The Rangers took to the Madison Square Garden ice tonight coming off a 3-1 home win Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Coming into tonight, the Rangers were still yet to win consecutive games during the young 2007-2008 season and their overall record stood at 4-6-1. Entering the season, the Broadway Blueshirts were a popular choice to eventually represent the Eastern Conference in the battle for Lord Stanley's Cup. On paper it certainly seemed that way. New York was coming off 2 straight playoff appearances, and in the offseason they added the offensive talents of centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. The newcomers in addition to captain Jaromir Jagr and top-line scorers Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka were supposed to form a formidable scoring attack. However despite a high payroll filled with scoring threats, the Rangers have struggled to find the net in the early stages of the season. In fact, coming into tonight, New York had the lowest amount of goals in the entire NHL at just 19 in 11 games. The only reason the Rangers have managed to stay afloat has been due to the stellar play of Vezina Award candidate Henrik Lundqvist in net.
Tonight's game against the Washington Capitals was no different. Washington is a team that is typically easy to gameplan against. They feature 2 top scoring lines, and 2 checking lines that get limited ice time. Their top line includes veteran center Viktor Kozlov and superstar Alexander Ovechkin and the second scoring line features former Ranger Michael Nylander and the up and coming Alexander Semin. The key to beating teams structured with 2 elite lines rather than 3 or 4 deep lines, is puck control. The Rangers gameplan was likely to try to control the puck for as long as possible while the Ovechkin line was on the ice by matching the Jagr line up against them. By doing so, the Rangers hoped to keep the puck in the Cap's zone and limit the shots on King Henrik.
Unfortunately the Rangers have not been able to do this all season. They have been outshot in practically every game. Tonight Washington also outshot the Rangers, putting 31 on Lundqvist including 6 from Alex Ovechkin (so much for limiting his touches). But just as he always does, Henrik Lundqvist once again stood on his head for New York. He saved all 31 shots he faced, including an awesome pad stop late in the 2nd period that robbed Viktor Kozlov of a goal. Lundqvist tacked on his second shutout of the season, as the Rangers were able to scrounge for 2 goals. Free agent addition Chris Drury scored early in the 2nd period, assisted by Shanahan and rookie defenseman phenom Marc Staal. It was only the talented Drury's second goal of the season, and first since opening night. The Rangers second goal came on the powerplay midway through the 3rd period from their top defensemen Michal Rozsival, this time assisted by both free agent additions- Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.
As I said, the Rangers currently have the least goals in the league, however they have also let up the least. One might attribute this to stingy defensive play, but not when Lundqvist has still faced the 6th most shots in the entire NHL. Henrik currently boasts a .930 save percentage and a paper thin 1.82 goals against average. Such credentials are typical of a Vezina Award winner (best regular season goalie). Last season Lundqvist finished third in the Vezina voting to the Devil's Martin Brodeur and the Canuck's Roberto Luongo. However the Rangers' anemic offense this season has prevented Lundqvist from gathering up the Ws early, which is a key statistic toward winning the award. Award or no award, Henrik Lundqvist is the reason the Rangers aren't winless this season.
Take tonight for example. New York still only netted 2 goals. On average, that is not enough to win a hockey game. The Rangers have only scored more than 2 goals in 2 of their 12 games this season. Yet they still have 5 Ws and 1 OT. This is evidence of Henrik Lundqvist's contribution to his team this year. He practically IS the team. I personally believe the Rangers will eventually find their stride offensively this season. They simply have too much offensive talent not to. Its all about finding the right combinations. And perhaps the iminent return of Sean Avery will provide a spark just as it did when the Rangers acquired him at the trade deadline last season from the Los Angeles Kings. Perhaps it will come when Martin Straka and Ryan Callahan return to the lineup in a couple of weeks. While I believe that it will happen eventually, for now all the Rangers can do is lean on their outstanding netminder. Long live Henrik Lundqvist, the King of Sweden.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Knicks 2007-2008 Season Predictions Part 2
BENCH PLAYERS
SF/PF: #42 David Lee aka D-Lee
Last seasons statistics: 10.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg
Where do I start with David Lee? Lee has proven that he is ESSENTIAL to the success of the team with his hard work ethic. If there is a rebound up for grabs, count on David Lee to get you that ball. I don’t think there is one moment where Lee is on the court and not running. He has often been compared to Dennis Rodman as one of the best rebounders in the game. I’m pretty confident that Isiah realized Lee’s importance to the overall chemistry of the team and his minutes should not suffer with the addition of Randolph. If anything, Lee should be great support for an incredible NBA backcourt. Not to mention, Lee is one of the best defenders on the team and he can make up for some of Curry and Randolph’s defensive flaws. To add to Lee’s credentials, he has been working on that mid range jumper that he somewhat struggled with last year. With his improvement in offense and his rebounding and defensive capabilities, Lee remains one of the best/ most important Knick’s. So don’t be afraid to go and get yourself that David Lee jersey because I know I will purchasing one sometime soon.
PG: #4 Nate Robinson aka Nate the Great
Last seasons statistics: 10.1 ppg, 1.4 apg, 2.4 rpg
Yes he is only 5’8 and he can beat Andre Iguadola in a dunk contest. Forget all the glamour because Nate is all grown up now. With an extremely impressive showing at the Las Vegas summer league, Nate is ready to become an NBA point guard (not an undersized SG like he was his first 2 seasons). Nate proved that he can be that pass first point guard the Knicks need. In addition, he is now able to make smart decisions with ball, not just throwing it away on a careless pass or launching a poor three-pointer. Not only that, but Nate will now make sure he finishes a play before adding glitz. In several preseason games he passed up a ridiculous dunk to finish a play by simply putting in a lay-up to get the two points. I think this is a good sign as Nate moves away from his former role as an entertainer. With his energy and popularity, Nate should have his best season yet…. So get a Nate Robinson jersey while you’re purchasing that David Lee one.
