Sabathia is paying off big time

CC Sabathia is finally putting together some big time performances in the postseason.After past failures in the playoffs with the Indians and Brewers, he has shown why the Yankees paid him big money in the offseason.After mowing down the Angels for eight innings in the ALCS in a 10-1 over the Angels, the Yankees are one win away from their first World Series appearance since 2003.Buoyed by an offense that battered starter Scott Kazmir and the other pitchers the Angels put out there in game 4, the Yankees seized the momentum that seemed to swing the Angels' way after a thrilling 5-4 win in game 3.This was Sabathia's second win in the ALCS, which was a big money performance and is showing why there was a lot of fuss why the Yankees paid him handsomely in the free agent period.Clearly the best move the Yankees made in the offseason. 

My thoughts on the NFL: Week 6, my power rankings

Just my thoughts on the nfl in week 6.Dante Wesley of the Carolina Panthers gets special mention for the whack job he did on Tampa Bay's Clifton Smith.More on that later.

1.New Orleans Saints-They were impressive in their beatdown of the Giants.They were at home for that game and they also have to prove they can win in the elements provided they don't get homefield in the playoffs.

2.Denver Broncos-This team has finally won me over.After a dominating performance over the Chargers on the road no less, proved to me that they are for real.Kyle Orton has been very good as a "game manager".

3.Minnesota Vikings-Sometimes its better to be lucky than good.The defense seems to have let up a bit, but the offense is starting to click.

4.Indianapolis Colts-Idle this week.The rest gives them time to rest and recharge for week 7.

5.New York Giants-The G-men dropped a few notches after being dismantled by the Saints.Still the best in the NFC East, and top 3 in the conference.

6.New England Patriots-The Pats seem  to be finally clicking.Even at a #6 ranking still a force to be reckoned with.The team to beat in the AFC East.

7.Atlanta Falcons-Had a tough, hard nosed win over the Bears, going into this week's showdown with the Saints.The defense will have to keep the high flying Saints grounded.Can't really afford a shootout.

8.Pittsburgh Steelers-This might be a little low for them at this point.Another team that seems to finally be clicking.The backfield will be really dangerous when Willie Parker comes back healthy.

9.Green Bay Packers-Playing the Lions might be the tonic this team needs.Has to cut out the penalties if they want to hang with elite.

10.Cincinnati Bengals-Don't drink the kool aid just yet.The cardiac cats couldn't pull off another comeback against Houston.Still not completely sold on this team yet.

11.Baltimore Ravens-Another loss in heartbreaking fashion.The offense is doing a lot better than many have thought.The defense will get back to their hard hitting ways.Hopefully its sooner than later.

12.Philadelphia Eagles-This team is puzzling.Losing to the Raiders was inexcusable.Why does it seem Donovan McNabb seems to forget about certain game situations.First the Super Bowl, then not knowing games end in a tie, now not knowing how many timeouts he has.Puzzling.

13.Arizona Cardinals-Will the real Cardinals please stand up.Are they the team that has looked good for the last 2 weeks, or the team that was throttled by the Colts.

14.Chicago Bears-Jay Cutler, and this team as a whole needs to cut down on the mistakes.They should be better than they are.

15.Dallas Cowboys-Even though they have a winning record and were idle this week, they are fradulent until proven otherwise.Roy Williams has been a big disappointment.

16.New York Jets-Somewhere down the line the Sanchez mistakes will hurt them.If the running game and defense can keep them in it, the mistakes won't hurt as much.

17.San Diego Chargers-A team that is grossly overacheiving for the talent it has on the field.The defense  can't stop anyone and the o-line can't block anyone.If Norv Turner's not on the hot seat, he should be.Fraudulent until proven otherwise.

18.Houston Texans-Finally starting to play some good ball.Needs to get the running game going.Defense is solid.Things are looking up down in Houston.

19.San Francisco 49ers-I like Mike Singletary and what he's doing out there in frisco.They're still a few years away, but do benefit in playing in a pretty weak division.

20.Miami Dolphins-Idle this week.Not yet a bonafide playoff contender.They are tough and will give teams a run for their money.Let Chad Henne get some receivers around him and they will be downrgight scary.

