Tuesday’s Thoughts
While wondering what it would be like if there was a college football playoff with Oklahoma State, Stanford, LSU and Alabama involved, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* The Maple Leafs face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at the ACC and it marks the beginning of 9 out of the next 10 games being played at home. If they are to make the playoffs they need to win 6 out of those 9 games. Good news out of practice yesterday was that Mike Brown and Mike Kommisarek could be back by the weekend.
* After watching some of the Fiesta Bowl last night, if the Cleveland Browns have the opportunity to draft Justin Blackmon with their first pick they better just do it. This kid would immediately become their best wide receiver.
* Was stunned yesterday when it was announced that the Colts had fired Bill Polian and his son, Chris. Conflicting reports as to what this means for Peyton Manning and Jim Caldwell. Colt fans have to be concerned as to who Irsay will hire to take over the team.
* Interesting note, the Bengals, Broncos and Titans were all vying for a playoff spot heading into Sunday's games. The Bengals and Broncos lost and are in, the Titans won and they are out.
* Yankee pitchers and catchers report on February 19th and as it stands right now this will be the quietest off season in the team's recent history.
* Kudos to Chan Gailey for sticking to his guns and benching Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson. Wonder if Gailey does the same thing if the Bills needed to win on Sunday to make the playoffs.
* Can't see how Stevie Johnson stays in Buffalo. His actions on Sunday, while not as bad as his act against the Jets, resulted in a 15 yard penalty for the Bills. As a result, another selfish act that hurt is team. Johnson represents a bigger problem: the ever-present me first attitude by many players in the NFL.
* Johnson was also pretty gutless yesterday by skipping out on the media in the morning but appearing on his afternoon radio spot on WGR 550 with Schopp and the Bulldog. The morning slight prompted a twitter confrontation between Buffalo News reporter Mike Harrington and WGR 550's resident genius Paul Hamilton. Was rather comical.
* After a sluggish first period, the Winter Classic turned into a very entertaining game. Some observations from the game: 1.) the Flyers still have goaltender issues which could hurt their chances in the playoffs, 2.) Henrik Lundqvist right now may be the best goalie in the NHL and 3.) the refereeing in the NHL has been brutal this year.
* The duet of Kate Smith and Lauren Hart singing "God Bless America" was awesome.
* During the Bills game on Sunday, resident NFL know-nothing Jeremy White tweeted that the Bills have showed improvement this season. Really, Jeremy??? The defense has progressively gotten worse and the offense has been inconsistent. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good guy but I still say that the Bills are crazy if they think he is a franchise quarterback.
* No surprise that Raheem Morris and Steve Spagnuolo were fired yesterday. What is surprising is that reports out of San Diego are that Norv Turner and A.J.Smith may not lose their jobs.
* And finally, would you be surprised if Prince Fielder signs with the Washington Nationals??
It’s Crunch Time For The Maple Leafs
Heading into Christmas the Toronto Maple Leafs were riding high after defeating the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders. They were sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and were facing three winnable games after the break: Florida, Carolina and Winnipeg. What an opportunity to solidify their position heading into January and they blew it getting only one point out of a possible six. So as 2012 begins the Maple Leafs will have nine out of their next twelve games at home. Failure to win at least six of those nine home games could prove to be costly if this team is to make the playoffs for the first time since the lockout.
The biggest problem that the Leafs face has been documented over and over again: the inability to kill off penalties. As was mentioned in the Toronto Star yesterday, killing penalties is not a specialty skill. It's about hard work, speed and a desire to do whatever it takes to prevent the other team from scoring while your down a man. The Leafs do not pressure the other team at all. The opposing team's point men have all day to make a pass. How many shots are actually blocked when the Leafs are shorthanded?? If the Leafs are to improve in this area, I would have the following forward penalty-killing units: Joey Crabb/Matthew Lombardi and Darryl Boyce, David Steckel and Matt Frattin, and Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. As far as defensemen go, I would not have Keith Aulie or Cody Franson on the ice for penalty killing purposes. The six forwards I have mentioned need to be aggressive, including in the neutral zone. If the Leafs are going to make the playoffs, they are going to have to improve in this area.
