC West teams, compiled an absolutely mediocre 13 TDs to 10 INTs, the guy who was essentially playing on a record setting offense, with possibly the biggest changing threat in the NFL, the guy who looked absolutely putrid against any halfway decent defense he played against all year. Yeah, that guy. Whenever I read a trade rumor involving any current or ex Patriot, I feel like I am in the twilight zone.

- I find it funny how a brand new coach comes in, fresh off riding the coattails of Bill Belichick (See: Weis, Charlie, and Crennel, Romeo) and his first important order of business is trying to move Jay Cutler, the Broncos franchise player, and a 24 year old top 10 quarterback. And assuming that the Broncos are the ones that have initiated the talks, it says a lot about the classic Patriot arrogance (Believe me I am a Notre Dame fan, and Charlie Weis for someone who has accomplished jack as a head coach just OOZES arrogance). It's one thing if Jay Cutler was someone like Matt Schaub, but he isn't, he's a young, super talented, productive QB who also happens to be a fan favorite. So McDaniels is willing to piss off Cutler (if the potential trade fell through like it did), and have the entire city of Denver lined up against him and calling for his head at every opportunity for......... Matt 'I have no pocket presence, and can't throw anything deep for the life of me' Cassel? Interesting.

- So, once again assuming that Denver management is behind this, isn't this quite the confidence in a coach who comes from a Coaching Tree that has not ONE TIME, produced an even respectable head coach? So, let's say the Broncos go ahead and trade Jay Cutler, then what happens if McDanels and Cassel both flop, which given history is actually very likely? Not only do you need a new head coach, now you have to start over at the QB position, because you gave free reign to a coach who has proven absolutely nothing. I'm sure that would go over well. I guess McDaniels wanted someone who has no sense of what a pocket is, but can throw the 5 yard come back route like a champ!!

-Apparently, Bill Belichick is the only reason Jay Cutler is still in a Broncos uniform as he supposedly rejected a trade that would have netted him the #12 overall pick instead of the second round pick he did get. Perhaps, he was trying to stick it to McDaniels or help out Pioli. Which one remains to be seen, but if not for the Patriot ties we are probably talking about the Buccaneers acquisition of Cutler, while only giving up a 3rd round pick. Perhaps he had a gentleman's agreement with Piolo and just went through with it. Who knows?

- After reading Cutler's initial comments, which were taken somewhat out of context, I thought he was being a bit of a drama queen but after reading the whole transcript of the interview with Chris Mortensen I thought he was just being his usual candid self. Sometimes, his candid nature, and him taking things too hard can be his downfall. Watching him as much as he has, when something goes wrong, he tends to take it hard and try even harder to avenge the wrongdoing often times by forcing a throw. I do think that Cutler is the reason this is even a story given his comments and how he apparently feels spurned but I can't fault him for his honesty. He was just being honest with the way he felt, and not your usual PC athlete. 'You have to respect the other team, they are a good team, regardless of who the team is'. My favorite in this regard is Bill Belichick after a game with the Jets in 2005, 'Brooks Bollinger is a threat at the QB position, as he can throw the ball and run the ball, you have to gameplan for him and worry about him because he is dangerous. Really, Bill!

- To the readers, I want you to put your thinking caps on for a second. Can you name ONE player who New England traded or released who actually went on to be good for another team? And by good, I mean good, not passable, average, intangibles and magic laden, flat out good. Ty Law? Lawyer Milloy? Deion Branch? David Givens? Willie McGinest? What makes anyone think this will be any different?

- What is so special about Matt Cassel? Asides from AFC West opponents, all of which were mediocre, he compiled 13 TDs to 10 INTs as I stated earlier. His pocket presence is brutally bad. His accuracy on anything even remotely considered deep is pitiful. Randy Moss playing with a decent QB, puts up 15+ TDs this season. Seriously, the guy performed admirably on what was previously a record setting offense. He has mediocre stamped all over him. For the record I think Tyler Thigpen is a better quarterback than Cassel, and barring a trade, I feel bad for the young man. He proved he can ball last year in horrific playing conditions (ie horrific head coach, no offensive line, no defense) and kept that team in games, and now he loses his job to an overrated, system quarterback. Maybe Pioli (and McDaniels for that matter) wanted someone who can execute the checkdown. Lord knows Cassel performs it more and better than anyone else.

-If Cutler proves to actually be on the trading block, half the NFL should be giving calls to Denver, including the New York Jets. As of right now I have no faith in the Jets, but if they manage to pull a miracle and get Cutler for a non Hershcel Walker type of package, my faith will be somewhat restored.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

The first day of Free Agency

2009-02-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

Boy has it been a busy day, whew. I don't think I've ever hit the refresh button so many times in my life. 'Bart Scott signed', 'No he didn't', 'He's giving the Ravens a chance to match', 'It's official', 'No it's not'.

Let me start by saying that the 'I must beat other journalists to the punch' type of attitude is very frustrating. Now I understand that it is just them doing their jobs, and it is something that can't be avoided, but reading 10 different things in 10 minutes isn't exactly rosy.

Now on to the signings/transactions

Albert Haynesworth, Skins- Big Al becomes the first non QB in NFL history to see a contract in excess of 100 million dollars. I've changed my mind several times on this signing, as it's a tough one in which to form a solid opinion. Haynesworth has been a great DT for the last 4 years, and an utterly dominant one over the course of the last 2 seasons. But he hasn't played a full season since 2002, and his 2 best years came in contract years. On the flip side, he has been arguably the best DT in football for the last 2 seasons, he provides versatility as he can play both tackle and end, and is flat out nasty against the run. Albert is an excellent player, but after getting his payday will he care enough to continue being the excellent player he has been? 100 million is a lot to give for anyone (there is only one player worth that and his name is Peyton Manning), but the Redskins haven't had a good defensive line since when? The Ice Age? A defensive line rotation featuring Anthony Montgomery, Cornelius Griffin, and Albery Haynesworth sounds nice. We'll see how it works out.

DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins- I don't understand how this guy continues to get major paydays, regardless of the Redskins consistently dancing like Beyonce around the salary cap. Well at least Washington didn't give up anything besides the loot for him. The presence of Albert Haynesworth could help him immensely. With Shawn Springs all but out the door, they might as well give Hall a chance to show his worth. The money amount is ridiculous, but Jay-Z might as well be the official spokesman for the Washington Redskins, as their motto should be 'Money Ain't a Thang'.

Bart Scott, New York Jets- As a Jets fan, I'm not pleased that they gave a guy who has done very little since 2006, as much money as they did. Looking at it from an outsider's point of view, Rex Ryan is the new coach, Scott was his former player and the Jets had a gaping hole at ILB, so it makes sense from that standpoint. I've never really viewed Scott as anything more than average, save for his 2006 season, but if anyone knows what he is or isn't capable of it's Rex Ryan. Hopefully Rex knows what he is doing.

Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans Saints- Nice young linebacker, but one who has a knee problem. The biggest problem with the Saints is the defense, so you might as well keep one of the few even remotely bright spots on that defense in hopes that you could build around him. I think he's a better player than Bart Scott and he got signed to a more reasonable contract. This was a no-brainer for the Saints.

Kellen Winslow, traded to the Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks- I'll keep it short and sweet on this one. Winslow must have REALLY become a malcontent behind the scenes for Cleveland to just move someone as talented as he is for undisclosed draft picks. Though, I'll dust one off for the Jets fans that might read this, 'Winslow isn't a Mangini guy'. Boy did I ABHOR that expression. Good grief.

