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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Phil Simms has ever admitted that he is wrong, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* There were some very good NFL games over the weekend, much better than the wild card games. You just have to love the play of Russell Wilson. This kid is exciting to watch. A third round draft pick out of Wisconsin who is undersized according to all of the draft gurus. That's why you have to wonder how much is luck involved when drafting a quarterback.

* Too bad Wilson has Pete Carroll for a head coach. What was Carroll thinking with a 3rd and 1 in the red zone and you leave Marshawn Lynch on the bench?? To make matters worse, down 13-0 with five minutes left in the second quarter, Carroll decides to go for it on fourth down and runs the same play and is stopped!! If he gets the field goal, the Seahawks are up 31-27 at the end of the game and Atlanta must score a touchdown. Instead they get a field goal to win the game. A field goal after Matt Bryant missed his first try but the play was dead because Carroll was cute and called time out. Nice job, Pete. You cost your team the game twice.

* It was so evident that Matt Ryan and Mike Smith were shaking big time. Smith's reactions on the sidelines were that of a panicked head coach. What I could not understand was why he decided to go with gimmick end arounds and flanker screens when Michael Turner was having a decent day. While you need to be aggressive in these playoff games, you don't need to be stupid.

* Heard an interesting stat on Peyton Manning yesterday: he is 0-4 in cold weather playoff games.

* I have to grudgingly give credit to Joe Flacco on his performance against the Broncos but what was Rahim Moore thinking.

* Isn't it funny how members of the sports media are railing away at Lance Armstrong, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire for using illegal substances yet they idolize Ray Lewis even though he was involved in a double homicide, took a plea and paid a cash settlement to the victims' families?

* Kudos for the USA Today for having a story in their weekend edition on how the families of the two victims feel when they here all of the praise given to Lewis.

* I wonder if Hal Steinbrenner has any clue as to the strength of his team's farm system?? In an interview last week, Hal said that the system's young talent will have to step up to ensure that the team will remain at the top while getting the payroll to $189 million. He further went on to say that the team will continue to vie for a championship. Really Hal??? And I fell off a turnip truck.

* Maybe Hal needs to read Bill Madden's column that was in Saturday's NY Daily News (below). It's the first time I've seen someone in print question the Yankees player development program.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/columnists?columnist=2.1058

* Is Andy Pettitte kidding me or what? The 40 year old lefty pitcher is playing for Team USA in the ridiculous World Baseball Classic. While I understand the desire to represent your country, Pettitte is 40 years old and any type of injury will throw the Yankee rotation in a downward spiral. The rotation needs to be relatively healthy all year in order for the Yanks to have a shot at making the playoffs, let alone winning the AL East.

* Just loved Brian Burke's press conference on Saturday. Burke was as forth right as always and didn't back down from anything. I agree with him that if James Reimer had not been injured with a concussion in October 2011, last season would have turned out differently. Loved when he told Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, " Steve, the best thing about today is that I won't have to speak to you anymore." Classic Burke.

* While the media continues to speculate what the reasons were for Burke's dismissal, my question is: why don't they get someone from Bell and/or Rogers to answer that question?? Probably the reason for that is that Bell and Rogers employ most of the media.

* Dave Nonis is in a no-win situation when it comes to trading for Roberto Luongo. Some will say he gave up to much and others will say he threw away the season. The best case scenario is that Reimer bounces back from the concussion and plays like he did in 2010-11 and in the four games prior to the concussion.

* David Stern should have his head examined for scheduling a game in London, England. He obviously took a page from Emperor Bettman and Roger Goodell. All three of them are morons.

* Can't wait to see Iman Shumpert back in the lineup for the Knicks.

* Niagara University's hockey team has climbed to 15th in the national rankings. Wonder if the gasbags at GR550 will notice.

* King Gasbag Howard Simon was admonishing fans for complaining about the hiring of Doug Marrone. The funny thing is that he and the rest of the gasbags at GR550 will be the first ones to jump on the new coach's back when the team loses its first game.

