Tuesday's Thoughts

While not being able to handle the first winter weather of the year, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* Well, I had a feeling Brian Cashman wasn't done yet and sure enough the Yankees acquired fireballing reliever Aroldis Chapman for 4 minor leaguers, none of which were any of the team's top prospects.  With Chapman, the Yankees will have an awesome back of the bullpen with Andrew Miller, Dellin Betances and Chapman.  The only concern is whether the 3-time 27 year old All-Star will be suspended for an alleged domestic violence incident.  One would think that the Yankees would have checked out the situation and believe even if Chapman is suspended he would still be available for most of the 2016 season.  A bulked up hard throwing bullpen will help to bolster a fragile starting rotation.

* As many of you who follow me know, I have been extremely critical of Cashman but right now I would give him high marks for this off season's acquisitions as the Yankees continue to get younger and more athletic.  It will only get better as the 4 big contracts come off the books.(Beltran, Sabathia, Texiera and ARod)

* The Maple Leafs continue to shock many in Leafs Nation as they defeated the New York Islanders in the Barclay Center.  It is apparent that the team is responding quite well to Head Coach Mike Babcock and if they can get decent goaltending they will be a factor in determining who gets into the playoffs.  One only wonders where they would be in the standings if they hadn't had such a terrible October.

* What will be interesting to see is who General Manager Lou Lamiorello will try to move at the trade deadline.  Certainly it's possible that Michael Grabner and P.A.Parentau could be moved but one has to wonder if there would be any consideration to move Roman Polak or fan favorite Leo Komorov.  Of course, there is the persistent speculation about the Leaf futures of Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Bozak.

* Speaking of Bozak, it has been really annoying how this guy has been a constant whipping boy.  The fact remains that he didn't ask to be the team's number one center.  He is a college free agent who has played up to his ability and has served the Leafs well.  Babcock seems to have slotted him perfectly as is the case with Dion Phaneuf.

* Watching William Nylander get knocked out of Team Sweden's game against Switzerland had me thinking that this franchise is cursed.  Luckily, the word is that he very well may play again in the World Juniors and that is good news for Sweden and better news for the Marlies and the Maple Leafs.

* It's interesting how Manzielmania continues to grow with each game that Johnny Football plays.  I guess I'm confused as to how an NFL quarterback who rushes for nearly the same number of yards as he passes for is the formula for a Super Bowl contender.  

* While I would agree that it may be unfair to evaluate Manziel with the receivers that he has to throw to, his actions off the field may be just as important when determining whether or not he is the quarterback of the future.  Of course, now we see the Christmas Eve video of Manziel with an alcoholic beverage in his hand.  Many will say what is the big deal.  But the big deal is this kid was in an alcohol rehabilitation program.  He shouldn't be drinking period.  This has to call into question his judgment. To me the Browns have 2 options: 1.) get rid of him or 2.) keep him and draft another quarterback, not necessarily with their first round pick.

* The Bleacher Report is reporting that Ray Farmer will be shown the door once the season is over but Mike Pettine will be retained as head coach.  I don't have a problem with that, particularly if Browns owner Jimmy Haslam insists that Pettine bring in some assistants who have some pro football experience.  There is also rumors that Haslam will bring in former Green Bay GM Ron Wolf to act as a consultant to rebuild football operations.  Would be a good move in my opinion.

* It didn't take long for the honeymoon to end between Bills fans and Buffalo head coach Rex Ryan.  What is very telling is how the Bills have regressed under Ryan and the Jets are on the verge of making the playoffs under Todd Bowles.

* If I were a member of the Jets and needed additional motivation for Sunday's game, all I would think about is how Ryan was jumping around on the sidelines after the Bills win at MetLife Stadium earlier this season.

* Would really like to see Arizona or Carolina win the Super Bowl.  Bruce Arians has done a great job and it's fun watching Carson Palmer have a chance to go far in the playoffs, particularly after the crushing injury he received a few years back against the Steelers when he was playing for Cincinnati.  What can I say about Cam Newton.  The kid is having an awesome year and Ron Rivera has this team really playing well.  Would be a great NFC Championship Game.

* I don't know what to think about the Al Jazeera report about Peyton Manning and others using HGH. It seems hard to believe that Manning would risk his reputation.  With the so-called source recanting his story, one would have to give Peyton the benefit of the doubt.

* For all of the gasbags and self-righteous morons who are slamming Mike Ditka for calling Al Jazeera not credible and garbage, I'm with Ditka.  Since when is Al Jazeera a sports reporting agency.  Credit to Da Coach for telling it like it is.

* With word that the Maple Leafs are looking to change their uniforms, one has to wonder how much of this is a result of Addidas getting the NHL contract for apparel next season.  We know that Nike was involved in the ridiculously stupid new uniforms for the Browns.  So much for tradition.

* There was an interesting article last week in the NY Post that raised the question as to whether or not Sidney Crosby is a coach killer.  Crosby has had four head coaches in his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The article pointed out that Crosby has a close relationship with Penguins owner and icon, Mario Lemieux.  I'm a Crosby fan, but the article gave me something to think about.

* If the playoffs started tomorrow in the NFL, the starting quarterbacks for the AFC playoff teams would be: Tom Brady, AJ McCarron, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Alex Smith and Brock Osweiler.  A far cry from the days of Kelly, Elway, Kosar, Marino and Esiason.

* By the way, the Browns could have had Bruce Arians or Todd Bowles as their head coach.

* Really looking forward to watching the Final Four in the College Football Playoffs and the Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame and Ohio State.  I'm pulling for Oklahoma, Michigan State and the Fighting Irish.

* Wonder if the gasbags on WGR550 realize that these college games are taking place this weekend.  I'd bet anything I have that there will not be a segment in the morning or during drive time about them. More concerned about getting the right musical effects when they talk about Ryan O'Reilly.

* Here's hoping that you all have a Happy and Healthy 2016!!

No Shame for Notre Dame

Last night, Notre Dame's hope for a berth in the college football playoffs was completely extinguished as a result of a last second field goal falling to Stanford 38 - 36.  Two 2 point losses on the road has cost the Fighting Irish a chance to be national champions.  What makes it even more incredible is that they put up a 10-2 record with a multitude of injuries which includes the loss of their starting quarterback, starting running back and starting tight end.

Head Coach Brian Kelly deserves a ton of credit for an outstanding job that not only includes his coaching but also his recruiting which helped Notre Dame withstand the onslaught of injuries.  There is no way in the recent past that Notre Dame would have been able to survive these types of personnel losses.

In my opinion, this year's team has been Kelly's deepest and as a result his best.  This includes the 2013 team that made it to the BCS Championship Game against Alabama and was embarassingly blown out.  I'll go one step further and say this team is the best ND football team in the last 15 years.

Here's hoping the Fighting Irish has a great bowl game and look forward to 2016.

Tuesday's Thoughts

While wondering how many times FOX will show George Brett up in his box watching the World Series, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* 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.