by Eddie Mayrose

Sports Heroes are Everywhere; If You Know Where To Look

There were seven minutes left in the CUNY Women’s Basketball semifinal when the College of Staten Island suddenly found itself in a battle.  What had looked to be an easy win was now in jeopardy as visiting York had whittled a twenty two point deficit down to ten and taken hold of the momentum of the game.  Then CSI senior guard Mallory Ameneiros, with five of her ten teammates on the bench in street clothes, decided that this was not to be her last college game.  It was a decision she’d made twice before, but this time, it was made on the court; not in a doctor’s office. Continue reading »

Mike Napoli Sizzles While Fantasy Owners Get Burned

by Moonlight Graham

Think back to last year’s Fantasy Baseball Draft when you sat at the table clicking your heels, hoping for Geovany Soto to get through to the round in which you had him slotted.  Coming off a season so stellar that he garnered the Rookie of the Year award, Soto was even more enticing to Fantasy Baseball owners because his 23 HR and 86 RBI came from behind the plate; traditionally the weakest Fantasy spot.  But like many before him, (remember Rick Wilkins?), Soto failed to build on his initial success.  Instead of the 30-100 season many expected, his was an injury riddled exercise in disappointment. Continue reading »

by Eddie Mayrose
 

New York Yankees Look to Resign Shortstop
With the Yankees welcoming pitchers and catchers to Tampa this week, the issue of Derek Jeter’s contract situation is sure to dominate the early part of camp. With the longtime Yankee and favorite son entering the last season of his contract, many are wondering how both Jeter and the front office will handle the upcoming negotiations.

While many feel that the Yankees are squarely behind the eight ball in any talks; Jeter being their most popular player since DiMaggio, it’s also true that the shortstop isn’t dealing from a position of complete strength either.

Jeter has been the face of the franchise since his arrival in 1996; a handsome, clutch, superstar athlete with an uncanny sense of his public persona. He plays hard all the time, never puts himself in a compromising position off the field and, oh by the way, has been a central figure on five World Champions. He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer who’s been with one team for his entire career; a rarity in this transient era borne of free agency. The Yankees must consider not only his incredible resume while discussing a contract, but the backlash from fans devastated by the departure of their hero. Continue reading »

by Moonlight Graham

Beware the Young Studs

So, you’re beginning to prepare for your Fantasy Baseball Draft and the annual dilemma of when to start assembling your pitching staff rears its ugly head. “Can I really let Tim Lincecum get past my early, second round pick?”  “If Johan Santana falls to the fourth round, is he worth the risk?” And, finally, “When do I look to grab one of the young guns that could put my staff over the top?”  Well, to answer the first two, Lincecum would be a tough pass at that point in any Fantasy Baseball Draft and Johan is a steal if he drops to the fourth round.  As for the third question, there’s a little more to consider than potential. Continue reading »

McGee Survivor League Down To Final Pair

After 12 tribal councils have eliminated all but Dr. Pete and Twin Cities Jen, the inaugural season of the McGee Survivor League comes to a close this weekend.  Interestingly, the matchup will pair the NFL’s two best running backs; Jen’s Adrian Peterson and Pete’s Chris Johnson.  A bitter pill for the old Professor to swallow, as his strategy to load up on receivers in the early round was summarily stuffed down his throat in Week 10 when he was, ironically, nosed out by both of the finalists on his birthday.  We’ll give a slight edge to Jen’s Team Minnesota for two reasons.  She can turn the world on with her smile and Waggie predicted that she or Colleen, our Bay Area beauty, would walk away with the prize.  That probably bodes well for Pete’s Samurai Shortbus, however, as I haven’t gotten much right in this league.  Good Luck.

Fantasy Football News and Notes

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson is very doubtful vs. Atlanta with a concussion…With RB Jamal Lewis done for the year, Jerome Harrison becomes an attractive FA pickup as he’s the Browns’ first option as a replacement.  Well, maybe not attractive but it’s Week 13; you can’t expect much…Mark Sanchez is probable vs. the Bills on Thursday.  If that’s a concern for you, I’d expect that your team is doubtful for a playoff run… The former Chad Johnson threw some left handed compliments at the Bengals’ decision to rely on the running game in their last two wins.  He wants the Bengals to throw more.  Hey Chad, did you notice how much you threw the ball last year when you were 4-11-1?…  QB Ben Roethlisberger will lead the Steelers into battle vs. Oakland.  Hines Ward, however, is questionable with a size 12 Adidas shoe still stuck in his mouth… K Jason Elam was waived by Atlanta, who signed Matt Bryant as a replacement… RB Cedric Benson should return for the Bengals vs. Detroit; bad news for those who picked up Larry Johnson… The Giants’ DST went from a must-start to a matchup when S Kenny Phillips went down and now are a must-sit with LB Antonio Pierce sidelined… Don’t sweat if you own New Orleans RB Pierre Thomas.  Mike Bell got more carries on Monday simply because the Saints chose to run the ball in garbage time.

Fantasy Football Stars

RB Rashard Mendenhall ran for 95 YDS last week in the Steelers OT loss to the Browns; one of the toughest run defenses in the league.  Look for a significant bump to those totals vs. the pathetic Raiders in a game Pittsburgh must have… QB Carson Palmer will shut that big hole in #85’s face by taking advantage of a hapless Lions’ secondary while easing the burden on RB Cedric Benson; returning from injury… Broncos’ WR Brandon Marshall will reap the combined benefits of a ten day rest and an extremely weak defense to post huge numbers vs. Kansas City.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

QB Kurt Warner is still having trouble with his eyes as a result of a concussion.  He’s probable for Arizona vs. Minnesota but you have to wonder how effective he’ll be against a defense with 40 sacks… Owners of Ravens RB Ray Rice have been hurt all year while Baltimore turns to Willis McGahee at the goal line.  Rice has maintained value, however, by posting solid YDS; something that won’t happen this week vs. Green Bay’s tough run defense… Things don’t look bright for WR Lee Evans in tonight’s game vs. the Jets. With Terrell Owens starting to string together some solid games and Buffalo facing a formidable defense, Evans is unlikely to get a lot of touches.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

The Texans face a Jacksonville squad as desperate as they are.  The thinking here is that the Jags will throw the kitchen sink at WR Andre Johnson, leaving Kevin Walter to enjoy a big day… Eagles’ RB LeSean McCoy will take advantage of the Falcons fading defensive unit to the tune of 100 YDS and two TD… QB Kyle Orton will lead a rested Denver squad into Kansas City and make the game look  like a seven on seven drill.

Fantasy Football Slippers

In spite of the Saints’ scoring like a pinball machine, TE Jeremy Shockey hasn’t become part of the fun.  It’s been weeks since he had a productive game… Chiefs’ QB Matt Cassel is in for a long one vs. a Denver team that seemed to find itself on Thanksgiving vs. the Giants… Speaking of the Giants, it’s a mystery why RB Brandon Jacobs has been struggling.  Howevr, it’s your job to react to the problem; not figure it out.