by Eddie Mayrose

Was actually encouraged by the way the New York Knicks started the season.  Not that I had any expectations about a championship or even a playoff appearance, for that matter. Rather, I was just happy that the roster was now populated with players that I could actually root for; a stark contrast to the band of miscreants that wore the uniform over the course of Isiah Thomas’ reign of error.  Gone were Stephon Marbury, Nate Robinson and Jerome James, replaced by hard-working players like Toney Douglas and Ronny Turiaf, not to mention A’mare Stoudamire,the biggest talent to hit the Garden floor in a long time.  However, my optimism was dashed very quickly last week after I sat through Knicks-Warriors.

In a display of basketball that would give a men’s over-40 league a bad name, the defenseless home team surrendered the whopping total of 74 points in the paint; a total you wouldn’t expect if Golden State were playing in an empty gym.  The Knicks complete inability to get a stop at any point in the game, coupled with their relentless brickfest from behind the three point arc made it abundantly clear as to the real problem at MSG: Mike D’Antoni.

Brought in as what was supposed to be a lure for LeBron James, D’Antoni received a free pass over his first two seasons as Donnie Walsh rid the team of the terrible contracts that were Isiah’s legacy. Forced to go to battle with a band of selfish misfits, D’Antoni was rarely held accountable for the team’s poor performance.  Now, however, with a team that is much improved, we’re seeing the results of the coach’s “offense first and always” philosophy.  Looks like it’ll be another quite spring on 32nd and 7th.

New York Jets On a Roll

After becoming the first team in NFL history to win two consecutive road games in overtime, it seems as though the Jets may have finally stumbled on to a winning formula: Spread as many former Jets across the rosters of their opponents and wait for them to act as if they were still in the Meadowlands.

Each of Gang Green’s last four wins has been a nail-biter that was in doubt until the final gun.  In  the first, old friend Brett Favre, gearing up for a game winning drive, instead threw an interception that Dwight Lowery returned for a game clinching score.  Then, on Sunday, former Jet receiver Chansi Stuckey fumbled away an opportunity for a game winning field goal before Eric Mangini mismanaged the clock and gift wrapped one final scoring opportunity for Mark sanchez.

Don’t know how the rest of the season will pan out for Big Rexy and his boys, but, as long as there’s an ex-Jet on the other sideline, maybe they have a chance.

Jeter Contract No Walk in the Park

Got a good laugh from Yankee fans this week; indignant at the thought of Derek Jeter having to go through the same process of negotiating a contract that everyone else is forced to endure.  Many feel that GM Brian Cashman should issue a blank check for Jeter to sign as an homage to his career accomplishments.  A nice thought, sure, but a very stupid thing for Cashman to do.  I wonder how many of those same fans would be interested in signing an aging shortstop with little pop, a weak arm, limited range and coming off of the worst offensive season of his career.  The fact of the matter is that Jeter will be overpaid at any price as there is no market for him anywhere else in Major League Baseball.  That he’ll likely be paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million dollars for three years is incredibly generous.  Think about that, Bomber backers, when your boy is 38 and you’re complaining about the pitching staff .

By Eddie Mayrose

Each year, around the feast of St. Joseph (March 19th) the famous cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano return from their winter vacation spot 6,000 miles south in Goya, Corrientes, Argentina. While it is truly one of nature’s wonders, it isn’t as unique as many might think. Here in New York, we annually celebrate the return of our own type of swallows; loony birds with no capacity to remember past failures who are destined to perpetuate their own suffering.

New York Jet Fans Return to Capistrano

My heart goes out to Cheap Seater Lou Ricciardi. He’s been mentioned before in this space as a long suffering Jet fan that can’t stop himself from being sucked into the hype. Perhaps in an attempt to conceal his gullibility, Lou sent me a blurb that he found on a Jets blog, rather than put his own name to the same, misguided optimism. Anyway, some poor slob submitted a long post about the death of the “Same Old Jets” and mocking Gang Green’s naysayers. As if his heart won’t be broken once again.

