* The Toronto Maple Leafs completed a weekend sweep on Sunday by defeating the Ottawa Senators 5-3 after winning 5-4 on Saturday against the New York Rangers. In both games, the Leafs gave up the first goal but were able to prevail. What was really hopeful was that the Leafs were able to get secondary scoring from the likes of Peter Holland, Leo Komorov, Mike Santorelli and Josh Leivo. Holland has 3 goals and 2 assists since being moved up to the third line. Anyone who has read this blog knows that I have been advocating more ice time for Holland. This kid can be a contributor in the top nine of the Maple Leafs and he has shown that every time he has been given the opportunity.
* Wednesday night the Leafs take on the Boston Bruins. If you remember the Bruins dominated the Leafs on a Saturday night in Toronto as they came away with a 4-1 win. The score was not indicative of how widely the Bruins dominated the game. After Wednesday, the Leafs take on the Penguins Friday night. Pittsburgh also dominated the Leafs on a Saturday night at home. It will be interesting to see if the Leafs are more competitive in these two games than they were in October.
* Had the opportunity to be at the Sabres-Penguins game on Saturday in Buffalo. I only stayed for the first period as the game was a joke. It was like a Jr. A team playing a pee wee team. Can't believe Sabres season ticket holders are very happy with the entertainment value they are being provided by St. Pegula's team.
* Great article by Bucky Gleason in the Buffalo News about Sabres fans hoping and praying for Connor McDavid. Gleason pointed out that the Sabres chances to get the number one overall pick was 20%. More importantly, he correctly stated that one player is not going to turn things around and that the Sabres will need more than McDavid. Pittsburgh took off not only with Sidney Crosby. They also had Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, and Kris Letang to name a few.
* Well, they are drawing me back in. I have been fighting not to jump on the bandwagon. I've been burned too many times. But Thursday night's 24-3 victory at Cincinnati has me getting ready to jump on the Cleveland Browns bandwagon. With a stout defense and the rediscovery of their ground game, the Browns came out victorious in a game that I had very little faith in their ability to win. Brian Hoyer played an efficient game and helped to ease my doubts about his ability to lead this team. The upcoming game Sunday against Houston is one that they should win but it won't be easy. The Browns don't have the luxury to take a game off if they want to maintain the top spot in the AFC North.
* Watched all of the Bills-Chiefs game on Sunday and it was plain and simple: the Bills gave the game away. Sure there was the McKelvin fumble and Dixon fumbling out of the end zone which hurt the Bills. But, they were in the red zone twice and had to settle for two field goals. In the one series, Kyle Orton overthrew two open receivers in the end zone. The defense, which played well for the most part, gave up a 39 yard touchdown run to Jamaal Charles on a fourth and one play. If the Bills falter, this will be the game they look back on as the one they let slip away.
* Things are blowing up in Chicagoland as the Bears were embarrassed by their bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers, Sunday night on national television. I really believe that Marc Trestman is in over his head. Of course, the guy who really should be held accountable is GM Phil Emery.
* How pathetic is the NFC South that New Orleans leads the division with a 4-5 record. Atlanta at 3-6 is still in the race.
* What a tough break for Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals as Palmer is done for the year with a torn ACL. It will be interesting to see if Bruce Arians is able to keep things going with Drew Stanton as their QB.
* Very happy for Rex Ryan as his NY Jets pulled off a huge upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Everyone believed the Steelers would roll over the hapless Jets but Ryan & Company dialed a game plan up which led to a victory. Just goes to show you: "on any given Sunday".
* The recent information that has come out pertaining to Alex Rodriguez is hard to believe. What really annoys me is that it is beyond a reasonable doubt that ARod has lied about his use of performance enhancing drugs. Would it not have been better for him to negotiate a deal in 2013 as opposed to the charade that we all witnessed? The Yankees have a lot of issues to resolve in 2015 and it was hoped that ARod would be a part of the solution. However, I think it is clear that the media circus will be back as a result of this latest revelation that ARod admitted to the Feds that he bought PEDs from Anthony Bosch in exchange for immunity from any prosecution.
* Rumors flying around that the Yankees may be interested in Elvis Andrus and Alexi Ramirez to play shortstop next year. The rumors never indicate who the Yanks would have to give up but Andrus is only 26 years old while Ramirez is 33 years old. I would take either over Stephen Drew. The one draw back on Andrus is that he will just be starting an eight year contract.
* Everrett Golson took himself out of any Heisman thoughts with his terrible performance Saturday against Arizona State. It also took his Notre Dame football team out of any consideration for the Final Four.
* I must admit I was never a big Mark Sanchez fan but I did think he got a raw deal in New York. That's why it's nice to seem him bounce back in Philadelphia. Only 28 years old, Sanchez could be the Eagles franchise quarterback as he put on a fine performance last night against Carolina. If there needs to be another reason why John Idzik should be fired as Jets GM, it's watching Sanchez possibly leading Philadelphia deep into the playoffs.
* And finally, GR Gasbag Howard "I never met a donut I didn't like" Simon was equating Marcel Dareus with Warren Sapp. While Dareus may have the same stats as Sapp did at this point in both of their careers, the key will be if Dareus can stay out of trouble long enough to even think about the hall of fame. It's guys like Simon and the rest of the GR Gasbags who perpetuate the unrealistic perceptions of Buffalo's professional athletes.
* And finally, GR Gasbag Howard "I never met a donut I didn't like" Simon was equating Marcel Dareus with Warren Sapp. While Dareus may have the same stats as Sapp did at this point in both of their careers, the key will be if Dareus can stay out of trouble long enough to even think about the hall of fame. It's guys like Simon and the rest of the GR Gasbags who perpetuate the unrealistic perceptions of Buffalo's professional athletes.
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