* And finally, best of luck to ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott in his battle with cancer.

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering what happened to Notre Dame last night, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* I still can't believe how bad Notre Dame looked last night. Alabama completely dominated the game. I guess I was thinking with my heart as opposed to my head.

* In spite of the whipping they took last night, Notre Dame seems to be on the right track to remain a top team in college football.

* Isn't it amazing that the two home teams in the AFC Playoff Games (Denver & New England) are both favored by 10 points.

* Hopefully, we will only have one more week of the idolization of Ray Lewis.

* The Cleveland Browns coaching search has turned into a media circus. Not sure who was responsible for the news last Friday that Chip Kelly was going to be the Browns next head coach but when Kelly headed back to Oregon, whoever the Browns hire will be viewed as being chopped liver. The Dynamic Duo of Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner have built up expectations that they may not be able to meet.

* Let me be clear, I was never sold on Chip Kelly. His style of offense would have resulted in a major upheaval of the Browns offensive roster. If Jon Gruden is not interested, there are only two names I would be interested in: Ken Whisenhunt or Lovie Smith.

* The NHL is back and the drumbeat for Brian Burke's head has already started in some quarters in Toronto. I will say it again: Burke has built this team's farm system up, made it younger and has it positioned very well for next season and the lower salary cap.

* Any Leaf fan who doesn't think the Leafs shouldn't get Roberto Luongo are out of their minds. Luongo could be the difference between making the playoffs or not.

* Last night's Knicks-Celtics game turned nasty and can only lead one to wonder what a playoff series between these two teams would be like.

* Western New York will have an alternative to the gasbags at WGR 550 with the new sports station 1270 The Fan, which was formerly WHLD. The Fan is affiliated with CBS Sports and will have one local show between 12noon and 3pm. Won't it be fun to have a sports talk station that will talk about baseball, basketball, and top sports stories as opposed to food drafts.

* The GR boys are already proclaiming that the Sabres are Stanley Cup bound. These guys are at it again. Build up the expectations and when there is no Cup, they will criticize Louie Lackawanna and Chester Cheektowaga for calling in and whining.

* And finally, good luck to new Bills coach Doug Marrone. You'll need it.

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering how long it takes to clean up Times Square, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Seven coaches and five general managers were fired in the National Football League which is evidence that there were plenty of bad teams. There could be more firings coming as Mike Mularkey could be gone as coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buddy Nix could be removed as GM of the Buffalo Bills.

* Watched Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner at yesterday's press conference and it appears that they are looking to make a big splash with their head coaching hire. It would appear that they are going to make a big push for Nick Saban. Not sure how happy I am about that.

* Was not surprised with the firing of Lovie Smith in Chicago. Smith is a good coach but the fact that the Bears have not been able to get their offense right in the last six years is what has kept them from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Smith won't stay unemployed for too long but the Bears needed a change.

* It is rumored that the Bills are interested in Smith and it would be a good hire for their defense but not sure what it would mean for their offense though I'm sure he would better utilize C.J. Spiller than Chan Gailey did.

* I also think Ken Whisenhunt won't be unemployed for that long either. Just remember he had the Arizona Cardinals a James Harrison pick six away from winning the Super Bowl.

* It appears that the NHL & the NHLPA are inching closer to a deal that could end the lockout. Here's hoping egos are kept in check so that hockey will start this month.

* If the NHL season does begin, I wonder how long it will take for the Toronto news media to begin bashing Leafs GM Brian Burke.

* ESPN Analyst Pierre LeBrun had some ideas as to how the NHL could make up with their fans for this ridiculous lockout. One of his suggestions was for the NHL Center Ice package to be free for this season. Now I can buy into that!!!

* And finally, here's hoping that you all have a Happy and Healthy 2013!!