SF: #32 Renaldo Balkman
Last seasons statistics: 4.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
All questions about Balkman as the Knicks draft choice in 2006 were put to rest quite quickly. I was one of the doubetrs yelling at the TV that night as I looked at Marcus Williams and Rajon Rando’s names still on the board when the Knicks selected Balkman. But you know what, Balkman is what this team needs now. A solid defender with hustle and determination that resembles David Lee, Balkman is great off the bench. In one of his earliest performances last year in a November game against the Bulls (I was at this one), my brother and I watched Balkman almost single handedly lead the Knicks back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. He made big defensive stops and ran the court like an all-star point guard. When given the playing time, I’m certain Balkman can be a major asset to the team. Anybody want a Renaldo Balkman jersey? It might be a wise investment.
F: #21 Wilson Chandler
Last seasons statistics (at DePaul University): 14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg
The 6’8 forward out of DePaul could be a nice addition to the team. He was quite impressive when I watched him during the Las Vegas Summer League and preseason. The one problem for Chandler is minutes. As for any late first round pick rookie, minutes are often an issue in their first season. Hopefully, Isiah can get him some playing time when it matters. Overall, I like the pick and I think it was the right move. One more thing to remember: Isiah may not make good decisions for the franchise as a whole, but he is great at drafting young prospects. As I’ve learned with Balkman, DON’T DOUBT THE PICKS!
SG/SF: #20 Jared Jeffries
Last seasons statistics: 4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Well, I think it is obvious that Jeffries was a bad acquisition. He is an awful offensive player and his defensive capabilities are not very impressive. He doesn’t add the energy of Lee or Balkman and he only takes away valuable time from these players. I really hope Isiah can swallow his pride and give Balkman and Chandler minutes over Jeffries. Overall, a contract that I wish was wiped off the Knicks salary. O, and I also hate that he has Allan Houston’s old number, for some reason it really pisses me off.
C: #31 Jerome James
Last seasons statistics: 1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
I sometimes try to forget that James is even on the team, but unfortunately every few games the camera passes by his face on the bench. There is not much to say about Jerome James because he simply does not belong on the Knicks. In addition, he is one of those inflated veteran contracts that Isiah seemed happy to take on. This year he is set to make 5.8 million dollars (next two seasons, 6.2 million and 6.6 million). To make you all understand how awful this is, take a look at the salaries of the young VALUABLE players on the team. (Nate: 1.268, Balkman: 1.234, Chandler: 1.091, and one of the Knicks MOST IMPORTANT AND BIGGEST ASSESTS DAVID LEE: 990,600 dollars. All of these players are making substantially less than the useless Jerome James).
PF: #13 Malik Rose
Last seasons statistics: 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
I’m not going to say much about Malik because my feelings on him are similar to those of Jerome James. He is slightly better than James, but the the 7.101 million dollars he is set to make next year take away any value he has to this team. I can’t believe he is making that much.
SG: #25 Mardy Collins
Last seasons statistics: 4.5 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.0 rpg
Better than both James and Rose, Collins is set to make only $932,760 next year. I like Collins, he comes from a solid Temple basketball background and he has some knowledge about the game. In the midst of the Knicks injuries woes at the conclusion of last season he stepped up big time. During those games Collins had stellar numbers, resembling those of a starting guard. So it is clear, if he gets minutes, Collins can be quite valuable.
C: #5 Randolph Morris
Last seasons statistics: well, he really didn’t play.
Morris played well in the Las Vegas summer league and he could be a solid backup for Curry. The kind-of-rookie should be getting more playing time this year and I can only hope that he gets all of Jerome James’ minutes.
G: #2 Fred Jones
Last seasons statistics: 4.8 ppg, 2.2 apg
An Isiah Thomas pick from the Indiana days, Fred Jones showed some promise during the preseason. In several games Jones showed that he can actually be of use to the team, not just a name that came with the Zach Randolph deal. I don’t know how it is going to work with minutes for him, but I would be happy if he got some playing time.
CONCLUSION
So what about the team as a whole? How are these 15 guys going to fair in the seemingly harder Atlantic division? Well, when it comes down to it, I really believe the team will have another improved season. In fact, I think the Garden lights will shine into the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The addition of Z-Bo to the frontcourt makes the Knicks a great offensive threat. Also, Isiah has a deep bench that provides a great deal of energy and chemistry to the team. My one concern lies in defense, especially with the starting line. NBA teams are lacking defense right now and those teams that do have a solid defense can go far in this league. Overall, I think the Knicks are going to surprise those NBA analysts who are all buying the Celtics to destroy the Atlantic division. The team has now had time to mesh together and the youth and capability of this team can lead to big things for the upcoming season. I think Curry and Randolph will defy critics who say that they cannot play together, and they will not be another Steph-Francis blunder. Wake up NBA because here come the New York Knickerbockers.
Predicted record: 42-40.
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO!
One more thing to add: Jeff Van Gundy is currently unemployed and making kind of funny commercials on ESPN. I know this is a long shot, but if Isiah really wanted to be a good President he would step aside and let Gundy take over. Gundy would turn this predominantly offensive team into a defensive powerhouse. We all know how Gundy makes defensive teams and that is what the Knicks need. Lets get some “HIRE GUNDY” chants going this season.
Check out the team salary at: http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm
SF/PF: #42 David Lee aka D-Lee
Last seasons statistics: 10.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg
Where do I start with David Lee? Lee has proven that he is ESSENTIAL to the success of the team with his hard work ethic. If there is a rebound up for grabs, count on David Lee to get you that ball. I don’t think there is one moment where Lee is on the court and not running. He has often been compared to Dennis Rodman as one of the best rebounders in the game. I’m pretty confident that Isiah realized Lee’s importance to the overall chemistry of the team and his minutes should not suffer with the addition of Randolph. If anything, Lee should be great support for an incredible NBA backcourt. Not to mention, Lee is one of the best defenders on the team and he can make up for some of Curry and Randolph’s defensive flaws. To add to Lee’s credentials, he has been working on that mid range jumper that he somewhat struggled with last year. With his improvement in offense and his rebounding and defensive capabilities, Lee remains one of the best/ most important Knick’s. So don’t be afraid to go and get yourself that David Lee jersey because I know I will purchasing one sometime soon.