Lito Sheppard, traded to the Jets for conditional picks- I've long said that Lito is one of the more overrated players in the entire NFL. The little, and well over hyped, success he did have was a product of the scheme more than anything else, and even with that he got burnt a ton in Philadelphia. The compensation can go as high a second, but I'd be floored if Philadelphia sees that. At least here, he'll be covering #2s for the most part, which should help him. I just can't get excited with Mr. Burnt Like Toast lining up opposite Revis come opening day. As I said earlier, hopefully Rex knows what he is doing. By the way, this move isn't official yet.

-Ray Lewis' ego must have taken a big hit today. Bart Scott's phone ringing off the hook since yesterday, and Lewis' ex coordinator, choosing Scott over him? Ouch, I wonder if Ray still thinks he is a 10 million a year player, or is he going to go back to Baltimore and take less. I'm very interested to see how that plays out.

- A zillion contradictory reports coming out about Brian Dawkins to the Broncos. If that happens, it honestly makes me sad, though I am the furthest thing from a fan of the Eagles. He gave his heart and soul for 14 years there, and never got the ring he was chasing. For it to end basically over the difference between one and two years would be heartbreaking, but it's business. We'll see what happens.

There are still a lot of names out there to be had. It has definitely been a good start to the FA period though.

The A-Rod saga

2009-02-10T18:20:00.000-08:00

Well, this has dominated the news recently, and my thoughts on the situation are:

- I'm disappointed that the Yankees have to deal with this walking, talking, breathing reality TV show for the next 9 years. Maybe Hank Steinbrenner regrets not listening to Cashman now, when Cash wanted to cut ties with Rodriguez. On one side of the coin I realize that he is a top 3 player in the game, but on the other side of the coin I realize that he is drama, and nothing but drama. That can't be good for a clubhouse in the longterm.

-Alex Rodriguez is wrong, and there is no denying that but the other 103 names need to be released just in the light of fairness. Alex should not be the only one forced to take the walk of shame. It wouldn't be fair. I don't expect the 103 names to be released though, and that would just be convenient.

- Alex claims he didn't know what he was taking over the course of the three years. How dumb does he think the general public is? He is sitting there telling America that he, the ultimate perfectionist, doesn't know what he was taking? Ok, and I am really Barack Obama.

- I thought the interview, where he confessed, was alright. I think Gammons could have been a bit harder on him, and he didn't follow up and a lot of crucial spots in the interview. For example, Gammons asked Rodriguez what made him resort to steroids and Rodriguez said that the pressure of living up to the contract that he signed was a big part of it. I thought Gammons should have came back with a 'What about the pressure to get that contract to begin with?' question. I think he was a bit soft on him.

-If Rodriguez thought that people didn't like him before, he has seen nothing yet. It is going to be a circus in Yankee away games. Can you imagine when A-Rod steps into the batter's box in Fenway for the first time in the 2009 season? Boy it is going to be madness, plain and simple.

- I, for one, do not believe that he only took steroids from 2001-2003. I don't know, or have any thoughts on the possible duration of his steroid usage, but his explanation alone led me to that belief. 'I was under pressure to live up to the contract'. Oh really? What about the pressure to get that contract? What about the pressure of playing next to the most popular athlete in New York? Is it possible that he only took steroids for 3 seasons? Perhaps, but that explanation was like swiss cheese.

- The home run record will probably never be "clean" again. It hit me like a ton of bricks on Saturday when the report came about. Is it possible that a squeaky clean player will come along and break the record? Sure, but it isn't likely and it's very disappointing.

- Hopefully, now that he "came clean" (I use that term VERY loosely), the Yankees can move on and they can play baseball without the barrage of steroid questions before and after every game. I am not concerned with integrity and all of that stuff. My favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees and I want success for them. Hopefully this black cloud doesn't ruin this season. I do believe that Rodriguez will have a huge season for the Yankees.

Now that the offseason has began...my thoughts on the state of the new York Jets

2009-02-05T21:48:00.000-08:00

- I am fine with the hire of Rex Ryan. As I stated in a recent blog entry, I'm trying to be even keeled with anything Jets related these days as more times than not it ends in disappointment. The only thing that concerns me with Ryan is the recent history of Baltimore defensive coordinators becoming head coaches (Marvin Lewis, Nike Nolan). That scares me. Other than that, I just hope to see a team willing to get physical for once.

-I hope Brett Favre moves on. I already disliked this guy enough before he got here, then he got here, and threw picks like they were going out of style. I still give him props for running Chad Pennington out of town. I don't care how viciously the media rode the Pennington bandwagon. He will never take you anywhere in the postseason and severely limits the offense you can run. You did your good deed for the Jets Brett, now retire. You are finished.

- I think the Jets need to figure out their WR situation. Coles is declining and probably will ask for a new contract like he does every season. Cotchery is good, but he isn't a #1 WR. The Jets also don't have a redzone threat/potential future redzone threat anywhere on the roster asides from Dustin Keller who had a nice rookie season. If I was Mike Tannebaum I would watch the Braylon Edwards situation closely. I know he had a problem with the dropsies this past season, but he still has one of the better skillsets in the NFL at the WR position and is one year removed from a monster season. Braylon would certainly make life easier on whoever happens to be the starting quarterback for the Jets in the 2009 season. Hopefully David Clowney can emerge to provide a deep threat the Jets haven't had since Santana Moss was traded.

- With the #17 pick in the draft, I would love to see the Jets do any of the following:

-Trade the pick for Braylon Edwards
-Draft MLB Rey Mauluaga from USC
- Draft WR Darius Heyward Bey
-Draft CB Malcolm Jenkins
-Draft CB Vontae Davis

I would be happy with any of the above options. I like Mauluaga a lot, and think he will have a bright future in the NFL. Jenkins and Davis would fill a pressing need at #2 CB, as I don't think I could watch Dwight Lowery get toasted all season for a second year straight. Heyward Bey has unlimited potential and could potentially be the #1 WR the Jets need in time.

- I don't believe the Jets cap situation is as bad as many of the journalists and talking heads make it seem. I read the other day (I forget from who, or I would cite it) from someone that the Jets have the worst cap situation in the history of the NFL. I think that is WAY off base and exaggerated. The Jets can cut a few guys, and restructure a few others and be under the cap far enough to make a big splash this offseason.

- On the possibility of Ray Lewis to the Jets, the more I hear, the more I think it is possible. As far as how I feel about it, I think it's good and bad. I think it's good from the standpoint, that Ray is probably the best leader in the NFL. He also knows the head coach and the system. The best thing about the signing is the accountability that Lewis demands from the other players in the huddle. I wouldn't want to be the one caught slacking on a play, then having to confront Lewis. I think his leadership alone would get the best out of everyone on the defensive unit. The downside is that Lewis, in my opinion, has been declining for awhile now. The leadership is good and all, but no one is going to listen to a mediocre LB. Lewis is still good, for now, but how long will that last?

-Please, for my sanity sake, give Leon Washington the damn ball more often. You would think in an offense lacking playmakers, they would give the one proven playmaker the ball often enough to make an impact. That would make sense, right? The Jets just defy logic. I am not saying that Washington is an every down back or that he should be used as one, but I'm saying he should get the ball in as many ways as possible. He was near the tops of the league in plays covering more than 4o yards. Get the ball in his hands more often, period.

