The defending World Series Champions will take the field in 2010 a more talented group than the 2009 version that knocked off the Phillies last Fall.
The anchors of last season remain the same: Mark Teixeira at first base; Robinson Cano at second; Derek Jeter at short and Alex Rodriguez at third comprise a nearly $100 million infield.
However, it's the pitching that will determine whether Joe Girardi's club will defend their title. Ace CC Sabathia leads the staff followed by A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and newcomer Javier Vazquez.
The fifth starter spot is an open competition entering Spring Training. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are the favorites, but Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves will all get a shot.
Adding Vazquez – via trade with Atlanta in exchange for Melky Cabrera – gives a front-loaded pitching staff the depth it lacked last season.
In a separate deal, GM Brian Cashman addressed the only shaky everyday position by acquiring All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson in exchange for what amounts to spare parts.
Granderson, who will roam the legendary outfield spot once manned by Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bernie Williams, will be flanked by joyful Nick Swisher in right and a carousel of Brett Gardner, Randy Winn and Marcus Thames in left. (In certain situations, Grandy may flip-flop and play left.)
Former Yankees prospect Nick Johnson returns to The Bronx as DH, but don't expect Johnson to be there full-time. Girardi will exploit the DH position as an old-age-home for the numerous 30-plus-years-old regulars who can use some half days off.
The most senior aging veteran is catcher Jorge Posada. Girardi wants Posada's bat in the lineup but not his 38-year-old knees behind the plate. Look for Jorge to play upwards of 40 games as DH, with energetic youngster Francisco Cervelli filling in as backstop.
The greatest reliever of all-time, Mariano Rivera, will be the backbone of the bullpen. After a shaky April last season, Mo went on to have one of the finest campaigns of his first-ballot Hall-of-Fame-career. Damaso Marte will be top lefty out of the ‘pen. Displaying his value against lefties last postseason, Marte is the only other reliever with a defined role going into the season.
The other slots will be determined along with the fifth starter competition. Hughes is best suited to be in the rotation and Joba the eighth inning man. The other rotation contenders, along with David Robertson, fill out the relief corps.
The depth on the team is the best money can buy. That's what separates the Yankees from every other team in Major League Baseball. It's not enough to have a couple of All-Stars on the roster, there needs to be an All-Star at just about every position.
Of the eight regulars in the field, all but the corner outfielders have a legitimate – if not the best – chance to start the Mid-Summer Classic.
This offseason the Red Sox improved their pitching, signing free agent John Lackey, and defense, Gold Glove centerfielder Mike Cameron, in preparation for the annual mid-Summer tango with The Bombers for AL East supremacy.
Boston needs to be carried by its starting rotation as the Sox lineup is missing a big bat in the middle and the bullpen is suspect.
The Rays believe this is their last year with a legitimate shot for the AL East crown as their top two players, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, are both eligible for free agency after the season. Tampa will make a dent in the division race, but ultimately the Yanks and BoSox will be at the top.
OUTLOOK:
The Yanks combination of depth and star-power is not matched by any team in baseball. There are concerns going into the season, age throughout the team, A.J. Burnett is still an injury concern, but those issues are minor compared to most other clubs.
Look for The Bombers to win 95-plus games and win the East. The playoffs are a crapshoot, but with Sabathia as the ace, Mariano in the ‘pen and big hitters up and down the lineup Girardi has the best odds of rolling sevens.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Mets Spring Training Preview
Omar Minaya doesn’t appear to be the gambling-type, yet the Mets’ GM is betting on plenty of things breaking his way this season. While the odds are not completely stacked against Omar, if he’s wrong, Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel will likely be looking for a job at season’s end.
The pitching staff has two sure things: Ace Johan Santana, as good as any starter in the league, and closer Frankie “K-Rod” Rodriguez.
After that begins a conga line of question marks. Starters Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and John Maine are coming off a disappointing 2009 season.
