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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if any of the remaining Buffalo Bills games will be sold out, here's what is on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to snap a two game losing streak when they take on the struggling Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the ACC. Had to laugh yesterday listening to Toronto sports radio as the big issues were: should Jonas Gustavsson replace James Reimer in goal and is it panic time for Leaf fans. As far as the first issue goes, Reimer is the Leafs starting goaltender. Are you going to blame Reimer for taking 6 penalties against the Washington Capitals??? I can't recall since Reimer's return a weak goal being allowed. It is ridiculous to believe that this kid was going to be in mid-season shape after having been out since October 22. Reimer is your guy and Gustavsson will certainly be in the nets over the weekend since the Leafs have back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. With respect to the second issue, I'm not panicking yet. I think it is unrealistic to have thought that the Leafs were going to be a top 4 team in the Easstern Conference. They will be in a fight to land somewhere between 6th and 8th. They also are getting players back from injury so chemistry needs to be developed. However, the Leafs need to establish a better record at home. They have not played well recently at the Air Canada Center. With a number of home games coming up, it is imperative that they get things going on home ice. Tonight is a game that they need to win with tough contests coming up against the Sabres and Canucks on the weekend.

* The NFL today may rule on a suspension for James Harrison as a result of his hit on Colt McCoy Thursday night. My opinion is that Harrison should be fined and suspended. Having watched the hit over 10 times in slow motion, Harrison led with his head and McCoy was in a defenseless position. This was not similar to the hit Harrison made on Joshua Cribbs last year as Cribbs was not in a defenseless position as a runner. But along with Harrison, the Cleveland Browns should be fined for not following established league protocols. Along with that, the hit on McCoy should lead the NFL to adopt a policy that makes it mandatory for a player to be evaluated immediately by an independent physician after a hit to the head. The evaluation should be done off the field. This is similar to what is done in the NHL. If Commissioner Goodell is serious about player safety then this type of policy needs to be established and implemented immdeiately and the Players Union should be pushing for it.

* Where is Mike Holmgren??? With the organization he heads being questioned about its actions involving McCoy we have heard nothing from Holmgren. Just another reason for me to begin to doubt whether this guy can lead the Browns back to respectability.

* Listened to Cleveland Browns Daily that is hosted by Vic Carucci and he had on as a guest Michael Reghi who is a Cleveland sportscaster. Reghi was telling Browns fans that they need to be patient because Holmgren and Tom Heckert inherited a team that was old and devoid of talent. Well, I'm not going to dispute that. But what I take issue with is Reghi's call for fans to be patient. Are you kidding me???? 12 years with one playoff appearance and only 2 winning seasons in those 12 years!! My problem is that Holmgren and Heckert are selling that you have to build through the draft. But the Browns are so lacking in playmakers that they must augment these draft picks with free agents. Without the signing of quality free agents, we are looking at a 5 year rebuilding plan. 5 years from today!!!!!

* It was 47 years ago yesterday that the Browns clinched the Eastern Division title with a 52-20 rout of the New York Giants on a Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. I remember it like it was yesterday. Two weeks later they would go on to upset the favored Baltimore Colts 27-0 to win their last NFL Championship.

* Todd Haley and Tony Sparano were fired yesterday as was Terry Murray the head coach of the LA Kings. I have a feeling their may be more firings in the NFL as one has to wonder how long Steve Spagnulo can last along with wondering about the job status of Raheem Morris. In the NHL, you have to wonder about Jack Capuano with the Islanders.

* One NHL city where there should be some question of coaching competency is Buffalo. Lindy Ruff is one of the longest tenured coaches in the NHL. The Sabres are playing like a listless hockey club and Ruff doesn't seem to have any answers. It could be that Ruff's act has gone stale with many of the veterans. The problem is that as long as Darcy Reiger is in charge Ruff isn't going anywhere. Maybe both should go. If Mr. Pegula is serious about winning a Stanley Cup, these two must be shown the door.

* Interesting how I haven't heard the radio loudmouths on WGR550 clamoring for Jonas Enroth anymore. Prior to Ryan Miller's injury, there was all kinds of calls for Enroth to play more games with Jeremy White saying that goaltending doesn't matter. Well, Enroth is what we thought he is: a good back-up to Ryan Miller. His comments after the Ranger game were disturbing and if they were made by Miller they would have been considered selfish.

* The announcement that Sidney Crosby will have to sit out games due to concussion like symptoms is really unfortunate. Crosby is the best player in the game and its a shame that he may be out for awhile. You have to wonder if this kid is heading down the path of Eric Lindros.

* It's been reported in both NY dailies that the Yankees will bid on Yu Darvish but they will not go all out to get him. It is reported that the posting fee and contract for Darvish will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $125 million. The Yankees are reported to make an offer that will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $60-80 million. Not sure what Brian Cashman is doing. Maybe he's going to go the low end route and sign Joe Saunders who has been non-tenered by the Diamondbacks. I'm going to say one last time: I don't think Cashman is going to do anything. Hopefully, I am wrong.

* Had WGR550 on yesterday morning and it was typical GR. Not sure if its Jeremy White who does the sports updates but whoever it was led off the spot by saying that the Bills lost to the lowly Chargers. Really??? Look who is calling the kettle black. Maybe the better description would be the under-achieving Chargers. Would you rather have Philip Rivers or Ryan Fitzpatrick?? How about Scott Chandler or Antonio Gates??? Stevie Johnson or Vincent Jackson??

* I was laughing out loud listening to White and Howard Simon lamenting about the success of Aaron Maybin. They were questioning the Bills coaches for not getting the most out of its players and that they were tired of fans saying that if the Bills had Tom Brady he would be nothing because Brady has more weapons in New England. First of all, Simon has been bashing Maybin for years. If he is such a football wizard, why wasn't he saying that the Bills coaches weren't utilizing him better when he was here??? Instead he was blasting the general manager who selected him. With respect to their criticism of the fans, what do you expect from people who spend their hard earned money to go see a team that these losers on GR build up in July, August and September instead of being honest about the team's prospects. Simon had these guys in the playoffs after 6 games. They overrated the team's start. They didn't acknowledge the fact that they were living off turnovers. They weren't dominating teams. Now they cry and lament and blast the fans.

* I like Rob Gronkowski. The tight end position is my favorite in football. Guys with size who can run. Gronkowski is having a great season and I'm happy for him as he is from WNY. But, proclaiming that he is going to the Hall of Fame?? Well, that's what White blasted off on Twitter on Sunday and repeated yesterday on the radio. And you want to know why White is such a joke.

* Finally, this week my NFL Picks will be made on Wednesday as I will not be posting after Wednesday until Monday December 19th. Tomorrow, recap of Leafs-Hurricane game.