BTB HQ ~ ManCave ~ BKN
Jeff Wilpon added the final "TOOL" to his reorganized management BOX today with the announcement of Terry Collins as his latest unemployed reclamation project. The Son of 'Pon, thinking busy hands are happy hands, decided Terry Collins could be rehabilitated into a contributing member of Met Bizarro-Society rather than chain-ganging on litter removal detail along the Mets' portion of Adopt-A-Highway along the Grand Central P'way.
After rescuing Sandy Alderson from his pseudo MLB employment, exiled in the Dominican Republic while attempting to find the true source of Jose Canseco's youthful looking skin, Jeff Wilpon the Benevolent devoted himself to saving Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi from emptying waste paper baskets and waxing floors at the Astoria Blvd. Tanning Salon. Gaining legal custody of all three nomads of Baseball, Jeff the Younger quickly re-educated his Motley Crew in the fine arts of High Profile Low Expectation Mid Level Executive Mismanagement.
Satisfied with his triad's inability to quickly learn on the fly, Lil Jeff, C.O.O of Mets-R-Us, went about setting his trap to snare the cagey China Dragon; Terry Collins.
Today's announcement Terry Collins has finally been fitted with an ear tag and made part of the family completes The Younger Wilpon's radical renovations to the House of 'Pon.
Rejoice Met fans! Just think, Our possibilities are LIMITED!!! WooHoo!
No (not) really...Think about it:
*Sandy Alderson practically ran the 'Roid Lab of Jose&McG from his basement.
*J.P. Ricciardi was shoveling Blue Jay money at players like Toronto snow...and got canned. Did I say Toronto?
*Paul DePodesta in L.A. got canned while he was in the middle of an extensive interview process seeking a new manager; Talk about timing!...which by the way included the China Dragon himself; Terry Collins.
*Terry Collins, as manager of the Angels...Mutiny? And he quit his Chinese gig? He quit his job as manager of a Chinese team...; in China? Baseball? Him? China? Quit? C'mon!
Yes my fellow METroNoNsensuals, all the pieces are in place now that COOJEFF (pronounced like Cujo but with a Jeff at the end!) has pounded all the round pegs into the square holes.
Two things still remain. Find another inconspicuous gambling degenerate with less body mass to take clubhouse bets without getting caught this time..., and fill the coaching ranks with personnel who will tell Ollie Perez he is doing a good job; tell Luis Castillo he's being considered for an extension; and tell Carlos Beltran the fans really do like him.
....Then..., our Victory over the Nation's PONY Leagues will be COMPLETE!!!!!
BAAAaaaHAHAhahahahahaha!!!!!
But really folks, the days of Jeff Bashing are sadly coming to a close. I'm going to miss those days. Sandy Alderson is going to ruin all the fun. I'm taking my ball and going home. I don't feel like making fun of him anymore.
Consider this Last Call at the C.O.O Saloon.
Be honest now, for a second you thought to yourself, "Oh My! What have we done?"
Special shout to http://twitter.com/@koosman3669 who caught everyone in a mid-November Mets yawn tonight on his "CB-Radio".
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
N.Y. Rangers ~ Marty Biron Holding Down The Fort
...The Mighty Marty Biron that is.
Coach Torts gave the hot goalie another start tonight and Biron did not disappoint handing in a stellar game on his time sheet. He is now 4-0 in his last four starts. His fifth win tonight was perhaps his best effort so far.
He allowed only one goal while stopping 31 threatening shots by Calgary in the Ranger's' 2-1 victory tonight at MSG. Jerome Igilna scored the 450th goal of his great career and damn nearly had #451 if it were not for Biron stonewalling him at the doorstep. Fifteen of his saves came in tonight's third period.
Dan Girardi scored on a Power Play goal and Brian Boyle who had himself a superb over-all game, scored his 9th goal of the year giving the Rangers their two goals which were good enough to hold off Calgary.
This was a hard hitting affair and midway through the third period it got even more fierce. Marc Staal absolutely obliterated Calgary's Matt Stajan with a mid-ice hit.
From that moment things got a little chippy. But not for long. In a not so subtle way but not nearly in an overt manner, Derek Boogaard took the ice and had the Flames forgetting whatever thoughts they had regarding taking a run at someone in retaliation for Staal's hit. In a most refreshing way, I watched Boogaard settle Calgary's rambunctiousness with his mere presence. They tried baiting him into a penalty, but he wouldn't bite; not without hitting someone if they dared drop gloves with him. He was too smart for them and muted, like I said, Calgary's chippiness post haste. They thought better of Boog and opted for the Mood Management over a Boogaard straight right.