I have to admit, these New York Jets have me stumped. I had predicted a standard, garden variety collapse; to the tune of a 6-10 season. However, as I’ve watched them dominate both sides of the ball on their way to compiling a 3-0 record in the AFC East as they welcome back three Pro Bowlers this week, I am at a loss to discern from which direction disaster will eventually strike. Now, I’ve been a Jet fan my whole life and carry the scars to prove it. They’ve crushed my spirit so many times that I’ve developed a keen sense of impending doom; but it’s failing me at the moment. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still completely convinced that, somewhere down the road, the season will go terribly wrong. Not only that, the longer it takes, the more it will sting. For now, though, I’ll enjoy the ride, right up until it runs me right into the brick wall that’s always waiting for Jet fans. However, unlike poor Lou Ricciardi, I’ll be wearing a seat belt.

New York Knicks Return to Capistrano

Can’t imagine that any of the Knicks’ brass was shocked to find that Eddy Curry had, once again, reported to training camp overweight and out of shape. In an unusual twist, Curry has become the team’s longest tenured player; mostly due the waning skills and obscene contract that make him completely untradeable. Just another example of how the gifts of Isiah Thomas just keep on giving. And, in this case, eating.

New York Mets Return to Capistrano

Here they go, again. Fred and Jeff Wilpon in search of two or three thousand opinions on the best way to return their franchise to the top of the NL East while completely missing the point that their indecision is the very reason the Metsies are floundering. Let’s try this, Freddy. Go find a solid, established baseball lifer (Sandy Alderson?) and then LEAVE HIM ALONE. Keep sonny boy away from him, too. Say all you want about the failings of Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya, there’s no disputing that they were always hamstrung by your lack of commitment to a long-term direction for the team. I don’t know who may be on the radar to fill either position, but the notion being floated around that Wally Backman is somehow ready to handle a major market franchise has disaster written all over it.

We’ve seen, courtesy of YouTube, Backman’s over-the-top volatility when things don’t go his way. Not exactly the demeanor necessary to handle a sometimes combative press corps. Besides, word out of the NY Penn League is that Backman hasn’t necessarily expunged all of the demons that caused the Diamondbacks to withdraw their managerial offer a few years ago. Get it right this time, guys, or your brand new ballpark is going to be empty for a long time.

New York Jets All Talk: Again

Tony Dungy, former Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts and one of the NFL’s true gentlemen, took Rex Ryan to task over the summer for the salty language that was so prominent on HBO’s Hard Knocks, an all-access view of the Jets training camp. Certainly hope Dungy wasn’t anywhere near the new Meadowlands Stadium on Monday, then,to hear the profanity in the stands as Big Rexy’s boys carried on the long-standing Jets tradition of crushing the high hopes of their naive fans with a 10-6 stinker against the Ravens.

There’s an old adage that says, “It ain’t braggin’ if you can back it up.” And, what we found out Monday is that Gang Green has the biggest collection of braggarts in the sports world.  Ryan has stated on numerous occasions that anything short of a trip to the Super Bowl will render this season a failure. This despite an offensive unit led by Mark Sanchez, who finished2009 as the lowest rated starting quarterback in the league and one that dismssed Thomas Jones and Alan Faneca, two of its more prominent leaders. Think that, maybe, the Jetsies were missing those two just a little bit as they failed to convert a third down until the final minute vs. Baltimore?

Worse, the whole, “Rex lets us talk”, mentality seems to have taken a huge toll on the team’s professionalism.  From eating cheeseburgers on the field during a preseason workout to the litany of penalties that haunted them throughout the opener, the Jets have quickly become an undisciplined mess with a roster full of loudmouths for whom it is impossible to root.

Cheap Seater Paul Pandolfi took me to task a few weeks ago for my pessimistic outlook on the Jets season.  “I don’t want to hear anymore of your 6-10 nonsense”, cried the long suffering Jet fan.  My apologies, Paul.  If the offensive scheme they unveiled on Monday doesn’t improve, I’ll have to revise my prediction to 5-11.

New York Yankess May Have Difficult Winter

We’ve gotten a glimpse over the last few weeks into what could be a very uncomfortable offseason for the New York Yankees as they begin contract negotiations with Derek Jeter.  Plodding through a very difficult season, Jeter will be seeking a new deal for 2011 and beyond; one that could hamstring the Bombers for the length of the pact.