At even strength, the Leafs need to get scoring from the second and third lines. With Tyler Bozak out of the lineup, I would call up Joe Colborne and send Korbinian Holzer back down to the Marlies. I would have Colborne centering Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul and put Tim Connolly back on a line with Nazem Kadri and Clarke MacArthur. Connolly-MacArthur-Kadri seemed to be developing good chemistry and taking Connolly off that line I think reduces opportunities for the two wingers. I'm not sure what to do with Matthew Lombardi. If Lombardi can be utilized as a penalty-killer and face off guy, then the Leafs have to determine if Matt Frattin or Joey Crabb have a spot on the roster at this time. If neither one has to pass through waivers, I would probably send Crabb down.
As I indicated last week, Ron Wilson needs to change the team's philosophy when it is up a goal or two in the third period. Defensemen should not be allowed to pinch into the other team's zone. If they do they should be benched for the remainder of the game. An aggressive forecheck by the forwards and clogging up the neutral zone should be the Leaf strategy when up a goal or more late in a game. As a whole, the Leafs need to be more responsible defensively. I also think that once John-Michael Liles and/or Mike Kommisarek comes back that Keith Aulie should be sent back to the Marlies. Aulie has taken a step backwards in my mind and I wonder if his play hasn't also effected the play of Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf seemed to have good chemistry with Carl Gunnarsson when they were paired together before the Liles injury.
Goaltending hasn't been right since October 22 when James Reimer was knocked out of the game against Montreal. Both he and Jonas Gustavsson have flashed signs of stepping up and providng the Leafs good goaltending. However, both have also exhibited the ability to let in bad goals. In Reimer's case, Glenn Healey and Greg Millen (both former goalies) have made the same observation: Reimer is too deep in his crease. With his size, if he comes up to the top of the blue ice he really cuts down on angles. If Wilson fails to get this team to be more defensive-minded, particularly when protecting a lead, goaltending will have to be better than it has shown. In addition, its been said over and over again, a team's best penalty-killer is its goaltender. If the Leafs are to improve in killing penalties, goaltending must improve.
A bad January would most certainly call into question the job status of Ron Wilson. All of the excuses are gone. This team is now Brian Burke's team. They have obviously showed that they can play 5-on-5 with anybody else in the league, with the possible exception of the Boston Bruins. However, special teams and the inability to win consistently on home ice has been a constant under Wilson. In addition, the notoriously slow starts that this team has is unexplainable. It calls into question Wilson's ability to get his team ready. There is no doubt in my mind that Brian Burke will make a move before the trade deadline. For me the only untouchables on this team would be Phaneuf, Kessel and Lupul. But before Burke is able to make a trade, the Leafs may have squandered an opportunity to make a move in the conference standings. If that happens I feel that Burke would have to make a coaching change. If he doesn't do it during the season, failure to make the playoffs should be enough to remove Wilson as head coach when the season ends regardless of the much bally-hooed contract extension.
Starting Tuesday we will find out what this team is made of and if they are going to turn a bad December into a good January or more of the same losing hockey. The playoffs hang in the balance along with Ron Wilson's job. Stay tuned.
Will 2012 See The 28th World Championship In The Bronx??
The New York Yankees have won 27 world championships, the most in all of professional sports. As we enter 2012 the question is: Will the Yankees win their 28th world championship?? Before I tell you what I think the answer is to that question, here is something to consider. In the last 10 years, the Yankees have qualified for the playoffs nine times. They won the World Series in 2009 and in 2003 made the World Series and lost to the Florida Marlins. In the remaining seven years, they made the ALCS twice and were eliminated in the first round five times. Oh and by the way, this ten year period includes the most monumental post season collapse in team history: blowing a 3-0 lead in the 2004 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.
My point in bringing this up is that the Yankees are built to excel in the regular season. Making the playoffs is an accomplishment and the Yankees have been successful since 1995 having only been out of the playoffs once in 2008. However, the Yankees sell to their fans that a season is not a success unless they win it all. That goal was established by George Steinbrenner and as Yankee fans we knew he meant it. A couple of days ago, Randy Levine indicated that this past season was not a success because they didn't win the World Series and it rang as hollow as a three dollar bill. So the question becomes: are the Yankees built to win their 28th World Championship in 2012??