Pelfrey’s biggest issue is handling runners on base, a problem that needs to be addressed if Pelf is to step up to the number two starter role.
Neither Maine nor Perez had over 15 starts in ’09. Perez is a head case who loses the plate on a regular basis. Maine missed a significant portion of the season with shoulder trouble and needs to prove he can stay healthy.
Then again, a whole host of Mets need a bounce back season.
David Wright was one of only three Mets to play over 130 games in ’09 but the third baseman’s batting average had more ups and downs than the Cyclone on Coney Island, unlike Wright’s power which stayed below par all season.
After highly-controversial offseason knee surgery, Carlos Beltran will begin the season on the DL, right where the centerfielder spent a majority of last season.
When Carlos returns – tentatively scheduled for early May – he, Wright and free agent signee Jason Bay need to form a formidable heart of the order to give the Mets any playoff aspirations.
The only major offseason acquisition, Bay, will fortify the outfield and bring it up to Major League standards, it was not last season.
Jose Reyes – also coming off an injury-plagued 2009 – needs to return to form, both as a shortstop and leadoff hitter.
The quality of the roster takes a steep tumble after that, with only rightfielder Jeff Francoeur being a legitimate everyday player outside of the top half-dozen.
Aging second baseman Luis Castillo is coming off a surprisingly respectable season, batting .302 and stealing 20 bases in 142 games. The Mets would, no doubt, sign on for such production again.
Daniel Murphy is the favorite to start at first base, but Manuel will give Mike Jacobs and 22-year-old Ike Davis a good look going into the season. The 25-year-old Murphy was the next big thing for the Mets entering last season but was a bitter disappointment both in the field – he started in leftfield – and at the plate, batting just .266.
The late offseason signing of Rod Barajas gives the Mets a legitimate presence behind the plate. While his bat is not awe-inspiring, Barajas has caught over 100 games several times in his career. Omir Santos will return to the backup role.
Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve, both coming off injury – aren’t they all, will compete for a starting spot in the rotation.
How Manuel gets the ball from the starters to Frankie needs to be sorted out; Sean Green, Bobby Parnel, Jenrry Mejia, Pedro Feliciano and Japanese import Ryota Igarashi will all be considered in Spring.
Feliciano is best used as a lefty specialist and Igarashi is an unknown commodity in the majors. Mejia has shown promise, but the Mets hierarchy may want him back in the minors for more seasoning as a starter.
Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews will duel it out for the centerfield job until Beltran comes back, at which point both will be riding the pine.
The Phillies remain the class of the division, and trading for Roy Halladay in the offseason only increases the separation between Philadelphia and the rest of the NL East. Philly’s lineup is still the best in the Senior Circuit.
The Braves, led by a plethora of pitching, and the Marlins, with a multitude of young talent, will be in the Wild Card race all season.
OUTLOOK:
The Mets need to get off to a good start to rid the team of the losing stigma from last season. With a healthy team, The Amazins’ can win between 85 and 90 games.
If two through four in the starting rotation stay off the DL and pitch relatively well, the Mets are capable of hanging with Atlanta and Florida for a playoff spot.
The pitching staff has two sure things: Ace Johan Santana, as good as any starter in the league, and closer Frankie “K-Rod” Rodriguez.
After that begins a conga line of question marks. Starters Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and John Maine are coming off a disappointing 2009 season.
Pelfrey’s biggest issue is handling runners on base, a problem that needs to be addressed if Pelf is to step up to the number two starter role.
Neither Maine nor Perez had over 15 starts in ’09. Perez is a head case who loses the plate on a regular basis. Maine missed a significant portion of the season with shoulder trouble and needs to prove he can stay healthy.
Then again, a whole host of Mets need a bounce back season.
David Wright was one of only three Mets to play over 130 games in ’09 but the third baseman’s batting average had more ups and downs than the Cyclone on Coney Island, unlike Wright’s power which stayed below par all season.
After highly-controversial offseason knee surgery, Carlos Beltran will begin the season on the DL, right where the centerfielder spent a majority of last season.
