by Eddie Mayrose

After ten weeks, the good professor and his general manager, son Timothy, have outlasted ten family members and positioned themselves in the final four of the McGee Survivor League.  Riding the tails of the Johnson brothers, their two superstar wide receivers Andre and Calvin, Waggie and Tim have seen their Fantasy Football team, Home Alone 2, dodge every bullet thrown its way.  Now, with two brothers and a cousin standing as the only obstacles between him and the grand prize, Tim is feeling his oats.  ” I talked dad out of Carson Palmer last week and Joe Flacco came through.  This week, it’s Michael Crabtree in for Mike Williams. If we win again, dad’s paying for the Harry Potter movie.”  We’ll see, Tim.

Fantasy Football Studs

- Worried that Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers might not be able to maintain his first half pace?  Forget it, as San Diego’s MVP candidate gets his staring receiving corps back for a matchup with Denver.  In Carolina, they’re down to third string RB Mike Goodson, who turned in a terrific game last week.  Expect more of the same as the Panthers’ turn to rookie QB Tony Pike.  Can’t imagine there’ll be a lot of passes in that game plan.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

- As mentioned above, Chargers WR Legedu Naanee returns from a hamstring injury to face the very generous Broncos‘ secondary. With Tyler Thigpen stepping into the starting role in Miami, look for TE Anthony Fasano to be a primary target in the Dolphins’ limited offensive scheme.

Fantasy Football Slippers

-We’ll see how Texans WR Andre Johnson does on Revis Island this Sunday vs. the Jets, especially with an ailing Matt Schaub.  Detroit’s Calvin Johnson didn’t fare too well in the same scenario two weeks ago.  San Diego’s Antonio Gates, already dealing with an injury, may see his numbers drop with the return of WRs Naanee and Malcolm Floyd to the lineup.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

- Don’t bet on Vikings’ WR Sidney Rice being in uniform this Sunday as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.  Even if he does, he’ll struggle right along wit the rest of the Vikings.  Give up the ghost on Arizona’s RB Beanie Wells.  His “breakout” season has been a bust and should continue along the same path; especially if he can’t hang on to the ball.

by Eddie Mayrose

I know, I know.  I’m the guy that loves the Fantasy Football wide receivers before the running backs in a Fantasy Football Draft so, as I’m hanging on by my fingernails in the McGee Survivor League because of a lack of production in the backfield.  There has been very little help from Ahmad Bradshaw and Jerome Harrison and, too make matters worse, Andre Johnson has an ankle problem and will be a game time decision.  Could be the end for Wagstaff’s Home Alone 2 squad.

RB Steven Jackson has a groin injury; his status won’t be determined until Sunday… Joseph Addai could be held out of Sunday’s contest because of a knee… A hamstring will likely keep Knowshon Moreno out of Sunday’s game with the Titans… Colts WR Austin Collie’s heel has healed enough for him to go on Sunday…Things are desperate in San Fran, and they’ll be using their version of the spread offense this week.  Look for a big game from WR Michael Crabtree… RB LaDainian Tomlinson seems to have emerged as the Jets’ primary option in the backfield.  Bad news for owners of Shonn Greene… The Ravens say RB Ray Rice will be a game time decision with a knee but it looks pretty certain that he’ll be in the lineup.

Fantasy Football Stud

Packers WR Donald Driver may be the biggest Lions fan in the NFC Central.  He’s owned them to the tune of 37 catches, 500+ yards an three TD’s over the last five contests.

Fantasy Football Stiff

Bills rookie RB C.J. Spiller isn’t completely healthy and now must face the Jets run-stopping defense.  It’ll be a long day on the shore of Lake Erie for the first round pick from Clemson.

Fantasy Football Sleeper

Maybe I’m just trying to will my RB’s into a productive state but Green Bay’s John Kuhn will be facing the NFL’s worst run  defense when the Packers host the Lions.

Fantasy Football Slipper

Feeling a little guilty about tagging Cards’ RB Tim Hightower for this list, especially after he performed so well for me as a sleeper just two weeks ago.  But, with Arizona’s commitment to Beanie Wells, Hightower’s touches will be limited.

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?

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.

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.

It was once just a dream; merely a conversation over a family dinner. Until our Staten Island cousin and nephew Terrence, took the reins and created a Fantasy Football giant known as the McGee Survivor League. We don’t know where we’d be without him but we’re about to find out as his Bayside Tigers went down in flames last week. Still alive heading into Monday Night Football, Terry was done in by one long pass from Donovan McNabb and the hideous Bears’ defense, which registered a fatal -10 points. “Should have played another D”, said Terry. “Jenny told me that nothing good comes from Chicago.” Dr. Pete barely survived his own pitiful showing but returns four playrs from their bye weeks. Waggie is still around, courtesy of Thomas Jones and his offensive line. Made it to November, “woo-hoo!”