Based on the current roster, the answer to that question is no. General Manager Brian Cashman has done absolutely nothing to improve a team that was knocked out in the first round. Now the argument will be that this is a team which won 97 games in 2011 and won the AL East. But upon further examination, Cashman lucked out with Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. Colon is not back and Cashman is going to rely once again on Garcia. Offensively, the Yankees benefitted from a monster season by Curtis Granderson. Granderson hit 41 home runs and had 119 RBI's. Both were career bests. Can we believe that Granderson will duplicate those numbers again??? And if he doesn't who will make up that offensive production.
Of course some may say that 2011 also saw a sub-par ARod due to injury and a bad first half of the season for Derek Jeter and the expectation would be that Jeter will pick up where he left off and ARod will be ARod. I would agree with that except for the fact that Jeter will be 38 and ARod will be 37. And there in lies the problem with the Yankees. Where is the youth???? With Jorge Posada leaving, the Yankees only have Jeter and Mariano Rivera left from the glory years. Years that many Yankee fans in their 20's and 30's were spoiled with. In order for the Yankees to win the World Series, they will need their aging stars to perform as they have in the past. They will also need Mark Teixiera to justify the big contract that he signed with the Yankees. And they will need CC Sabathia to be CC Sabathia not to mention Phil Hughes bouncing back and no sophomore slump for Ivan Nova.
I honestly believe that the management team of Hal Steinbrenner, Lonn Trost and Randy Levine are more interested in the financial bottom line than winning. Getting into the playoffs is their goal. It gives them lucrative extra home dates which not only benefits gate receipts but also benefits the YES Network. When looking at the AL East, along with the additional wild card team, I think its a safe bet that the Yankees will make the playoffs. Boston has its problems and Tampa Bay may not have the guns to snag the division away from the Yankees. Once the Yankees get in, its all financial gravy for the Yankee bean counters.
Those of you who read this blog know that I am a Browns and Maple Leaf fan. Both teams have not made the playoffs in years. The Leafs have made improvements, purging their roster and becoming one of the youngest teams in the NHL. Their is hope for long term success. The Browns, on the other hand, seem to be treading water even though they are one of the youngest teams in the NFL. My point in bringing this up is that I can live with rebuilding. If the Yankees came out today and said we are going with youth I wouldn't have a problem with that. Banuelos and Betances were going to get a shot to be in the starting rotation. Jesus Montero was going to catch at least half of the games this year, splitting time with Russell Martin. Eduardo Nunez was going to have more of a role, playing in at least 100 games. But this will never happen because it could jeopardize their chance at making the playoffs and that's what its all about for Hal and the boys.
While the Yankees will make the playoffs, unless something is done between now and opening day, they will not win their 28th Championship. But what is scarier than that is if they don't acquire younger established players via trade or Cashman's prized farm system doesn't come true, that 28th Championship could be years away. One final point, you will notice I did not mention acquiring free agents. The Hal, Trost, Levine trio are hell bent on reducing the Yankees luxury tax assessment. There latest assessment was $14 million, less than the previous year. It would appear the days of signing a Reggie Jackson or a CC Sabathia are gone particularly when they will be paying ARod over $25 million a year for the next 6 years and another $25 million per year for Sabathia for the next 4. You can't reduce luxury tax if you add to those numbers. Hopefully, I'm wrong but if I'm right we are looking at a long dark period that if you are under 35 years old you have never experienced. Having gone through that twice, I can tell you it's not fun when all you have to talk about is days gone by.
Week 17 NFL Picks
Last week was not good as I went 1-2. My overall record is 26-20 and I'm 22-10 in the last 10 weeks. It's been fun and I hopefully will finish off strong. Will have playoff picks starting next Friday.
* Atlanta (-12) over Tampa Bay: The Falcons could be the 5th seed with a win and a Detroit loss to Green Bay. It would mean playing the winner of the weak NFC East as opposed to the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons are 4-0 as a home favorite while the Buccaneers are 2-4 as road underdogs. The Bucs are the type of team that the Falcons beat up on and Sunday should be no different. Atlanta 30 Tampa Bay 14.