When Carlos returns – tentatively scheduled for early May – he, Wright and free agent signee Jason Bay need to form a formidable heart of the order to give the Mets any playoff aspirations.
The only major offseason acquisition, Bay, will fortify the outfield and bring it up to Major League standards, it was not last season.
Jose Reyes – also coming off an injury-plagued 2009 – needs to return to form, both as a shortstop and leadoff hitter.
The quality of the roster takes a steep tumble after that, with only rightfielder Jeff Francoeur being a legitimate everyday player outside of the top half-dozen.
Aging second baseman Luis Castillo is coming off a surprisingly respectable season, batting .302 and stealing 20 bases in 142 games. The Mets would, no doubt, sign on for such production again.
Daniel Murphy is the favorite to start at first base, but Manuel will give Mike Jacobs and 22-year-old Ike Davis a good look going into the season. The 25-year-old Murphy was the next big thing for the Mets entering last season but was a bitter disappointment both in the field – he started in leftfield – and at the plate, batting just .266.
The late offseason signing of Rod Barajas gives the Mets a legitimate presence behind the plate. While his bat is not awe-inspiring, Barajas has caught over 100 games several times in his career. Omir Santos will return to the backup role.
Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve, both coming off injury – aren’t they all, will compete for a starting spot in the rotation.
How Manuel gets the ball from the starters to Frankie needs to be sorted out; Sean Green, Bobby Parnel, Jenrry Mejia, Pedro Feliciano and Japanese import Ryota Igarashi will all be considered in Spring.
Feliciano is best used as a lefty specialist and Igarashi is an unknown commodity in the majors. Mejia has shown promise, but the Mets hierarchy may want him back in the minors for more seasoning as a starter.
Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews will duel it out for the centerfield job until Beltran comes back, at which point both will be riding the pine.
The Phillies remain the class of the division, and trading for Roy Halladay in the offseason only increases the separation between Philadelphia and the rest of the NL East. Philly’s lineup is still the best in the Senior Circuit.
The Braves, led by a plethora of pitching, and the Marlins, with a multitude of young talent, will be in the Wild Card race all season.
OUTLOOK:
The Mets need to get off to a good start to rid the team of the losing stigma from last season. With a healthy team, The Amazins’ can win between 85 and 90 games.
If two through four in the starting rotation stay off the DL and pitch relatively well, the Mets are capable of hanging with Atlanta and Florida for a playoff spot.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Jets Keep Soaring
A bad bounce, an ill-advised penalty, maybe a field goal that clanks off an upright, and the team that was left for dead by its own coach will represent the AFC in Miami in Super Bowl XLIV.
The Jets are just 60 minutes -- and a fortuitous break -- away from the franchise's first trip to the Big Game in over 40 years.
Can the Jets beat the Colts straight up in Indianapolis with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line? No! But, then again, Gang Green wasn't going to beat the Chargers in San Diego.
In sports -- and life -- capitalizing on fortunate situations is key to moving forward.
Whether or not the Jets should have ever been in the playoffs is debatable. What's not up for discussion is that Rex Ryan's club took advantage of every handout that came its way.
All too often, teams get a gift only to let it slip right through their collective hands. This loud-mouth Jets squad seizes every bit of good fortune and makes the most of it.
The Jets would not have beaten the Colts had the teams matched-up in, say, Week 12 of the regular season. But the Jets took full advantage of Bill Polian's questionable philosophy to rest the starters in a meaningless game -- at least from Indy's viewpoint.
Next up was a back-to-back with Cincinnati. While the Bengals were a legitimate playoff team early in the season, Cincy hit a rough sport late in the season losing two of three -- albeit to good teams -- before facing the Jets.
Once again, the Jets took full advantage: First beating the Bengals to garner entry to the postseason, then winning the Wild Card Game in Ohio.
The Bengals weren't playing as well as they had while getting off to a 7-2 start. But the Jets didn't play down to the competition nor make a key blunder to lose the game.
