Cleveland/Orlando

My thoughts on the Conference Finals

My thoughts on Day 1 of the Draft

My take on the Jets QB situation

Mock draft- Round 1

Opening day is here!!

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

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

- 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

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

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.