The enforcer role has not been played to it's perfection like it did tonight in MSG since the days when Nick Fotiu played here. BOOOG! ~ could be heard raining down from the crowd. BoooG! ~ indeed.
Derek Boogaard, you've found a home in N.Y.
The Free Sean Avery Society:
Sean Avery was burried again with only 8:34 of ice time. That was second lowest on the team after Derek Boogaard.
Mike.BTB
Coach Torts gave the hot goalie another start tonight and Biron did not disappoint handing in a stellar game on his time sheet. He is now 4-0 in his last four starts. His fifth win tonight was perhaps his best effort so far.
He allowed only one goal while stopping 31 threatening shots by Calgary in the Ranger's' 2-1 victory tonight at MSG. Jerome Igilna scored the 450th goal of his great career and damn nearly had #451 if it were not for Biron stonewalling him at the doorstep. Fifteen of his saves came in tonight's third period.
Dan Girardi scored on a Power Play goal and Brian Boyle who had himself a superb over-all game, scored his 9th goal of the year giving the Rangers their two goals which were good enough to hold off Calgary.
This was a hard hitting affair and midway through the third period it got even more fierce. Marc Staal absolutely obliterated Calgary's Matt Stajan with a mid-ice hit.
From that moment things got a little chippy. But not for long. In a not so subtle way but not nearly in an overt manner, Derek Boogaard took the ice and had the Flames forgetting whatever thoughts they had regarding taking a run at someone in retaliation for Staal's hit. In a most refreshing way, I watched Boogaard settle Calgary's rambunctiousness with his mere presence. They tried baiting him into a penalty, but he wouldn't bite; not without hitting someone if they dared drop gloves with him. He was too smart for them and muted, like I said, Calgary's chippiness post haste. They thought better of Boog and opted for the Mood Management over a Boogaard straight right.
The enforcer role has not been played to it's perfection like it did tonight in MSG since the days when Nick Fotiu played here. BOOOG! ~ could be heard raining down from the crowd. BoooG! ~ indeed.
Derek Boogaard, you've found a home in N.Y.
The Free Sean Avery Society:
Sean Avery was burried again with only 8:34 of ice time. That was second lowest on the team after Derek Boogaard.
Mike.BTB
N.Y. Giants ~ Big Blue Bird Droppings
New York Giants ~ Eagles Post Game Reaction, Take One;
NOTHING GOOD BUT NOTHING TO DWELL ON.
If you were born in the 2000's, that's a good thing, as ignorance is bliss. Stay young. Being a passionate sports fan can be detrimental to your emotional development. If you were born in the 1990's, this loss was devastating. If you were born in the 1980's, you're probably just really angry right now. And if you were born in the 1960's or 1970's, you know this game was just a "Giant" pot-hole in the street. It might have dented the rims a little, but it shouldn't stop us from moving forward. This Big Blue Bomber (anyone know the reference?) is still very operable people!
If you read my previous posts, you know I was prepared for this outcome. The Eagles defended their home field. I expect to do the same when they visit in a few weeks. All our problems, injuries withstanding, are ours to correct. The situation remains in our hands to pass or fail.
Leading up to the game I said,
I stand by that. This game IS survivable and I do believe we will beat the Eagles when they visit in a few weeks. This game was in our hands and we let it slip (er...flop..stumble) away. We had numerous opportunities to win Sunday; we're a good team, with good coaching, good personnel and we're still in a good situation. That is everything you want as a fan. But as I foresaw, this game got freakishly bizarre. It almost always is between us. But there was nothing about this game that doesn't allow me to think we can beat Philadelphia.
This game pretty much played out the way I thought it would. We are just the unfortunate ones who found ourselves on the wrong side of the score. If you take a look at what concerned me about this game against the Eagles last week, you'll save me a lot of time because I'm really not going to deviate from previous thoughts.
But let's get into some of it anyway. We needed to run the ball effectively. We didn't. Coach Gilbride tried to get the run game established. I will credit him with that. But with the entire left side of the Offensive-Line on the M*A*S*H squad, the Giants had zero forward surge. The Eagles stopped our run game cold. There were multiple reasons for that to be tackled in my next Giants posting.
I also said these things (redacted),
The Giants defense did just that; contained Michael Vick. Without the turn-overs, he doesn't compile his passing numbers. There was a blocked FG attempt, a scary injury moment, and plenty of Blah blah...
So, what can I really add today other than to say, Let's move on from this game. This wasn't as dire a loss as the talkies are making this out to be. I am not close to letting previous season melt-downs creep into my thinking. Coach Coughlin is not on the Hot Seat. All is well here. Go back to your farms now. There's nothing more to see.