Moving on to San Diego, once again, Gang Green played mistake free -- for the most part -- and let the Chargers stumble, bumble and kick the game away.
The Colts have the next opportunity to break the glass slipper of the only Cinderella left standing. And Indy has what to worry about: One misstep, a single errant throw and the Jets will take full advantage.
With the way things have been going for this charmed team, don't count 'em out.
The Jets are just 60 minutes -- and a fortuitous break -- away from the franchise's first trip to the Big Game in over 40 years.
Can the Jets beat the Colts straight up in Indianapolis with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line? No! But, then again, Gang Green wasn't going to beat the Chargers in San Diego.
In sports -- and life -- capitalizing on fortunate situations is key to moving forward.
Whether or not the Jets should have ever been in the playoffs is debatable. What's not up for discussion is that Rex Ryan's club took advantage of every handout that came its way.
All too often, teams get a gift only to let it slip right through their collective hands. This loud-mouth Jets squad seizes every bit of good fortune and makes the most of it.
The Jets would not have beaten the Colts had the teams matched-up in, say, Week 12 of the regular season. But the Jets took full advantage of Bill Polian's questionable philosophy to rest the starters in a meaningless game -- at least from Indy's viewpoint.
Next up was a back-to-back with Cincinnati. While the Bengals were a legitimate playoff team early in the season, Cincy hit a rough sport late in the season losing two of three -- albeit to good teams -- before facing the Jets.
Once again, the Jets took full advantage: First beating the Bengals to garner entry to the postseason, then winning the Wild Card Game in Ohio.
The Bengals weren't playing as well as they had while getting off to a 7-2 start. But the Jets didn't play down to the competition nor make a key blunder to lose the game.
Moving on to San Diego, once again, Gang Green played mistake free -- for the most part -- and let the Chargers stumble, bumble and kick the game away.
The Colts have the next opportunity to break the glass slipper of the only Cinderella left standing. And Indy has what to worry about: One misstep, a single errant throw and the Jets will take full advantage.
With the way things have been going for this charmed team, don't count 'em out.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Capital Domination
Thrash, pummel, trounce, flog, lambaste, pound, or just plain old beat down.
None of the above adequately describes the Giants 45-12 complete domination over the Redskins down in D.C. on Monday Night Football.
In a game Big Blue absolutely had to have to keep a realistic shot at the playoffs alive, the Giants took control on the opening drive and never looked back.
On a 16-play march that took 9:13 off the first-quarter-clock and covered 80 yards the Giants fired the opening shot of a battle that never materialized.
Ahmad Bradshaw scored the TD on a three-yard run and the game may as well have been called over.
Washington's first three drives were all three-and-outs. 'Skins QB Jason Campbell was under constant harassment being sacked five times -- four times by the rejuvenated defensive line.
Eli Manning had another 250 plus yards passing while completing 19 of 26 passes before sitting out most of the fourth quarter.
The Giants converted close to 75% of third downs to sustain numerous long drives.
Even with two of starting offensive linemen out for most of the game, Manning was well protected. Brandon Jacobs and Bradshaw also had plenty of room to work with.
Ten different Giants caught a pass and three separate receivers -- Steve Smith, Derek Hagan and Mario Manningham -- each found the end zone.
Even when the Redskins did punch in a TD, the ineptness was displayed by missing the extra point.
Now, the Giants must take the positives from this shellacking and bring them north for next Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.
Week 15 was loaded with surprises -- one helping and one hurting Big Blue.
The Cowboys upset of the Saints in New Orleans keeps Dallas a game ahead of the Giants in the playoff race. While the Steelers reawakening against the Packers gives the Giants a second team to gun for.
Big Blue needs help to get into the postseason but that's not for Tom Coughlin's club to worry about.
Taking care of business in the nation's capital was all the Giants could do this week, and, oh boy, did they ever accomplish that task.