While the Yankee shortstop has certainly enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, the fact remains at 36 years of age, his skills are on the decline, with his batting average starting to mirror the limited range that has plagued him for a lot longer than adoring fans would like to admit.  Unfortunately for Yankee brass, they’ll have to choose whether their decision is based on business or sentiment.

From a pure baseball standpoint, the idea of giving a long-term, big-money deal to an aging shortstop that is clearly on the decline is ridiculous anywhere but Flushing.  Whatever money it’ll take to sign Jeter ($15 mil plus?) would be better spent on the starting pitching the Yankees so desperately need.  It’s even sillier when you realize that there will be no market for Jeter outside of New York at his asking price. Thus, the Bombers would have to pay through the nose even though they have no competition.

Sentimentally, however, the thought of the shortstop in another uniform is heresy to Yankee fans everywhere.  He’s been the face of the franchise for the last fifteen, successful seasons and the Golden Boy of the fans.  I’d hate to be Brian Cashman at the press conference announcing the Yankees’ decision to go with someone else.

So, Yankee fans, ask yourselves this.  Do you love Derek Jeter so much that you’d be willing to take a bullet in order to watch him retire in pinstripes?  Or do you cut ties and start fresh?

New York Jets Cut Corners in Acquiring Corner

So, now we find out that one game short of the Super Bowl is the moral evacuation point for the New York Jets when it comes to the formation of their roster.  Flush with the excitement of their improbable run to the AFC Championship game and desperate to fill a new stadium through a PSL extortion campaign, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has his eye on the prize; and, seemingly, nothing else.

His first big splash of the off season was to acquire Antonio Cromartie, former first round pick and Pro Bowl cornerback, from the Chargers.  The idea of pairing Cromartie, the San Diego record holder for interceptions in a season, with Darrelle Revis, the game’s best, gave Tannenbaum the impetus to ignore the personal baggage Cromartie brings east.  Gang Green’s new defensive back has been a busy young man; fathering seven children with six women in five states; all by the age of twenty five.  With at least one paternity suit pending, the Jets felt it necessary to advance Cromartie $500K of his 2010 salary in order for him to satisfy delinquent child support payments.  They can only hope he doesn’t start dating before training camp begins.

Then, perhaps attempting to balance the miscreants on each side of the ball, Tannenbaum swooped in and grabbed wide receiver Santonio Holmes from the Steelers for a song.  Despite the fact that Holmes was the hero and MVP of Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl victory just two years ago, he became available after a March incident in which he allegedly threw a glass at a woman in a nightclub; cutting her above the eye. Then, after a Twitter comment critical of Holmes, he told the follower to “kill urself” and later Tweeted that it was time to “wake and bake”, a reference to smoking pot in the morning.

Holmes is no stranger to marijuana, having been arrested for possession in 2008.  He’s also been arrested, in 2006, on charges of domestic violence and will be suspended for the first four games of this season for an unspecified violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.  But, again, talent was the trump card and, after Pittsburgh had had enough, Tannenbaum surrendered just a paltry fifth round pick for the troubled Steeler; pairing him with Braylon Edwards, himself acquired amidst legal woes last year.

On the surface, these moves might be justified by reasoning that the Jets are on the cusp of a championship.  In reality, however, they’re little more than a .500 team that got hot at the right time; edging two playoff opponents that missed a total of five field goals. Their postseason appearance, itself, was achieved on the heels of a virtual forfeit by the Indianapolis Colts. The vaunted defense, pride and joy of Head Coach Rex Ryan, failed to stop fourth quarter drives by playoff outsiders Jacksonville and Atlanta during a regular season stretch that produced six losses in seven games. Quarterback Mark Sanchez was the league’s lowest rated starter at season’s end and has yet to begin running after off-season knee surgery while RB Thomas Jones and OG Alan Faneca, each a Pro Bowler as well as a respected team leader, were released.

Owner Woody Johnson, along with Tannenbaum, has sworn his belief that Big Rexy is enough of a “people person” to pull all of these new and questionable personalities together and unite them toward a common goal.  Best of luck to Coach Ryan, then, on that front.  However, even if this is, finally, the group that earns a Lombardi Trophy, won’t it be more than a little tainted that it was won by players no one wants to root for?