But I wish that was really true. There is a lot to see, study and correct here.
The Special Teams continues to worsen. They went from being bad to being horrible. You can only side-step your problems for so long before they catch up to you. Special Teams' play caught up with the Giants this week in a maddening way.
It's so cliche to say, and not very insightful, but I did say in my previews, "He who turns-over the ball least, will win."
Turn-Overs! ~ Fumbles ~ I hate bringing Tiki Barber into these conversations. So, I'm not! Ahmad Bradshaw; - Ya gotta love the guy. But c'mon Dude! Hold on to the ball. I'm not going to spend time chastising #44. He and Coach Coughlin I'm almost positive will be spending an inordinate amount of time correcting Bradshaw's propensity to fumble.
Turn-Overs! ~ Interceptions ~ Eli!? Dude!? You're my Duke. I do not entertain talk regarding who is better than you, this, that or the other. You are my guy. Period. Criticisms about you matter not to me. You have my utmost confidence. But you have to help me out. What the hell was that?
What will we name this play? - you know the one where Eli ran for a first down late in the game, dove forward and fumbled the ball however untouched by an Eagle player.
"The Stumble" ?
"The Trip" ?
"The Philly Flop" ?
What the....?
Whatever we name it, add it to the list of "the darnedest things you ever saw in a Giants/Eagles game".
My attention was on a great NY Rangers game tonight therefore I had trouble focusing and formulating this post. I, admittedly, am all over the place and seem to be tripping over myself trying to describe what I watched last night.....like the Giants' play in Philly.
What a bad game.
What a bad post.
I'll try to be better in my next offering. I hope the Giants will try harder too.
Mike.BTB
NOTHING GOOD BUT NOTHING TO DWELL ON.
If you were born in the 2000's, that's a good thing, as ignorance is bliss. Stay young. Being a passionate sports fan can be detrimental to your emotional development. If you were born in the 1990's, this loss was devastating. If you were born in the 1980's, you're probably just really angry right now. And if you were born in the 1960's or 1970's, you know this game was just a "Giant" pot-hole in the street. It might have dented the rims a little, but it shouldn't stop us from moving forward. This Big Blue Bomber (anyone know the reference?) is still very operable people!
If you read my previous posts, you know I was prepared for this outcome. The Eagles defended their home field. I expect to do the same when they visit in a few weeks. All our problems, injuries withstanding, are ours to correct. The situation remains in our hands to pass or fail.
Leading up to the game I said,
"A loss Sunday would knock the Giants out of first place. A loss Sunday is survivable. I believe we'll win the second game at home regardless. It's rare to beat division rivals twice in the season. But, do I believe we can beat the Eagles in their nest? I believe it as surely as a pigeon can spot a newly washed car. But, because of all our injuries, an awful-lot of things need to go our way. This game can easily turn into something very bizarre like Hitchcock's "The Birds" no sooner than kick-off.
This traditional NFC East battle is not for the faint of heart."
I stand by that. This game IS survivable and I do believe we will beat the Eagles when they visit in a few weeks. This game was in our hands and we let it slip (er...flop..stumble) away. We had numerous opportunities to win Sunday; we're a good team, with good coaching, good personnel and we're still in a good situation. That is everything you want as a fan. But as I foresaw, this game got freakishly bizarre. It almost always is between us. But there was nothing about this game that doesn't allow me to think we can beat Philadelphia.
This game pretty much played out the way I thought it would. We are just the unfortunate ones who found ourselves on the wrong side of the score. If you take a look at what concerned me about this game against the Eagles last week, you'll save me a lot of time because I'm really not going to deviate from previous thoughts.
But let's get into some of it anyway. We needed to run the ball effectively. We didn't. Coach Gilbride tried to get the run game established. I will credit him with that. But with the entire left side of the Offensive-Line on the M*A*S*H squad, the Giants had zero forward surge. The Eagles stopped our run game cold. There were multiple reasons for that to be tackled in my next Giants posting.
I also said these things (redacted),
"He (Vick) can do what he can do and we're all a testament to that. But riding a confidence level that is sky high right now, Vick's 'id' might be looking to do things he never thought he could before; - That's the scary aspect of "him". Skill begs for great moments and his brain just might listen.
OK...relax. Here's the other side. We always managed to contain Vick before when he was with the Falcons. That was a different day. I'll give you that. But somehow we've always managed him. He didn't have a great camp or early start to the season. Last week was a break-through game in an improving season for him but a bad day at the office just might be right around the corner too.
.....And most importantly, no turn-overs. In this game, who ever turns over the ball least, wins.