None of the above adequately describes the Giants 45-12 complete domination over the Redskins down in D.C. on Monday Night Football.
In a game Big Blue absolutely had to have to keep a realistic shot at the playoffs alive, the Giants took control on the opening drive and never looked back.
On a 16-play march that took 9:13 off the first-quarter-clock and covered 80 yards the Giants fired the opening shot of a battle that never materialized.
Ahmad Bradshaw scored the TD on a three-yard run and the game may as well have been called over.
Washington's first three drives were all three-and-outs. 'Skins QB Jason Campbell was under constant harassment being sacked five times -- four times by the rejuvenated defensive line.
Eli Manning had another 250 plus yards passing while completing 19 of 26 passes before sitting out most of the fourth quarter.
The Giants converted close to 75% of third downs to sustain numerous long drives.
Even with two of starting offensive linemen out for most of the game, Manning was well protected. Brandon Jacobs and Bradshaw also had plenty of room to work with.
Ten different Giants caught a pass and three separate receivers -- Steve Smith, Derek Hagan and Mario Manningham -- each found the end zone.
Even when the Redskins did punch in a TD, the ineptness was displayed by missing the extra point.
Now, the Giants must take the positives from this shellacking and bring them north for next Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.
Week 15 was loaded with surprises -- one helping and one hurting Big Blue.
The Cowboys upset of the Saints in New Orleans keeps Dallas a game ahead of the Giants in the playoff race. While the Steelers reawakening against the Packers gives the Giants a second team to gun for.
Big Blue needs help to get into the postseason but that's not for Tom Coughlin's club to worry about.
Taking care of business in the nation's capital was all the Giants could do this week, and, oh boy, did they ever accomplish that task.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Grandy A Yankee, Andy Too
As the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis come to a close, Brian Cashman boards the flight back to New York with a couple of souvenirs in tow.
The Yankees' roster had two major concerns going into this Hot Stove season: Starting pitching depth, behind CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and an incomplete outfield.
Cashman addressed both issues while in the Hoosier State.
The re-signing of Andy Pettitte was inevitable once the 37-year-old lefty decided he was to pitch another season.
The money is a bit higher than the Yankees would have liked, but a Steinbrenner will always shell out an extra million bucks or two to get the man he wants.
The Yanks dodged a bullet in '08 with Burnett not once landing on the DL and needed someone who can step into the No. 2 starter role should A.J.'s slate not be as clean next season.
Pettitte is a proven playoff commodity who has the veteran guile it takes to get it done should his aging arm misbehave.
In a three-way trade with the Tigers and Diamondbacks, the Yankees solved the outfield dilemma acquiring Curtis Granderson while not relinquishing much in terms of major league-ready talent.
Grandy is one of baseball's good guys as well as one of the game's top athletes.
Cashman and the Yankees have put a premium on good attitude after seeing the results of ignoring demeanor early this decade. (Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield.)
Departing New York in return for Granderson: Phil Coke, a solid lefty reliever who found his way into Joe Girardi's doghouse in the postseason, Ian Kennedy, who has shown nothing more than back of the rotation potential when given a major league opportunity, and Austin Jackson, a 22-year-old athletic center fielder whom many Yankees fans began penciling into the 2011 starting lineup prematurely.
Coke's replacement, Damason Marte, is already on the roster. Kennedy is a 25-year-old coming off an aneurysm. Jackson's upside is fairly similar to what Granderson has already developed into -- though flip-flop Austin's batting average with Curtis's power.
Coming off a down season, as is Granderson, is when quality players are available for cheap. Had this trade taken place in the off-season following Granderson's 2007 MVP-type season, the Yankees would have had to depart with Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.
With his batting average below .250 in 2009 and erratic fielding, the 28-year-old (he'll be 29 by Opening Day) is by no means the perfect center fielder. However, the Yanks can rely on a power bat (19 plus homers each of the past four seasons).
The arrival of Granderson in the Bronx also gives the Yankees leverage in negotiating with Johnny Damon.