Fantasy Football News and Notes

Falcons allowing 250 passing YDS PPG so play any and all New Orleans skill position players on your roster…Panthers‘ QB Jake Delhomme, already with 13 INT, returns to Arizona; where he threw five picks in last year’s playoffs… Jets’ RB Thomas Jones should see his carries increase significantly with Leon Washington out. While rookie Shonn Greene will get some touches, he can’t do a lot of what Washington did so, Jones’ll be the guy… RB Ahmad Bradshaw has told the Giants he can play through the pain of a broken bone in his foot. We’ll see… Vince Young takes over for Kerry Collins at QB for the winless Titans… Rams’ RB Steve Jackson, posting 100 YD games on an almost weekly basis, might actually find the end zone this week vs. Detroit…If you saw any of the Jets-Raiders game last week, you’ll play the Chargers’ DST as they host Oakland this weekend… Not buying into the Alex Smith renaissance just yet but he does have significantly better receivers now than when he was strating before… Ravens are at home, coming off a bye and truying to stop a three game losing streak this week. I’d think twice before starting Denver RB Knowshon Moreno against them… Seattle Rb Julius Jones missed practice on Wednesday due to personal reasons but returned Thursday and will play Sunday… The Chiefs suspended RB Larry Johnson for two weeks because whenever he opens his mouth, stupid things come out. Should be a bonus to Jamaal Charles, who’ll get the start… Vikes’ WR Bernard Berrian is nursing a sore hamstring and is questionable for Sunday at Green Bay… Lions wideout Calvin Johnson practiced on Thursday after missing the Lions’ last game before the bye. He was limited and is questionable for the Rams… Minnesota Wr Percy Harvin has battled migraines all year and missed practice on Thursday… Jericho Cotchery should return to the Jets this week after missing a game with a bad hamstring… Colts’ RB Donald Brown is doubtful for Sunday vs. San Francisco with a strained groin…Eagles’ RB Brian Westbrook will be a game time decision after suffering a concussion last week… Colts’ WR Reggie Wayne has been hampered by a strained groin but should go Sunday.

Fantasy Football Stars

- Dolphins’ RB Ricky Williams is coming off his best game of the season, culminating a three game hot streak that began when he and teammate Ronnie Brown ran all over the jets from Miami’s Wildcat formation. Look for more of the samwe this weekend, as the Jets will now try to stop the Wildcat without NT Kris Jenkins… The Seahawks are coming off their bye; having had two weeks to prepare for the Cowboys’ porous pass defense. Look for Matt Hasselbeck to turn in a big game this week vs. Dallas.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

- WR Greg Jennings hasn’t found the endzone since Week One and won’t exactly be facing soft competition on Sunday when the Vikings visit the Packers. That Aaron Rodgers has still performed well is an indication he’s become comfortable with his other receivers; more bad news for Jennings… After Alex Smith’s stellar relief appearance last week, QB Shaun Hill’s out of a job in San Francisco.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

- New Orleans’ TE Jeremy Shockey posted his first 100 YD game of the season last week and is due for another solid game vs. Atlanta. The Falcons have allowed quite a few TE’s to perform well, mailnly because they stretch their secondary too thin to cover WR’s. They’ll be in that mode again on Sunday, facing the best offense in the league… Durning the 49′ers bye week, WR Michael Crabtree and QB Alex Smith developed good chemistry while working with each other on the scout team. That chemistry blossomed on Sunday when Smith got his chance. Look for another big game from Crabtree.

Fantasy Football Slippers

- Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has been terrible the last two weeks, throwing for just one TD and actually losing to the Raiders. His luck won’t improve this week, either, as he’ll face a Giants’ defense that’s held six QB’s under 200 YDS… RB Marshawn Lynch has struggled since his return from suspension in large part due to Buffalo’s terrible pasing game. That won’t change this week as Lynch goes up against a Houston defense that has stuffed Cedric Benson and Frank Gore over its last two games.

After a one week reprieve, the Holmdel division of the McGee Survivor League suffered another casualty as affable, young Edward saw his LeGarrete Blounts go down in flames. If you’re scoring at home, that’s the fourth of six from Old Mill Lane to bite the dust. Things look dicey on Long Island, this week, however, as Dr. Pete’s Samurai Shortbus must replace a number of starters on their bye week. Wagstaff rode the coattails of Thomas Jones to his best week of the season and might actually make it past the year’s halfway point. We’ll see.

Fantasy Football News and Notes

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson says his ankle is fine and he’ll start Sunday vs. Pittsburgh… LaDainian Tomlinson, plagued by injuries all year, missed time this week because of the flu… Anquan Boldin’s ankle kept him out of practice this week but he’s expected to be in Arizona’s starting lineup… Bills’ RB Marshawn Lynch, who missed the season’s first two games due to suspension, may have his first big game against Carolina, whose run defense is terrible… Colts’ WR Anthony Gonzalez, out since the opener with a knee injury, is close to returning to practice… While Greg Jennings’ hip injury kept him out of practice on Thursday, he will play on Sunday according to Packer coach Mike McCarthy… The Broncos refuse to mess with success and will continue to have Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno split carries; disappointing Fantasy owners of both players… Eagles’ WR Kevin Curtis will not play Monday vs. Washington… Jets’ WR Braylon Edwards has been bothered by a sore quad all week but is expected to play… Clinton Portis is dealing with multiple leg problems including knee, calf, ankle and plantar fascitis but will play Monday.

Fantasy Football Star

- Things line up extremely well for Laurence Maroney this week as the Patriots fly to London to face the Bucs. An injured Sammy Morris did not make the trip, leaving Maroney as the Pats’ go-to back, Tampa Bay’s run defense is one of the league’s weakest and he’s coming off a 123 yard effort last week.

Fantasy Football Stiff

- If you were waiting for Pittsburgh RB Willie Parker to return to your lineup, you won’t be happy to read this. Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced this week that Rashard Mandenhall, successful during Parker’s absence, will get the bulk of the work in the backfield.

Fantasy Football Sleeper

- Those Fantasy Football wners who drafted 49′ers WR Michael Crabtree may actually get some return on their investment this week. He’ll be used a s a slot receiver which may give him a few opportunities for yards after the catch. He’s an explosive player who should bump Josh Morgan from the starting lineup before long.

Fantasy Football Slipper

- Bad enough that the Jets have had their vaunted defense slapped around over the last few weeks but now they must continue without the services of NT Kris Jenkins, thought by many to be the unit’s best player. He’s lost for the season to a knee injury; severely jeopardizing the Jets’ ability to stop the run while sending waves of pressure at the QB.