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering how long it will be before Kim Kardashian dumps Kanye West, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* The Yankees opened up their series against the Texas Rangers with a 7-4 win last night highlighted by a strong performance by CC Sabathia, a 4 hit game by Derek Jeter and a 3-run homer by Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees have a tough week ahead as they have two more games with the Rangers before they go home to take on the Detroit Tigers.

* Have to wonder why Joe "The Binder" Girardi used Sabathia in the 8th inning last night raising his pitch total over 100, the most he has thrown this year. It's a long year and with David Robertson fully rested I wonder whether if it made sense. I guess we will find out later in the season if CC begins to falter.

* Eric Chavez' performance at Fenway Park on Friday is why I felt it was important for the Yankees to bring him back. This guy is a professional hitter and if not for injuries would have had some pretty impressive numbers for his career. It seems like he loves playing at Fenway Park as evidenced last season in a late August series against the Red Sox.

* John Kruk continued his Yankee bashing on Sunday as he ripped Nick Swisher for over celebrating his double that put the Yankees ahead in Saturday's game against the Red Sox. Kruk said that Swisher's actions were totally uncalled for and it might set Nick up for getting plunked. The former Fat Phillie (he's still fat just not a Phillie anymore) went on for quite a bit. My question for Kruk: what did you think when John Papelbon would scream on the mound after he completed a save?? Or how about the gyrations of Jose Valverde?? It seems the Fat Phillie doesn't like the Yankees. This is the same Fat Phillie who last season picked the Red Sox to win the AL East and that the Yankees would not even make the playoffs. Kruk is a joke who tries to create this persona as a beer swilling regular guy just talking sports. Terrible.

* With Phoenix knocking out the Chicago Black Hawks last night, the Western Conference survivors are not your traditional NHL powers. The Coyotes will take on the Nashville Predators while the St. Louis Blues will face-off against the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings-Blues series should be a good one.

* Heard an interesting stat about Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick: in 30% of the games he played in this season he allowed only 1 goal or less. That is simply incredible and would seem to give Team USA another option in goal for the Sochi Olympics along with Ryan Miller and Jimmy Howard.

* So happy that the New York Rangers defeated Ottawa last night to force a Game 7 for Thursday night at MSG. I really dislike the Senators and I think Chris Neil is a huge punk. Here's hoping the MSG faithful can inspire the Rangers to a big win.

* I don't understand why these NHL games are spread out so much. The only game tonight is the Florida-New Jersey contest. Washington and Boston don't play until tomorrow and the Rangers series resumes on Thursday. No reason why the Bruins aren't playing tonight and the Rangers on Wednesday unless both arenas are occupied by their respective NBA teams.

* Will be interesting to see what happens in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Vancouver and Detroit as a result of their first round defeats.

* Kudos to the University of Arkansas for firing Bobby Petrino. Read an interesting article about how Petrino hired his mistress over a much more qualified woman which once again illustrates the unbelievable power that these college football coaches have at these universities.

* The NFL Draft begins on Thursday and it appears that the number 4 pick owned by the Cleveland Browns is the most unpredictable at this point. Rumors abound as to what the Browns may do including the possibility that they could make a trade with St. Louis or Miami. If it were up to me I would keep the pick and take Trent Richardson and then use their second pick in the first round and take the best wide receiver available.

* And finally, as an NHL fan you have to love the coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs on the NBC family of networks. Gary Bettman had quite a coup making this deal with NBC. Now if he can do something about the inconsistent officiating that has taken place he will have really done something. But what do you expect from a marketing guy who doesn't have a clue about hockey.

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if there is a more annoying play-by-play guy than Michael Kay, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* Freddy Garcia has been terrible in both of his starts this season for the Yankees. One has to wonder if the bubble has bursted for the aging right hander. Maybe warmer weather will help Garcia but by that time it may be too late as Andy Pettite could be ready by mid-May.

