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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if the New Orleans Saints wish they would have signed that contract extension with Drew Brees, here's what else is on my mind this morning:

* While there has been plenty of talk this year about Aaron Rodgers being the best quarterback in the NFL this season, after watching Drew Brees last night I think he needs to be in that conversation. I wonder how San Diego feels about letting him go however with Norv Turner at the helm I don't think it would matter. With Brees and the ability to run the ball, don't be surprised if New Orleans knocks off Green Bay in Lambeau.

* The AFC playoff picture is wide open. All of these teams seem to have flaws. Ben Roethlisberger's health and their offensive line makes the Steelers vulnerable. I have never been sold on Joe Flacco and nothing this season has changed my mind that he can lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl. And New England's defense is terrible and if you can pressure Brady you can beat the Patriots. As a result of all of this whoever wins the NFC will win the Super Bowl.

* The Maple Leafs begin a three game road trip tonight against the Florida Panthers. The Leafs need to continue to build off of their two wins prior to Christmas. After tonight, they play Carolina on Thursday and Winnipeg on Saturday. It is imperative to get 4 out of 6 points on this road trip.

* Plenty of talk about Ron Wilson's contract extension. Many are saying that Brian Burke should have waited to see if the team made the playoffs before an extension was given. I wouldn't have had a problem with that however I don't think it matters. If it's decided that Wilson must go, the Leafs certainly have the money to eat the salary. One thing that needs to be considered, this team has never quit on Wilson throughout his tenure in Toronto.

* The Browns season will mercifully come to an end this Sunday at home against the Steelers. Yesterday, Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that if the St.Louis Rams had the first pick in the draft that it would make plenty of sense for a deal to be made between the Rams and Browns. The Browns do have 2 first round picks this year having acquired Atlanta's first round pick. The Browns own pick is currently the fourth overall. I would flip that pick, the Browns 2012 3rd round pick and their 2013 first round pick to the Rams to get the first overall pick of the 2012 draft to get Andrew Luck.

* It is still all quiet in Yankeeland. I did see the Yankees luxury tax assessment is down from last season which seems to be consistent with what Joel Sherman reported a month or so ago. Looks like the Steinbrenner boys want to hold on to all of that cash that they are raking in. My 2012 prediction: as the Yankee roster currently sits they will win the AL East and get bounced in the first round.

* It's interesting that the only tickets that the Yankees raised for 2012 are the bleacher seats. One of the biggest criticisms of the new Yankee Stadium is the lack of atmosphere and that is attributed to the corporate season ticket holders that can afford the ridiculous ticket prices for seats throughout the lower bowl of the Stadium. Nothing like hitting up the true passionate fans of the team. It's really disgusting but indicative of the new regime in the Bronx headed up by Hal, Trost and Levine.

* Watched the Sabres-Capitals game last night and Pork Chop Jenneret was at his utmost ridiculous self. After a hit on Alexander Ovechkin, he asked Harry Neale about whether that hit was a Carrubba hit. Neale didn't answer and Jenneret began to scream, "I said that was a Carrubba hit". Throughout the game it appeared that both of these guys had one too many Labatt's.

* By the way can someone please tell Pork Chop how to say Zack Kassian's name??

* It's funny how a Bills and Sabres win has everyone all a flutter. A few days ago the world was coming to an end. The problem with both teams here in WNY is management. Ralph Wilson only cares about how much money he can make so he can increase the wealth of his team. As far as the Sabres go, Terry Pegula needs to make a move and get rid of Darcy Reiger.

*And finally some wishes for 2012: The Maple Leafs make the playoffs and win a playoff round, Jose Montero builds off of his September call-up and becomes the hitting machine that the Yankees have hoped for, that the Killer B's turn into a formidable one-two punch for the Yankee rotation, that the Browns win 8 games in 2012 (how pathetic is that), that some way somehow WNY gets another sports radio station to listen to besides WGR550, that Alabama beats LSU 14-13 to cause a controversy as to who the national champion should be, that the Miami Heat do not win the NBA Championship, that Sidney Crosby's career doesn't go the way of Eric Lindros, that Bud Selig steps down as Commissioner of Baseball, that something be done about the increasing number of concussions in the NFL and NHL and that each and everyone of you who reads this has a Happy and Healthy 2012!!!