PG: #4 Nate Robinson aka Nate the Great
Last seasons statistics: 10.1 ppg, 1.4 apg, 2.4 rpg
Yes he is only 5’8 and he can beat Andre Iguadola in a dunk contest. Forget all the glamour because Nate is all grown up now. With an extremely impressive showing at the Las Vegas summer league, Nate is ready to become an NBA point guard (not an undersized SG like he was his first 2 seasons). Nate proved that he can be that pass first point guard the Knicks need. In addition, he is now able to make smart decisions with ball, not just throwing it away on a careless pass or launching a poor three-pointer. Not only that, but Nate will now make sure he finishes a play before adding glitz. In several preseason games he passed up a ridiculous dunk to finish a play by simply putting in a lay-up to get the two points. I think this is a good sign as Nate moves away from his former role as an entertainer. With his energy and popularity, Nate should have his best season yet…. So get a Nate Robinson jersey while you’re purchasing that David Lee one.
SF: #32 Renaldo Balkman
Last seasons statistics: 4.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
All questions about Balkman as the Knicks draft choice in 2006 were put to rest quite quickly. I was one of the doubetrs yelling at the TV that night as I looked at Marcus Williams and Rajon Rando’s names still on the board when the Knicks selected Balkman. But you know what, Balkman is what this team needs now. A solid defender with hustle and determination that resembles David Lee, Balkman is great off the bench. In one of his earliest performances last year in a November game against the Bulls (I was at this one), my brother and I watched Balkman almost single handedly lead the Knicks back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. He made big defensive stops and ran the court like an all-star point guard. When given the playing time, I’m certain Balkman can be a major asset to the team. Anybody want a Renaldo Balkman jersey? It might be a wise investment.
F: #21 Wilson Chandler
Last seasons statistics (at DePaul University): 14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg
The 6’8 forward out of DePaul could be a nice addition to the team. He was quite impressive when I watched him during the Las Vegas Summer League and preseason. The one problem for Chandler is minutes. As for any late first round pick rookie, minutes are often an issue in their first season. Hopefully, Isiah can get him some playing time when it matters. Overall, I like the pick and I think it was the right move. One more thing to remember: Isiah may not make good decisions for the franchise as a whole, but he is great at drafting young prospects. As I’ve learned with Balkman, DON’T DOUBT THE PICKS!
SG/SF: #20 Jared Jeffries
Last seasons statistics: 4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Well, I think it is obvious that Jeffries was a bad acquisition. He is an awful offensive player and his defensive capabilities are not very impressive. He doesn’t add the energy of Lee or Balkman and he only takes away valuable time from these players. I really hope Isiah can swallow his pride and give Balkman and Chandler minutes over Jeffries. Overall, a contract that I wish was wiped off the Knicks salary. O, and I also hate that he has Allan Houston’s old number, for some reason it really pisses me off.
C: #31 Jerome James
Last seasons statistics: 1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
I sometimes try to forget that James is even on the team, but unfortunately every few games the camera passes by his face on the bench. There is not much to say about Jerome James because he simply does not belong on the Knicks. In addition, he is one of those inflated veteran contracts that Isiah seemed happy to take on. This year he is set to make 5.8 million dollars (next two seasons, 6.2 million and 6.6 million). To make you all understand how awful this is, take a look at the salaries of the young VALUABLE players on the team. (Nate: 1.268, Balkman: 1.234, Chandler: 1.091, and one of the Knicks MOST IMPORTANT AND BIGGEST ASSESTS DAVID LEE: 990,600 dollars. All of these players are making substantially less than the useless Jerome James).
PF: #13 Malik Rose
Last seasons statistics: 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
I’m not going to say much about Malik because my feelings on him are similar to those of Jerome James. He is slightly better than James, but the the 7.101 million dollars he is set to make next year take away any value he has to this team. I can’t believe he is making that much.
SG: #25 Mardy Collins
Last seasons statistics: 4.5 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.0 rpg
Better than both James and Rose, Collins is set to make only $932,760 next year. I like Collins, he comes from a solid Temple basketball background and he has some knowledge about the game. In the midst of the Knicks injuries woes at the conclusion of last season he stepped up big time. During those games Collins had stellar numbers, resembling those of a starting guard. So it is clear, if he gets minutes, Collins can be quite valuable.
C: #5 Randolph Morris
Last seasons statistics: well, he really didn’t play.
Morris played well in the Las Vegas summer league and he could be a solid backup for Curry. The kind-of-rookie should be getting more playing time this year and I can only hope that he gets all of Jerome James’ minutes.
G: #2 Fred Jones
Last seasons statistics: 4.8 ppg, 2.2 apg
An Isiah Thomas pick from the Indiana days, Fred Jones showed some promise during the preseason. In several games Jones showed that he can actually be of use to the team, not just a name that came with the Zach Randolph deal. I don’t know how it is going to work with minutes for him, but I would be happy if he got some playing time.