* Not sure what it is but the start of this Yankee season has been less than inspiring. Probably the best game so far has been the home opener win over the Angels as Hiroki Kuroda pitched very well and Alex Rodriguez homered and had 3 hits. I keep on telling myself that it is a long season but with CC Sabathia struggling, Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia imploding and the middle of the lineup not producing I'm a little nervous. But, the sun will come up tomorrow, it's only April and the cream will rise to the top.

* Love the way Derek Jeter has started the season. As I have said many times over, it will be awhile before we see another Yankee like The Captain. Too bad his teammates aren't hitting as well right now.

* The NHL Playoffs have been AWESOME!!! To me there is no other sports post season that has the emotion and drama that are evident in the Race for the Stanley Cup. I was so happy that the NY Rangers defeated the Ottawa Senators last night to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The Senators are punks. There is not one player on that team that I have any respect for. Between Chris Neil, Matt Carkner and that former Islander cement head Zenon Konopka, I don't know who I dislike more. Probably Konopka.

* Love the way Brian Boyle plays. Big guy who throws his body around and can score. And if Henrik Lundqvist doesn't win the Vezina Trophy its a joke. He was incredible last night. So much for the WGR gasbags, Mike Schopp & Jeremy White, who don't think you need a top-notch goalie to win in the playoffs .

* Another example of why White & Schopp should stick to food drafts is the play of Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick. Quick has been outstanding and his Kings have the obnoxious Vancouver Canucks on the ropes with a commanding 3-0 lead in their series. I couldn't be happier to see the whining and diving Canucks get swept.

*The Philadelphia-Pittsburgh series has been unbelievable. The Flyers have been incredible in this series. Their resilency in the first 2 games of the series in Pittsburgh set the tone and the Penguins lost their composure in Game 3. This series is over as I can't see Pittsburgh winning four in a row. The Flyers seem poised to make a long-run however the only concern could be Ilya Bryzgalov. He will need to be better as the Flyers move on. By the way, I just love watching Scott Hartnell, Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr play. And Wayne Simmonds could be the next big-time power forward in the NHL.

* Here's hoping that Nashville and St.Louis can advance. I really enjoy watching both teams play and they are doing without spending big-time money.

* Watching the playoffs up to this point it is clear that neither the Sabres or the Leafs would have fared well in this first round. Both teams are too small and soft to battle with the likes of the top 5 seeded teams in the conference.

* How arrogant is the NFL?? Is anyone really going to be watching tonight the unveiling of the 2012 NFL schedule?? I for one will not be watching it.

* How long will it take for the Boston Red Sox to have a mass insurrection against their loud-mouth media hog manager, Bobby Valentine? Valentine is in some hot water for publicly criticizing Kevin Youkilis for not being physically and emotionally into the game. Dustin Pedroia defended Youkilis and said if Valentine was trying to motivate Youk that this isn't Japan and it doesn't work that way in Boston. Valentine needs to realize that he is no longer a TV analyst. With the personalities in that Red Sox clubhouse, I think it's only a matter of time for an uprising.

* I had to laugh last night while watching the Yankee game on YES. During the game they showed the twitter handles for the Yankee broadcasters including Michael Kay. The same Michael Kay who blocked me last week because I was critical of him. Talk about being sensitive. I guess it's ok to send a tweet to him as long as you puff up his ego which is as big as his head!!

* It's no wonder that Kay has a weekly radio spot with Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. They are both self-promoting, arrogant clowns.

* Laughed my head off over the weekend following Jeremy White on twitter during the Flyers-Penguins game. White was whining about how he wished the Sabres were in the playoffs. Really, Jeremy??? It wouldn't be pretty.

* Funny how some Sabre fans are critical of Leafs GM Brian Burke but at least Burke faced the media in a end-of-the-year press conference. In the meantime, Darcy Reiger was nowhere to be found. With so many questions, the Sabres felt that it wasn't necessary for Reiger to face the music.