We all know the left side of the Offensive Line has been decimated by injuries and that fact may add wrinkles to the best laid plans to run the ball. I totally get that.
But this is a Giants-Eagles game. Usually the best prognostications are rendered stupid in this match-up. One freaky game is usually what ensues when these teams meet. These games are never pretty and to call them ugly is calling Phyllis Diller, Aphrodite. Fumbles, interceptions, safeties, penalties, hostilities, and the darnedest things you ever saw are all part of Giants/Eagles games. It's always been that way with these NFC East rivals."
The Giants defense did just that; contained Michael Vick. Without the turn-overs, he doesn't compile his passing numbers. There was a blocked FG attempt, a scary injury moment, and plenty of Blah blah...
So, what can I really add today other than to say, Let's move on from this game. This wasn't as dire a loss as the talkies are making this out to be. I am not close to letting previous season melt-downs creep into my thinking. Coach Coughlin is not on the Hot Seat. All is well here. Go back to your farms now. There's nothing more to see.
But I wish that was really true. There is a lot to see, study and correct here.
The Special Teams continues to worsen. They went from being bad to being horrible. You can only side-step your problems for so long before they catch up to you. Special Teams' play caught up with the Giants this week in a maddening way.
It's so cliche to say, and not very insightful, but I did say in my previews, "He who turns-over the ball least, will win."
Turn-Overs! ~ Fumbles ~ I hate bringing Tiki Barber into these conversations. So, I'm not! Ahmad Bradshaw; - Ya gotta love the guy. But c'mon Dude! Hold on to the ball. I'm not going to spend time chastising #44. He and Coach Coughlin I'm almost positive will be spending an inordinate amount of time correcting Bradshaw's propensity to fumble.
Turn-Overs! ~ Interceptions ~ Eli!? Dude!? You're my Duke. I do not entertain talk regarding who is better than you, this, that or the other. You are my guy. Period. Criticisms about you matter not to me. You have my utmost confidence. But you have to help me out. What the hell was that?
What will we name this play? - you know the one where Eli ran for a first down late in the game, dove forward and fumbled the ball however untouched by an Eagle player.
"The Stumble" ?
"The Trip" ?
"The Philly Flop" ?
What the....?
Whatever we name it, add it to the list of "the darnedest things you ever saw in a Giants/Eagles game".
My attention was on a great NY Rangers game tonight therefore I had trouble focusing and formulating this post. I, admittedly, am all over the place and seem to be tripping over myself trying to describe what I watched last night.....like the Giants' play in Philly.
What a bad game.
What a bad post.
I'll try to be better in my next offering. I hope the Giants will try harder too.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, November 21, 2010
N.Y. Mets ~ S.S. Wilpon Set To Hire New Skipper
METropoliS ~ We knew we weren't getting Wally. It's "unofficially" time to rally around Terry Collins. Shhhh! I know.
Local scuttlebutt says The Mets seem ready to hire Terry Collins as their next manager.
At least it's not Bob Melvin. If I didn't say that I wouldn't be true to myself. I've been adamantly opposed to Bob Melvin for over a year now.
Of the final four candidates I would have probably gone with Backman because I thought the other three gentlemen were just too inconsequential. I did however express leeriness about a possible Backman appointment though, based purely on his qualifications. But I, like everybody in attendance next Opening Day, would have risen and joined in a standing ovation at first sight of Wally coming out of the dugout as the new Mets' manager.
Sadly, put that notion to bed now folks. It was fun to ponder for a while. It's time to get back to being "pragmatic" Met fans.
Actually, I'm a little bemused by the whole process. I don't want to commit sacrilege speaking against Sandy Alderson, but honestly, the process left a little something to be desired for me. I wasn't particularly thrilled with the master list of candidates. I felt there were a few more names around the league that at least warranted an interview and I can't help myself from irresponsibly speculating there may be ulterior reasons why. And since I'm being honest, I get a not so sweet taste of MoneyBall lingering in my mouth thinking that the manager really is subordinate to the edicts of statistical philosophy. I like a manager with a little bit-o-Gut. After all, I'm middle aged.
I'd be lying if I said the player mutiny against Terry Collins in Aneheim doesn't concern me. That happened in DisneyHood. Our little town has a slightly different temperament. Within this organization alone we've seen players turn on Jeff Torborg, Bobby Valentine and Willie Randolph. In this city we've witnessed Roger Nielson, Don Nelson, Eric Mangini and even Tom Coughlin lose teams to near mutiny. Only Tom Coughlin had the where-with-all to gain back respect and thrive here. So we've seen Terry Collins' type here before. Even Buck Showalter wore on his players. Do you want to add Dallas Green [squared] to this list also? Be my guest.