* Baltimore (-2) over Cincinnati: If the Ravens win they will draw a 1st round bye and guarantee at least one home playoff game. Cincinnati needs to win and they are in the playoffs. The Ravens are the better team and have made it their goal to win the division. This game will be close. Baltimore 24 Cincinnati 21.
* NY Giants (-3) over Dallas: This game is going to come down to the quarterbacks and I have to give Eli Manning the edge over Tony Romo. It should be a dandy and high scoring. New York Giants 35 Dallas 30.
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Tomorrow my Yankee post.
Playoffs!!! You’re Talking About Playoffs???
The Jim Mora quote when he was questioned about his Indianapolis Colts making the NFL Playoffs is a sports classic. Unfortunately for Maple Leaf fans, last night's 4-3 overtime loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers has them asking the same questions. A playoff team doesn't blow a 3-1 lead in the third period, especially against a team that is near the bottom of the National Hockey League.
Immediately there have been calls for Ron Wilson to start Jonas Gustavsson in goal but while James Reimer has had some problems since the end of the Christmas break, goaltending is only part of the problem. The underlying problem is the style of play that Leaf management wants which is basically firewagon hockey. Wilson wants his defensemen to carry the play and pinch in the other team's zone. That's fine when you are down a goal with under two minutes left. It's also fine when you are trying to make something happen. But when you have a two goal lead on the road it's a huge mistake.
The best game that the Leafs played this year on the road protecting a lead was their first game in Madison Square Garden. They had an aggressive forecheck hemming the Rangers in their own end and not allowing them to get any offensive momentum. There were not rushes by defensemen. The Leafs seemed to have forgotten that game.
It is very apparent that the Leafs miss John-Michael Liles. His steadiness, veteran leadership and quarterbacking the first power play unit is something that the team could use right now. Having Liles back would also allow Wilson to sit one of his struggling young defensemen who are having a brutal last week of December.
Do I think this team can make the playoffs??? Yes I do but it has to be more defensively responsible. It also needs to realize that they haven't won anything yet so they need to play hard every shift. Their best players need to be their best players. And James Reimer needs to play like a number one goaltender. By the way, I haven't even mentioned penalty killing but improvement there is a given. At the end of the day making the playoffs will not be easy but it is attainable. What concerns me is whether or not Ron Wilson has the ability to adapt the style of play to the game situation. Not many teams can be successful playing firewagon hockey. Hopefully, Wilson & Company can realize that before it is too late.
Shaky Goaltending & Poor PK Lead To 5-3 Loss
About the only thing to like about Toronto's 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers last night was the fact that this team does not quit. However, shaky goaltending, poor penalty-killing(what else is new!) and defensive mistakes by Jake Gardiner and Luke Schenn were too much to overcome. Gardiner seemed to have bounced back after being relegated to the pressbox last week against the Sabres but last night was shaky in his own end and pinched too deep in the Florida zone which led to a breakway that James Reimer overplayed and the Panthers were back on top 2-1. With John-Michael Liles out, Coach Ron Wilson may have to limit Gardiner's ice time until the rookie gets back into form.
After the Leafs had scored to make it 4-3 midway through the third period, Luke Schenn's ill-advised rush into the Florida zone resulted in Tomas Fleischmann putting one past Jonas Gustavsson that essentially put the game away for the Panthers. Schenn is still young but in his third NHL season, he should know better than to think that he is going to stickhandle through 4 Panthers. There was no need for him to try and make something happen as there was plenty of time remaiining and the Leafs seemed to have the Panthers on their heels.
James Reimer probably had his worst game as a Toronto Maple Leaf allowing 3 goals on 8 shots. He should never have allowed the breakaway goal as the Panther player whiffed on the shot and it trickled past Reimer who was obviously fooled. I also thought that he should have stopped the first Panther goal. Jonas Gustavsson relieved Reimer and made some nice saves to keep the Leafs in the game. However, I thought he should have stopped Fleischmann's goal. All in all, the Leafs did not get the goaltending it needed last night and at the other end Jose Theodore was solid for the Panthers.