College Basketball Winners and Whiners

What’s better than the opening of the NCAA Tournament?  Not only does it signal the beginning of the best event on the sports calendar, it brings to a close the four days of whining we are forced to endure annually from the coaches that feel their teams were unfairly excluded.  Here’s a thought, guys.  Beat someone.

For the second year in a row, Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenberg is telling anyone who’ll listen that his Hokies got the short end of the stick.  He counters the argument that his non-league schedule included a few high schools by pointing out that his squad had a better record than NCAA-bound Wake Forest and even beat the Deacons head to head.  That’s fine.  However, with the Big Dance on the line, they got knocked out of the ACC tournament by Miami; the worst team in the league.  So, spare us all, coach.  You had your shot and blew it.  Don’t expect the Selection Committee to clean up your mess.

As for the Tourney, itself, I have to agree with ESPN’s Jay Bilas, who points out that the field is flooded with weak, at-large teams.  While that should make for an interesting first round, it will, ultimately, allow the heavyweights to advance with little resistance.  I like Wisconsin, Duke, Kansas and Pittsburgh to make the trip to Indianapolis.  Given my history, however, you’d be wise to eliminate all four from your brackets.

New York Yankees’ Rotation Upside Down

I get a kick out of the idea that Javier Vasquez, one of the game’ top ten pitchers over the last decade, will somehow be the fourth starter in the Yankee rotation. Bombers’ fans take issue with the fact that he was the losing pitcher in Game 7 of their epic collapse at the hands of the Red Sox in 2004.  What they forget is that Vasquez garnered an All Star bid off of his first half performance and pitched through shoulder pain for much of the second half of that season.  The thought that either A.J. Burnett or Andy Pettitte is better than the righthander acquired from the Braves is laughable.  Sit back and enjoy this guy, Yankee fans, as he and C.C. Sabathia will give you the best one-two punch in all of baseball.

“I Know You Are But What Am I?”

Caught the YouTube video of the dust-up between Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras at a charity tennis match last week.  After watching each become furious with the other over comments dealing with how they walked and spent their money, I got a good laugh wondering what NHL or NFL players might think of the little, snippy, hissy fits thrown by both.  Another reason, I guess, that I wouldn’t watch tennis on a bet.

New York Giants To Play Inaugural Game

When I saw that the Jets had lost a coin flip with the Giants that determined which of the two would open their new stadium I thought immediately of The Honeymooners.  In the episode where Ralph and Norton share the cost of a new television, the TV ends up in the Kramdens’ apartment as the result of a coin flip in which Ralph tells Ed, “Heads I win, tails you lose.”  As if the Jets ever had a chance of hosting the first game.

Speaking of Gang Green, GM Mike Tannenbaum deserves kudos for signing LaDainian Tomlinson.  While LT is clearly on the decline, he’ll be a mentor for Shonn Greene while giving the Jets some insurance against the possible departure of Leon Washington.

Some have wondered why Thomas Jones was released, given that Tomlinson received similar money.  They are two very different backs.  Jones would have been competing for a starting job with Greene; a runner of identical style, while Tomlinson comes in as the backup and gives the offense more versatility.  Loyal Cheap Seaters know that it’s not often I’ve got good things to say about the Jetsies but, this time, they got it right.

High School Basketball Has Room For Compassion

It’s the toughest thing a high school coach has to do.  Despite all of his competitive instincts and the months spent prodding and cajoling his team to strive for excellence, when it comes to an elimination game, he must recognize and concede to defeat before his players do; especially the seniors.  It is his shoulder they’ll need to lean on when they make the heartbreaking realization that their season has run its course; that the daily routine of practice and bonding with teammates has suddenly been taken away.  It’s all the more poignant when it occurs at the end of a long playoff run; standing in stark contrast to the success already gained.  It’s where Steve Oliver, rookie basketball coach at Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn, found himself last Saturday as his girls trailed badly in the semi finals of the NY State Catholic Championship.

