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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering what it will take to knock some sense into Lindsay Lohan's head, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* By now you have all heard that ARod needs surgery on his left hip that will keep him out of the Yankee lineup until at least June. I'm not going to get into whether or not this is a result of his earlier steroid use. To me that is a waste of time. What has me fired up is what I have been harping about for many months: the Yankees lack of a plan to be ready for the eventual need to replace their aging stars particularly in light of Hal Steinbrenner's edict to get the payroll down to $189 million dollars in 2014. The only way that Boy Wonder Brian Cashman could meet Hal's request is by having young homegrown talent. The fact is that they don't have any that will be ready (if any at all) by 2014. The richest team in all of sports is not able to develop players that are major league ready. With all of their scouts throughout the world, they have not been able to develop heir apparents for: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada. Someone needs to be held accountable for this and unfortunately I don't see anything happening. Wish the Boss was still around.

* Cashman indicates that he is not going to panic as a result of the ARod news. Why should he his job is safe. But as a Yankee fan, the options for a replacement are not good as evidenced by Joel Sherman's article: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/cornering_some_options_at_yQCTU2LydW6KMTlDI6RxCL

* Not only is third base a problem, but prospects for a catcher are terrible and let's not forget they need a right fielder. Those cheers you are hearing are coming from Toronto, Tampa Bay and Baltimore as their chances of making the playoffs have dramatically increased.

* Word is that the Yankees are entertaining offers for Curtis Granderson. While moving Granderson wouldn't be a bad thing, the key would be what the Yankees would get in return.

* Yankee fans face reality: no young homegrown talent, bad contracts with aging players and a $189 million dollar payroll limit equals years of mediocrity. For someone who has endured the late 60's, early 70's and late 80's, I've seen this story before. Can't wait to see how Hal, Levine and Trost deal with the empty seats at the new Yankee Stadium.

* NBA Emperor David Stern's $250,000 fine levied against the San Antonio Spurs for not playing their stars against the Miami Heat was excessive and showed how much in bed pro sports are with television networks. The Spurs have done this before and nothing was said or done about it. But this was the feature game for TNT and I'm sure the network suits were not happy so Stern had to do something to satisfy them. What a joke.

* Great tweet last night from a Raptors fan: "It has been announced that David Stern is levying a $250,000 fine on the Toronto Raptors for playing their starting five."

* Today NHL players will meet with 6 NHL owners in an attempt to work out a framework to end this ridiculous lock out. Check out the article by Larry Brooks which illustrates the hypocrisy of the owners.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/hypocritical_owners_face_players_wfqBjGiPOpQSdoChQaykLJ

* There were some great college football games over the weekend. But I'm still scratching my head over Georgia's decision not to clock it with 15 seconds and instead call a play. Major mistake. In another bonehead move, Kent State decides to run an end around with their tight end in a 3rd and 1 situation down at the 6 yard line in overtime. What made that even more crazy was that Kent State has a 250 lb RB who Northern Illinois couldn't stop.

* Nebraska should be ashamed of themselves after their despicable performance against Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game.

* Had to laugh at the outrage by the ESPN talking heads related to Northern Illinois being in the Orange Bowl. How about being upset about a 5 loss Wisconsin team being in the Rose Bowl and a 7 loss Georgia Tech team getting a bowl bid. This is what you get with the current BCS system which no one at ESPN has had the courage to criticize over the years. I wonder if the lack of criticism has something to do with the fact that ESPN/ABC is televising 32 of the 35 bowl games.

* Andrew Luck and RG III are 2 further examples of why quarterbacks matter.

* I have never seen 2 one loss teams that seem so vulnerable as the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. I don't see either making it to the Super Bowl.

* And finally, I remember Cleveland sportswriters ripping the Browns for trading their first round pick to the NY Jets which resulted in the Jets selecting Mark Sanchez. At the time, the Browns were in their constant search for a QB and Sanchez was the guy. I have never been a Sanchez believer. The kid was only a starter for one year at USC. In my mind, he was not ready and it is bearing out now. A franchise QB elevates the players around him. It's been the other way around with Sanchez.