- I would like to see Kellen Clemens get one last shot behind an actual legitimate NFL offensive line. I still hold out hope for him, though I think his 'throwing stance' is a bit of a concern. For those of you who watch baseball, think Jim Edmonds in the batter's box. That's what Kellen Clemens looks like when throwing the ball. That concerns me with him. I do think he has an NFL arm though, and he is tough. I hope he turns out to be something. If not, then probably another long search for a franchise QB.

Go Jets. Make the 2009 season a successful one.

Thoughts on the Superbowl

2009-01-31T15:25:00.000-08:00

-This is the first Superbowl in awhile where I actually like both teams involved and have no rooting interests. It's a bit weird, and it actually takes away from it a little bit for me, and is a complete 180 from last season where I rooted for the Giants like my life and well being depended on it. I do, have a little bias towards Kurt Warner for knocking Donovan McNabb out of the postseason, but I also like the Steelers so it cancels out.

-I've never seen so many people carrying stuff around in preparation for the game (ie food, televisions). It seems like every single person is stocking up for the game. Hell, my mother even came in with a lot of food the other day. I jokingly asked, 'What's the occasion?'. 'Superbowl Sunday', then I asked 'Who's playing?' She stammered then said 'New York and Cleveland?'.

Some thoughts about the game itself:

- Ken Whisenhunt/Tom Haley vs the Grandfather of the Zone Blitz, Dick Lebeau- This is a very interesting matchup. With the weapons that Arizona has on offense and the stable of talent that Pittsburgh has on defense, this is pretty much where the game will be decided. If I had a dollar for every time I heard 'If AZ protects Warner.......' Not to beat a dead horse but that will be the key to the game.

-Ben Roethlisberger- He shows up the biggest when the stakes are at its highest. Time will tell if he does it again. He has all but vowed to make amends for his poor game the last time Pittsburgh was here. We'll see if it happens. I do like the matchup of their pass offense against the Arizona secondary.

-Anquan Boldin- With all the suffocating Fitzgerald hype, as he has become the flavor of the month (hasn't he been this good for half a decade now?), Boldin is being overlooked by the pundits as having an impact on this game for the most part. I think with the two weeks to rest and get healthy, he will be able to put forth a good enough effort to give the Steelers problems in the secondary. If the Cardinals can protect Warner, Boldin will have a major impact. (Beating the dead horse I know).

-The Cards defense- After their showing against the Eagles, I am not really sold on this unit putting forth a good display in the Superbowl. They left WRs open the entire game against Philly, and for the most part McNabb missed them, or the receivers had to make some sort of acrobatic catch which minimized what they could do after the catch. While Pittsburgh is a run first team, if Arizona gives them those type of opportunities in the passing game, Roethlisberger will certainly take advantage.

- I personally think the Cardinals should spread the Steelers out, and attack them that way. That will give them more to worry about in the passing game, and then free up things like draw plays and screens. I think playing a traditional offense is playing right into their hands. I say you spread them out, and dare them to bring the kitchen sink.

As far as my prediction goes, I have been waffling all week. I don't really know who to pick. I've thought about several scenarios, and thought about comparisons to different teams but I'll stick with my initial thought on the game:

Pittsburgh 27
Arizona 20

Ultimately though, I just hope for a game that comes down to the ball being in Ben Roethlisberger's hands with a chance to win it. I love watching him play with the game on the line.

New Jets coach Rex Ryan

2009-01-22T07:49:00.000-08:00

The Jets history has been, for the most part, a turbulent one, filled with failure and tough times. Most recently, he Jets suffered through a 1-4 dry spell at the end of a season that looked so promising when the team was 8-3 and flying high. That dry spell ultimately cost former Jets coach Eric Mangini his job, as he really didn't have any answers down the stretch of the season.

Today, Rex Ryan was introduced as the Jets coach. During the interview process, he wowed the Jets hierarchy with his personality and detailed power point presentation. Today he made an impression very quickly. Within two minutes he was already speaking about the team meeting newly minted President Barack Obama, saying, "With all these cameras here I was looking around for the new President. Oh well, I think we will get to meet him within the next few years anyway." Those are big words there by the new coach. He showed his affable side, delivering many funny one-liners. He talked about how he wants his team to be stating, 'If you take a swipe at our guys, we take two at yours." He also spoke about the effort he expects from his players saying, "I expect us to not only play to the whistle but through the whistle. " He certainly made a good first impression today, as he spoke glowingly about some of the players, he preached aggressiveness on the defensive side of the ball, and really sounded like a true leader.

As far as my opinion on the hire goes, I'm fine with the hire. Rarely do I ever get excited about anything Jets related, and it works out, so I have taken more of a 'wait and see' approach regarding anything with the Jets. Compared to the rest of the candidates, I did like Rex Ryan the most and I hope he can bring an attacking style of defense that he alluded to on several occasions in his opening PC. Most of all, I would love for the Jets to be a team that can beat up the other team physically en route to a victory.

I know it's too much to expect this team to line up and be physical like the Ravens defenses over the years, but over time maybe the defense can develop the attitude and nastiness those guys have. I'm sick and tired of the Jets having to trick and confuse people to win. I understand the nuances of the game of football. I understand that you have to scheme to win, and I am well aware that you can't line up in predictable defenses and expect to win. All I am asking is that the team be able to impose sheer physicality on the other team, and play with an attitude and a little emotion for once.

Thoughts on Championship Weekend

2009-01-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

- I could talk about Larry Fitzgerald, I could talk about Kurt Warner, I could even talk about Adrian Wilson and the game that he played. But firstly I will give Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley a lot of credit. He called an excellent game. All of the screens, all of the misdirection plays, the "flea flicker" play that went for a TD. He did a good job of using Philadelphia's aggressive ways against them. The Phliadelphia defense definitely had its hands full and didn't rise to the occasion.

-It's crazy how good Larry Fitzgerald is. And now the entire world has had the privilege of seeing him go crazy throughout the playoffs. Besides Andre Johnson, is there a WR on Larry's level right now?

- I've been saying this for a long time and I'll say it once again. Donovan McNabb isn't a Superbowl Caliber quarterback. He showed as much yesterday, once again coming up small in a big game. Yes his statistics showed that he played a wonderful game, but sometimes you have to look past the face value of the statistics and look at the game to make fair evaluations. McNabb was off for a good portion of the football game, and when the chips were down, he failed once again. Yes, people can speak on the Curtis "drop" or missed penalty, but if McNabb makes a good throw on any of the first three downs it doesn't come down to that.

- Kurt Warner has now brought two franchises out of exile to the promised land. The man has had a nice career numbers wise, but he brought the St Louis Rams from the dead, and now has brought another listless franchise from the dead. More than his numbers, his impact on those two franchises is what will ultimately get him into the Hall of Fame. What was St Louis before Warner arrived? Then what were they when he left? What was Arizona before he arrived? What are they now? A Super Bowl participant. That is a hell of a change.

- I wonder if this is Brian Dawkins last shot at getting to the big dance. Hearing him after the game, he sounded as dejected as can be. I think he realizes he had an excellent shot, and the team blew it. He is an unrestricted free agent after the season so it will be interesting to see what contract he comes to an agreement with in Philly.

