tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if there is any team that can beat the Miami Heat in a best of 7 series, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* It's been a week since the Toronto Maple Leafs were knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and I still haven't gotten over it. The loss was extremely painful after having a 3 goal lead in the third period. In retrospect, I guess if someone would have told me in January that they would go seven games in the first round of the playoffs with the Bruins I guess I would have taken it. One has to wonder if they had faced Montreal in the first round if they would still be playing right now.

* The Leaf off season will be very interesting as GM Dave Nonis has some decisions to make. I was very encouraged by his end of the season press conference. His position on Tyler Bozak is right on the money: would like to keep him but at the right price. If Bozak goes I would love to see the Leafs give Joe Colborne a shot at the center spot between JVR and Phil Kessel. That is provided they don't make a trade. Getting another top 4 defenseman should also be a need though they don't grow on trees and would have to be acquired via trade. As I have stated before the future is bright for the Blue and White: the youngest team to make the playoffs.

* Speaking of interesting off seasons, the New York Knicks will have to figure out a way to get more help for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks were terrible in providing secondary scoring in the Indiana series. The old folks home dressed in blue and orange needs to be adjusted in a big way. From everything I read, the Knicks don't have a lot of options due to being in cap space hell so it will be very interesting to see what they do going into next season.

* Credit to Iman Shumpert for telling it like it is by saying that the Knicks didn't get the job done and as a result the season was not a success. As New York's youngest player, if Shumpert can improve his offensive game he may be a much better number 2 scoring threat than J.R.Smith.

* The NBA cannot be happy with a Final Four consisting of San Antonio, Memphis, Indiana and Miami. Hardly big market teams. Ratings should be awful.

* The Toronto Raptors kicked Bryan Colangelo up to the executive offices and out of his General Manager's position. Isn't this what Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment did with Brian Burke??

* It's really stupid how there is this allegiance on the part of some Canadians toward the Ottawa Senators because they are the only Canadian based team left in the playoffs. Like none of the other teams have Canadian born players. It's as bad as the morons in Boston chanting "USA, USA" when the Bruins were playing the Maple Leafs.

* Here's hoping the Penguins dispatch of Ottawa in short order.

* Would love to see a Chicago-Los Angeles Western Conference finals.

* Here's hoping that Norv Turner is true to his word and the Browns give Brandon Weeden an honest shot at being the number one QB for the Cleveland Browns.

* Had to laugh at all of the flutter about the Browns signing QB Brian Hoyer. Really???

* Last night's come from behind victory over the Baltimore Orioles may have been the biggest win for the New York Yankees so far this year. Travis Hafner had two big RBI's, including the game-tying 9th inning home run. Vernon Wells drove in the winning run in the 10th inning after Ichiro led the inning off with a double. Hafner plated his second RBI driving in Wells to give the Yanks a big insurance run.

* For the first time all year the Yankees have me excited about this season as some of the Baby Bombers are starting to play. David Adams has been a breath of fresh air as he has been contributing offensively including his first home run of the season last night off of Freddy Garcia. Austin Romine has been swinging the bat well and the Yanks have been getting a contribution from Preston Claiborne. It's great to see some young blood and gives you reason for some hope for better days long term.

* Kudos to Yankee Manager Joe Girardi who has done a remarkable job with a patchwork lineup. Of course, it also helps having a pitching staff that as of Monday morning was second in the American League in ERA.

* The Buffalo Bills made a good move in promoting Doug Whaley to be their general manager. Everything seems to indicate that Whaley is the type of young mind the Bills have been in need of. As many of you know, I am not a Bills fan but this could be a good move.

* As far as the other professional sports team in Buffalo, the Sabres' big announcement is that they signed John Scott to a one year contract. Whoopie!!!!!

* And finally, prayers go out to the people of Oklahoma in dealing with one of the worst natural disasters in this country's history.

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Buffalo is Hockey Heaven what must Hockey Hell be like, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs survived two Rick Nash goals by getting two goals from Phil Kessel in defeating the NY Rangers 4-3 last night at the Air Canada Center. The victory gives the Leafs a six point lead over the Rangers and NY Islanders and a four point lead over the Ottawa Senators. The win ensures that the Leafs would maintain at least a four point lead over the 8th place Rangers if New York wins Wednesday at MSG in the return match against Toronto.

* It's really time for Toronto media and fans to stop the Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf bashing. Kessel has 38 points in 39 games with 12 goals and 26 assists. Kessel has been a playmaker this season and I'm not sure who the Leafs would get to replace him. As far as Phaneuf goes, this guy logs big minutes against the other team's top line. Once again who replaces him.