The Leaf penalty-killing continues to be a major problem. I don't understand how you can get a "too many men on the ice penalty" when you are shorthanded which resulted in a 5 on 3 situation which means that the Leafs will more than likely give up a goal which they proceeded to do. If the Leaf penalty-killing continues to be ineffective, this team will have a difficult time making the playoffs.
With Liles out, Wilson had Tim Connolly on the point with the team's first power play unit. Based on last night, I think that Wilson should pair Phaneuf with Gunnarsson and the second unit could be Gardiner with Cody Franson. Connolly was not able to really generate anything and a couple of times the Panthers were able to have their own scoring opportunities while short-handed. By the way, Franson has really impressed me with his ability to get hard shots on net from the point.
The Leafs head out to Carolina to face the Hurricanes Thursday night, who usually give the Leafs a tough game. As I mentioned yesterday, the Leafs need to get 4 out of possible 6 points on this road trip which means they need to win Thursday and Saturday in Winnipeg. I would think that Wilson will come back with Reimer in goal and the young netminder will be looking to bounce back quickly. Hopefully, the Leafs will have recovered from all of their Christmas cheer and give Leaf fans something to cheer about Thursday night.
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!!!
Another Lost Browns Season Mercifully Coming To An End
The Cleveland Browns gave their long suffering fans another disappointing loss on Christmas Eve dropping a 20-14 decision to the Baltimore Ravens. This game was as frustrating as the 14-3 loss to Pittsburgh earlier this month as the Browns blew opportunities for the big upsets. Bad clock management and terrible play calling doomed the Browns once again. Early in the season there was the excuse that the limited training camp hurt the Browns because they did not have enough time to get used to a new coaching staff and new offensive system. Well those excuses ring hollow now in Week 16 when the same mistakes are being made.
It's been two years since the Browns hired Mike Holmgren to be President of the team and lead them back to respectability, playoff appearances and a Super Bowl. But as the second year comes to a close, there does not appear to be much change in the direction of this team. Sure, there have been some good players drafted, TJ Ward, Joe Haden, Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard, but the overall talent on this team is lacking dramatically. Offensively, this team is a joke. As I have stated many times, I wanted to believe that Colt McCoy was the guy to lead the Browns to a championship but I am convinced that this is not the case. McCoy simply does not have the arm-strength to win in the NFL.
The Browns receiving corp is a joke. The jury is still out on Greg Little. The kid has a lot of potential and hopefully he will continue to grow. However, he is not a stretch the field playmaker. He's more like a number 2 guy. Mohammed Massaquoi can't stay healthy long enough and I can't see him as a number 1 receiver. Jerious Norwood is a nice player but he is a number 3 at best.
Joshua Cribbs is an offensive threat but the Browns don't know how to use him. Instead of deploying him as a receiver, the Browns would be better off using Cribbs as the former Browns used Eric Metcalf. Have Cribbs in the backfield as a running back, utilizing him in the running game and throwing passes to him out of the backfield. It would be awfully difficult for a linebacker to cover him.
The Browns running game is really up in the air. Tom Heckert moved up in his first draft to pick Montario Hardesty. Hardesty's pro career has been similar to his college career: injury-plagued. I find it hard to imagine him as a number one running back. Chris Ogbonnaya is a nice story but he is not a number one back either. Brandon Jackson, who was brought in from Green Bay and has missed the entire season with an injury, is a change of pace third down back. The best running back the Browns have is Peyton Hillis. Hillis has proven that he can be a number one back but it appears that the Browns will let him test free agency. If that is the case, all three skilled positions on offense are in search of a number one guy. So much for your offense and I have not even mentioned the guard and right tackle positions on the offensive line.
Defensively, the Browns need help at linebacker, another defensive end and more defensive secondary help. So as you can see they need a lot. Holmgren and Heckert have indicated that they want to build the team through the draft. The problem is this team needs so much that it will take at least two more drafts to raise the talent level so that the Browns can compete in the AFC North. This is totally unacceptable. Recently, I've been reading that there appears to be a change of heart as it relates to free agency. Heckert has indicated that the Browns will be looking to bolster their roster with free agents and this should be used not to fill in roster spots but to upgrade the talent level on this team.
