Pro Bowl Selections: Who Cares??
Yesterday the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters were announced. Joe Thomas made his 6th Pro Bowl and Phil Dawson was selected for the first time. While I was happy for Dawson, as a Browns fan does it really matter to me?? Am I suppose to get some gratification out of the fact that these two players made the AFC team and Josh Cribbs is a first alternate??
As a kid, I used to take pride when a member or members of my favorite team made their respective all-star teams. However, as I grew older and the all-star games lost their appeal, I could really care less how many Yankees, Browns or Maple Leafs make the all-star team. As a fan, I'm more concerned about how many wins my team has and whether or not I'm going to the post season.
The Browns are 5-10 and getting ready to play Pittsburgh with Thad Lewis at quarterback. Their facing an off season where there will be a new coach, new system and new management team. Team Upheaval on Lake Erie once again. With all of that going on I'm suppose to be happy and proud that Joe Thomas and Phil Dawson made the AFC Pro Bowl team?? Hardly.
Open Letter To Gary Bettman
Dear Mr. Bettman:
I have followed the NHL for 45 years. Living on the Canadian border in Western New York, watching my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada has become a Saturday night tradition. With the NHL Center Ice television package, I now have the ability to watch every single Leaf game. I consider myself a die-hard Leaf fan but even when the Leafs are not playing I love watching an NHL game on Center Ice or NBC. Hockey is my favorite sport and it was my hope that the 2012-2013 season could be saved. However, it appears more likely that this will not happen and that is why I'm asking you to have the courage and come out right now and cancel the season.
You see I don't believe that there is a desire on the part of you and the owners to settle this dispute unless the NHLPA capitulates to your demands. From where I sit, the players have agreed to a 50-50 split. They have acknowledged that there is the need for a limit on the length of contracts and a longer term for the CBA. Yet, you have said that the players must accept your package in total or else no deal. You see Mr. Bettman I agree with Donald Fehr that both sides are close. The problem is that I believe that the goal of the NHL is to bust the union.
To have a position in negotiations of "take it or leave it" is arrogance at the highest level. It only leads me to believe that you want to embarrass Donald Fehr and break the union at the expense of the 2012-2013 season. Negotiations means give and take and I don't believe you are interested in that at all.
Mr. Bettman, your record is that of 3 lockouts, the expansion of franchises in non-traditional hockey markets that are losing money and the loss of ESPN as a television outlet. It is evident that the owners are happy with this record. It is evident that they were satisfied with the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season. So I ask you, why not make it 2 cancellations in your 20 years. That's what you and your bosses want. Put us out of our misery and come out this afternoon and tell us that the 2012-2013 season is cancelled and then you can add to your "stellar" record of relegating the NHL to the laughingstock of professional sports in North American.
Tuesday’s Thoughts (on Wednesday)
While wondering why someone would need to own an assault rifle, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* There was a report in the NY Daily News that the Yankees have inquired about Vernon Wells. Getting Wells would require a trade with the Angels. The Yankees would be looking for the Angels to pay a substantial amount of the outfielder's salary. My question is: what prospect would the Yankees have to give up?
* I am probably one of the biggest hockey fans around and I really could careless if the lockout is ended.
* The two best things that could happen as a result of the lockout are Bettman being replaced as Commissioner and the Florida, Carolina, Nashville, Anaheim, and Phoenix franchises folding. Neither will probably happen.
* The Knicks were slammed by the Houston Rockets for the second time Monday night. It's more and more evident that they need Carmelo Anthony to come back as soon as possible. It will be interesting to see if he plays Thursday against Brooklyn.
* The Browns loss to the Redskins Sunday has probably sealed the fate of Head Coach Pat Shurmur. I have never been sold on Shurmur and I'm not a big Brad Childress fan either. It was evident that Shurmur was out coached by Mike Shanahan.
* I'm also not convinced that Brandon Weeden is the answer at quarterback. I think former Brown wide receiver Reggie Langhorne said it best on Bruce Drennan's "All Bets Are Off" when he said that Weeden doesn't have that WOW factor. I know what he means. I have seen nothing this year to give you the hope that this kid can make plays to win a game for you.
* I wonder how Colt McCoy would fare with better receivers and better running backs around him than he had last year.
* Check out Tony Grossi's post on ESPN Cleveland's website about a possible Joe Banner-Mike Lombardi-Josh McDaniel team in Cleveland.
http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=9761
* Joe Namath was criticized this year for speaking out about the state of his former team, the New York Jets. Well, Broadway Joe was right. The Jets are a joke. I was never sold on Mark Sanchez. People fail to remember that Sanchez only started one year at USC before going into the NFL draft. His confidence is shot and the Jets are stuck with him because of his contract.
* Like him or not, the Jets treatment of Tim Tebow is a disgrace. Here's hoping the kid can go somewhere and be a productive player.
* I always find it amazing when Bills fans and media types go off on the fan response at the Rogers Centre when their team plays there. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for the Toronto games old Ralph probably would have been moving the team a few years ago. The other thing is that from purely an entertainment standpoint, would you get excited watching Ryan Fitzpatrick??