* It is a commonly known fact that the Yankees have more fans in WNY than any other team. In spite of this, not one radio station in the Buffalo market is covering Yankee games this year. What a complete joke. The great WGR 550 Sports radio hasn't covered the Yankees for years. In fact, they don't even cover the MLB playoffs. To listen to baseball playoffs you have to tune in to a Toronto radio station. We here in WNY are in the sports wilderness. Thankfully, we can easily pick up Toronto sports radio that covers all sports.

* And finally, RIP Chief Jay Strongbow. The former WWE wrestler died last week at the age of 86. He was known for the "tomahawk chop".

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering what I would be doing right now if the Leafs were getting ready for the playoffs, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Ivan Nova silenced his critics by pitching a gutty game last night going 7 innings and only allowing 2 runs. Full marks to the kid for showing a lot of heart and not backing down. That has been his trademark throughout his young career.

* It was nice for the New York Yankees to get that first win under their belts as they defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-2. However, this game should have been a blow out as the Yankees continued a disturbing trend of not being able to drive in runs. Twice they had the bases loaded with one out only to end the inning with a double play. They left 10 men on base last night.

* Robert Andino, Orioles infielder, is a punk. Last night, he got into a screaming match with Russell Martin at the end of the Orioles loss. Apparently, Martin felt that Andino was tipping Oriole hitters with signs while Mariano Rivera was pitching in the ninth inning. With Andino and Buck Showalter involved I wouldn't put it past them. Martin doesn't take any crap and that's why I love the guy.

* The Orioles have a couple of nice players, particularly Adam Jones & Matt Wieters. But their young pitchers need a lot of seasoning.

* Last night, Michael "Beavis" Kay was extolling the virtues of former Yankee Hector Noesi who was involved in the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade. Beavis said that some baseball people told him that Noesi was hitting 96-98 mph with his fast ball during spring training. Well, Noesi pitched last night for the Mariners. His line score: 3IP, 6H, 7ER, 3BB, 3K. I liked Noesi but never saw him as a top starter. Go talk to your baseball people Beavis!

* Can't wait to hear Randy Carlyle & Brian Burke's press conferences today. I think Burkie may be a bit more humble in light of Larry Tannenbaum's apology letter to Leaf fans for a disappointing season.

* Read an article about Nazem Kadri which confirms my thoughts that the Leafs should trade him. Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins sat Kadri because he gave away the puck on numerous occasions during the first period of a game. Instead of acknowledging his shortcomings, Kadri basically defended his play by saying his job is to make things happen. Really??? If Phil Kessel said that he would be run out of town.

* Nearly went through the roof hearing some caller on Toronto radio saying Edmonton is farther ahead of the Leafs because of the high first round picks they have on the team. Really??? Their defense sucks and their goaltending??? Please.

*The Buffalo print media is all over Darcy Reiger and Lindy Ruff. Derek Roy complained about Ruff singling out players in the media. As long as Reiger is GM, Ruff will stay on as the head coach. But Roy could be gone. Or at least he should be gone. In my opinion, all 3 should be gone.

* The whole Bobby Petrino story is another example of college football coaches gone wild. He hires his 25 year old mistress to be on the football staff??? Being a college football coach is the best job in the world. You make gobs of money, are worshipped in some small or medium sized college town and you get paid for all kinds of endorsements. All of this and you are for the most part bullet proof. Sad commentary on the NCAA but what do you expect.

* And finally, old Beavis Kay is a pretty sensitive guy. Last night on Twitter, I criticized him for being a self-promoter. He went wild which resulted in a flurry of tweets from many tweeps. As a result, Beavis has now blocked me from following him. I am truly saddened. Too bad I can't block him from the Yankee broadcasts. Most fans love their home team's play-by-play guy. Unfortunately for many of us Yankee fans that is not the case. Beavis couldn't tie Frank Messer's shoes. If it wasn't for the Yankees, Beavis would be buried somewhere in Paducah, Kentucky doing sports updates. Kind of like Jeremy White.