- As much as Arizona won the football game and are now the great story, they did everything in their power to keep Philadelphia in that game yesterday. The sack on McNabb on a 3rd and 1 being called back due to an absolutely idiotic holding penalty as someone just tackled Westbrook even though he had absolutely nothing to do with the play. The 3rd and 19, in the middle of the 3rd quarter, up 18, when they let Kevin Curtis get behind them. Arizona did everything they could to make the game an exciting one! That's for sure.

- I've heard a lot about Anquan Boldin since the game ended. We all saw the spat him and the offensive coordinator were having on the sideline, apparently about the playing time Boldin was receiving. I mean, honestly, what else could Boldin have been yelling about with 5 minutes left in the biggest game (to this point), in Arizona Cardinals franchise history, while Haley is trying to direct the Cardinals to a potential winning drive. Then supposedly, he left the locker room early during the team's celebration. In my opinion, Boldin is showing his selfish side, and is clearly jealous of the success Fitzgerald is having, along with being ticked off about his contract. The team just made the Superbowl, this isn't a distraction that they need right now

- I thought the moment when Pam Oliver interviewed Adrian Wilson and he was crying tears of joy, was a great moment. It was just pure emotion. Not to sound sappy, but moments like this make sports great.

- The Pittsburgh defense is absolutely awesome. They are all over the place, and put intense pressure on the Quarterback. Is it crazy to talk about them among the all time great defenses in the NFL? After all they were near tops in the league in every defensive category, and they didn't allow an offense to gain 300 yards in ANY game ALL SEASON. That defense is scary. We'll see if they are up to the task of stopping the Cinderella Cardinals in SB XLIII.

- I like Ben Roethlisberger's game. His numbers were not impressive yesterday, but the man is a playmaker. When a play needs to be made it's Ben usually makes it on offense for Pittsburgh. And Ben is absolutely ridiculous when it comes to avoiding sacks. If I had a dollar for every time I've seen Ben shrug off a tackler, I'd be on a yacht in France somewhere. Now it may not always be pretty with Ben, as sometimes he takes unnecessary sacks and sometimes he holds onto the ball but when you need him, he usually comes through when needed. I swear, it feels like the Steelers convert 10 3rd and 7s a game.

- Props to Troy Polamalu on a big game yesterday. The stop on Flacco on the QB sneak was incredible, and his pick 6 iced the game. He played a big game yesterday, as he was all over the field from beginning to end. On a side note, something completely unrelated to football, is it me or is that guy's voice VERY soft? It rivals Cole Hamels voice.

-That hit on Willis McGahee was absolutely brutal. Ryan Clark has been a part of probably the two most memorable hits of the season (on McGahee yesterday, on Welker earlier in the season). It was just something that in the heat of the battle, happens. I don't think Clark had any intent. I hope Willis is alright and is able to be fully functional.

- I think Terrell Suggs is a stud. He is going to get himself some serious $$$$ in the offseason. Yesterday he had 2 sacks, and a couple other hurries playing with basically one arm. I wonder which team will give him the big money. That should be an interesting case to follow in the offseason.

- Hopefully Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry continues to the point where they frequently play meaningful games. Watching those two defenses is truly a treat. Two well coached, smashmouth, hard hitting football teams getting together for games as intense as these two teams play is something I'd like to see more over the course of the next few years. Here's to more Pitt/Baltimore battles.

Thoughts on Week 17 in the NFL

2008-12-28T23:03:00.000-08:00

- 5 games come on in NY locally (1 being the Sunday night game), and all of them were terrible games. Unbelievable.

- Aaron Rodgers completed an impressive first season starting in the NFL today throwing for 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and leading the fifth ranked scoring offense, and the eighth ranked passing offense in the league. He has a bright future ahead of him, and the Packers found themselves a nice gem to build their franchise around.

- Drew Brees leads the comeback against the Panthers, then watches his defense give the lead back, and falls short of the passing record by 24 yards. I have a feeling Drew Brees will forever be a stat monger in New Orleans, as they seem committed to putting him opposite a crap defense.

-Congratulations to the Atlanta Falcons. Long overdue, and well late but congratulations to them on their significant turnaround and the success they have had this season. 11-5, who would've thought? They deserve this success, after the whole Vick/Petrino sagas.

- Dallas...Dallas...Dallas. I don't even know what to say. That team has a lot of issues, and that performance on Sunday was one of the worst I've ever seen in a game that mattered as much as it did. It was an unbelievably bad performance all the way around.

- As much as it burns my behind to say this, congratulations to the Miami Dolphins on their record turnaround, and their AFC East division crown. They've had a memorable season, and Sparano has done an incredible job. If they had an 'Offensive Coordinator of the Year' award Dan Henning would win that one easily. He has done a great job with the wildcat, the motion and the creative playcalling used as a masking device for Pennington. Watching the game though I must say about Pennington, he is still the same quarterback he always was, and while Favre didn't work out, I am glad the Jets took the chance and I am glad Chad is no longer the QB of the team as he was a dead end proposition.

- The Denver Broncos looked lost Sunday night. Can someone answer me this? Do the Broncos practice tackling? All year they have looked like a junior varsity high school team trying to tackle, and Darren Sproles exploited that in a big way Sunday night. The Broncos have serious issues on the defensive end and will never win until they fix them.

- Andre Johnson is absolutely ridiculous. It's too bad he plays for the Texans and isn't in the public eye more often, as he arguably the most complete WR the game has to offer. When will the Texans take the next step in being a playoff team? It was thought by many they'd take that step this season and they started off too slowly to make a run. They have the offensive pieces to do so, and they have a young nucleus of players on the defense (Super Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Amobi Okoye). Houston needs to take that next step, and Andre Johnson will be pivotal in that journey.

- The Lions. I was glad to see them make history today as it is something I have never seen, but I feel bad for their fans. They have had to sit through years of Matt Millen's stupid and incompetent management, and now this? Don't worry Lions fans, it will get better soon. After all, it can't get worse, can it?

-There were many complete fold jobs by teams vying for playoff spots late. Denver, Tampa and the Jets all completed late season collapses with losses. Hopefully, for my sanity sake, the Jets collapse costs Mangini his job

Being a fan of the Jets is just painful

2008-12-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

I'm a passionate fan. I love the Jets. I watch every game, root my heart out for them. I root for them with all my energy every week. When they lose a gut wrenching game, I take it hard. When they win, it puts me on a high for the week. No matter who's on the team, no matter how good or bad they have been I have been there right in front of my TV watching every minute of every game. From watching Kliff Kingsbury start at QB, to watching Brooks Bollinger run for his life, to watching Chad Pennington with half a shoulder I've watched as much Jets football as I can since Age 8 (Im now 21). 1998 the Jets make a magical run to the AFC title game, where they lose to a John Elway led Broncos team. The pain comes in because the Falcons were in the SB, and they didn't belong there. The Jets destroyed them earlier in the season, and the Broncos then proceeded to destroy them in the Superbowl. I have little doubt in my mind that the Jets would have walloped the Falcons had they made the Superbowl. That was the one game that actually brought me to tears. I was a young pup back then (11) but realized the importance of the game. And the manner which they lost was painful.