* The Leafs will have a tough decision to make at the end of the season as it relates to UFA Tyler Bozak. While I believe that Bozak is not a number 1 center, he is an excellent face-off man and has developed his offensive game. The big question, once again, who replaces him. Depending upon the price tag, I think it may make some sense to bring him back.

* The New York Yankees built off the great performance Sunday by CC Sabathia in spoiling the Cleveland Indians home opener with an 11-6 win. Robinson Cano finally broke out of his post-WBC slump going 3 for 4 with 2 home runs. Hiroki Kuroda battled back after a terrible first inning to get his first win of the season.

* The Toronto Blue Jays are struggling early which should come as no surprise to anyone. How often to we see pre-season World Series winners struggle.

* Kudos to Coach Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals for winning the NCAA National Championship. The Cardinals were truly the best team in the tournament and I love the way they play defense. Of course that defensive philosophy has been the trademark of Pitino's coaching career.

* Sunday's road victory over Oklahoma City should hopefully answer the critics that the New York Knicks are for real. Since JR Smith has started to take the ball to the hoop, the Knicks have been very dynamic offensively and their defense has improved dramatically. Smith and Carmelo Anthony have been a Dynamic Duo offensively and Melo has been a force on the offensive backboard. It was also good to see Tyson Chandler back on his game.

* The Rutgers basketball situation is really a disgrace. Being a tough coach is one thing but being a sadistic tyrant is another. Can't see how Mike Rice gets another head coaching job. It's also interesting that we have heard absolutely nothing from any of the Rutgers players.

* Watched the Sabres-Devils game on Sunday night which was on the NBC Sports Network and realize that why I can't stand watching Sabre games is Rick "Pork Chop" Jenneret and Rob Ray. Without those two babbling, the game was enjoyable to watch.

* Nearly died from laughter when I read a letter to the Buffalo News sports page on Sunday advocating Rob Ray to be the next Sabres Head Coach.

* Did anyone else find Clark Kellogg's screaming at every commercial break annoying?? Seems like CBS asked all of their broadcast teams to try to imitate Dick Vitale. Unfortunately for CBS, there is only one Dickie V.

* And finally, how long will it take for the gasbags at GR550 to turn on Kevin Kolb??

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While thinking about how many times Yankee-Red Sox games will be on national television this season, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs came up with a big road win last night defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2. The Leafs received scoring from four different players and once again received solid goaltending from Ben Scrivens. This was the type of game last year that the Leafs would have dropped as it was an opportunity to extend the gap between themselves and the teams below them. The victory left the Leafs 5 points ahead of Philly and Tampa Bay and 6 points ahead of the NY Rangers. They are also only 3 points behind conference leading Montreal, who they will face Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre.

* Interesting stat: the Canadiens only have 4 regulation losses this season and 2 of them were at the hands of the Maple Leafs. This should make tomorrow's game pretty heated between these long time rivals. On top of the fact that the Leafs beat Montreal 6-0 a couple of weeks ago that included plenty of fights where the Leafs came out on top.

* Dave Feschuk, a writer for the Toronto Star, is one of the most negative media types around. His column today about the Leafs not being straight about the return of James Reimer was a typical example. Feschuk keeps on saying that Reimer was suppose to be back in a week when in fact the initial statement from the Leafs was that Reimer would be out a minimum of one week. Most hockey observers and legitimate hockey media types concluded that this was going to be a 2-3 week recovery period. Obviously, Feschuk doesn't pay attention to that because he spends his time trying to cause a controversy where there is none.

* Once again, kudos to Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan for continuing to tell it like it is. Yesterday on Schopp & the Bulldog's show, Sullivan said what most Sabre fans and Buffalo media types don't want to hear: the Sabres are not as good as we think they are. He went on to say that he questioned the claim that the team has all this talent and just haven't been able to mesh together. I'm sure Sullivan's comments didn't sit well with the WGR 550 gasbags as they have been responsible for building up expectations.

* You could tell that Schopp was uncomfortable as he changed the subject trying to get Sullivan to talk more about the firing of Lindy Ruff. Sullivan expressed that Ruff should have been let go last year and now the focus needs to be on General Manager Darcy Reiger which once again led Sullivan to proclaim that the roster that Darcy built is not that good.

* The New York Rangers had very high expectations this year, particularly with the addition of Rick Nash. However, they moved or let go a number of heart and soul types which has had an impact on the team. This is another example that winning the off season does not translate to winning on the ice or playing field. Think about that Blue Jays fans!!!

