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!!!

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???

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering how badly the Cleveland Browns will embarass themselves and their fans on Thursday night in Pittsburgh here is what's on my mind this morning:

* I had the opportunity to watch Pat Shurmur's press conference on Sportstime Ohio's All Bets are Off and I was totally outraged. As I have mentioned before, Shurmur's answers to questions are basically non-answers. His non-answers are dismissive of the questions something you might expect from a coach who has won a Super Bowl or two but not from a rookie coach who looks in over his head. But what really infuriated me was his answer to a question about the frustration of the fans. Shurmur basically said he wasn't around to know about the past and the fans have to have a belief that things are going to get better. Really??? We have been waiting since 1999 for things to get better.

* It's time for the Mike Holmgren-Tom Heckert regime to start being held accountable for the state of this team. As a Browns fan, I see no improvement. In fact, its getting worse. While knowledgeable Browns fans knew that they were not going to make the playoffs this year, with their schedule they should have more wins. But forget the wins. I will maintain that this offense is worse than what it was under Eric Mangini. We were sold a bill of goods on Pat Shurmur, brilliant offensive mind. Shurmur coaches like a bad high school coach. There is no imagination. Holmgren and Heckert have said that this team needs to build through the draft. I get that but this team has so many holes that they need to get into the free agent market. Can you imagine if the Browns had drafted Julio Jones and signed Brandon Lloyd?? The lack of activity in the free agent market tells me that the Holmgren regime is as clueless as their coach when it comes to understanding the frustration that Browns fans have. All we want is to see is improvement. If Holmgren, Heckert and Shurmur were in NYC, they would be run out on a rail and couldn't pull the crap they are pulling now.

* If you are a Browns fan and have Direct TV All Bets Are Off with Bruce Drennan is a must watch. Drennan is outstanding. He is very knowledgeable about sports (unlike the dopes on WGR550) and yesterday was a great show as he really called the Browns out. Sportstime Ohio provides great Browns coverage so if you are a Browns fan check it out. It's channel 662 on Direct TV. And on occasion yours truly gets through to talk to Bruce about the Browns.

* The Maple Leafs roared back from a tough two game beat down at the hands of the Boston Bruins by defeating the hot New York Rangers 4-2 at MSG. The Leafs are the only team this year to have beaten the Rangers at the World's Greatest Arena. Jonas Gustavsson was solid in net particularly in the third period and he has given the Leafs a solid 1-2 punch in goal. The Kessel-Bozak-Lupul line was flying last night. Joffrey Lupul was on fire and the Leafs power play bounced back after two dismal performances against the Bruins. If there are any more doubts about this team, yesterday's game proves once and for all that this Leaf team is different than any other Leaf team since the lockout. Ron Wilson made a great point last night when he said that this team continues to play well with having 6 or 7 regulars out of the lineup for a good portion of November. November was also a month that the Leafs had more road games than home games. It is clear that the Leafs speed is too much for many teams. A far cry from the days of Jason Allison and Jeff O'Neill.

* The Baseball Winter Meetings began yesterday and the Miami Marlins have made the first big splash by signing Jose Reyes. The Marlins have signed Heath Bell, Reyes and are in on Albert Pujols. The Mets?? Well, they have their fans in an uproar. I have to laugh as I recall the summer of 2007 when there was an actual debate about which shortstop-third base combo was better: AROD & Derek Jeter or Reyes & David Wright. How did you make out Met fans???

* Yankee fans who are expecting anything to happen to improve their team, forget it. These are not George's Yankees anymore. Joel Sherman's article on Sunday which explained how the Yankees want to take advantage of the new collective bargaining agreement and reduce their luxury tax obligation is accurate and tells Yankee fans that this team will no longer go all in on getting a big time free agent unless they cut payroll elsewhere. That's all fine and dandy but that should mean that we get to see some of these highly touted youngsters in the farm system. However, we know that we are not going to see Banuelos or Betances next year in the Bronx. And, but for Montero and to a lesser extent Romine, there are no Yankee farmhands who are going to contribute offensively for the big team.

* You are kidding yourself if you believe that the Yanks can go into the season with a starting rotation of CC, Nova, Burnett, Hughes and Garcia and expect to get to the World Series. Remember, if they don't win the division they will have to play in a one game playoff to advance to the ALDS. It's apparent that they are not going to sign a free agent pitcher so if they want to upgrade their starting pitching then they will need to make a trade. They are interested in John Danks but the White Sox are demanding way too much. If they could get Danks for Romine, Hector Noesi and another lower level prospect, I would make the trade. Danks is entering his walk year and will have an incentive to have a good year. He will turn 27 in April and the Yankees can determine whether they would want to keep him after the 2012 season. If they don't then Banuelos or Betances should be ready for 2013.

* Offensively, the Yankees need to consider Yoenis Cespedes or Jorge Soler. Both are Cuban ballplayers and Cespedes is highly touted as a 30 home run 100 RBI guy. He plays center field but is projected to be a corner outfielder. If the Yanks decide to trade Brett Gardner or Nick Swisher to get a starting pitcher, Cespedes could step right in. He is not going to come cheap and the Yankees may not be willing to pay the price which makes Soler a great alternative. Soler is 19 years old and will need some minor league seasoning. He is being projected as a possible 40 home run guy and has more upside than Cespedes. He will also come cheaper. The Yanks could sign him and play him in the minors. He would immediately upgrade their farm system from an offensive standpoint and could potentially be a replacement for Swisher if the Yankees decide to let him go after the 2012 season.

* My Heisman Trophy pick is Andrew Luck. Take Luck off Stanford and where would they be??? Probably lucky to play in the Poulan Weedwacker Bowl.

* The NHL announced their new re-alignment which will create 4 division. The first two rounds of the playoffs will match up teams from within their own division and once division playoff winners are identified then those teams will be re-seeded. So its possible that Boston could play Philadelphia in the Stanley Cup Finals. My problem with this format is that a team in a tough division may not make the playoffs but have more points than a team in a weaker division who will qualify.

* One of my avid Twitter followers informed me that the WNY All-Sports powerhouse radio station, WGR550, had a best chicken wing sauce draft yesterday. Are you kidding me??? These guys are as bad as their no pride, choking football team. I think what they should do next is have a Biggest Loser contest featuring heavyweights Howard Simon, Paul Hamilton and Chris Parker. They could do weigh-ins and actually analyze the whole thing. Instead of calling into question the direction of their two major sports teams they can discuss how Hamilton is at a disadvantage being on the road and having to eat at Kentucky Fried Chicken all the time. Great radio indeed.

* It's been reported that Terry Francona will replace Bobby Valentine in the booth on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Add Francona to Schilling, Garciaparra and the Yankee-hating Fat Kruk and it will be another long season for Yankee fans having to deal with these Red Sox apologists.

* And finally, I want to give a shout out to @ClayMNU and @LenDiesel21, two of my most avid twitter followers. Thanks for following and for touting my blog site.

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!!!!