- I found it rather amusing that New York Jets special teams coach Mike Westoff couldn't help but take a dig at "that pretty good team up north" after Thigh-Gate. Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi was suspended for the rest of the season and fined $25,000 for intentionally tripping a Miami player on a punt return.
Said Westoff, "Well, if you watch (the Patriots), their defense when the opponents' punt team is out there. They’re up there pretty close to the line so it looks like they are trying to do it. Now are they doing anything illegal? Are they tripping anybody, heck no. I’m not saying that. That’s not the point. But, yeah, they’re lined up there. Is it making a difference? I don’t know."
A sure sign of a team unraveling.
- As New Englanders, we're treated to a number of big sports stories throughout the year. The Patriots are the best team in the NFL, the Celtics are streaking and the Red Sox just made a number of big offseason moves.
So I apologize that nobody cares about the UConn women's basketball team, which is approaching UCLA's 88-game win streak. Women's college basketball is tough enough to watch, but I'm guessing the reason the Lady Huskies aren't getting their props is that the field is so weak. Rarely are they challenged, which kind of diminishes the accomplishment.
- In college, I roomed with a New York Yankees fan, and he's not happy right now. I wouldn't be, either. Yankees fans must feel as though they're in bizzaro world. Their biggest rival went out, spent tons of cash and put together the fiercest lineup in the majors. Add to that a player actually turned down the chance to play in pinstripes, instead taking less money to go to Philadelphia. Ouch.
- I'm not ready to call the New York Knicks relevant. One game in December doesn't turn around a franchise. Yes, the Knicks are playing better, but only when they finish above .500 (something they haven't done since 2001) will I consider them a relevant team.
"Experts" will tell you the NBA is much better when the Knicks are contenders. I disagree. Call me a cynic, but I take a little joy in the fact that the team that plays in the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden, is a perennial lottery team.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Red Sox fans shouldn't be so confident
From Cheyenne Perry, our intern at The Daily News:
So far this offseason, the Boston Red Sox have acquired outfielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. And the Yankees didn’t get Cliff Lee. For these reasons, many Red Sox fans feel their team will win the World Series, and that the Yankees are done.
Well guess what, Red Sox fans? The Phillies now have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, not to mention their offensive firepower. Even if the Red Sox go to the World Series — which they won’t — the Phillies are going to win.
As for the Yankees, we are still a great team and still contenders. And as we should all know, the Yankees will do something to get better pitchers. Yes, the Yankees are getting older, but we still have CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixieira, Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter.
The Red Sox will win the AL East, but they are not much better than the Yankees. Boston still needs to watch out for New York. The Phillies are the most dominant baseball team, as of right now. Yankees fans can’t wait to get title No. 28, so World Series here we come.
So far this offseason, the Boston Red Sox have acquired outfielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. And the Yankees didn’t get Cliff Lee. For these reasons, many Red Sox fans feel their team will win the World Series, and that the Yankees are done.
Well guess what, Red Sox fans? The Phillies now have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, not to mention their offensive firepower. Even if the Red Sox go to the World Series — which they won’t — the Phillies are going to win.
As for the Yankees, we are still a great team and still contenders. And as we should all know, the Yankees will do something to get better pitchers. Yes, the Yankees are getting older, but we still have CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixieira, Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter.
The Red Sox will win the AL East, but they are not much better than the Yankees. Boston still needs to watch out for New York. The Phillies are the most dominant baseball team, as of right now. Yankees fans can’t wait to get title No. 28, so World Series here we come.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Vick, Eagles are unlikable
There was a time, not long ago, when there was no team I hated more than the New England Patriots. In the NFL hatred rankings in my head, the Patriots held the No. 1 spot almost as long as Tiger Woods held the No. 1 golf ranking.
But this year, much like Tiger, New England has fallen from No. 1.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not rushing out to buy a No. 12 Tom Brady jersey. Far from it.
(Besides, I already have a No. 12 football jersey.)
This season, however, I’ve already found myself rooting for the Patriots twice, and there’s a chance it could happen again in February. I guarantee neither the Bears nor Vikings (the two teams I enjoyed watching the Patriots pummel) are going to be in the Super Bowl. But one of the favorites from the NFC has become a team that no one outside Philadelphia (hint, hint) should support.