* Read an article in the NY Daily News questioning whether the Yankees should be interested in Alfonso Soriano. The point being made was that they only needed a short-term solution as a result of the injury to Curtis Granderson. Hello!!! The Yankees need a legitimate right-hand hitting outfielder and Soriano is a big upgrade over Juan Rivera and Matt Diaz. He also hits for power. In addition, Soriano's contract would be offset by the Cubs and he would be a Yankee next year when all signs point to the possibility of Granderson exiting due to free agency.

* Didn't watch one second of the NFL Combines.

* Nearly drove off the road yesterday when Schopp & the Bulldog actually were talking about baseball. For the record, Schopp was predicting the Rays to win the AL East and the Bulldog concurred while still thinking the Yankees and Red Sox will be contenders. That will probably be the extent of GR550's baseball talk for the season. It lasted a whole 3 minutes.

* I wonder when GR550 gasbag Jeremy White will finally admit that the Sabres have wasted a year of development for Mikhail Grigerenko. White had a man crush on the 18 year old and was lobbying hard for the Sabres to leave their first rounder up with the big club. Grigerenko should have been sent to Rochester where he could play. Now that this team looks to continue to fall hopelessly out of the playoff picture, Grigerenko should get more minutes. If he doesn't, whoever was responsible for keeping this kid in Buffalo should be held accountable.

* And finally, has anybody seen Ville Leino???

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering why anyone would take the time to watch the NFL Combine on the NFL Network, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs once again received solid goaltending from Ben Scrivens as the young netminder posted his second shutout in a row as the Leafs defeated the Florida Panthers 3-0. Scrivens was outstanding in the first period as the Panthers were taking it to the Leafs. Phil Kessel opened the scoring late in the first with a blistering wrist shot that once again illustrates how special a player he is.

* Nazem Kadri had one of his best games scoring a goal and making a beautiful pass setting up Clarke MacArthur's goal that deflated the Panthers in the second period. It seemed that Kadri was lost without Matt Frattin but it appears that he is developing chemistry with MacArthur. By the way, MacArthur's shot was a bullet.

* Randy Carlyle made a wise move sitting John-Michael Liles. I have thought that Liles has not played well for the last several games. His strength is supposed to be offense and he has provided little of it and his defense has been less than good.

* What a pleasure to be able to get the Toronto feed for yesterday's game. Joe Bowen and Greg Millen do an excellent job and provide plenty of insight. Bowen reported last night that James Reimer will begin light skating today so it will be interesting to see how he progresses. With tonight's game against Tampa Bay being on Leafs TV its probably a good chance that the Leaf feed will not be available on the Center Ice package. I still can't figure out why this happens.

* Ryan Miller's outburst after Buffalo's 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh does not surprise me at all. Miller has been the key to the Sabres for years now and it must be frustrating for him having to deal with a team that seems to be underachieving but may not be as talented as people think.

* Buffalo's handling of Mikhail Grigerenko is a disgrace. This kid may be a future star but he is only 18 years old and could use a year of seasoning in the AHL. Playing him eight minutes a game is foolish. In fact, Grigerenko has been in the press box the last 2 games.

* The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and there are plenty of rumors as one would expect. The Toronto Raptors are looking to move Andrea Bargnani and at this point there doesn't seem to be any takers. There have been reports out of Boston that the Celtics may be interested in moving Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce. Somehow I don't see either one going anywhere.

* Not sure whether the New York Knicks will make a move but they may not have to if in fact Rasheed Wallace does come back. It's being reported that Wallace will begin to workout with the team starting this week. The Knicks sure could use his defensive play.

* Was watching Yankee Baseball Tonight on YES and they were projecting this year's lineup. The projection had Mark Teixeira batting clean-up. I don't think he can handle it.

* Great articles today in the New York dailies concerning the status of Robinson Cano. As you may know, Cano will become a free agent at the end of the season and will be looking for a long term contract. Cano will be 31 in 2014. Can the Yankees afford to give him a 10 year contract?? I have been a Robbie Cano fan since 2005 when they brought him up but do the Yankees really want to be in another ARod type contract?

* Expectations are running high in Toronto about their Blue Jays. Somehow I have a feeling that all of the hype may be exaggerated. There is no doubt that Toronto is definitely improved and will be very competitive for a playoff spot. However, winning the off season doesn't necessarily transfer to winning on the field. Think: 2011 Boston Red Sox.

* Many Sabre fans are growing restless with their team's play and what they perceive to be a willingness on the part of management to accept the status quo. WGR 550 has been really fun to listen to lately as Chester Cheektowaga & Company vent their spleens over just about everything Sabres. A loss to Winnipeg tonight will really send them over the Skyway.

