* This past sports weekend was a terrible one for me. It started with a totally lackluster performance by the Toronto Maple Leafs at home against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Losing is one thing but lack of effort drives me crazy and the Leafs showed no effort in a 4-1 loss. Saturday was going to be the time for redemption as the Leafs went to Motown for the back end of a home and home series with the Red Wings. The Leafs played much better but lost in overtime 1-0 as a result of a Henrik Zetterberg goal with 10 seconds before the shoot out. Also on Saturday night, Notre Dame took on Florida State in a game I truly believed they could win. In the end, they should have won but for a bogus pass interference call that nullified the go ahead touchdown with three seconds left in the game. The downward spiral continued as the Cleveland Browns lost to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars 24-6. What a great weekend!
* The Leafs are really a puzzle to me. They play a really good game at home against Colorado and follow it up with a dud on Friday night. Randy Carlyle continues to limit the amount of ice time the fourth line gets and at the end of the day this will come back and bite them. Not sure how that is any different from last year.
* I think Jake Gardiner can be an excellent defenseman. But somehow I think the best thing that could happen to him is if he did got traded. You can teach defensive positioning but you can't teach talent and somehow I don't see Carlyle being willing or able to do that.
* One thing that is clear after the Leafs first six games is that if the Kessel line doesn't score, the Leafs won't win. Not sure how that is any different from last year.
* Notre Dame's loss on Saturday night was a travesty and Head Coach Brian Kelly has every reason to be upset. Here's hoping the Irish run the table.
* When is Everrett Golson going to be mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate?
* Mike Pettine and his coaching staff were badly out coached Sunday by Gus Bradley's Jaguars. The lack of adjustments is baffling considering that they have done that in all of their previous games. The loss really diminishes their chances to make the playoffs. If the Browns lay another egg Sunday at home against Oakland, look for the honeymoon to be over for Pettine & Company and you can expect the drumbeat to begin to bring in Johnny Football.
* What has happened to the powerful NFC West? Both Seattle and San Francisco have three losses and Arizona leads the division with one loss. Will be interesting to see what teams out of these three make the playoffs. Would love to see the Cardinals make it.
* Kudos to Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone for recognizing that his team has a lot to work on if they are going to challenge New England for the division crown. A last second win at home against the lowly Minnesota Vikings is nothing to write home about. Don't be surprised if Rex Ryan's New York Jets give Marrone's Bills all they can handle Sunday in New Jersey.
* When will stubborn Gary Bettman admit that the Florida Panthers need to be moved. It is a disgrace as to the attendance numbers particularly when solid hockey markets such as Quebec City and Seattle would support that team much better than greater Miami. Hell, they can't even support the Marlins or the Dolphins.
* New Jersey has authorized legal betting on sports games. In my opinion, I'm in 100% support of this. But go figure, the NFL, NBA and NHL have filed papers in court to prohibit this from happening with the claim that legalized sports betting could harm their respective sports. Really? Illegal sports betting with bookies, Pro-Line in Ontario and the big money fantasy leagues already are happening so why shouldn't New Jersey cash in? Instead of worrying about gambling, how about looking at the use of PED's, steroids and other criminal activities involving athletes in the respective sports.
* It's being reported that the New York Yankees are interested in their minor league hitting instructor, James Rowson, to replace Kevin Long as hitting coach. Apparently, the team is impressed with Rowson's work in the minors. Hmmm...really? It also has been reported that Gary Dembo is being promoted to head up player development for the Yankees. He was the second in command under Mark Newman. What a joke? How about bringing in some new blood with a new set of eyes Mr. Cashman?
* And finally, the World Series begins tonight in Kansas City as the San Francisco Giants take on the Royals. I am an American League fan and normally this young, underdog Royals team would be normally who I would be rooting for. But, being a Yankee fan, I remember the bitter rivalry between the Royals and Yankees back in the mid to late 70's and the early 80's. So I'm pulling for the Giants and look for San Francisco to win the Series in 6 games. Besides, I can't bear to see George Brett jumping for joy in his luxury box.
* New Jersey has authorized legal betting on sports games. In my opinion, I'm in 100% support of this. But go figure, the NFL, NBA and NHL have filed papers in court to prohibit this from happening with the claim that legalized sports betting could harm their respective sports. Really? Illegal sports betting with bookies, Pro-Line in Ontario and the big money fantasy leagues already are happening so why shouldn't New Jersey cash in? Instead of worrying about gambling, how about looking at the use of PED's, steroids and other criminal activities involving athletes in the respective sports.
* It's being reported that the New York Yankees are interested in their minor league hitting instructor, James Rowson, to replace Kevin Long as hitting coach. Apparently, the team is impressed with Rowson's work in the minors. Hmmm...really? It also has been reported that Gary Dembo is being promoted to head up player development for the Yankees. He was the second in command under Mark Newman. What a joke? How about bringing in some new blood with a new set of eyes Mr. Cashman?
* And finally, the World Series begins tonight in Kansas City as the San Francisco Giants take on the Royals. I am an American League fan and normally this young, underdog Royals team would be normally who I would be rooting for. But, being a Yankee fan, I remember the bitter rivalry between the Royals and Yankees back in the mid to late 70's and the early 80's. So I'm pulling for the Giants and look for San Francisco to win the Series in 6 games. Besides, I can't bear to see George Brett jumping for joy in his luxury box.
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