CONCLUSION
So what about the team as a whole? How are these 15 guys going to fair in the seemingly harder Atlantic division? Well, when it comes down to it, I really believe the team will have another improved season. In fact, I think the Garden lights will shine into the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The addition of Z-Bo to the frontcourt makes the Knicks a great offensive threat. Also, Isiah has a deep bench that provides a great deal of energy and chemistry to the team. My one concern lies in defense, especially with the starting line. NBA teams are lacking defense right now and those teams that do have a solid defense can go far in this league. Overall, I think the Knicks are going to surprise those NBA analysts who are all buying the Celtics to destroy the Atlantic division. The team has now had time to mesh together and the youth and capability of this team can lead to big things for the upcoming season. I think Curry and Randolph will defy critics who say that they cannot play together, and they will not be another Steph-Francis blunder. Wake up NBA because here come the New York Knickerbockers.
Predicted record: 42-40.
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO!
One more thing to add: Jeff Van Gundy is currently unemployed and making kind of funny commercials on ESPN. I know this is a long shot, but if Isiah really wanted to be a good President he would step aside and let Gundy take over. Gundy would turn this predominantly offensive team into a defensive powerhouse. We all know how Gundy makes defensive teams and that is what the Knicks need. Lets get some “HIRE GUNDY” chants going this season.
Check out the team salary at: http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm
Brandon "The Beast" Jacobs takes home honor
Much has been made of the departure of former New York Giants' all-world RB Tiki Barber. From the announcement of Tiki's retirement plans midway through the 2006 season, through the offseason, and continuing into the present 2007 season, the critics have claimed that Giants would be unable to replace their loud-mouth retiree's production. Granted, Barber had a 4 year stretch in the NFL that few have been able to duplicate. He ended his career as 1 of 3 men(Marshall Faulk and Marcus Allen being the others)to gain 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. During the 2006 season Barber accounted for over 60% of the Giants' total offense. To the casual observer and even to many "experts," the Giants were about to undergo a long, difficult year. But after a shaky start, the 6-2 Giants are one of the major contenders in the NFC, and boast the 7th ranked rushing offense in the NFL despite the absence of Barber... but how?
The reason is quite simple. The Giants have simply consistently fed the ball to their 6'-4" 264 lb. monster of a RB, Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs has had to deal with his own share of doubters and haters coming into the season. Common critiques included: "He's just a battering ram, he has no ability." "He's never carried the load before." "He looks for contact, and thus he's going to be injury prone." I personally believed that Brandon Jacobs was going to be a star in this league. He posesses physical capabilities that nobody else in the NFL has. He is not simply a "battering ram," but in addition to his size, also demonstrates quick feet, an ability to make cut-backs, and a timed speed of 4.4 in the 40 yd dash. But while my hopes were high entering the season, Jacobs was in fact injured on one of his first carries from scrimmage in week 1 against the Cowboys. Perhaps the whispers that he was too injury prone to carry the load were true.
I for one refused to believe that. Jacobs missed the next 3 games after the Dallas game, but then returned to the lineup for the the Giants' week 5 showdown with the New York Jets on October 7th. Jacobs led the way offensively for the G-men, running for 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The following week against Atlanta, Jacobs only carried the ball 13 times largely due to a pass-heavy gameplan, but still gained 86 yards with a 6.6 yards per carry average. The next week against San Francisco, Jacobs again cracked the 100 yard barrier with 107 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Beast also added 3 receptions in this contest.
This past week, in a game (or match as the British call it) against the Dolphins played across the pond in London's Wembley Stadium, Jacobs true value to the team was unveiled. The weather was brutal- cold with scattered downpours throughout the game. The Wembley Stadium pitch (that's what the Brits call a field) may as well have been a swamp. A field typically used by 160 lb. soccer players, built in a stadium where the roof is closed half the time, simply could not handle the weather and the mammoth men which occupied it. In such conditions, a passing attack is rarely evident. In a game where QB Eli Manning only threw for 59 yards, the Giants were still able to pick up 19 first downs thanks to 13 from the running game. Brandon Jacobs simply put the team on his back this past Sunday in London, running for a career high 131 yards on 23 carries.
Over the past month, Jacobs has transformed the Giants into a power-running team. The early season offense was built on a pass-first approach, which included a lot of Eli to Plaxico. The running game consisted of draws and delays to Derrick Ward, which are typical running plays in a pass-heavy offense. The Beast has reconfigured the entire Giants offensive gameplan. And why not? How can you ignore the figures? In 4 games in October, Jacobs ran for 424 yards on 74 carries with 2 touchdowns, yielding a dazzling 5.7 YPC. Today, Jacobs received the award for NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. I expect many more honors to be thrown Brandon's way in the future. Ladies and Gentlemen, you heard it here first. A star has been born in this league. There will be a new elite back in the NFL for years to come, and he comes in a 6'-4" 264 lb. package of pure and utter beastliness.
The reason is quite simple. The Giants have simply consistently fed the ball to their 6'-4" 264 lb. monster of a RB, Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs has had to deal with his own share of doubters and haters coming into the season. Common critiques included: "He's just a battering ram, he has no ability." "He's never carried the load before." "He looks for contact, and thus he's going to be injury prone." I personally believed that Brandon Jacobs was going to be a star in this league. He posesses physical capabilities that nobody else in the NFL has. He is not simply a "battering ram," but in addition to his size, also demonstrates quick feet, an ability to make cut-backs, and a timed speed of 4.4 in the 40 yd dash. But while my hopes were high entering the season, Jacobs was in fact injured on one of his first carries from scrimmage in week 1 against the Cowboys. Perhaps the whispers that he was too injury prone to carry the load were true.
I for one refused to believe that. Jacobs missed the next 3 games after the Dallas game, but then returned to the lineup for the the Giants' week 5 showdown with the New York Jets on October 7th. Jacobs led the way offensively for the G-men, running for 100 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The following week against Atlanta, Jacobs only carried the ball 13 times largely due to a pass-heavy gameplan, but still gained 86 yards with a 6.6 yards per carry average. The next week against San Francisco, Jacobs again cracked the 100 yard barrier with 107 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Beast also added 3 receptions in this contest.