1999, SB expectations following Elway's retirement and the run to the AFC title game the year before, the energy surrounding the Jets is great. The kickoff before the first game, the crowd was going crazy. Before the first play, I go answer my door as the pizza had just gotten there, right in time. I come back, and there it is. Vinny Testaverde writhing in pain on the ground. I'm just like "..........." I had no words. He was holding his achillies and during the game the news came out. Torn achillies, out for the season. Just..........unreal. 2004, we make the postseason at 10-6, with a top 5 defense. We win an absolute roller coaster game against SD that featured a roughing the passer on Eric Barton that essentially tied the game for them after they missed a fourth down, and then a missed Nate Kaeding FG in overtime that gave the Jets new life. They promptly scored on the next drive to seal the deal and send themselves to the AFC divisional round.

Then this game against the Steelers, which Pittsburgh tried to gift wrap in every way imaginable. The Jets scored a defensive touchdown and a special teams touchdown, while Chad Pennington led us to a whopping three points. With all of that, after one of Ben Roethlisberger's 3 INTs on the game, Doug Brien had a chance to put the Jets in the lead with a little over a minute remaining. The FG hit the crossbar and bounced back, no good. Roethlisberger then threw another INT, and promptly we found ourselves in FG range. We then run the ball twice in an effort to run clock, then we take a knee to run more clock, which made little sense as we were going backwards. Doug Brien promptly missed the field goal by about 25 yards, then the Jets promptly lost the game in OT, in typical gut wrenching, excruciating 'Same Ol Jets' fashion. 2005-2007 were fairly nondescript seasons. Then this season, the Brett Favre trade happened before the season and nearly 200 million dollars were spent in free agency and expectations were at a reasonably high level for this Jets team to go out and prove something this season.

The Jets then sputtered to begin the season, sputtered through the first quarter of the season to a 2-2 season, including a pathetic loss to a Matt Cassel led Patriots team. Then the Jets went on a run after a close win over the inept Chiefs, winning five straight including wins over the rival Patriots and the previously undefeated Titans, where the Jets impressed in an absolute blowout. This then had people talking Superbowl, an all New York Superbowl. Over the last 5 games the Jets have lost games to the 49ers, Broncos, Seahawks and now completed the collapse with the loss to the Dolphins, and then watched the Dolphins celebrate the AFC East title on their homefield. Between Favre throwing stupid INTs like it was going out of style, and Eric Mangini standing there with that usual stupid look on his face, while chewing his gum and watching the defense get no pressure while getting shredded in the process the end of this season was a disaster. Same Old Jets? You bet. Oh the pain.

Oh how stupid I was to believe in the Jets...

2008-12-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

The New York Jets, where to begin... I can begin with the disaster that was the last two weeks of horrid. I can begin with the sickening mentality of this football team or better yet the coaching staff. I can begin with the Jets reverting to Same Old Jets form. I can begin with the Jets apparently believing the season ended once they kicked the life out of Tennessee 2 Sundays ago.

I can begin with a lot of things, but mainly why did I take the bait? Why did I believe this team had turned the corner, and could overcome a completely inept coaching staff en route to a deep playoff run? In a conversation with my buddy Steve the other day, I asked him, "Is it bad I am thinking of the S word with this team?''. The 'S word' represents the Superbowl. Up until the last two weeks, I thought this was the best team I have seen since the '98 Jets which made the AFC Title game only to bring me to tears (literally) with a gut wrenching loss to the Broncos. But in the last two weeks, problems which have been a problem and I thought would hold this team back have resurfaced after the two big wins against Tennessee and New England.

-The quarterbacks have far too much time in the pocket. Between the coaching and the actual players, it's a joke to see QBs have enough time to get facials, manicures, go outside and pick up the paper before actually having to unload the football. Right now we have no one who can beat offensive linemen one on one consistently. Then you add the fact that for some reason, Mangini loves to send three at the QB, living in constant fear of getting beat over the top and the fact that the Jets are as vanilla as you can be with blitz schemes, and you get a horrific pass defense. It's amazing watching the other 3-4 teams, how different they are run compared to the Jets. The other 3-4 teams (Cowboys, Steelers, Patriots in particular), move around pre- snap, and give many different looks, while the Jets line up straight up, with no deception or anything as if they are going to bully the oppoonent apparently? I could go on all day but I'll end my frustrations with the defensive playcalling there.

-The offensive playcalling makes no sense either. Earlier in the season, the Jets played the Chiefs who were dead last in run defense and decided to go out all guns ablaze throwing the ball all over the place. Thomas Jones has been very good(wow how things change) for several weeks now, and you run the ball 11 times today? Why? Then again, making Shaun Hill look like Montana, and keeping their offense on the field couldn't have helped the cause.

-Laveranues Coles and his big mouth. The team is in the middle of a playoff race and Coles makes comments blasting Brett Favre. This guy has been consistently running his mouth, and where is the production ? 1 catch for 5 yards today. Good game Laveranues, keep running your mouth. You're definitely good enough to do so.

Look, this is definitely a post out of frustration as watching this team my entire life has been frustrating. I still think the team CAN make the postseason, and I am not giving up on them, but at this point, what's the use? The Ravens or Colts would both beat the snot out of the Jets. A Wildcard berth and a first round exit, what a surprise. I would almost rather the team go 8-8, and Mangini and company go bye bye. That is the only way this team will go anywhere. Then again, Woody Johnson, the Jets owner is clueless as well so he'd probably still keep Mangini here. Well hopefully the Jets can wake up. If not it will be a long offseason, especially if Miami with Ol Noodle manages to steal the division. Oy vey.

My thoughts on the Plaxico Burress saga

2008-12-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

As most people know, Plaxico Burress was involved in an incident last Saturday in the deep night, where he allegedly shot himself accidentally. Since it happened, the coverage of the incident and all the parameters surrounding it has been nonstop.

My thoughts on the situation go like this:

- As a New Yorker and Giant supporter I am disappointed to see Plaxico, after what he did for the team last season from both a motivational and on field standpoint, go out like this. Most likely, his tenure as a Giant is over and that is sad. I realize he did it to himself, and he hasn't exactly been the quintessential teammate but he did go out there last season and bust his hump to help this team win.

- I let out a hearty laugh when I read that upon checking into the hospital, Plaxico told them his name was Harris Smith and he was shot at Applebee's. How does that work? 'Excuse me, may I have some BBQ ri......NO!!!!!!!!!'

-His blunder is going to end up costing him a lot of money. He was fined by the Giants, an undisclosed amount, he doesn't see the 400,000 in roster bonuses, and probably won't see the last 6 years of his deal, especially given the fact that the Giants actually SAVE 4.4 million if they cut him next season.

- I feel bad for Antonio Pierce. Now the guy is getting hounded with questions, when essentially he was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person. It's not like Plaxico has a history of breaking the law, but on that night he did and now Pierce is in the middle of the mess.

- As far as Plaxico, he'll always have a place in my heart for his role in bringing NY a title last year. It was one of the more gutty performances I've seen over the course of a season, with the ankle problems he played through last year. Unfortunately for him, he made a mistake and it will probably prove to be a costly one.

Trade winds swirl; Knicks trade G Crawford and F Randolph

2008-11-21T22:41:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning to the news that Jamal Crawford had been traded to Golden State for F Al Harrington. It came as a bit of a surprise as the move came out of left field. Harrington to the Knicks has been rumored for awhile but the Warriors wanted no part of Eddy Curry. There were no indications that this deal was a possible one until the deal went down this afternoon.

