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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if anyone really cares that the NBA is starting up on Christmas Day, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs completed their four game road trip going 3-1 despite a rash of injuries that saw six regulars out of the starting line-up in the last game against Anaheim. That number was down from seven when Mikhail Grabovski returned against the Ducks. Brian Burke was roasted last year by many as the team headed for another season missing the playoffs. But this year we are seeing the fruits of his labor as the Leaf youngsters have stepped to the forefront. Jake Gardiner continues to shine and in my mind will need to bear serious consideration for rookie of the year. He and defense partner Luke Schenn were exceptionally strong on the road trip. By the way, both of these guys are under the age of 23. The kid line of Joe Colborne, Matt Frattin and Joey Crabb continue to contribute offensively and Colborne, who was acquired in the Tomas Kaberle deal, is showing positive signs for the future as a possible big top line center. By the way, Colborne is 21 years old.

* As a Leaf fan you have to be happy for two guys who have taken plenty of heat but are playing very well right now and that is Jonas Gustavsson and Tyler Bozak. Gustavsson is probably playing his best hockey since becoming a Maple Leaf. He has re-established his standing as the team's back-up goalie behind James Reimer. In my mind, Gustavsson's success is attributed to better positioning in the net. He is not flopping around like he was early on in this season. When Reimer returns, Gustavsson will provide the Leafs with a solid back-up who is demonstrating that they can win with him in goal. Tyler Bozak has elevated his game and has developed great chemistry with the Leafs top scorers: Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel. Bozak is scoring goals and has improved his overall defensive play which will force the Leafs into making some tough decisions about who will stay with the big club once David Steckel is back in the line-up which could be as early as Wednesday. A year ago there was plenty of concern about the center position, the Leafs now find themselves with some very good depth up the middle.

* The Cleveland Browns lost another heart breaker on Sunday to their Ohio rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. The Browns had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter as they were driving and chewing up clock behind the running of Peyton Hillis and the short passing game. The Browns were having success running right up the gut with Hillis. But for some unknown reason, Coach Pat Shurmur decided to try Hillis on a sweep play to the left which saw Colt McCoy pitch the ball out to the big running back. The play resulted in losing yards and forced a 3rd and long which the Browns were not able to convert forcing a 55 yard field goal that was missed and giving the Bengals great field position which resulted in their game winning field goal. This pitch play with Hillis was stopped for no gain earlier in the half. It made no sense to try it again, particularly with the success Hillis was having running inside and the fact that the Bengal linebackers are quick and that the running back was just coming off of a hamstring injury.

* Hillis' performance clearly illustrated why the Browns need to re-sign this guy. He provided another weapon for the offense and provided additional protection for Colt McCoy. The failure to keep Peyton Hillis on this team will prove to be a major mistake.

* At this time of the year baseball general managers tend to be coy about what their plans are as they head into the Baseball Winter Meetings. Word out of Yankeeland is that Brian Cashman has indicated that he is not in any hurry to make a deal to acquire another starting pitcher and would be perfectly happy to go into the season with a starting rotation of CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, AJ Burnett, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia. Really, Brian???? With the new playoff format, it will be more important to win your division. This starting rotation is put together with Sabathia and a lot of rubber bands and duct tape. Will Nova build off his success last year or will he suffer a sophomore slump?? Can Phil Hughes bounce back??? Is there one more worthwhile year in the arm of Freddy Garcia??? And then there is AJ Burnett. Here's hoping that Cashman is not wanting to tip his hand and is able to make a deal for a quality starting pitcher. I still say that a two or three year contract with Mark Buerhle would be the ticket.

* Two NHL coaches were fired yesterday: Bruce Boudreau of the Capitals and Paul Maurice of the Hurricanes. Both are quality guys and have been let down by star players on their respective teams. Eric Staal and Cam Ward have not played up to par and has been the contributing factor in the Canes slow start. In Washington, it was a clear case of a player mutiny as the Caps stars were not happy with Boudreau's attempt to instill some discipline. I was at the Sabre game against the Capitals on Saturday and it was a total disgrace the way Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin played. Well, they got what they wanted. It will be interesting to see how they will react to their new coach: Dale Hunter.

* Last Friday the Sabres were in Columbus and I can't tell you how enjoyable it was to watch the game without hearing the annoying play-by-play of Rick "Pork Chop" Jenneret. Listening to Kevin Sylvester and Danny Gare was a treat. I have always liked Gare as he brings insight to the game. I was surprised when he was let go from the Blue Jacket broadcast team and it was a nice pick-up for the Sabres. You may wonder why I call Jenneret "pork chop". The reason: it sounds like he has a pork chop lodged in his throat when he calls a goal for the Sabres.

* Had to laugh at the tweets from Bills fans after the Jets game. There was all kinds of talk about how the future looks bright and next year they will surpass the Jets and challenge the Patriots for the division. Really, BillsMafia???? Earth to Bills fans: your team has lost four games in a row!!!! You have gone from 5-2 to 5-6. This is the stuff that drives me crazy about Bills fans.

* Yesterday if you had the opportunity to be tuned into WGR550 at around 9-9:15 am you heard great radio as Howard Simon, Jeremy White and Jerry Sullivan got into a heated discussion about the Stevie Johnson incident. Sullivan was all over Johnson for his immature actions that cost the Bills with an excessive celebration penalty that resulted in great field position for the Jets which led to a tying touchdown just before halftime. White maintained that all Johnson cost the Bills was a 15 yard penalty and that it was the defense's fault for not stopping the Jets. These guys were screaming at each other with Simon ultimately siding with his tag-team partner White. For the record, Sullivan won this special handicap match and moreover he is right. Johnson cost his team the game with his stupid penalty and his key drops in the fourth quarter. Not sure what planet White and Simon are on since they were faulting Fitzpatrick for Johnson's inability to catch the pass in the end zone at the end of the game. Really????

* And finally, whatever happened to that 70 point season that Ville Leino was projected to score after he signed for all of that Pegula money?? I think I remember Lindy Ruff projecting him as a top line center. Not looking so good right now and quite frankly I think it will prove to be a contract that the Sabres will ultimately try to move. But hey, at least their spending money!!!!