Nick Swisher in right field, Grandy in left and a platoon of Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner in center improves the outfield and only slight downgrades the lineup compared to the 2009 championship club.
If Damon does agree to a reasonable contract -- by Cashman's definition -- the Bombers have upgraded the only weak everyday position.
A meager .183 average vs. lefties has been a point of contention against importing Granderson.
However, in reality, less than one-third of an everyday player's at-bats come against southpaws. The number figures to be even lower if Granderson is sandwiched between Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira -- his projected lineup spot should Damon not return -- because of the duos prowess against left-handed hurlers.
Rumors will continue to swirl as to the landing spots of Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay. But, Cashman can sit back, content that the two biggest voids in the Bombers' roster were filled.
Of course, if the Red Sox make a run at any of those four, don't count the Yankees out -- as we learned last year with Teixeira.
The Yankees' roster had two major concerns going into this Hot Stove season: Starting pitching depth, behind CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and an incomplete outfield.
Cashman addressed both issues while in the Hoosier State.
The re-signing of Andy Pettitte was inevitable once the 37-year-old lefty decided he was to pitch another season.
The money is a bit higher than the Yankees would have liked, but a Steinbrenner will always shell out an extra million bucks or two to get the man he wants.
The Yanks dodged a bullet in '08 with Burnett not once landing on the DL and needed someone who can step into the No. 2 starter role should A.J.'s slate not be as clean next season.
Pettitte is a proven playoff commodity who has the veteran guile it takes to get it done should his aging arm misbehave.
In a three-way trade with the Tigers and Diamondbacks, the Yankees solved the outfield dilemma acquiring Curtis Granderson while not relinquishing much in terms of major league-ready talent.
Grandy is one of baseball's good guys as well as one of the game's top athletes.
Cashman and the Yankees have put a premium on good attitude after seeing the results of ignoring demeanor early this decade. (Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield.)
Departing New York in return for Granderson: Phil Coke, a solid lefty reliever who found his way into Joe Girardi's doghouse in the postseason, Ian Kennedy, who has shown nothing more than back of the rotation potential when given a major league opportunity, and Austin Jackson, a 22-year-old athletic center fielder whom many Yankees fans began penciling into the 2011 starting lineup prematurely.
Coke's replacement, Damason Marte, is already on the roster. Kennedy is a 25-year-old coming off an aneurysm. Jackson's upside is fairly similar to what Granderson has already developed into -- though flip-flop Austin's batting average with Curtis's power.
Coming off a down season, as is Granderson, is when quality players are available for cheap. Had this trade taken place in the off-season following Granderson's 2007 MVP-type season, the Yankees would have had to depart with Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.
With his batting average below .250 in 2009 and erratic fielding, the 28-year-old (he'll be 29 by Opening Day) is by no means the perfect center fielder. However, the Yanks can rely on a power bat (19 plus homers each of the past four seasons).
The arrival of Granderson in the Bronx also gives the Yankees leverage in negotiating with Johnny Damon.
Nick Swisher in right field, Grandy in left and a platoon of Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner in center improves the outfield and only slight downgrades the lineup compared to the 2009 championship club.
If Damon does agree to a reasonable contract -- by Cashman's definition -- the Bombers have upgraded the only weak everyday position.
A meager .183 average vs. lefties has been a point of contention against importing Granderson.
However, in reality, less than one-third of an everyday player's at-bats come against southpaws. The number figures to be even lower if Granderson is sandwiched between Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira -- his projected lineup spot should Damon not return -- because of the duos prowess against left-handed hurlers.
Rumors will continue to swirl as to the landing spots of Roy Halladay, John Lackey, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay. But, Cashman can sit back, content that the two biggest voids in the Bombers' roster were filled.
Of course, if the Red Sox make a run at any of those four, don't count the Yankees out -- as we learned last year with Teixeira.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Big Blue, Big Win vs. Big D
With its back to the wall and down 10-0 in the biggest game of the season against the rival Cowboys, the Giants responded.