Besides the lack of talent on this team, the other thing that is particularly troubling is how this new regime has handled certain issues which gives me the impression that these guys are in over their heads. The whole Peyton Hillis issue I believe was mishandled from the beginning. It appeared to me that the Browns wanted to paint the picture that Hillis was a slackard who was playing a game to get a contract. I can remember Pat Shurmur saying that "the kid said he couldn't play". Why wouldn't he have said, "the kid had strep throat and was unable to play."
The whole Colt McCoy concussion situation was a total joke and an embarassment. Holmgren's press conference was an insult. Does he really expect us to believe that no one, not one person, affiliated with the Cleveland Browns did not see the severity of the hit?? When Holmgren came on board I thought it was a breathe of fresh air the way he answered questions and even how he handled Eric Mangini. But this last press conference gave me the impression that this guy was trying to cover the team's butt as opposed to being honest and saying that they screwed up.
While Holmgren and Heckert have been around and should not be out of their element in running a team, Pat Shurmur is in way over his head. Holmgren's assertion that Shurmur is a bright young coach who is going to be around for a while is troubling at best. For his first year as a head coach I would have to give Shurmur an F. His lack of creativity, terrible game management and his self-righteous attitude leaves me to wonder what lies ahead. I don't see what Holmgren sees in Shurmur. I'd like to think he knows more than me. At least I hope he does.
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Tomorrow is the last Tuesday's Thoughts for 2011. Should be a dandy as I will touch on what may lie ahead in 2012.
Leafs Deliver For Christmas With 5-3 Win & NFL Week 16 Picks
Since the lockout, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a propensity to let down against weaker opponents. Even last year during their late season run, they lost to the Islanders. But last night the Leafs came out flying scoring 3 goals in the first period and hung on for a 5-3 win, picking up 5 out of 6 points heading into the Christmas break. They find themselves in 6th place, 3 points ahead of ninth place Winnipeg and 4 points behind fifth place Pittsburgh.
The Clarke MacArthur-Tim Connolly-Nazem Kadri line has been on fire since Kadri has been called up from the Marlies. Last night this trio combined for five points and was dangerous all night. At the end of the game with the Islanders trying to apply pressure, Phil Kessel made a nice play to break up a potential scoring chance that ultimately led to Joffrey Lupul's empty net goal that secured the win. While we all knew that Kessel could score, it's his improvement in his own end that has really made an impact and has given Coach Ron Wilson confidence in putting Kessel on the ice in the final minute of the game.
Wilson made the right decision to start James Reimer in goal as the Leaf netminder has been solid and last night was no different. It appears that Reimer has fully recovered from his October 22 injury and that bodes well for the Leafs for the remainder of the season. Jake Gardiner was back in the lineup last night and played well. It was a good move by Wilson to sit the young defenseman against Buffalo. Gardiner made a beautiful spin-o-rama move that resulted in a great scoring chance for the Leafs. The Leafs will have an interesting decision after the break as John-Michael Liles should return to action against Florida on Tuesday night. It's not out of the question that Brian Burke could use one of these defenseman along with a youngster to acquire another top 6 forward. However, if the Connolly line continues to play as they have over the last two games, Burke will really be in the catbird's seat since he will not have to make a desperate deal.
Many last season were saying that the Leafs run from January 1st on was typical of the team since the lockout. At that time I stated that it was different. You could see that they were growing as a young club. Reimer was beginning to make a difference and Kessel and Lupul were starting to develop chemistry. In addition, after the trade of Tomas Kaberle, Dion Phaneuf seemed to have lifted his game back to his early days in Calgary. It is apparent that this team has continued where they left off last year. In fact, they have improved with the acquisition of Connolly, David Steckel and the play of Jake Gardiner and Matt Frattin. If Nazem Kadri keeps going the way he has the last 2 games, it only can get better. In addition, they have Joe Colborne waiting in the wings with the Marlies. Playoffs are still not a certainty but this has been the best start the Leafs have had since prior to the lockout.
All in all, it's fun to be a Leaf fan again!!!!!