This past week, in a game (or match as the British call it) against the Dolphins played across the pond in London's Wembley Stadium, Jacobs true value to the team was unveiled. The weather was brutal- cold with scattered downpours throughout the game. The Wembley Stadium pitch (that's what the Brits call a field) may as well have been a swamp. A field typically used by 160 lb. soccer players, built in a stadium where the roof is closed half the time, simply could not handle the weather and the mammoth men which occupied it. In such conditions, a passing attack is rarely evident. In a game where QB Eli Manning only threw for 59 yards, the Giants were still able to pick up 19 first downs thanks to 13 from the running game. Brandon Jacobs simply put the team on his back this past Sunday in London, running for a career high 131 yards on 23 carries.
Over the past month, Jacobs has transformed the Giants into a power-running team. The early season offense was built on a pass-first approach, which included a lot of Eli to Plaxico. The running game consisted of draws and delays to Derrick Ward, which are typical running plays in a pass-heavy offense. The Beast has reconfigured the entire Giants offensive gameplan. And why not? How can you ignore the figures? In 4 games in October, Jacobs ran for 424 yards on 74 carries with 2 touchdowns, yielding a dazzling 5.7 YPC. Today, Jacobs received the award for NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. I expect many more honors to be thrown Brandon's way in the future. Ladies and Gentlemen, you heard it here first. A star has been born in this league. There will be a new elite back in the NFL for years to come, and he comes in a 6'-4" 264 lb. package of pure and utter beastliness.
Pettitte, Arod, Torre.... and Kerry Wood?
It was reported today that Andy Pettitte has made a decision on his future. While its not the announcement we were hoping for, Yankees fans should still be relieved by the news. According to Newsday, Pettite told Houston's KRIV television that he will either play for the yankees in 2008 or retire.
"The New York Yankees committed an awful lot of money to me and put it in my hands, gave me a player option and trusted me with that option," Pettitte said. "It probably wouldn't be real honorable for me not to do anything other than if I shut it down or go back and play for the New York Yankees. I gotta figure out in my mind exactly what I want to do."
With Torre reportedly headed for LA, I was nervous Pettitte might opt out and follow his beloved manager to the Dodgers. Hopefully he will decide to keep his pinstripes rather than hang them up. (How could he throw away $16 million?)Speaking of Torre, it is said he will take the helm of the LA Dodgers in 2008. With a reported 3 year/ $15 million in place, it looks as though he will hold onto it through 2010. If rumors are true, it wouldn't be a suprise if Mattingly, Larry Bowa, Ron Guidry, and Lee Mazzilli follow Torre to make up the LA coaching staff. Talk about the the west coach Yankees. If Arod joins the crew (the Dodgers are said to have interest), the team should change their name to "Yesterday's Yanks." First they take on Grady Little, Dave Roberts, Nomar Garciaparra, and Derek Lowe in 2005 as an attempt to imitate the Red Sox of 2004, and now this. If only the Dodgers executives knew how succeed on their own. Next we'll see the entire 2006 St. Louis Cardinal team in Dodger blue.
Kerry Wood is a free agent and is coming off a September in which he constantly hit 98 mph with his fastball and allowed only 2 runs in his final 22 innings. With Chamberlain headed to the rotation, the Yanks need a suitable set-up man for soon to be signed Mo. If Wood commands anything close to his 1 year /$8 million contract he had last year, the Yanks should bite. That's less money than Kyle Farnsworth will be making in 2008, and Wood has a gigantic upside. Let's just hope Cashman wouldn't bite on a multi-year contract. I think he's smarter than that.
In unrelated news, how scary is the woman in the red bonnet on the front of raison cartons?
A Miggy to take over in the Bronx?
Arod’s departure leaves the Yankees with a gaping hole at third base and a lineup dominated by lefties. Assuming Jorge Posada re-signs, other than captain Derek every player is either left-handed or a switch-hitter. Sure, Wilson Betemit hit some big home runs in his 2007 tenure with the team, and he has an above-average glove at third, but he is no suitable replacement for A-Rod in the lineup. If I’m Brian Cashman, I stick Betemit, a switch-hitter, at either first (platooning with Doug Mientkiewicz) or third and find a good bat for the other position. Here are two suitable, but possibly unattainable, players who could even out the Yanks lineup and fill the large shoes Pay-Rod left behind.
Miguel Cabrera:
The Yanks should do everything they possibly can to try to pry the 24 year-old third baseman from Flordia. He is due to make somewhere between $10-$12 million in arbitration this winter, money that Florida has but may be hesitant to spend. While Cabrera’s ever-growing belly is a known concern among baseball executives, it shouldn’t be a problem for the Yankees.
His ability to hit for power and average, his youth, and his right-handed bat would be welcomed in the Bronx. If his lack of mobility really makes his third base defense unbearable, new manager Girardi can move him over to first base (Think Albert Pujols). Then, in a few years, Giambi will be out and we have a hall of fame caliber DH.
Sounds perfect, right? No here’s the hard part: how do get him? The Yankees have a core of young pitchers whom they have been reluctant to trade for quite some time. It looks like a good idea that they didn’t get rid of Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy as they will all be key additions to the rotation in 2008. To me, Hughes and Chamberlain are untouchable, and the Marlins have loads of young pitching so it’s unlikely they would demand to get one of the two.
I would offer the Marlins a package of Melky Cabrera, 22 year-old Tyler Clippard, Edwar Ramirez, and minor-league phenom outfielder Jose Tabata. Not enough you say? Cabrera gives the Marlins the center fielder they’ve needed for some time, Clippard dominated in the minors and is an above-average prospect who will slide right into the Marlins bullpen, Edwar Ramirez joins Clippard in the pen, and Tabata becomes one of the best players in the farm system. The Yanks could then sign Aaron Rowand, Torri Hunter or Mike Cameron to fill the vacant CF spot.