Midway through the second quarter, Ahmad Bradshaw lost a fumble on the Giants' side of the field. Seven plays later, Tony Romo hit Roy Williams in the end zone and the Giants season was left for dead.
The Giants resuscitated the season by moving down the field on three consecutive 16-yard gains before Eli Manning found Hakeem Nicks for a TD to give Big Blue some life.
Just a minute-and-a-half later the Giants would once again find the Promised Land after a big play by two key members of the much-maligned D-line. Mathias Kiwanuka forced a fumble that was recovered by the recently-demoted Osi Umenyiora.
The game would be won through big plays.
Brandon Jacobs, still not running the ball to expectations, had a 74-yard catch and run for his second TD of the evening.
The contest was put out of reach by a Domenik Hixon 79-yard punt return late in the fourth.
The D-line showed glimpses of why it was considered one of the NFL's best going into the season. Although Romo threw for nearly 400 yards, he was constantly harassed.
Cowboys' running backs Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice combined for 45 yard on 23 carries.
The Giants did not dominate the Cowboys, but did enough to come away with a much-needed W.
While Tom Coughlin's club did not exactly escape with the win, it did leave room for doubts going into another enormous game vs. the Eagles on Sunday night.
Big Blue must prove it can beat a quality opponent other than the Cowboys.
A loss to Philadelphia would eliminate any chance of taking the East Division -- the Eagles would be up two games and have the tie-breaker. Big Blue was embarrassed in Philadelphia on November 1.
On the other hand, a win at the Meadowlands evens things out in the overall and head-to-head record against Philly. Combined with Dallas' December struggles and the Cowboys rough upcoming schedule, Big Blue would quickly turn into the favorites to win the Division.
After the Eagles, the Giants face two inferior opponents -- at Washington then home for Carolina.
The final game of the season, in Minnesota, may not mean anything for the Vikings. The Giants may be playing for a spot in the playoffs. Such a circumstance would turn the odds in New York's favor.
An old maxim says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The Giants took that step on Sunday.
Against the Eagles it will be determined if that step has a true landing that can send the Giants scurrying towards the postseason.
Midway through the second quarter, Ahmad Bradshaw lost a fumble on the Giants' side of the field. Seven plays later, Tony Romo hit Roy Williams in the end zone and the Giants season was left for dead.
The Giants resuscitated the season by moving down the field on three consecutive 16-yard gains before Eli Manning found Hakeem Nicks for a TD to give Big Blue some life.
Just a minute-and-a-half later the Giants would once again find the Promised Land after a big play by two key members of the much-maligned D-line. Mathias Kiwanuka forced a fumble that was recovered by the recently-demoted Osi Umenyiora.
The game would be won through big plays.
Brandon Jacobs, still not running the ball to expectations, had a 74-yard catch and run for his second TD of the evening.
The contest was put out of reach by a Domenik Hixon 79-yard punt return late in the fourth.
The D-line showed glimpses of why it was considered one of the NFL's best going into the season. Although Romo threw for nearly 400 yards, he was constantly harassed.
Cowboys' running backs Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice combined for 45 yard on 23 carries.
The Giants did not dominate the Cowboys, but did enough to come away with a much-needed W.
While Tom Coughlin's club did not exactly escape with the win, it did leave room for doubts going into another enormous game vs. the Eagles on Sunday night.
Big Blue must prove it can beat a quality opponent other than the Cowboys.
A loss to Philadelphia would eliminate any chance of taking the East Division -- the Eagles would be up two games and have the tie-breaker. Big Blue was embarrassed in Philadelphia on November 1.
On the other hand, a win at the Meadowlands evens things out in the overall and head-to-head record against Philly. Combined with Dallas' December struggles and the Cowboys rough upcoming schedule, Big Blue would quickly turn into the favorites to win the Division.