* And finally, the long time owner of the LA Lakers, Jerry Buss died yesterday at the age of 80. Buss was truly one of the iconic owners in all of sports. His desire to win was legendary but he also crafted a family atmosphere around the Lakers that all of his players appreciated. In these days of worrying about the bottom line (Hal S.), Buss was an owner that every fan would appreciate because he wanted to win as badly as they did. Rest in peace, Jerry.

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Bud Selig will take a cue from Pope Benedict and announce his resignation, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs continued on their winning ways with an impressive 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre. The win was only the Leafs' second at home this season. The victory was clouded by the injury to goalie James Reimer. Reimer has been solid for the Leafs this season and seemed to be rounding into shape as the team's number one goalie. Coach Randy Carlyle indicated that the injury was not season ending and that Reimer should miss only a short period of time.

* Ben Scrivens was solid in relief of Reimer, stopping 31 of 32 shots sent his way. General Manager Dave Nonis will have to decide if he needs to bring in a veteran back-up. There are free agents available, such as Dwayne Roloson, Ty Conklin or Alex Auld to name a few. If need be, Nonis would be better off signing a veteran free agent as opposed to having to give up anything for a goalie.

* James van Reimsdyk continues to impress as he notched his 8th goal of the year against his former team. And how about Matt Frattin? 7 goals in 10 games for the hard charging winger who was sent down at the start of the season.

* Kudos to Leaf tough guy Colton Orr for his first goal of the year last night. Orr had worked very hard to get into shape and it paid off as he made the team this year after being sent down last year to the Toronto Marlies.

* Brian Burke was at the game last night and it had to be bittersweet for him as the Leafs are playing the type of hockey that he had envisioned when he came to Toronto.

* Sportsnet's camera shot of Nonis when Reimer was going off the ice captured the emotion of everyone in Leaf Nation: oh no not again.

* Curtis Granderson wants to remain a Yankee but unless he is willing to temper his salary requests I don't see the Yankees re-signing him. Granderson is a class act, on and off the field, but with Hal Steinbrenner's desire to get to a payroll of $189 million and the contract of Robinson Cano also expiring, it seems hard to imagine Granderson being in the Bronx in 2014.

* Speaking of Steinbrenner, Hal seemed to be backtracking last week when he said that the $189 million payroll was a goal and that a lot will depend on the development of young players. Someone must have told Hal that a less than competitive team will mean less people at the Stadium and declining ratings for YES.

* The Cleveland Indians are really making a push to be a player in the AL Central division this year as they have signed Michael Bourn. Bourn joins Nick Swisher as the 2 big off season signings along with ex-Oriole Mark Reynolds which should upgrade the Tribe offense.

* It was reported yesterday that Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was returning to his role as CEO of his family's Flying J's truck stops which are all over the country. I guess with having Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi in charge of his football team, Haslam feels comfortable going back to the family business. Hmmm...somehow I don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about all of that.

* Haslam's claim that there will be some changes to the traditional Browns uniform. My question is: why??

* With the Philadelphia Eagles re-signing Michael Vick, could Nick Foles be available?? I was impressed with Foles in games that I saw him play and I wonder if the Browns would be interested.

* The Buffalo Sabres are making a huge mistake with how they are handling 18 year old Mikhail Grigerenko. The youngster was in the press box on Sunday for the game against the Bruins. He is averaging only 11 minutes a game, hardly enough for this kid to develop his skills.

* Lindy Ruff must really think people are stupid. In defending his use of Grigerenko, Ruff said that it was no different than how Steven Stamkos and Tyler Seguin broke into the league. Maybe similar to Seguin, but no way similar to Stamkos who was clearly the best player in that year's draft and is one of the best players in the NHL. Sorry Lindy, but I don't see Grigerenko being Steven Stamkos. The kid should be playing in Rochester where he could develop into a solid playmaking NHL center.

* Bucky Gleason's column on Sunday called out Sabres owner Terry Pegula and was right on the mark. Interesting the observations from people around the league about the Sabres and the unbelievable loyalty to Dracy Reiger and Lindy Ruff. The honeymoon period may be ending for Pegulaville.

* Jerry Sullivan added to the chorus yesterday on Schopp & the Bulldog. I was shocked when Sullivan said that Ruff did not want strong-willed players like Chris Drury on his team. Apparently, the control-freak Ruff did not like having a player who also has leadership skills.

* Gasbag Paul Hamilton stated once again that as long as Reiger remains GM, Ruff will be the Head Coach.

* And finally, does anyone know whatever happened to John Gurtler?