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My last NFL Picks were for Week 14 when I was 2-1 raising my overall record to 26-20 and over the last 10 weeks 22-10. Here are my picks for Week 16:
* Denver (-3) over Buffalo: This is a big game for the Broncos. A win brings them to 9-6 and would maintain their one game lead over the winner of the KC-Oakland game. A loss would leave them tied. The Bills are a beaten team, having lost 7 in a row and are pretty banged up. This is a game the Broncos can't let slip away. Denver 20 Buffalo 14.
* Baltimore (-12 1/2) over Cleveland: The Ravens should be in an angry mood after being embarassed on national TV last Sunday night. The Ravens are unbeaten at home and are 5-1-1 as a home favorite. The Ravens control their own destiny: if they win out they will be the AFC North Champions and get a first round bye in the playoffs. The Browns have nothing to play for and will be starting Seneca Wallace for a second straight week. Baltimore is ranked 7th in offense and 3rd defensively in the AFC. The Browns are ranked 3rd from the bottom offensively and 8th defensively in the AFC. This one will be ugly. Baltimore 31 Cleveland 14.
* New Orleans (-6 1/2) over Atlanta: The Saints want to be the number 2 seed in the NFC and get a first round bye in the playoffs. A victory over Atlanta clinches the NFC South title. They are on a roll and are 6-0 as a home favorite. The Falcons have won their last 3 out of 4 but the victories were against Minnesota, Carolina and Jacksonville. They step up in class on Monday night in New Orleans. New Orleans 35 Atlanta 27.
Leafs Win 3-2 Over Sabres
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 last night before a noisy Air Canada Centre crowd. For the second game in a row James Reimer made 40 saves and it appears the Leaf netminder is beginning to round into the form he exhibited before his injury on October 22. Reimer was particularly sharp when the Leafs were shorthanded which certainly helps their penalty killing.
Offensively, the Leafs received scoring from 3 different lines. The first Leaf goal came from the fourth line as David Steckel put one behind Ryan Miller in a goal mouth scrum that tied the game 1-1. Phil Kessel notched his 20th of the season on a beautiful tip-in giving the Leafs a 2-1 lead. Kessel was flying last night as he had 10 shots on goal.
The game winner came off the stick of Nazem Kadri on a high wrister over the glove of Miller. Kadri showed his offensive skill and certainly benefitted by playing with Clarke MacArthur and Tim Connolly. MacArthur set up Kadri neatly on the game winner. If this line can continue to produce, the Leafs could potentially have three dangerous scoring lines.
This was a huge win for the Leafs who were 3-5-2 in their last 10 games prior to last night. The Eastern Conference is really bunched up and getting two points off of the Sabres was huge. Because I live in WNY, when the Sabres play I only get the Sabres feed on the Centre Ice package which gives me a bad case of heartburn. Listening to Rick "Pork Chop" Jenneret makes me ill. Hearing him whine when Dion Phaneuf knocked down a Sabre after they ran into James Reimer was classic Pork Chop. It also illustrates the problem with the Buffalo media. They spout off either on TV, the radio or the newspaper and all of the Chester Cheektowagas go out and carry the message even though its nothing more than a bunch of crap.
What was also as ridiculous as Pork Chop was listening to Kevin Sylvester and Rob Ray after the game. Both of these jokers said that the Sabres deserved to win the game. Really???? Were they that much better than the Leafs last night??? What the hell game were these two nitwits watching. I'm not going to say that the Leafs dominated the game. There was an ebb and flow to the game as the Leafs dominated the first period while the Sabres had the better chances in the second. The third period was even. The ineffectiveness on the Sabre power play was attributed to Thomas Vanek being out. Did that hurt?? Yes, but to say that was the sole reason is typical Buffalo media nonsense. Where was Derek Roy, Jason Pominville and Christian Erhoff?? By the way, did you happen to catch Rob Ray's pre-game interview with Paul Hamilton??? Looks like Hamilton has not missed too many meals. Wow, what a load!!!!!
The Leafs are in Long Island tonight to take on the Islanders. This is a game that the Leafs need to win and on paper should win. There are some rumblings that James Reimer may be back in the nets tonight as the Leaf netminder may be on a roll. The puck drop is 7pm at the venerable Nassau County Veterans Coliseum.
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NFL Picks tomorrow along with Leaf recap.
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