21.Carolina Panthers-They just seem dysfunctional right now. Jake Delhomme still seems shell shocked over his playoff performance.He better step it up because they have no one behind him.

22.Jacksonville Jaguars-Very inconsistent.Inconsistent with few playmakers, even though others are starting to step it up(Mike Sims-Walker).Still no excuse to let the lowly Rams hang around.

23.Seattle Seahawks-I really don't know what to make of this team.When they are healthy they are dangerous,which happens to be few and far between.      

24.Washington Redskins-This team is in trouble.Overpriced and underachieving has gotten Jim Zorn mighty  close to Dan Snyder's sharp axe.They should be better with one of the easier 6 game stretches to start season.

25.Buffalo Bills-They looked like they had some promise at the start of the season.Now it looks like a lost season.How long before T.O. starts talking his way out of town, although this one really isn't his fault.

26.Detroit Lions-Even after being dogged in Green Bay, they are the best out of a bad bunch.They have a bye week and can use that time to heal up.Still need to upgrade the talent level.

27.Kansas City Chiefs-Not looking like the easy win that it looked like at the start.Chiefs are starting to slowly get it together.Just need to get more out of Larry Johnson while he's still there.A tradeable commodity they should definitely try to get something for him in the offseason.

28.Oakland Raiders-Got a win over the Eagles, who i think overlooked the Raiders.Nonetheless it looked like pride finally kicked in for the Raiders.The defense is this team's calling card and stepped up big time last week.The offense has a long way to go.

29.Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Raheem Morris is just trying to put his stamp on the team at this point.Its gonna be a long winter down in Tampa, and an equally long rebuilding project.

30.Tennessee Titans-Clearly not as bad as the 59-0 trucking they got by New England.Going through a bad stretch right now, let's hope they didn't quit on coach Jeff Fisher, one of the good guys in the NFL.Who knew Albert Haynesworth and Jim Schwartz meant so much to the Titans.

31.Cleveland Browns-The Browns are just a bad football team. They have no answer at quarterback, play in a tough division, and really have no identity on what they want to be.Eric Mangini probably wishes he was back with  the Jets right about now.

32.St.Louis Rams-How Jacksonville let this team hang with them is beyond me.Another bad football team that needs playmakers on both sides of the ball.




Even though this hit was illegal as a crime on the street, i loved it. Definitely the whack job of the week.

Hoping the Lions can get it right

I hate to admit it to others, but i am a diehard Detroit Lions fan.I know, i know, they're the butt of jokes all the and are constantly ridiculed.From ownership down they've been a farce of an NFL franchise.Also, it's pretty bad when the glory days are before my time and the early to mid 90's when they made the playoffs only to make a quick exit.Those days, the Wayne Fontes days, were exciting and also frustrating as they teased us and gave us Lions fans false hope.Look up the 58-37 beatdown in the 95 playoffs and you'll know what i'm talking about.Don't even get me started with the Millen error.He sold us a bad bill of goods.Remember him coming in saying "I want to win and win now", pounding his fist on the podium.Hiring Marty Mornhinweg, who they should've let Cleveland hire started it all.Fast forward to now and I think they might have actually got it right this time around.The jury is still out on Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand in the front office.They seem competent though and might be the people to get this franchise turned around.I think they had a decent draft, although i really didn't care for the Matthew Stafford selection.Mayhew made so decent free agent signings and trades.Also, the big one to many in this area was the hiring of the coach,Jim Schwartz.Many here in the Detroit area are hungry for a winner,and feel Schwartz may be the guy to bring one to town.Even though they currently stand at 1-5, i feel he doesn't try to sell us on false hope and tells it like it is.Check out what he said about the second half of the Chicago game.He knows it'll take time to build a winner here, but he also has to convince the players they are a good football team.Changing the culture will be difficult, be he seems committed to getting the job done.Let's hope ownership will have patience and give him the time to get the job done.He actually seems like a real coach, something that hasn't been around here for awhile.Give him time and he will get it done, i have confidence and patience.Like I mentioned before, let's hope ownership and fans for that matter give him the time to do the job.
detroitlions.com