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering how often Punxsutawney Phil is right in predicting the weather, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their losing ways on home ice dropping a 4-1 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes last night. The power play was once again dismal going 0-4. The Leafs have only scored twice in their last 26 power play chances. Coach Randy Carlyle really needs to shake things up by maybe giving the Nazem Kadri-Matt Frattin-Leo Komorov line power play minutes. I also think that John-Michael Liles should be paired with Dion Phaneuf on the first power play unit.

* It might also be a good idea to shake up the team's first 2 lines. What about having Mikhail Grabovski center a line with Phil Kessel and JVR? That would leave Tyler Bozak to center Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur.

* The Leafs really miss Carl Gunnarsson and Jake Gardiner. Was not impressed with Korbinian Holzer last night. He looked very tentative. Leafs should leave Mike Komisarek in the lineup and may want to consider pairing Mark Fraser with John-Michael Liles.

* I have never been a Joe Flacco fan but I have to give him credit for a remarkable playoff run that was capped off with being the MVP of the Super Bowl. Going through the playoffs without throwing an interception is an accomplishment that is rarely met.

* Jim Harbaugh is really getting to be annoying. His sideline histrionics are a bore and his claim that the refs stole the game from his team is more befitting of a Pop Warner coach. Maybe it's time to worry about your porous defensive secondary as opposed to the referees.

* So glad that the Ray Lewis Idolization Show has come to an end. Lewis hardly distinguished himself in the big game as he could not keep up with Niners tight end Vernon Davis. For my money, the Raven defender who deserves star honors for his play in the Super Bowl was Ed Reed.

* Kudos to Boomer Esiason for not backing down to CBS co-host and resident loud mouth Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe interviewed his good friend Ray Lewis and did ask Lewis about the double homicide 13 years ago. Lewis gave his usual answer, invoking God and blaming the authorities for not getting answers for the families. Esiason flat out said that Lewis was involved with a double murder and didn't give answers that the public was looking for. Way to go, Boomer.

* Let me go on record as saying I will not watch whatever network hires Ray Lewis for its pre or post game shows.

* Many were raving about the Beyonce half-time show. Quite frankly I thought I was at a strip club.

* Kudos to New York Knicks All-Star Center Tyson Chandler for his third straight game with 20 rebounds which ties a franchise record with none other than Willis Reed. Chandler could break the record Wednesday when the Knicks take on the Washington Wizards.

* The Knicks are on a roll having just completed a 5-0 homestand. Full marks have to go to Knicks Head Coach Mike Woodson. He has really taken hold of this team by making everyone accountable for their play, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. This is rare in the ego-driven NBA.

* I've never been a big Tim Tebow fan but the New York Jets have ruined this kid's career. How can a quarterback go from leading his team to the playoffs, including a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on wild card weekend, to now having to wonder if he will play in the NFL again. Here's hoping the kid can get a chance to re-establish himself in the NFL.

* The NY Daily News is reporting today that ARod is believing that there is a conspiracy involving the Yankees and Major League Baseball to bring him down and end his career. Of course, this is coming from the public relations firm and lawyers that ARod has assembled to defend himself from the recent allegations reported in a weekly Miami newspaper. It's becoming more and more painful for this guy to continue to be a Yankee.

* Last night I saw the Yankeeography on Whitey Ford and in it Ford says how he was honored to have the opportunity to wear the Pinstripes and understood the pride and tradition of the uniform. I wonder if the same can be said about ARod.

* I can't think of hockey fans that are more smug than Buffalo Sabre fans. There is the belief by many of them that their team is so much better than they are playing. Really??? Does the team have a true number one center?? What about the defense corp?? The fact is that the Sabres will be one of the teams that will be hovering between 8th and 13th place.

* Listened to WGR550 afternoon Gasbags, Mike Schopp and the Bulldog yesterday. The big question was whether they believed that Sabre owner Terry Pegula is actually evaluating Lindy Ruff's performance as head coach in lieu of the team's recent troubles. At one point, Schopp said that he feels that this team has good players and that they should be playing better. Really???

* As far as Pegula goes, he made a huge mistake by extending Darcy Reiger. As long as Reiger is GM, I find it hard to believe that Lindy Ruff would be fired. While I think Ruff is a good coach, the time has come for a change. If Pegula says its all about winning the Stanley Cup, then look at Ruff's record: 0-15.

* How well are Pegula's big free agent signings playing?? Ville Leino may be out for the season and Christian Erhoff is hardly worth what he's getting paid. While the GR Gasbags love to get on Goalie Ryan Miller, I hardly hear them talk about the lack of performance from the pair of free agent signings that had Sabre fans all a flutter in the summer of 2011.

* So much for the Sabres added grit leading to winning results.

* By the way, has anyone seem John Scott??