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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering what it must be like to make a $10,000 bet on national TV and not lose any sleep over it, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs were lucky to get a point last night in a 3-2 shootout loss to the L.A. Kings. The second period was one of the worst periods that the Leafs have played all year. If it were not for James Reimer, the Leafs would have been blown out. An extremely disappointing effort from a team that needed a win badly. It appears to me that the current team will not be together as we get closer to the trade deadline as it has to be apparent that the Leafs will need help in order to make the playoffs.

* Reimer's performance last night was his best since coming back from his injury and should put to bed all the talk about a goalie controversy in Toronto.

* Brian Burke needs to back off any contract extension for Ron Wilson. He has waited this long and it would seem he can wait until April. If the Leafs make the playoffs, Wilson gets his extension. If they don't, it's time for a change.

* If you want to know why I hate Buffalo sports teams and in this case the Sabres, here is a clip that was in the Buffalo News by some character by the name of Budd Bailey. It was under a column called FiveSpot that is supposed to be funny. In the column, there was a quote from an ESPN announcer blasting teams that took bowl invitations with a 6-6 record. The quote was, "In the real world you don't really get rewarded for mediocrity." Bailey then says, "That's true unless you are making millions to play for the Maple Leafs." Really, Budd. Have you heard of Ville Leino??? How about Druuuuuuw Stafford??? Derek Roy??? And how about your decreipt football team. Ryan Fitzpatrick = Millions, Mediocrity. You are a joke Bailey!!

* Last week Mike Holmgren addressed the media in regard to the Colt McCoy hit. I was so enraged I wanted to spit. First, Holmgren had the nerve to try to sell that no one on the sidelines or up in the booth saw the hit. Really, Mike??? Second, he emphatically said that Pat Shurmur was going to be in Cleveland for a long time. And finally, he gave this warning that you are basically with us or against us and that we Browns fans need to have faith in the direction they are going. How dare you, Holmgren!!! Have faith in a team that is regressing?? Have faith in a head coach who is in over his head??? Have faith in a team that refuses to infuse talent through the free agent market??? Have faith in a team that has just posted its 10th season of double digit losses in 13 years. Mike, you have to earn our trust.

* I saw Pat Shurmur's press conference yesterday and this guy makes Eric Mangini look like Mr. Personality.

* Mike Francesa yesterday was great. He lambasted the NFL for the lack of discipline that is rampant around the league. He was particularly talking about the ridiculous me first attitude that is exhibited by many players as evidenced by the celebrations after a tackle, sack or touchdown. These celebrations are even more ridiculous when your team is getting buried as was the case Sunday when Santonio Homes decided to mock the Philadelphia Eagles even though his team was losing 28-13. Holmes' stupidity led to a 15 yard penalty for taunting. I am with you Mike. It is one of the reasons why I am disgusted with the NFL.

* Has anyone wondered why the A's would want to get rid of a 26 year old left handed pitcher??

* The Texas Rangers won the bidding to have the right to try to sign Yu Darvish. The winning bid was for over $50 million. If the Rangers sign Darvish and then get Prince Fielder, they will have matched the Angels' signings of Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.

* Meanwhile, the Yankees have been comatose. Don't see Brian Cashman doing a thing. Question for Yankee fans: Can this team win a 2012 playoff series with the current roster???

* It will be interesting to see what happens with Ryan Braun's appeal. I have to tell you I was shocked when I heard that Braun tested positive for an illegal substance. Once again, I have to ask the question: what did the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball know prior to the test?? In addition, aren't these tests suppose to be confidential?? What if Braun wins his appeal?? Another tribute to the bumbling Baseball Commissioner, Bud Selig.

* I don't understand why Barry Bonds is appealing his sentence. My understanding is he is getting house arrest and community service. The whole Bonds situation is a joke. Barry, just move on with your life. You beat the feds now just move on.

* After week seven in the NFL, Gasbag Howard Simon was talking playoffs. Ryan Fitzpatrick was good enough to lead his team into the playoffs. Chan Gailey was a genius. The possibilities were endless. Boy, how a 7 game losing streak changes all of that. Simon wants to run Fitzmagic (or is that Fitznightmare) out of town. What's even more funny is how the Gasbag and his sidekick, Jeremy White, have done a 180 on CJ Spiller. Back in early November, this tag-team was listing Spiller as another terrible first round draft pick by the Bills. Now, he is the real deal. These guys are real beauties.

* If WGR550 was a real sports radio station, they would be turning the heat up on Ralph Wilson. This team is a disgrace and Wilson is making a ton of money while always doing just enough to get all of the Chesters and Louies jacked up in September only to be let down in November. Instead of being objective early in the season, the dopes at GR play right into the Wilson PR machine and Billy Blasdell and Arnie Amherst go all out for a big season only to be slapped down. It's like a continual bad story.

* Have to laugh at know-it-all Jeremy White. Earlier in the season, he was extolling the virtues of Jonas Enroth. His tune has changed since Enroth has not been playing that well. But White goes further blaming both goaltenders. Earth to White: goaltending is not the problem. It might be that the Sabre stars are not performing.

* And finally, what the hell is the Bills Mafia???