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

Yanks, NFL, & Game 7

The Yankees closed out their homestand with a 7-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.  Andruw Jones broke out with 2 two-run homers and Mark Texiera chipped in with a homer.  Curtis Granderson continued his hot hitting and certainly making a case for being the team's MVP in the early going this season.

Freddy Garcia pitched a solid game yesterday providing the Yankees with another quality start.  They now will embark on an 11-day 9 game West Coast trip beginning Friday night in Seattle.  It won't be easy as they will face rookie phenom Michael Pineda and on Saturday Felix Hernandez.  The Yanks will counter with AJ Burnett on Friday and Ivan Nova on Saturday. 

This West Coast trip will be a big test.  The Yanks have had a very favorable schedule, playing the most home games in the majors up to this point.  The Mariners have won 8 out of their last 10, while the Yanks have won 7 of their last 9.  They'll be playing in ball parks not necessarily homer happy.  Big test for the Pinstripers.

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Read an article yesterday about the National Football League Coaches Association (NFLCA).  I didn't know such an organization existed.  Apparently, it is comprised of all coaches who work in the NFL.  What was most interesting is the fact that they have come out against the NFL lockout.  In fact they have filed a brief with 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the players. 

The NFLCA cites in the brief that the NFL has been negotiating contracts with coaches with a stipulation that they will not get paid if league operations were suspended.  In addition, they point out that several coaches who are on the hot seat entering the 2011 season will be at a disadvantage in securing their current jobs because of the limited amount of time they will have to prepare for the upcoming season.

So let's see, the league has its two key employee groups, the players and the coaches, in oppostion to the ridiculously contrived labor situation that has been created by the NFL and its owners.  When will Roger Goodell show some stones and bring the hard line owners to the realization that they are killing the golden goose?  Goodell acknowledged that the League is losing fan interest.  Ratings were down for viewing the NFL Draft.  Goodell was obviously disturbed by the negative fan reaction toward him at the Draft.  Whatever happened to a Commissioner taking action "in the best interest of the game."  He will do nothing because he's nothing more than a lackey for the owners.

The talk now is of eliminating pre-season games, the elimination of the Rookie Symposium and the contemplation of expanding rosters because teams will not have enough time to evaluate rookies.  The NFL needs to get sent a strong message:  if a portion of the season is canceled or the season altered in any way, fans should boycott games.

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Friday night has all the makings of must see TV as the Boston Bruins will host the Tampa Bay Lightning in a Game 7 for the right to represent the Eastern Conference against the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Last night, the Lightning showed their offensive firepower by scoring 2 power play goals and quickly responding to a 3rd period Bruin goal to win Game 6 5-4.

TD Bank Garden will be rocking.  It will be interesting to see how this one unfolds.  Will Tim Thomas be able to save the day for the Bruins??  Will Dwayne Roloson hold up in net for the Lightning??  Will the Boston power play show up when it counts??  Can Tampa's big 3 lead the way offensively???  Time will tell and I can't wait!!!!