In addition, this gives the Marlins some extra money to maybe pursue Miami native Alex Rodriguez; maybe he’ll put some fish fan’s tushies in the seats. A swap of third basemen sounds good to me.
Miguel Tejada:
The other, less likely, option is the O’s clutch hitting shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada is almost a guarantee to be traded this winter, and it’s a good bet he’ll move to third base on whatever team lands him (rumored to be the Angels, Cubs, and Tigers). It is unlikely the Orioles would trade Miguel within the AL East, so in order for this to happen, a third team would have to come into the deal. But with Miguel Tejada at third base next season, batting fourth after Jeter and Abreu, he would be a lock for 100 RBI’s. No one would have to worry if he will do an Arod imitation and pop up to short with two outs and the bases loaded; Tejada has always been Mr. Clutch. So what would it take to land the shortstop with three years left on his contract, you ask?
I propose: Yanks send Mike Mussina, Alberto Gonzalez, Melky Cabrera and Cash to the Twins who send Matt Garza to the Orioles, who send Miguel Tejada to the Yankees. The Twins get a center fielder to take Hunter’s spot, a much-needed veteran pitcher with money to cover his salary, and a future average shortstop or backup guy. The Orioles get top prospect pitcher Garza and lose Miggy’s salary, and the Yanks get their gold glove third baseman and cleanup hitter, and can then pursue one of the center fielders listed above. As the saying goes; hey, it could happen.
Miguel Cabrera:
The Yanks should do everything they possibly can to try to pry the 24 year-old third baseman from Flordia. He is due to make somewhere between $10-$12 million in arbitration this winter, money that Florida has but may be hesitant to spend. While Cabrera’s ever-growing belly is a known concern among baseball executives, it shouldn’t be a problem for the Yankees.
His ability to hit for power and average, his youth, and his right-handed bat would be welcomed in the Bronx. If his lack of mobility really makes his third base defense unbearable, new manager Girardi can move him over to first base (Think Albert Pujols). Then, in a few years, Giambi will be out and we have a hall of fame caliber DH.
Sounds perfect, right? No here’s the hard part: how do get him? The Yankees have a core of young pitchers whom they have been reluctant to trade for quite some time. It looks like a good idea that they didn’t get rid of Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy as they will all be key additions to the rotation in 2008. To me, Hughes and Chamberlain are untouchable, and the Marlins have loads of young pitching so it’s unlikely they would demand to get one of the two.
I would offer the Marlins a package of Melky Cabrera, 22 year-old Tyler Clippard, Edwar Ramirez, and minor-league phenom outfielder Jose Tabata. Not enough you say? Cabrera gives the Marlins the center fielder they’ve needed for some time, Clippard dominated in the minors and is an above-average prospect who will slide right into the Marlins bullpen, Edwar Ramirez joins Clippard in the pen, and Tabata becomes one of the best players in the farm system. The Yanks could then sign Aaron Rowand, Torri Hunter or Mike Cameron to fill the vacant CF spot.
In addition, this gives the Marlins some extra money to maybe pursue Miami native Alex Rodriguez; maybe he’ll put some fish fan’s tushies in the seats. A swap of third basemen sounds good to me.
Miguel Tejada:
The other, less likely, option is the O’s clutch hitting shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada is almost a guarantee to be traded this winter, and it’s a good bet he’ll move to third base on whatever team lands him (rumored to be the Angels, Cubs, and Tigers). It is unlikely the Orioles would trade Miguel within the AL East, so in order for this to happen, a third team would have to come into the deal. But with Miguel Tejada at third base next season, batting fourth after Jeter and Abreu, he would be a lock for 100 RBI’s. No one would have to worry if he will do an Arod imitation and pop up to short with two outs and the bases loaded; Tejada has always been Mr. Clutch. So what would it take to land the shortstop with three years left on his contract, you ask?
I propose: Yanks send Mike Mussina, Alberto Gonzalez, Melky Cabrera and Cash to the Twins who send Matt Garza to the Orioles, who send Miguel Tejada to the Yankees. The Twins get a center fielder to take Hunter’s spot, a much-needed veteran pitcher with money to cover his salary, and a future average shortstop or backup guy. The Orioles get top prospect pitcher Garza and lose Miggy’s salary, and the Yanks get their gold glove third baseman and cleanup hitter, and can then pursue one of the center fielders listed above. As the saying goes; hey, it could happen.
Here Comes Kellen
It’s really about time that Kellen Clemens took over the starting role for the Jets. I’m currently a New York Sports fan residing in a small New England town. It’s painful enough to watch the Patriots run over every team in the NFL but on top of that I’m allowed the pleasure every week of watching the Jets blow a first half lead. Chad Pennington’s arm is not up to NFL standards. C’mon people before he had one surgery on his shoulder the arm was weak, after two it’s dead. On several occasions this past weekend he missed open receivers simply because the ball did not have enough velocity. Granted he was able to escape with many poor throws last year while leading the Jets to the playoffs. This could be attributed to the fact that last year the Jets were near the bottom in the league in strength of schedule (.465) and had an element of surprise because everyone expected them to suck. This year is different; the team comes in high on everyone’s radar with schedule strength near the top of the league (.516). Weak throws that tend to sail high above receivers hands as Chad tries to make up for a lack of arm strength are no longer going to cut it; it’s time for the Kellen Clemens era to begin.
In his short tenure with the Jets Clemens has shown that he can be calm and composed on the field while at the same time being vulnerable to the mistakes a young quarterback makes. As he drove down the field this past weekend Clemens threw a pass a little out in front or his intended receiver that landed in the hands of a Buffalo Bills cornerback. These are the growing pain that come with a new quarterback. It would be nice to see Kellen come out and win his start this Saturday against Washington but there is a good chance he will not. It may be two or three weeks before he gets to put a notch on his belt. However what Jets fan will see this coming weekend is a second year quarterback out of Oregon who has a feel for football and one hell of a throwing arm.