My first reaction was 'YAY 2010', but after reflecting a little bit I'll miss Jamal Crawford. I realize that Crawford was a very flawed player (the guy's shot selection for the most part has been absurdly bad, and his defense is bad as well), but he was an exciting player who gave us a lot of nice moments on an otherwise awful team. He always played hard, never griped or complained about the situation and was a true professional. He tried to be a leader in what was a dead end of a basketball team, and I respect him for that. He did all he could, and I'm glad he is now thrust into a decent situation out on the West Coast, and it's close to home for him. He was my favorite Knick player, and while it is in the best interests in the team, it's still tough to see him go. I appreciate him, and wish him the best of luck in Golden State.

I honestly don't see the fascination with Al Harrington, but I'll definitely trust Mike D'Antoni's judgment over my own. He's a decent player but has never really been much more than that. His numbers have been incredibly consistent over the years though, and he reminds me of a more talented, and MUCH tougher Boris Diaw. He can handle the ball, he can shoot it, he can defend a little, he has a bevy of different talents. We'll see how it works itself out, but Harrington is good enough to not consider this deal a TOTAL salary dump. Was it done to get under the cap for 2010? Yes it was. Is Al Harrington the equivalent of a bag of used baseballs? Nope, he at the very least, is a decent player who can contribute to the team's well being the next couple of years.

Then later on in the day, a trade that was in the works the entire day finally was made official as Zach Randolph was shipped to the Clippers for a bag of baseballs which come in the form of Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. Both of these fellows are roster placeholders for the next two seasons. Tim Thomas, while I absolutely despise him, can actually contribute in D'Antoni's system as he proved in Phoenix. Cuttino Mobley is just......blah. He is just a placeholder who can hold his own a bit on the court.

This trade was a salary dump and there is absolutely no doubt about it. The Knicks have been trying to find a sucker to take Randolph's contract for the longest and they finally found someone to oblige in doing so. As talented as he is (as evidenced by his 20 and 12 average this season), his contract was simply unbearable due to the fact that moving Eddy Curry's contract will be like moving mountains. I like the trade simply because it means a transition and it brings hope. Coming into the day, we had very little chance to make a splash in the 2010 year of the Unbelievable Free Agent Class. Now, as I head off to sleep soon, the Knicks are arguably the favorite to land LeBron James. Given what the Knicks are enduring right, could you really ask for more? I still think D'Antoni and Walsh have another move up their sleeves. Stay tuned.

All in all, this was a great day for the New York Knicks.

My thoughts on the NBA through a few weeks

2008-11-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

- LeBron James is staking his claim for MVP. I know its VERY VERY early, but the guy is playing out of his mind. It seems like every time you look up he has one of those 40, 8 and 7 type of games. If he can get any type of help from the cast he has around him (or lack thereof) the Cavs can be a tough out in the postseason

- To my surprise, the Chauncey Billups trade has paid immediate dividends for the Denver Nuggets, as they look like a completely different basketball team. Less bad shots, and more trust in the rest of the team is the biggest difference. Props to Billups and the rest of that team for making it work to this point. We'll see how long it continues.

- The Nets are absolutely putrid. I realize they beat the Hawks two straight games, but asides from that they have looked awful. Devin Harris and Ryan Anderson to this point have been the lone bright spots. I hope the Nets trade Vince Carter for some type of expiring contract and call it a day.

- Chris Bosh is becoming better as the years go by which is hard to believe. Lost in the rush to see LeBron James hit free agency after next season, is that Bosh can declare for free agency the same season. That free agent class might be the best in league history.

- Zach Randolph is boosting his trade value daily and I love it. The guy is playing great basketball, even though every time he hoists up a three I cringe. He is a beast on the boards, and is putting up monster numbers at this point. Hopefully the Knicks can get some team to take his horrific contract, and at this point it is likely they could. Thank you Mr D'Antoni.

- Gilbert Arenas is injured? I hardly noticed. That contract will be one of the worst in league history.

- Joe Johnson is the most underrated player in basketball, maybe in all of sports. This guy does everything you want out of a two guard, is productive and plays hard yet doesn't get recognition? He can shoot with the best of them, he can create his own shot, he can defend, he can pass. If he played in New York, he'd have a statue outside Madison Square Garden. That is obviously an exaggeration but you get my point.

-The Lakers are essentially going to sleepwalk themselves to the number 1 seed in the Western Conference. I'd be shocked if the Finals matchup isn't between them and the Celtics.

-While Memphis may not be anything noteworthy now, their core of young players is definitely going to be reckoned with in the future. O.J. Mayo is showing already that he can score on the NBA level, Rudy Gay has crazy upside and Mike Conley can be a solid point guard in the future. If Marc Gasol can provide the Grizzlies with anything from the C spot, the Grizzlies can be a playoff team in the near future.

Thoughts on Week 11 of the NFL

2008-11-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

While Matt Cassel looks like a decent QB, other from his starting inability to complete a deep pass of any sort, some poor team is going to end up breaking bank for him and treating him like Matt Schaub. Who will it be? Detroit? Minnesota? Who knows, but some team is going to rue the day they gave Matt Schaub a big contract.

-How Denver is 6-4, I have no idea. They are clearly the worst division leader in the NFL, but despite all the guys on IR and a poor defense they just keep on chugging. I think Jay Cutler should get mention as league MVP. Denver is leading their division without the benefit of a defense, and with seemingly half their roster on IR. Cutler's numbers, while not as good as Warner's, are comparable, and he is doing it with much less talent around him. I find it funny that it's basically a One Man race at this point, when there are other viable candidates. Props to Spencer Larsen for starting on both sides of the ball (FB, and LB), and doing a good job. That's how bad the Denver injury situation has become.

- The Colts just keep on chugging. I'm telling you, as a team right now, seeing Peyton Manning come January would scare the daylights out of me, and the poor team that runs into them can thank the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings for not finishing off the Colts when they had the chance. When you have a Hall of Fame QB coming off a surgical procedure, and a defense struggling, you have to put that team away. Now, the Colts are alive and kicking. Beware, AFC, beware.

- The Giants just impress me more and more every week. The Ravens, and their vaunted run defense, come to the Meadowlands and it doesn't make a lick of difference as the Giants run all over them. Derrick Ward is a nice back. While the offensive line is obviously what makes all of the runningbacks look as good as they do, Ward breaks a lot of tackles, and has a nice array of moves when he gets to the second and third level of the defense. I wonder who will be the next team to beat the Giants. I can't wait to see the next installment of Giants/Cowboys. That should be fun.

- The perennially overrated Eagles put on an impressive display, scoring 13 points in 5 quarters against the dreadful Cincinnati Bengals. Then after the game, McNabb rambled on about knowing the tie rules in football. Now, I'm not surprised he didn't know about them, and he might not have been serious. That being said if you are going to lay it on thick, "What happens if this were to take place in the playoffs or Superbowl' is a little bit too thick and makes you look like an absolute buffoon. Maybe he was trying to take attention away from his piss poor performance. If he was, he did a great job.

-Tennessee just keeps on winning. Every week they find a different way to win. This week they fell behind 14-3 early, and the run was getting stuffed once again. With a stifling defensive effort in the second half, and effective passing by Kerry Collins, the Titans pulled themselves out of the hole. Justin Gage had himself a wail of a ballgame. Hopefully the Jets take them down this week.