Honestly, I find Philly fans a little more objectionable than usual based on their Michael Vick crush.
Some want to peg Vick’s resurgence as the feel-good story of the 2010 NFL season. For me, it’s the feel-angry story. People gush about how he’s paid his debt to society and is making the most of a second chance, and it makes me want to puke.
As deplorable as Vick’s dogfighting transgressions were, he did deserve another shot at football. But now that he has one, and is doing rather well, many are too quick to exalt him. I hated Vick before all the dogfighting stuff came to light (the word overrated comes to mind), and it’s easier to hate him now that he seems so loved.
So, if this football season ends with a Patriots-Eagles Super Bowl, I would have no choice but to back the Pats. Between Vick, idiot receiver DeSean Jackson and the way the team treated Donovan McNabb, the Eagles are utterly unlikable.
I just wish teams would start dusting off film of Vick from 2006, when he ran for 1,000 yards but overall was a mediocre QB and the Falcons were 7-9. Defenses figured him out once. Hopefully they'll do it again … and soon.
But this year, much like Tiger, New England has fallen from No. 1.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not rushing out to buy a No. 12 Tom Brady jersey. Far from it.
(Besides, I already have a No. 12 football jersey.)
This season, however, I’ve already found myself rooting for the Patriots twice, and there’s a chance it could happen again in February. I guarantee neither the Bears nor Vikings (the two teams I enjoyed watching the Patriots pummel) are going to be in the Super Bowl. But one of the favorites from the NFC has become a team that no one outside Philadelphia (hint, hint) should support.
Honestly, I find Philly fans a little more objectionable than usual based on their Michael Vick crush.
Some want to peg Vick’s resurgence as the feel-good story of the 2010 NFL season. For me, it’s the feel-angry story. People gush about how he’s paid his debt to society and is making the most of a second chance, and it makes me want to puke.
As deplorable as Vick’s dogfighting transgressions were, he did deserve another shot at football. But now that he has one, and is doing rather well, many are too quick to exalt him. I hated Vick before all the dogfighting stuff came to light (the word overrated comes to mind), and it’s easier to hate him now that he seems so loved.
So, if this football season ends with a Patriots-Eagles Super Bowl, I would have no choice but to back the Pats. Between Vick, idiot receiver DeSean Jackson and the way the team treated Donovan McNabb, the Eagles are utterly unlikable.
I just wish teams would start dusting off film of Vick from 2006, when he ran for 1,000 yards but overall was a mediocre QB and the Falcons were 7-9. Defenses figured him out once. Hopefully they'll do it again … and soon.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Around the NFL
- How bad have things gotten for the New York Jets?
A week after being completely dismantled by the New England Patriots, Gang Green is seeking help from its strength coaches. And it still didn't help as Rex Ryan's band of boneheads fell two games behind in the division standings after a 10-6 loss to Miami.
Sal Alosi, who soon can be found in the unemployment line, intentionally stuck out his leg to trip Nolan Carroll of the Dolphins on a punt return. I agree with Daily News sportswriter Josh Krueger, who said, "Who does that?"
The league says it is reviewing the matter.
- The video clip of the Metrodome roof collapsing is down right fascinating. And a little scary. Heavy amounts of snow caused the roof to come down, and snow blanketed the field. It's safe to say everyone is thankful this didn't happen during the game.
- Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely had a feel-good day on Sunday. He rushed for a touchdown on a fake field goal, and booted five from the field. Too bad I don't have him on my fantasy team.
- After their 36-7 drubbing of the Chicago Bears in a snowstorm, the New England Patriots can officially be known as the Super Bowl favorites. The Atlanta Falcons quietly have complied the same record, but not with the same panache the Pats have used.
- Let me get this straight: Dallas Cowboys running back Tashard Choice asked for Michael Vick's autograph after the Eagles beat his team? And Cardinals fans were up in arms about Derek Anderson smiling on the sidelines during a loss to the 49ers? Wow.
- How about the curious case of Randy Moss? For the second straight week, he was held to no catches, and in the latest loss on Thursday night, he wasn't even targeted. I sure hope he enjoys his Super Bowl ring he'll receive courtesy of the Patriots.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)