After garnering the first New York City B title in school history, Oliver’s Bonnies were paired with Sacred Heart of Valley Stream, LI;  a sharp shooting opponent whose size would be very difficult for Fontbonne to handle under the best of circumstances.  That they would also have to overcome the loss of their point guard and lead defender to a knee injury in the first two minutes made the task nearly impossible.  For Oliver, he would not only be forced to juggle his remaining players but also his emotions, as the injured star was his daughter, Jill.

With its top scorer, Katie Henderson, now handling the ball, Oliver’s squad struggled to find good shots against the Sacred Heart zone.  Worse, without Jill Oliver,  the Bonnies had to abandon the aggressive man to man defense that had become their trademark throughout the championship run.  Taylor Higgins took full advantage as she dropped a number of three point bombs in leading the Long Island school with 21 points.

With three minutes left, the Fontbonne players had still made no concession to the game’s outcome.  Despite their fatigue, they continued to dive on loose balls and press from end to end;  but their coach had seen enough.  He removed his seniors, each of whom received a warm ovation, and then the rest of the starters that had played most of the contest.  “I wanted to speak to each of the seniors; to thank them”, he said after the game.  He also wanted to remind them of the great season they’d had.  “Tremendous year. The girls gave me everything they had.”  He’d also given them everything he had, and, as he carried his injured daughter out of the gym, it was obvious that she wasn’t the only Bonnie in good hands.

Things went better than expected last week for the star of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers.  He may not have won any money, but he did manage to break even on this season’s first venture into the world of pro football.  Gil, having assured us he’d confer with his wife, Jill, returns this week to give his two cents on who we might be watching two weeks from now in Super Bowl XLIV.

New Orleans -3 1/2 over Minnesota- When you take away the obligatory three points usually granted a home team, this one looks too close to call.  Both teams dominated their first round opponents after stumbling through the month of December.  I’m going with New Orleans here because I’m buying into Reggie Bush.  His performance last week brought back memories of his Heisman days at USC and served to make Drew Brees and his receivers that much more dangerous.  Strangely, he could be the best runner in the game as Brett Favre’s “me first” attitude has neutralized Adrian Peterson over the last two months.  Who’d a thunk AP would go eight weeks without a 100 yard game?  Look for New Orleans to go up early and then feast on Favre as he starts slinging the ball to anyone on the field.

New York + 7 1/2 over Indianapolis- How can I jump off the Rex Ryan bandwagon now?  This oversized Pied Piper has convinced players and fans alike that his team belongs in the Super Bowl.  As with San Diego, Gang Green matches up with an offense that can’t run the ball effectively and will have to deal with the loss of its best receiver; courtesy of Darrelle Revis.  Unlike San Diego, however, the Jets will have difficulty getting their different defensive packages on the field because of the Colts’ no huddle offense.  Then there’s the small problem of stopping Peyton Manning.  I agree with the many that see this contest as a close one so, I expect Indy to come out on top.  I mean, really, who picks against Manning in a close game?  That said, I think 7 1/2 points is too wide a margin.

Enjoy the games.

Football Gods Still Smiling On New York Jets

Shonn Greene had just crossed the goal line at the end of a bruising fifty-one yard run that had given the Jets a stunning 17-7 lead over San Diego with seven minutes left in their Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday.  As Greene was being mobbed by his teammates and my sons and I were jumping all over the living room, the phone rang.  It was my dad, a well-meaning yet naive Giant fan, calling to congratulate us on a big win.  I picked up the phone, horrified, and said, “Are you crazy?  You can’t call me now.  Do you have any idea how much disaster the Jets can pack into seven minutes?”  And, sure enough, Rex Ryan immediately suffered his only brain cramp of the day; electing to squib the kickoff and hand the ball to the Chargers on the New York side of the field.  There wasn’t a fan over thirty that didn’t believe we were about to be treated to another Jet horror show.