- That was a big win for the Cowboys Sunday night. It wasn't pretty, but it was the type of grind it out, tough nosed victory that you see in playoff football. Romo wasn't great, but when the team needed him the most, he came through by leading the team on a scoring drive. Also, Marion Barber absolutely pummeled the Redskins defense all throughout the fourth quarter, pounding them into submission and wrapping up a Cowboys victory.

- Another year, another strong start, another inevitable collapse for the Buffalo Bills. Ho hum.

My thoughts on the Knicks through nine games

2008-11-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

Sitting at 6-3 the Knicks look leaps and bounds better than last season. They look like a respectable basketball team in many different respects, and look like a well coached basketball team.

So far my thoughts on the team as a whole:

-Wilson Chandler is a baller. The young man can play, and he looks to have a promising future as long as Coach D'Antoni is running the show. His athletic ability, his shooting ability have impressed me. Also, he is a nice rebounder who has a knack for the ball, and he can bang down low. D'Antoni has compared him favorably to Shawn Marion. That speaks volumes (though I do think Marion is very overrated, look at what he did with D'Antoni in Phoenix.

- Chris Duhon is a good distributor. Throughout the course of the season I think he will have to contribute more offensively, but right now he is finding open man, and playing good defense. He has proven to be a good signing thus far.

- When Jamal Crawford is going well, there aren't many guys in the league who I'd rather have with the ball in his hands in a big spot. That being said, that doesn't happen too often, but right now he is going well. He is shooting the lights out, and looks confident as ever shooting the three.

-Defensively, the Knicks are still a work in progress but they are playing better in that department as well. The effort is there, and the teamwork is there. Guys are covering for each other and communicating on the court more than I've seen from these guys recently. The lack of size upfront is hurting the team right now, but the effort on that side of the court is definitely there and that is a good sign.

- I think once Jared Jeffries comes back, David Lee will start to be phased out of the rotation a bit. I, for one, hope they trade Lee and get some value for him while they still can. While I like the guy's hustle, his defense is subpar and his offensive game still leaves a lot to be desired. In the offseason he will be commanding 10+ million, and paying that for an energy player with a limited offensive game is a bit short sighted. I trust that D'Antoni and Walsh will do the right thing.

- Zach Randolph is playing excellent ball right now, averaging 20 PPG and 12 RPG. He has all the talent in the world, no one ever questioned that, but he tends to phase out his teammates with his lack of passing and general attitude concerns. I see that Donnie Walsh knew what he was doing when he didn't just give away Zach in the offseason for a cup of cold coffee and a half eaten donut from the Clippers. Hopefully Zach continues on this pace so the team can rid themselves of the contract and potentially get a decent player for him.

Right now the Knicks look like a team on the rise, but it is still early. The teamwork, the offensive production, and the coaching have all been excellent and that is a great sign. Much like with the Jets, it seems as if times are a changing with the Knicks. Hopefully they can keep it up and bring playoff basketball back to the Garden

Jets defeat Patriots 34-31; sit atop AFC East

2008-11-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

That was a hell of a football game. There were so many ups and downs, so many momentum swings. The Jets went up 24-6 early, with a picture perfect offensive display, then when it came down to the 2 minute segment of the first half, the Jets let the Patriots off the ropes with conservative play.

The Patriots couldn't stop them for the entire first half, the Jets get the ball back and run once, then throw a short pass, then get a delay a game and finally run a draw then punt. After that the Patriots proceeded to take the ball and take all momentum, attacking Dwight Lowery and the rest of the bewildered Jets defense en route to a touchdown, which gave them life and sucked the wind out of the Jets.

Other thoughts on the game:

-I don't think the Jets will win anything with Eric Mangini on the sideline. There is no reason why the Jets should have been forced to win this game multiple times and that is exactly what happened. After dominating early, the Jets instead of burying the Patriots let the foot off the gas. Therefore the Patriots were in this game for far too long. Between the extremely frustrating rush 3 and 4 on defense, and the head scratching playcalling on offense, the Jets looked like a completely different football team. That is a sign of bad coaching.

-Dwight Lowery should not be a starting CB on a team with championship aspirations, period. I think he has promise, and he is doing alright for a 4th round rookie thrust into a starting role of a complicated scheme, but he isn't accustomed to the game speed in the NFL yet, and it shows every week. As much as I know Darrelle Revis is a stud, there is a reason no one throws at him. Why throw at him when you have Lowery on the other side?

- Jerricho Cotchery continues to be a Patriot killer. It seems like every time these two teams get together, Cotchery makes a big play to change the game. His fumble hurt, but with the amount of good he did, it went largely unnoticed. It's amazing that Herman Edwards really had this guy on the bench in favor of Captain Concussion, Wayne Chrebet. That one-handed catch he made on the duck thrown by Favre was absolutely splendid.

- Dustin Keller showed exactly why the Jets took him in the first round. He has playmaking ability, good speed, and has good hands. He played a great game tonight and caused problems for New England over the middle of the field, which came into play later on, when a NE linebacker jumped a route to Keller, leaving Coles open behind him on the catch that put the Jets in FG range during the OT session. The threat of Keller opened up space for Coles. It was a beautiful sight, and hopefully one that will be seen a few more times throughout the remainder of the season.

-Matt Cassel looked very good tonight. He made a lot of plays with his feet, and he has a strong arm as seen with the velocity he had on his passes. I think he has a future in the league, and think this Patriots offense could be potent with him, if he ever learns how to throw deep passes. He had Randy Moss open deep twice, and overthrew him by a mile each time. Other than that, his game is fine. Maybe it's the system masking his deficiencies? Who knows, but if the offensive line gives him time to pass the team will be fine.

-This is the type of game the Jets acquired Brett Favre to win, and win he did. Favre was magnificent tonight and this was his best game as a Jet to date. He was precise with his throws, he had his trademark fastball tonight. He made good decisions and got everyone involved in the game. He led the team to 27 points in hostile territory with a defensive wizard on the other sideline (one that has owned him for the last decade to boot), and led this team from the dead twice. After New England kicked the FG to tie the game at 24, Favre led the team down on a long touchdown drive. After New England tied the game at the end of the fourth in logic defying fashion, Favre drove the team down in overtime to win it. This is the type of game the Jets got Favre to win, and this is why I'm glad Favre is on this team instead of Chad Pennington. Thank god. Brett showed why he's a Hall of Famer, tonight. He took the team on his back and carried it to a win

- I love Leon Washington. The guy is exciting, and is a return demon. I wish they would give him the ball more but with Jones going the way he is, that case is starting to dwindle.

All in all, I am very proud of this Jets team. They went up 24-6, by dominating the Patriots, the Patriots came back, and they withstood the barrage on two different occasions. This is the type of game the Jets historically do not win, and never have. It feels like the culture is changing with the New York Jets, and we'll see how it goes even though I feel with each game I watch, the Jets slash a year off of my life. Congrats to the Jets, they deserve this. Now keep the train going, don't stop. Ride it all the way to an AFC East crown.

Thoughts on week 10 in the NFL

2008-11-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

-Jay Cutler's performance Thursday night was simply scintillating. Everything seemingly going against Denver, between the dropsies and the Broncos usually pathetic defense, Cutler hauled that team on his shoulders and took them to a victory.

-The Falcons, is there anything more to be said about these guys? Great story, good team to this point in the season. These guys continue to play hard and change the culture down there in Atlanta. To this point I couldn't have been any more wrong about Matt Ryan. Big time props to him, as he has looked good the majority of the year.