After the Eagles, the Giants face two inferior opponents -- at Washington then home for Carolina.
The final game of the season, in Minnesota, may not mean anything for the Vikings. The Giants may be playing for a spot in the playoffs. Such a circumstance would turn the odds in New York's favor.
An old maxim says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The Giants took that step on Sunday.
Against the Eagles it will be determined if that step has a true landing that can send the Giants scurrying towards the postseason.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Jets Stampede Buffalo
As if repenting for past egregious sins, the Jets went North of the border and took care of business against the inferior Bills, 19-13.
However, the victory may have cost Gang Green the main purpose for playing out the schedule: The development of rookie QB Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez left the field early in the third quarter and did not return.
How much faith does the Jets coaching staff have in backup Kellen Clemens? The Jets handed the ball to a back on 18 of the 25 snaps that Clemens was in the game (not including two kneel-downs).
True, running backs Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene were running all over Buffalo -- even fullback Tony Richardson got in the act with 36 yards on two carries -- but it was clear Rex Ryan and Co. was not going to allow Clemens to lose the game.
The rushing game had another sparkling day running for 249 and averaging nearly six yard a carry.
Sanchez was in the midst of a solid performance before he was forced to the locker room injuring his knee on a head-first dive for a first down.
The rookie completed seven of 14 passes for 104 yards and one TD. Those numbers would look considerably prettier had Braylon Edwards not dropped an 84-yard sure-touchdown pass late in the first quarter.
Edwards continues to display why he'll always have an NFL job, scoring the only New York touchdown in Canada by fighting off several tacklers on the way to the goal line.
But, the reputation of slippery hands continues to stick to the talented wideout.
Darrelle Revis had yet another All-Pro day, this time holding Terrell Owens to three catches for 31 yards.
The win keeps alive the faint hope of a playoff appearance but even that wishful thinking would be quashed should Sanchez be forced to sit any length of time.
With the extra time to prepare the Jets should run all over Tampa Bay in Florida.
However, each of the following three match ups (Atlanta, at Indianapolis and Cincinnati) will be tough tests, and the Jets will have a difficult passing any of them.
The rough schedule will be bearable if Sanchez plays and shows signs of the future. If Sanchez is sidelined, then the whole team may as well be eating hot dogs.
However, the victory may have cost Gang Green the main purpose for playing out the schedule: The development of rookie QB Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez left the field early in the third quarter and did not return.
How much faith does the Jets coaching staff have in backup Kellen Clemens? The Jets handed the ball to a back on 18 of the 25 snaps that Clemens was in the game (not including two kneel-downs).
True, running backs Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene were running all over Buffalo -- even fullback Tony Richardson got in the act with 36 yards on two carries -- but it was clear Rex Ryan and Co. was not going to allow Clemens to lose the game.
The rushing game had another sparkling day running for 249 and averaging nearly six yard a carry.
Sanchez was in the midst of a solid performance before he was forced to the locker room injuring his knee on a head-first dive for a first down.
The rookie completed seven of 14 passes for 104 yards and one TD. Those numbers would look considerably prettier had Braylon Edwards not dropped an 84-yard sure-touchdown pass late in the first quarter.
Edwards continues to display why he'll always have an NFL job, scoring the only New York touchdown in Canada by fighting off several tacklers on the way to the goal line.
But, the reputation of slippery hands continues to stick to the talented wideout.
Darrelle Revis had yet another All-Pro day, this time holding Terrell Owens to three catches for 31 yards.
The win keeps alive the faint hope of a playoff appearance but even that wishful thinking would be quashed should Sanchez be forced to sit any length of time.
With the extra time to prepare the Jets should run all over Tampa Bay in Florida.
However, each of the following three match ups (Atlanta, at Indianapolis and Cincinnati) will be tough tests, and the Jets will have a difficult passing any of them.
The rough schedule will be bearable if Sanchez plays and shows signs of the future. If Sanchez is sidelined, then the whole team may as well be eating hot dogs.
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