In his short tenure with the Jets Clemens has shown that he can be calm and composed on the field while at the same time being vulnerable to the mistakes a young quarterback makes. As he drove down the field this past weekend Clemens threw a pass a little out in front or his intended receiver that landed in the hands of a Buffalo Bills cornerback. These are the growing pain that come with a new quarterback. It would be nice to see Kellen come out and win his start this Saturday against Washington but there is a good chance he will not. It may be two or three weeks before he gets to put a notch on his belt. However what Jets fan will see this coming weekend is a second year quarterback out of Oregon who has a feel for football and one hell of a throwing arm.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Knicks 2007-2008 Season Predictions
It's hard to say when the Knicks began their downward spiral to become one of the worst teams in the east. Some may site the Scott Layden era, others might attribute the failure of the team to the departure of Patrick Ewing. Whatever the case, the Garden no longer seems to be the feared arena of the great Knickerbockers. The last time a playoff series was played on the Garden floor was 2004 and the Knicks were easily embarassed in a 4-0 sweep against the cross-water rival New Jersey Nets. As Isiah Thomas' youthful squad enters the 2007-2008 season, Knicks fans may have something to finally cheer about it. The team is young, energetic, and surprisingly deep. Most importantly, the east is looking especially vulnerable this year and there are going to be several surprise teams that emerge from the ashes; the Knicks could be one of those teams. Last year, the team finished 33-49 (2 games short of my predicition made on 10/11/06), and I think that number could have/should have been higher were it not for an unlikely amount of injuries the team suffered towards the end of the season (Remember: D Lee, Steph, Jamal...) With the addition of Zach Randolph, there should be a clear increase in the number of victories the team records this year. I don't want to sound overly optimistic (as most Knicks fans do during preseason), but I do have more hope than the beginning of last year. The Knicks sill have the highest payroll in the league, and they will probably not make a big splash in the playoffs, but I do believe the Knicks will turn some heads with their new lineup and developed team chemistry. The following is my analysis of the team for the upcoming season:
STARTING LINE-UP
PG: #3 Stephon Marbury aka Starbury
Last seasons statistics: 16.4 ppg, 5.4 apg
Coney Island's own has been greatly scrutinized by the media lately. The day after the Knicks acquistion of Portland's Zach Randolph, Steph was interviewed and displayed less than favorably. His preacher style praise for the Portland forward did not seem to gain favor with those who were already questioning his Jesus revival ways. However, off court issues should not be the focus and despite his questionable behavior, the media and others should be focusing on his on the court attributes. Now, Steph has definitely matured quite a bit. His defense is remarkably better than previous years, he defers to his teammates more, and most importantly, it is now clear that he will adapt his game in anyway for the better of the team. I don't know if the Knicks would be better without Steph and I don't know if things will ever work out with him, but he is the starter now and there is no changing it. The most important thing for Steph to be seen as a success this year is his leadership capability. He is the team veteran and soul of the New York Knicks right now and he needs to be that on court leader. Basically, for this former all-star, it is no longer about the numbers, it's about doing what he can to make this team win.
SG- #11 Jamal Crawford
Last seasons statistics: 17.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 rpg
Well, let me start by saying that I'm very VERY happy that Steve Francis is no longer on the team and we don't have to act like he is the starting shooting guard anymore. With that said, I like Jamal Crawford and I think he showed last year that he fits on this team. Jamal has also matured with his shot selection and ball handling abilities. He has become a secondary distributor that is able to drive into the paint and break down a defense. Don't forget, Jamal still has that smooth shot and he is coming off a season which saw some of his best games (In Denver, 3 pointer to win 109-106, check it out on youtube if you don't know it; and his 50+ game against Miami at the Garden). Jamal should fit nicely again as a main piece to the puzzle for the Knicks this season.
SF- #23 Quentin Richardson aka Q-Rich
Last seasons statistics: 13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg
All I got to say is that it is a very good thing that Q stepped it up last year, otherwise, he could have become a Knicks blunder. After a dismal first season in 2005-2006, Q has possibly found his niche on the team. He is a solid defensive player that is able to guard tough match-ups, such as Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony, and he is a good rebounder at the 3. However, things could get a little tricky with playing time for Q this year. Balkman and D Lee are guys that will be sharing the time with Q this year, and rightfully so. This spot on the team seems to be well filled and possibly the only position with some defensive presence this year. I think Q should be the starter and his defensive prowess should keep him as a primary player.
PF- #50 Zach Randolph aka Z-Bo
Last seasons statistics: 23.6 ppg, 10.10 rpg
I think Spike Lee said it best on draft day after the announcement of the trade for Randolph: "It's a good day in New York." The horror that was Steve Francis gets shipped away (Unfourtunantely Channing Frye had to go to, despite a dissapointing second season), and a 20 10 guy steps up in New York. This almost got Isiah back in the Garden faithful's favor until his sexual harassment scandal. However, there is no doubt Randolph adds something to this team, as to how much we will find out. Randolph is a great low post player that has a sweet jumper from mid range. This addition gives the Knicks one of the most formidable front courts in the East. Randolph and Curry together should be able to frustrate other teams big men and get them in a lot of foul trouble. One worry that is clear is how they will share the ball. When it comes down to it, I really believe that this 4-5 combo can work, and that it will be a threat, not a blunder. Randolph seems willing to defer to Curry and he has made it clear that he wants to win in New York and if that means sharing, sharing he will do. Randolph's numbers will most likely suffer from last year, but that does not mean that this is taking away from his importance and value to the teams success. Another concern is that of defense. Randolph is definitely not known for his defensive capability and it is one of his only flaws. I think this should be more concerning then the offensive end with Curry in the paint. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.
