Friday, April 17, 2009

My Apologies

Hi all -

I wanted to make sure to post today to apologize to the readers for the lack of posting, or should I say vacancy of posts in the last month or so.

Unfortunately, I am experiencing one of the busiest times of my life right now, between my internship, college work toward graduation, an online class I've begun taking, and the always exciting job hunt...it leaves little to no time for blogging.

I hope you all understand.

Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks I can post a little here an there about the new baseball season, NFL draft, NBA draft, and other related news and topics. I shall try my very best.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Mets close to signing Sheffield

Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that the Mets are very close to signing Gary Sheffield. Sherman quotes a source as saying "Unless something drastic happens, he is a Met. Someone would have to offer him a second year, and I just don't see that happening."

This is a very low-risk, high-reward sort of deal for the Mets. Sheffield is a right-handed powerhitter that the Mets lack in the middle of the lineup. I'm guessing he'll start on the bench, though, and eventually compete with either Church or Murphy for a corner outfield spot.

With that being said, I hate Gary Sheffield. Hate everything he's all about. He's a loud-mouth, hot-headed old man. We can also make a fairly educated hypothesis that Sheffield was a juicehead back in the day, although I'm not even sure that matters to anyone anymore. He already ran himself out of New York once and he's run himself out of practically every other city he's played in.

But maybe he can shut me up. Maybe he can shut himself up and come to the ballpark everyday and accept his new role with the Mets. Maybe he can be a huge pop in the middle of the order after Delgado and Beltran, much like Moises Alou was when he was healthy. I guess if he reverts to the usual Sheffield, the Mets can cut him loose at anytime with no repercussions.

I just hope he recognizes he has the chance to be a part of a great team that wants to atone for the last three seasons' heartbreaking endings. Play hard, Gary, and don't be a cancer.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Putz Out With Irritated Fingernail

The Associated Press is reporting the Mets setup man J.J. Putz left Tuesday nights game against the Marlins with an irritated fingernail on his right middle finger.

Prior to walking off the mound, Putz struck out back-to-back Marlins.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel has stated that the irritation is nothing serious, and that Putz will be fine for Opening Day.

After K-Rod pitched a scoreless ninth inning, the Mets beat the Marlins 9-2.

On a side note, starter John Maine continues to improve on his spring time struggles, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on six hits for the win over Florida.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Jay Cutler to be Traded

So I was just checking my rumor sites and saw a brand new post taken from the Denver Broncos official website. The subject of the post?

Why, Jay Cutler of course.

Although this time around, it wasn't about rumors or speculation or text messages or meetings or Bus Cook or Josh McDaniels.

This time, it was Broncos CEO Pat Bowlen releasing a statement, which read:

"Numerous attempts to contact Jay Cutler in the last 10 days, both by Head Coach Josh McDaniels and myself, have been unsuccessful. A conversation with his agent earlier today clearly communicated and confirmed to us that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos. We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded."

Wow. Could Jay Cutler be Brett Favre 2.0?

I never thought the situation would come to this to be honest, hence my lack of posting on the matter and being a big Jets fan and all.

We all know the Jets could seriously benefit from bringing in a big arm and proven talent at quarterback like Cutler, but I still have my reservations about him.

Cutler's reputation among the players of the league is that he is a hot-head, arrogant, and cocky player who likes to run his mouth.

And after this saga between he and the Broncos organization, whose to say Cutler will be able to handle the scrutiny and pressures of New York City?

Perhaps the most significant opinion on Cutler was made recently by a Jets team leader in Kerry Rhodes, who stated that he wanted to lay Cutler out when the Jets faced the Broncos last season. Apparently the disgruntled QB is quite the target around the league.

With that being said, he's also very, very good. Cutler is already proven in his young career, showing a big arm and posting even bigger numbers in what was a break-out 2008 Pro Bowl season.

Granted, the Jets don't have the same kind of weapons that the Broncos do with Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, but the fact of the matter is that Cutler would be a tremendous upgrade at a very unstable position for this team. Perhaps the final piece to the puzzle, even.

Although I am comfortable going into the season with a QB competition between Kellen Clemens (who I still believe has potential) and Brett Ratliff (who has an untested ceiling), Cutler takes a playoff-potential Jets squad, and turns it into something much more legitimate.

For the sake of suspicions, I won't delve into the kind of the season I believe the Jets can have with Cutler at the helm. As for now, this is all speculation anyway, but everyone in New York will be monitoring the situation as it develops, as will I.

Can't wait to hear Boomer, Carton, Greenie and Golic tomorrow morning on the air.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Avery Won't Add Fuel to the Fire

Leading up to tonight's game against New Jersey, Rangers forward Sean Avery refused to delve into last seasons saga between he and Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.

We all remember the infamous stick waiving incident that occured with Avery and Brodeur in the playoffs last year, which ultimately resulted in NHL Commish Gary Bettman to create the "Avery Rule", which was effective immediately following the game.

The incident led to Avery calling Brodeur a "fatso", followed by the Devils net minder refusing to shake Avery's hand after the Rangers had won the 5 game playoff series over New Jersey. A rivalry, in addition to the pre-existing Ranger/Devil rivalry, was born.

However, what's most important to Avery at this point in time is winning, and it seems as if Rangers head coach John Tortorella is noticing the change in mind set and attitude.

"I think Sean is smart enough to understand what this game means to us. Obviously, the Devils are in but they’re looking to get to some other spot. We’re trying to get in. That overrides everything."

"This is about discipline, concentrating," Tortorella added. "This is about trying to get two points. Worrying about the other stuff, the shenanigans as the league goes through [the stretch run], it can’t happen."

The Rangers are coming off disappointing back-to-back losses, and are seeing their grip on the 7th place seed in the post season race get looser by the day. The 8th place Canadiens are only a point behind the Blueshirts now, and the 9th place Panthers trail by only two points.

New Jersey has also struggled recently, losing their last four in a row, and winning will be the first and only priority on their end as well. Although the Devils have clinched a post-season birth, they will look to end the regular season with momentum to carry them into the playoffs.

The Rangers on the other hand, will need to scratch and claw their way into a locked playoff spot. The team has six games left to play, all of which are against playoff contenders. The Canadiens also have a game in hand.

In order to win, The Rangers will need Avery at his best. When effective, he becomes one of the team's most effective offensive weapons.

Tonight will be the first test of Avery and the Rangers moxie, when they face Martin Brodeur's first-place Devils at the Garden, in what should become an intense contest.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Harrington Gets T'd Up; Knicks Lose in OT

After leading virtually the entire game last night, the Knicks lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the lowly Clippers.

Knicks forward Al Harrington could be to blame for the loss, seen below hanging on the rim and getting a technical foul. The Clippers converted their free throws and forced overtime, where the Knicks lost 140-135.



Goodbye playoffs, hello lottery pick.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Avery/Clutterbuck Fight

From last night's game at the Garden.



Ranger's win 2-1

Lee and Hughes Sit Out

From the New York Post:

Larry Hughes, who has been dealing with a nagging sore toe, and David Lee sat out of practice today.

Hughes will test the toe during tonight's pre-game shootaround, while Lee is expected to play.

Knicks rookie forward Danilo Gallinari is leaning toward season ending back surgery.

"I'm not 100 percent sure, because the doctors still have to talk to each other; but I might do the surgery. I'm leaning in that direction," said Gallinari, who'll likely have a procedure to shave down a disc to relieve pressure on a nerve.

This seems like the best option for Gallinari, as the Knicks hope of the post season are all but gone at this point. He'd be better off having the surgery, and beginning rehab immediately in order to come back healthy next year.