-I feel terrible for Seahawks fans having to watch Seneca Wallace every week. This guy is absolutely awful. Watching the end of the Miami-Seattle game, and his throws floating all over the place made me reminisce back to the Chad Pennington days as a Jet. I was talking to a close friend of mine that night and he said to me 'One thing I don't understand about Wallace is why he doesn't run more', and my response was, 'One thing I don't understand about Wallace is why he has the letters 'Q' and 'B' next to his name on the depth chart. He has shown serious flashes at WR, he is beyond terrible as a QB, Seattle's WR corps has NEVER been good. You would think it all adds up, but maybe there is something behind the scenes that I am missing.

- I am glad to see that the Buffalo Bills have come right back to earth like I thought they would. THEY ARE WHO I THOUGHT THEY WERE!!! Anyway, once they start playing inside the East, they have come right back to reality. And I STILL don't see what's so wonderful about Trent Edwards, can someone enlighten me? Maybe it's the shiny QB rating, which indicates nothing, or the TD:INT ratio of 1. I don't know what it is, but the Edwards koolaid has been overflowing since last season and I don't understand why.

- The Rams are absolutely, positively GOD AWFUL. I can't remember the last time I watched a game featuring the New York Jets where I had absolutely no doubt from start to finish that they would win. 40-0 at halftime, seriously?

-Thomas Jones has simply been very good these last few weeks, and is running the ball a lot better. A lot less dancing and "cha-chaing" and a lot more running straight ahead. Kudos to him, as I've been down on him for the last year. The Jets offensive line and Jones are both starting to come together at the right time.

- The Chargers and Colts both should be dead and buried for this season, but they are both like the guy in the horror film who you think is dead at 15 different points throughout the movie, but never ends up dying. The Colts had two games (Texans, Vikings), with big comeback wins, and the Chargers were 2 yards away from losing to the Chiefs which would have put them at 6 losses. As much as both teams are struggling, as a team in the postseason, I would be weary of facing either one of these teams.

- The Patriots just keep on chugging. I think this shows, contrary to the popular belief, that this team was built around one guy. The defense and the coaching staff has stepped up. If it continues, I think Bill Belichick should be a serious contender for Coach of the Year. He lost the alleged 'Best Player in the NFL' in week 1 and his team has continued to win, and are leading one of the better divisions in the NFL from top to bottom (Record Wise anyway). He has done an incredible job keeping that team together.

-The Titans are just a blue collar football team, which is why they don't get as much credit/airtime as they deserve. They are not the Patriots, they don't score 40 pts a half, but they keep on winning. The Chicago Bears stepped up and stopped their running game, the Titans bread and butter, and then Kerry Collins beat them with his arm. It will be interesting to see how far the Titans go in the postseason.

-Why did the Detroit Lions sign Daunte Culpepper? Why? Why not give Drew Stanton a shot? Can it hurt? Signing an old retread, who has done absolutely nothing without Randy Moss solves what? All I can say is, if the Lions keep up the way they are going, Matt Stafford declares for the draft, and the Lions don't take Matt Stafford, that is a head scratcher. They need a blue chip QB prospect to start the healing.

- Adrian Peterson is incredible. Period.

- The Giants are the best team this league has to offer in my opinion. That is no disrespect to the undefeated Titans, but they don't have the offense that the Giants have. The Giants run game is the best in the league, and they have the weaponry to beat you in the air if necessary. Also, the Giants can win any kind of game. They can win the high scoring affairs, like they did Sunday, they can win the "grind it out", low scoring affairs like they did in the playoffs last season. They are the cream of the crop.

-The 49ers. I was just in amazement at that clock management. In an effort to keep this short and sweet, there were 40 seconds left, and you have 4 shots to get in the endzone, and the 9ers got off 2 plays. I think that tells all right there. And why oh why did they take all that time off the clock on 2nd down, just to spike the ball? WHY? If you were going to take that long, why not just run a play?

Jets @ Patriots- Rivalry renewed, battle for 1st place

2008-11-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

This is the first Jets-Patriots game with any major implications since the 2006 playoff game which the Jets happened to lose. Since that game the Jets have been mostly a disaster, and the Patriots have flirted with perfection. In week 2 of this season, fresh off the news of Tom Brady's season ending injury, the Patriots walked into the Meadowlands and beat the Jets 19-10.

As much as I blame Mangini for coaching like a scared puppy the entire game, the MVP of that game without question was Stephen Gostkowski. Every single kickoff he made that game went right through the endzone. Gostkowski's performance along with the long, methodical, time killing drives were key as they heavily impacted the field position battle, which New England won handily all game, forcing the Jets to drive the length of the field to score.

Since then, a lot has changed. I now hold my breath every time Brett Favre throws a pass, the Jets have been utterly dominant on both the offensive, and defensive lines, Matt Cassel is more seasoned, among other things. Kris Jenkins has been everything any Jets fan, scout, coach, employee could have dreamed of and more. The Patriots defense is being relied on to keep the Patriots in games, which is a complete 180 from last year, when it seemed like the Patriots scored 6 TDs every quarter. All in all, the Patriots still have managed to win games without Brady, which shows just how important the New England defense has been throughout this run of success over the last seven years.

As far as the game goes, the Jets need to win this to have any shot at the division. With a loss to the Patriots in week 2, a loss here puts the Jets a game behind the Pats, and the Patriots have the tiebreaker. A loss here basically limits the Jets to thinking in terms of the Wildcard, and in the AFC there is a lot of jockeying for those two spots, even though the Jets have the upper hand in that regard at the moment. At the very moment, the Jets are a more talented team across the board than the Patriots are. They have a productive QB, Thomas Jones is playing well, and the Jets have dominated in the trenches recently.

It comes down to a few things:

- Mangini drawing up an aggressive gameplan. I don't care who is playing quarterback for New England, you will never beat them playing the way we did in week 2. Playing scared and not to lose, is not the way to beat them. You have to go out and there and force the issue, grab the proverbial bull by its horn. Mangini, for some reason or another, always coaches scared against Bill Belichick. It has to stop here, if the Jets want to win this game.

- The Jets offensive line vs the Patriots defensive line. In the Week 2 tilt, in a big goalline stand the Patriots managed to stop the Jets 3 times from the 2 yard line. Wilfork, Seymour and Warren make up possibly the best defensive line in the NFL. Faneca, Ferguson, Mangold, Moore and Woody will have to earn their paychecks this Thursday.

- The Jets forcing the game into Cassel's hands- The Patriots, without Brady, like to employ a ball control type of offense. They like to run the football, and it is essential that the Jets force Cassel to beat them in the air. The passing game is similar in that its is a short pass attack predicated on timing, 3 step drops, and an assortment of short routes. The biggest difference is that Cassel hasn't proven he can attack deep anywhere near consistently enough to be considered a threat.

As a Jets fan the matchup of Belichick vs Mangini concerns me, as Belichick has owned Mangini time after time during his brief tenure as Jets coach. And the Jets coverage on the short passes over the middle concerns me, as the Jets have been brutal in that regard all year.

So Thursday is the day, 1st place in the division is on the line, heated rivals get together on National TV. The Jets are flying high, and as of right now are the more talented team. The ball is now in their court, as they need to go out there and kick the Patriots in the teeth. If the Jets don't beat the Patriots now, they'll never beat them.

Prediction
Jets 24
Patriots 20