* Chan Gailey should be fired. It is clear that he is clueless as a head coach. The problem is who will come here with any credibility when you have to deal with Buddy "Foghorn Leghorn" Nix and good ole' Ralph.
* When the Bills season mercifully ends, what will the gasbags at WGR 550 have to talk about??
* And finally, whatever happened to the "Tiny Tot of the Kilowatt" Art Wander
Browns Take Richardson & Weeden
The Cleveland Browns had an interesting first round of the NFL Draft by moving up from number 4 to number 3 and selecting Alabama running back, Trent Richardson and then using their second number 1 pick to select Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden. In the second round, the Browns picked right tackle Mitchell Schwartz from California and in the third round selected defensive tackle John Hughes from Cincinnati.
The selection of Richardson made sense to me. In January, I was not in favor of drafting Richardson because I thought that the Browns should re-sign Peyton Hillis and then draft Justin Blackmon. Once Hillis went to Kansas City, I then changed my mind and felt that the Browns could get Richardson and then select a wide receiver with their second pick in the first round. This leads to Brandon Weeden.
It is evident that the Browns were not comfortable going into the 2012 season with Colt McCoy as the quarterback. Mike Holmgren and Company tried to acquire the second pick of the draft so that they could draft Robert Griffin III. When Washington out bid them, the Browns obviously started to look at Plan B. Apparently, Plan B was Brandon Weeden.
Weeden is 28 years old and has had a successful college career. He stood toe-to-toe against RGIII and Andrew Luck this past season with Weeden's Oklahoma State team defeating Baylor and Stanford. Weeden is bigger than Colt McCoy and has a stronger arm than McCoy. I have given McCoy the benefit of the doubt. By that I mean that I believed that he suffered from a lack of receivers, a lack of a consistent running game and a struggling offensive game plan. However, physically McCoy may not have the ability to compete as a starting quarterback in the NFL or at the very least as a starting quarterback on a team with many needs.
There is an opinion on the part of some that a franchise quarterback brings up the level of play of those around him. I think it's safe to say that McCoy does not have the ability to do that. The big question now is whether or not Brandon Weeden has that ability. Weeden will come in with a rookie running back as the number one guy in Trent Richardson and the selection of Schwartz would seem to mean that he will be starting at right tackle. The wide receiving corp remains the same. Weeden will not have a Justin Blackmon to throw to and instead will have Greg Little as his go-to-guy.
Whether Weeden knows it or not, the direction of this franchise will weigh heavily on his shoulders. His success or failure could also impact the future of Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur. Holmgren's reputation is that of an offensive guru who knows quarterbacks. The selection of McCoy was in the third round and he basically took a chance on him. But the selection of Weeden is different. He picked Weeden in the first round. He's 28 years old so he will be expected to start right away. There will be no apprenticeship.
My patience with Holmgren & Company is wearing thin. I think they have made plenty of mistakes and I did not appreciate the comments made by Holmgren when he said that we as fans just need to get over what happened in the past. Sorry Mike, as a fan the past does matter particularly when last season we saw no hope. Instead what we saw was an offense that was worse than the Brian Daboll-led one in 2010. I can take losing if I see some progress. If I see some young players who give you the belief that things will get better. The Browns have some of those type of players on defense. But in today's NFL, it's all about being able to score. That's why there will be plenty riding on Brandon Weeden. If Weeden does not succeed, this franchise will go backwards for another 5 years and Holmgren, Heckert & Shurmur won't be long for Cleveland, Ohio.
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.
Big Comeback Masks Yankee Pitching Problem
Twitter world was exploding around 6pm yesterday as Yankee fans were screaming for General Manager Brian Cashman's head. You see word just came out that Michael Pineda was experiencing shoulder soreness after his latest bullpen session. It is such a problem that Pineda has been shut down and was sent back to New York for an MRI to determine if he needs shoulder surgery. The news coupled with another terrible start from Freddy Garcia had Yankee fans in an uproar. As the Yankees mounted an improbable comeback, fans' attention were now focused on the big days of Mark Teixiera and Nick Swisher and the continual descent of the Boston Red Sox and their loud-mouth manager, Bobby Valentine. However, the problem still exists: the Yankee rotation is in trouble.
For those of you who have read this blog, I have continually said that with the new playoff format if you end up being a wild card team it is going to be essential that you have a deep rotation. When Cashman acquired Pineda and signed Hiroki Kuroda, I thought it was a good move. Suddenly, the Yankees had six potential starters. Then with the news that Andy Pettite was coming back, things really looked good. Well, the Yanks suddenly find themselves with major rotation problems. CC Sabathia has not been his typical self but I believe that as the weather heats up so will CC. Ivan Nova has been a saviour. The kid is a gamer and is able to get outs when he needs them. Kuroda has been up and down and one would think he will right himself based upon history. But after that, there is nothing but trouble.
Phil Hughes has not been good. His last outing gave some hope and one has to wonder if Joe "The Binder" Girardi shouldn't have taken him out of the game after he walked the leadoff batter in the sixth inning. He also was done in by a Eduardo Nunez error in the 1st inning. However, a pitcher needs to pick up a teammate in a situation like that. Freddy Garcia has been a mess since the season has started. Reports indicate that his fastball is in the low 80's and that's not going to cut it.