The USFL:A good idea that went wayward

I remember when the USFL first started in 1983.i was only 11 years old then and thought it would never work.Some of the names i knew of,some i never heard of.Even the players i heard of,i thought to myself,"they couldn't make it in the NFL".As the season went on i was pleasantly surprised and quickly embraced the michigan panthers as my team,pretty obvious since i lived here in the detroit area.I remember it like yesterday.Bobby Hebert at quarterback,local hero Anthony Carter at receiver,and two unknowns that became big stars in the league,running back Ken Lacy,and the "sackman" John Corker.they started slowly but went on a roll that culminated in a championship,defeating the Philadelphia Stars 24-22.I couldn't wait until the next season started and figured the NFL might be in some serious trouble.Alas,the USFL was in trouble.From my point of view, I feel the owners,flush with quick success,got too greedy.They started giving out big money contracts to players not yet drafted and to NFL stars that used the USFL as leveraage in negotiations.The locals around Detroit can remember Billy Sims nearly jumping ship to the Houston Gamblers.The contract i remember most is the ridiculous contract given to Steve Young by the Los Angeles Express.I believe it was 40 years for $43 million dollars.I could be wrong on this.If i am let me know.I know there is more to the story,but eventually,while the league was expanding,sank itself and folded.The USFL ended up suing the NFL and actually won.The amount:$1 dollar.It was exciting while it lasted and if managed correctly I feel some teams could have merged with the NFL. I still remember the players and uniforms and the teams. I just wish it lasted longer, but all good things must come to an end.          

Detroit Pistons. How will they do this year?

As the name of my blog states, I have an opinion for almost anything. This goes out to the local Piston fans. How do you think they will do this year. On paper it looks like a 40-45 win team,but as we all know games aren't played on paper.I think Joe Dumars did well in free agency bringing in Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon. I wasn't too thrilled with the draft but who else could we take at that position in the draft.They're trying to rebuild on the fly which is not a bad thing,but we'll have to see what moves come by the trade deadline if any.I feel they won't be among the elite,but still competitive enough to put a scare into some of the  better teams. Personally i see a 43-39 finish in the regular season and somewhere between a 6 to 8 seed in the playoffs.
http://www.nba.com/pistons/index_main.html

Bowl games and Bobby Bowden

I love college football as much as any fan out there. Admit it, I know there are plenty of guys out there that love their college football from noon to night every Saturday. I'm one of them.but I just can't take anymore bowl games. There's too many as it is and now the powers that be in the NCAA are going to give us more. I remember looking forward to the New Year's Day bowl games knowing you were going to watch 8 to 10 of the top teams in the nation. Now the games don't mean as much as they used to thanks to the creation of the BCS. Even the games prior to New Years had some excitement and a decent matchup to watch. Now it seems that mediocrity is being rewarded and we as fans get stuck watching crappy matchups and teams that we hardly follow. How about that Florida Atlantic/Stanford matchup. They really need to cut down on the games and reward teams that win at least 7 games instead of the current 6. I think it would make for better matchups therefore better games.not saying that some teams aren't deserving,but you can finish damn near dead last in your conference and still get to go bowling.
  Another subject is good ol' Bobby Bowden. Currently under fire at Florida State and rightfully so. His teams have seen a dramatic decline in recent years. I don't think the game has passed him by, but I think there were some factors in that decline. Of course there's recruiting,but I think a big one was losing Mark Richt to Georgia. That one seems to get overlooked. Another one which is well publicized is hiring his son Jeff as offensive coordinator. I personally think he has hung on to Mickey Andrews as his defensive coordinator for too long as i think many have caught on to his schemes. I do think Bobby needs to retire,but should be able to go out on his own terms. He built it up to elite status,won big,and has a couple of national championships. If it weren't for him they might be scuffling with the Memphis' and SMU's of the world. I know times are tough for the Seminoles right now but don't run the man that brought you to the pearly gates of college football out of town. He deserves to go out on his own and who knows this thing might turn around like it did for Joe Paterno at Penn State when they were calling for his head. At least give him a chance to see if it can get turned around.