It was then, however, that Gang Green entered the Bizarro World, one where the opponent melts down and the good guys triumph.  Instead of Mark Gastineau roughing the passer, it was Vincent Jackson kicking the challenge flag.  While he may have looked like Doug Brien, it was actually Nate Kaeding, the league’s best kicker, who doomed the Chargers with two missed field goals.  And, finally, Norv Turner’s tragic decision to on-side kick with two minutes remaining was right out of Joe Walton’s coaching manual.  As Jets fans, we’d seen each of these gaffes before but, always, they were committed by our side.  Had the football gods decided we’d finally had enough?  Maybe.  But it’s very possible that the smash mouth brand of football being played by the Jets is exactly the style that brings about such good fortune.  Whatever it is, you have to admit they rate somewhat more of a puncher’s chance against Peyton Manning and Co. this week.

There’s no arguing that, since a Week 15 loss to the Falcons, Lady Luck has been wearing green.  The ton of help necessary to make the playoffs was provided by a multitude of teams.  The first round matchup with the Bengals was the best they could’ve drawn, as was San Diego in the second round.  Their cause has been aided immensely by five missed field goals over the first two games and, much like their matchup with the Chargers, they’ll face a team in Indianapolis with an inferior running game.  Could it be that the stars have finally aligned in their favor?   I don’t know.  But, as long as they continue to dominate their opponent with the league’s best ground attack and the NFL‘s top defensive unit forces the Colts off their game plan, their Super Bowl trip to Miami will have nothing to do with luck.  Though, just in case, I’ll be wearing the same clothes I wore the last two weeks.

Wagstaff Eliminated From McGee Survivor League

It’s been two weeks since our beloved Professor was sent packing and he still hasn’t gotten over it.  The dreams he had of collecting the grand prize of Christmas booty have been dashed, by in-laws no less. The pain became worse when the elimination process spilled over to his birthday.  Then, the sweetest competitor left in the competition actually sought out some old classmates of the Prof and dished some more dirt.  It’s been quite a humbling experience.

The Staten Island Division has now been decimated while just one remains from the Holmdel and Long Island loops.  The Midwest Division is alive and well heading into the semi final round, each hoping to collect a Christmas gift from the rest of the league.  Good luck to all but, keep it down on the ferry, will ya, Jen?

Fantasy Football News and Notes

Thought it was very cool last week when Jacksonville RB Maurice Jones-Drew, after taking a knee on the one yard line in order to run down the clock in the fourth quarter, apologized to his Fantasy Football owners…RB Steve Slaton will be back in the Texans’ starting lineup on Monday night vs. Tennessee…Eagles RB Brian Westbrook will miss up to three weeks with his second concussion in a month.  If he has people that love him, however, he’ll sit the rest of the year…Denver QB Kyle Orton missed a lot of practice time with a sprained ankle and is doubtful for Sunday…Michael Turner, listed by the Falcons as doubtful for Sunday, probably won’t go…Washington RB Clinton Portis is still out with a concussion…Bengal RB Cedric Benson missed the entire week of practice with a hip injury and won’t play Sunday… A bum hip has Colts’ DE Dwight Freeney doubtful at Baltimore…Saints’ RB Reggie Bush is out with a knee injury…Troy Polamalu will not be in the Steelers’ secondary in Kansas City.

Fantasy Football Stars-

How often do the Texans get to show their stuff to a national audience?  That’ll happen Monday night and WR  Andre Johnson should take full advantage.  He and QB Matt Schaub are probably the deadliest passing duo in the league this side of Brady-Moss and not many know it.  Look for Johnson to make life miserable for the Tennessee defense.

Fantasy Football Stiffs -

Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez was the beneficiary of the team’s hot start and Tom Brady’s rust when Gang Green knocked off the Patriots in Week 2 at the Meadowlands.  That won’t happen today as a ticked off Patriots’ defense will be bringing schemes the rookie has never seen.  If you lose points for QB turnovers, you’ll want to sit Sanchez.

Fantasy Football Sleepers-

RB Larry Johnson was signed by the Bengals this week after a month of turmoil inn Kansas City caused by his insensitive remarks about gays cost him his job.  Desperate for a new start and working with fresh legs, he should pur up solid numbers as Cedric Benson’s replacement in Cincinnati.

Fantasy Football Slippers-

Broncos’ WR Brandon Marshall could see his numbers drop vs. San Diego if QB Kyle Orton can’t go.  Back-up QB Chris Simms does not have Orton’s arm and will likely work the underneath routes; costing Marshall and his owners valuable YDS and scoring opportunities.