C- #34 Eddy Curry
Last seasons statistics: 19.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Eddy Curry finally had the season that he has been waiting for as he led the team in points per game. In addition, Curry was clearly one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference last year (if not the best, sorry Shaq). This season should be no different. Curry has those quick feet and soft hands for a big guy. He is able to break down the interior defense of opposing teams and make swift moves on the other centers in the NBA. I think this year should be no different for Eddy in terms of capability, although his numbers might also suffer with the presence of Randolph. But again, Curry is greatly lacking in defense. He is not a threat in the middle and teams do not fear him when they drive in the paint. Curry and Randolph working together on D down low could be dismal to watch, but hopefully it won't be as bad as it seems. Also, Curry should take some lessons with D Lee on how to rebound the ball. He is not strong enough when boxing out and he should be getting more bounds as the starting center for the team. I clearly remember a game last year (I think against Detroit) where the Knicks lost due to a tip-in by the opposing team because Curry didn't box out.
MORE TO COME ON BENCH PLAYERS AND CONCLUSION TOMORROW NIGHT
HERE IS A VIDEO TO GET YOU FANS PUMPED
STARTING LINE-UP
PG: #3 Stephon Marbury aka Starbury
Last seasons statistics: 16.4 ppg, 5.4 apg
Coney Island's own has been greatly scrutinized by the media lately. The day after the Knicks acquistion of Portland's Zach Randolph, Steph was interviewed and displayed less than favorably. His preacher style praise for the Portland forward did not seem to gain favor with those who were already questioning his Jesus revival ways. However, off court issues should not be the focus and despite his questionable behavior, the media and others should be focusing on his on the court attributes. Now, Steph has definitely matured quite a bit. His defense is remarkably better than previous years, he defers to his teammates more, and most importantly, it is now clear that he will adapt his game in anyway for the better of the team. I don't know if the Knicks would be better without Steph and I don't know if things will ever work out with him, but he is the starter now and there is no changing it. The most important thing for Steph to be seen as a success this year is his leadership capability. He is the team veteran and soul of the New York Knicks right now and he needs to be that on court leader. Basically, for this former all-star, it is no longer about the numbers, it's about doing what he can to make this team win.
SG- #11 Jamal Crawford
Last seasons statistics: 17.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 rpg
Well, let me start by saying that I'm very VERY happy that Steve Francis is no longer on the team and we don't have to act like he is the starting shooting guard anymore. With that said, I like Jamal Crawford and I think he showed last year that he fits on this team. Jamal has also matured with his shot selection and ball handling abilities. He has become a secondary distributor that is able to drive into the paint and break down a defense. Don't forget, Jamal still has that smooth shot and he is coming off a season which saw some of his best games (In Denver, 3 pointer to win 109-106, check it out on youtube if you don't know it; and his 50+ game against Miami at the Garden). Jamal should fit nicely again as a main piece to the puzzle for the Knicks this season.
SF- #23 Quentin Richardson aka Q-Rich
Last seasons statistics: 13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg
All I got to say is that it is a very good thing that Q stepped it up last year, otherwise, he could have become a Knicks blunder. After a dismal first season in 2005-2006, Q has possibly found his niche on the team. He is a solid defensive player that is able to guard tough match-ups, such as Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony, and he is a good rebounder at the 3. However, things could get a little tricky with playing time for Q this year. Balkman and D Lee are guys that will be sharing the time with Q this year, and rightfully so. This spot on the team seems to be well filled and possibly the only position with some defensive presence this year. I think Q should be the starter and his defensive prowess should keep him as a primary player.
PF- #50 Zach Randolph aka Z-Bo
Last seasons statistics: 23.6 ppg, 10.10 rpg
I think Spike Lee said it best on draft day after the announcement of the trade for Randolph: "It's a good day in New York." The horror that was Steve Francis gets shipped away (Unfourtunantely Channing Frye had to go to, despite a dissapointing second season), and a 20 10 guy steps up in New York. This almost got Isiah back in the Garden faithful's favor until his sexual harassment scandal. However, there is no doubt Randolph adds something to this team, as to how much we will find out. Randolph is a great low post player that has a sweet jumper from mid range. This addition gives the Knicks one of the most formidable front courts in the East. Randolph and Curry together should be able to frustrate other teams big men and get them in a lot of foul trouble. One worry that is clear is how they will share the ball. When it comes down to it, I really believe that this 4-5 combo can work, and that it will be a threat, not a blunder. Randolph seems willing to defer to Curry and he has made it clear that he wants to win in New York and if that means sharing, sharing he will do. Randolph's numbers will most likely suffer from last year, but that does not mean that this is taking away from his importance and value to the teams success. Another concern is that of defense. Randolph is definitely not known for his defensive capability and it is one of his only flaws. I think this should be more concerning then the offensive end with Curry in the paint. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.
C- #34 Eddy Curry
Last seasons statistics: 19.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Eddy Curry finally had the season that he has been waiting for as he led the team in points per game. In addition, Curry was clearly one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference last year (if not the best, sorry Shaq). This season should be no different. Curry has those quick feet and soft hands for a big guy. He is able to break down the interior defense of opposing teams and make swift moves on the other centers in the NBA. I think this year should be no different for Eddy in terms of capability, although his numbers might also suffer with the presence of Randolph. But again, Curry is greatly lacking in defense. He is not a threat in the middle and teams do not fear him when they drive in the paint. Curry and Randolph working together on D down low could be dismal to watch, but hopefully it won't be as bad as it seems. Also, Curry should take some lessons with D Lee on how to rebound the ball. He is not strong enough when boxing out and he should be getting more bounds as the starting center for the team. I clearly remember a game last year (I think against Detroit) where the Knicks lost due to a tip-in by the opposing team because Curry didn't box out.
MORE TO COME ON BENCH PLAYERS AND CONCLUSION TOMORROW NIGHT
HERE IS A VIDEO TO GET YOU FANS PUMPED
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