Yankee fans are upset with Cashman because of what is going on with Pineda. The common belief is that Pineda was damaged goods. The Yankees maintain that Pineda passed their physical and they were satisfied that he was in good shape. But we do know that like Hughes last season, Pineda came into camp out of shape. You would think that going to a new team that Pineda would want to make sure that he made a good impression and come into camp ready to go. That was not the case and now the Yankees have pitching problems.
One can only imagine what would be going on right now if The Boss were still around. There is no doubt in my mind that Cashman would be getting ripped. One has to wonder if these developments will mean that Cashman will finally allow a youngster within the Yankee farm system to have an opportunity to make it into the rotation, similar to Ivan Nova a couple of years ago and Chien-Ming Wang back in 2005.
The comeback was nice, particularly against Boston in Fenway. But it happened during a game in April against a team that is in disarray, with a bullpen that is a joke. In October, the pitching is much better and I can't remember teams in the playoffs coming back from a 9-run deficit. The Yankees have set the bar that winning it all is all that matters. Unless something turns around with the starting rotation, there will be no parade down the Canyon of Heroes this October.
2012 Yankees – Red Sox Begins Today
This afternoon at 3pm the Blood Rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will have its opening act for 2012 at 100 year old Fenway Park. In fact, today marks the actual date 100 years ago that the first game was played at Fenway. The Yankees roll into Boston with a 7-6 record after holding on last night for a 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox are 4-8 and in last place in the AL East.
Like with most rivalries, records don't matter particularly this early in a long season. The scary thing for the Yankees is that they could be just what Boston needs to get on track. Tonight's pitching match-up is Ivan Nova versus Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox will be without Carl Crawford and Jacob Ellsbury and are reeling under the watchful eye of Bobby Valentine. Valentine has caused an uproar with his criticism of Kevin Youkilis.
There will be plenty of hype for this series as there usually is when these two teams meet. What you can also bank on are games lasting for four hours. I for one am not going to buy into the hype. There are 19 games between these two teams. It is too exhausting to make these games life and death. At the end of the day it's about qualifying to play in October. So everyone needs to take a chill pill. This is one series in April and the Yankees need to play well just like they need to play well in a series against Kansas City in May.
Here's hoping these games could be played under four hours.
Torres Needs To Be Suspended For 30 Games
After watching the hit by repeat offender Raffi Torres on Chicago's Marion Hossa, it is clear to me that the NHL needs to grow a set and suspend this thug for the rest of the Coyotes playoff games and for the first 30 games of the 2012-2013 season. I viewed the hit on a nearly 4 minute clip that was on CBS Sportsline. They showed what happened from many different angles but the one that was really telling was from behind the play.
Hossa is skating with the puck just outside the Hawk blue line. Torres is in the Hawk zone and makes a bee line toward Hossa, leaves his feet and leads with his elbow at Hossa's head. For Torres to say that this was just a hockey play makes him the biggest cement head ever. Torres pulled the same crap last season in the playoffs. He is a cheap shot artist who needs to be sent a strong message.
I am not one of these guys who wants fights taken out of the game. I love the hard-hitting and emotion that comes with playoff hockey. But the hit on Hossa has no business in the game. He's a thug and not a very good hockey player at that. What's as disturbing as the hit was the fact that not one official on that ice saw what happened because if they did a penalty should have been called on Torres. 2 referees and 2 linesmen and no one saw the hit??? Really?? The NHL should be ashamed and the 4 officials should be reprimanded.
John Tortorella was right when he said that players don't have any respect for the game. If they did, this stuff wouldn't be happening and guys like Torres would have to change their ways.
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".
Great Day In The Bronx As Yankees Win 5-0
On a bright sunny day in the Bronx, with Yankee great Jorge Posada throwing out the first pitch, the Yankees came out swinging and received a great game from Hiroki Kuroda to post a 5-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Opening day was a rebound of sorts for some Yankees. Kuroda did not have a good start with the Yanks in his first game in Tampa against the Rays and there were many who were wondering whether or not Kuroda could pitch in the American League. Well, yesterday Kuroda went 8+ innings allowing 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6. If the Yankees get this type of performance from Kuroda throughout the season, the money spent to acquire him will be well worth it. It was a nice bounce back game from the former Dodger.
Alex Rodriguez had been struggling at the plate heading into yesterday's game. Well ARod went 3-4 with a monster home run to center field. Manager Joe Girardi's lineup switch, moving ARod to 3rd in the batting order and Robinson Cano to clean-up, seemed to be agreeable to the Yankee third baseman. ARod's production will be a key factor in the Yankees success this season.
This afternoon, the Yankees will face former Texas Ranger C.J. Wilson. The Yankees will counter with Phil Hughes. Hughes will be looking to pitch beyond 5 innings today which will mean that he will have to try to reduce his pitch count early on in the game. A strong game by Hughes will continue the good feeling among Yankee fans that Opening Day presented. It would also send an early message to the rest of the American League that the Yankees are poised for a great season in 2012.
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