* Another Saturday night of hockey and another loss by the Maple Leafs. To make matters worse, it was the third listless home loss as they fell to the Boston Bruins 4-1. As in the Pittsburgh and Detroit games, the Leafs looked totally disinterested in providing any kind of effort against the Bruins who were without Zdeno Chara. What is coming abundantly clear is that unless the Kessel line scores, the Leafs don't win. This team has basically one line and what Pittsburgh, Detroit and Boston did was to keep that line in check. The lack of secondary scoring is a huge problem and the Kadri line in particular needs to step it up.
* Hearing Nazem Kadri say that the team needs "to care more" just blows me away. I live and die with this team. When they lose I am miserable. I have cared a lot over the last 40 some years about the Toronto Maple Leafs and these guys who have the honor and privilege to wear the Blue and White have "to care more". Not to mention that they are getting a great salary to play a kids game. Something is terribly wrong with this team. Maybe the answer is blowing this whole thing up.
* By the way, I wonder if Nazem has compared his stat line with that of John Taveras. The Leafs could only hope that Kadri could be half the player Taveras is.
* The dressing of 11 forwards and seven defenseman is a huge mistake. In my experience it would seem that a defense pairing can play better when they know each other's tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. All we heard in pre-season was that the Leafs were committed to four solid lines. Instead we have Carlyle doing what he did last year by having either Joffrey Lupul or Phil Kessel play with 2/3 of the fourth line. Once again, how can any chemistry be developed? If you want a blueprint for a good fourth line, all Carlyle had to do was watch Boston's on Saturday. They even hemmed the Leafs first line in their own zone. Which reminds me, do you think the Leafs could come up with a solid checking line??
* The Cleveland Browns came away with a 23-13 victory over the winless Oakland Raiders. While a win is a win, I was not impressed with the Browns performance particularly the offense. This team once again had problems scoring touchdowns and then settling for field goals. I'm beginning to seriously question if Brian Hoyer is the long term answer at quarterback.
* While I understand losing All-Pro center Alex Mack was a huge blow to the offensive line, it is a lame excuse to explain why the Browns can no longer run the ball. It appears that teams are putting eight men in the box and daring Hoyer to beat them. Oakland and Jacksonville figured it out so wait until Baltimore and Cincinnati come to play.
* How come nobody asks this question: where is the organizational depth on the offensive line for the Browns?
* One has to wonder if the NFL is too much for Bears Head Coach Marc Trestman. While a lot of attention has been paid to Jay Cutler's faults, maybe there should be more focus on a defense that has been in decline for several years.
* The Bears could use a guy like Rex Ryan to run their defense.
* Speaking of Ryan, there is no question he will be gone as Jets Head Coach. It's too bad but it will be in his best interest as the New York Jets are the worst organization in the NFL.
* It was announced today that Florida State running back Karlos Williams is being investigated for domestic battery involving his pregnant girl friend who also happens to be the mother of another one of Williams' children. When is the NCAA going to throw the book at this criminal enterprise called FSU football. They are a disgrace and something needs to be done in Tallahassee.
* Is there a uniform uglier than the Pittsburgh Steelers throwback jerseys?
* Does Mike Smith remain as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at the end of this season?
* Really impressed with the Arizona Cardinals and the job that Bruce Arians is doing as head coach.
* Will be interesting to see where Joe Maddon ends up next season. Many are saying he may end up in Wrigley Field. With the young talent the Cubs have and the apparent interest to acquire high priced free agents, it could be the start of fun times on the North Side of Chicago.
* With everything coming out about what's going on inside the Seattle Seahawks locker room, I find it difficult to see them repeating as the NFC representative in the Super Bowl let alone winning it.
* Lamar Houston is a big jerk and typifies what irritates the hell out of me with today's players. His team was getting buried by the New England Patriots and he sacks New England's backup quarterback. Houston proceeds to do a war dance and tears his ACL. He's done for the year after his stupidity. By the way, the Bears signed this clown to a nice fat free agent deal this past off season.
* And finally, for the past year I have had the pleasure to write for The Blue and White Brotherhood, a blog dedicated to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Because of that I rarely wrote about the Leafs on this blog. Both the guys at B&W and I felt it was in everyone's best interest for me to step back from The Brotherhood. As a result, you will see more Leaf stories here at tonytalkssports. I want to publicly thank everyone at B&W. These guys are great and check them out for great information on the Leafs.
* Is there a uniform uglier than the Pittsburgh Steelers throwback jerseys?
* Does Mike Smith remain as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at the end of this season?
* Really impressed with the Arizona Cardinals and the job that Bruce Arians is doing as head coach.
* Will be interesting to see where Joe Maddon ends up next season. Many are saying he may end up in Wrigley Field. With the young talent the Cubs have and the apparent interest to acquire high priced free agents, it could be the start of fun times on the North Side of Chicago.
* With everything coming out about what's going on inside the Seattle Seahawks locker room, I find it difficult to see them repeating as the NFC representative in the Super Bowl let alone winning it.
* Lamar Houston is a big jerk and typifies what irritates the hell out of me with today's players. His team was getting buried by the New England Patriots and he sacks New England's backup quarterback. Houston proceeds to do a war dance and tears his ACL. He's done for the year after his stupidity. By the way, the Bears signed this clown to a nice fat free agent deal this past off season.
* And finally, for the past year I have had the pleasure to write for The Blue and White Brotherhood, a blog dedicated to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Because of that I rarely wrote about the Leafs on this blog. Both the guys at B&W and I felt it was in everyone's best interest for me to step back from The Brotherhood. As a result, you will see more Leaf stories here at tonytalkssports. I want to publicly thank everyone at B&W. These guys are great and check them out for great information on the Leafs.
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