We know this much, Terry won't be yelling at anyone for not being able to drop down a bunt. Giving away outs in MoneyBall is a no-no. And I'm pretty much done with the Moneyball cracks. That's not where I'm going. I have full confidence Sandy Alderson will be flexible and creative enough to use the full resources of the Mets to the best of his ability and not marry the organization to a strict edict of statistical religiosity.
In other words, Sandy has my full confidence no matter who he hires. That being said, Terry looks like he's the New Boss. He certainly is different than the Old Boss. If Sandy says it's Terry, then I say it's Terry too (however reluctantly). I'm not waiting for him to slip so I can knock him. Please; this is my team too.
Terry Collins basically represents an in-house promotion getting bumped up from minor league duties. He is familiar with the young players on the roster. That is a plus (I guess). Here's another plus you may not like to hear. He has no particular connection to "the core" of this team; namely Reyes and Wright. Those two players are accustomed to getting pampered by this organization like two finely lotioned baby butt cheeks in a pair of Snuggies. Maybe with someone like Terry Collins urging more from them and holding them to expectations, they might finally make the final break-through towards real genuine stardom.
We really don't know what Sandy Alderson's analysis and plans for the young players are. Do Mike Pelfrey, Josh Thole, Jon Niese, Ike Davis, Bobby Parnell, Hennry Mejia and others form a new future core of players or are they trade bait? Until that gains focus, it's hard to gauge what kind of impact a personality like Terry Collins' will have on the overall roster; veteran and prospect alike.
Wally Backman was a better known variable to us personally than Terry Collins is. We all knew what we would have been in for hiring Wally Backman to be skipper. We all envisioned good times in a new Era with our little Wally "McGraw". I also think everyone was aware Wally at any moment could have gone Billy Martin on us too; and I don't mean Good Billy. That's why there won't be too much commotion or resistance to Terry Collins regardless what we really think.
I think we all know Sandy knows what's better for us than we do. We're fans. Let's stick to that. Wally was a very emotional choice on our part. Many of us knew that also. Heck, I would have given the job to John Stearns! But that's me; not Sandy Alderson. And that in the end, is best for the Mets.
In the end, that makes it good for us.
Mike.BTB
Local scuttlebutt says The Mets seem ready to hire Terry Collins as their next manager.
At least it's not Bob Melvin. If I didn't say that I wouldn't be true to myself. I've been adamantly opposed to Bob Melvin for over a year now.
Of the final four candidates I would have probably gone with Backman because I thought the other three gentlemen were just too inconsequential. I did however express leeriness about a possible Backman appointment though, based purely on his qualifications. But I, like everybody in attendance next Opening Day, would have risen and joined in a standing ovation at first sight of Wally coming out of the dugout as the new Mets' manager.
Sadly, put that notion to bed now folks. It was fun to ponder for a while. It's time to get back to being "pragmatic" Met fans.
Actually, I'm a little bemused by the whole process. I don't want to commit sacrilege speaking against Sandy Alderson, but honestly, the process left a little something to be desired for me. I wasn't particularly thrilled with the master list of candidates. I felt there were a few more names around the league that at least warranted an interview and I can't help myself from irresponsibly speculating there may be ulterior reasons why. And since I'm being honest, I get a not so sweet taste of MoneyBall lingering in my mouth thinking that the manager really is subordinate to the edicts of statistical philosophy. I like a manager with a little bit-o-Gut. After all, I'm middle aged.
I'd be lying if I said the player mutiny against Terry Collins in Aneheim doesn't concern me. That happened in DisneyHood. Our little town has a slightly different temperament. Within this organization alone we've seen players turn on Jeff Torborg, Bobby Valentine and Willie Randolph. In this city we've witnessed Roger Nielson, Don Nelson, Eric Mangini and even Tom Coughlin lose teams to near mutiny. Only Tom Coughlin had the where-with-all to gain back respect and thrive here. So we've seen Terry Collins' type here before. Even Buck Showalter wore on his players. Do you want to add Dallas Green [squared] to this list also? Be my guest.
We know this much, Terry won't be yelling at anyone for not being able to drop down a bunt. Giving away outs in MoneyBall is a no-no. And I'm pretty much done with the Moneyball cracks. That's not where I'm going. I have full confidence Sandy Alderson will be flexible and creative enough to use the full resources of the Mets to the best of his ability and not marry the organization to a strict edict of statistical religiosity.
In other words, Sandy has my full confidence no matter who he hires. That being said, Terry looks like he's the New Boss. He certainly is different than the Old Boss. If Sandy says it's Terry, then I say it's Terry too (however reluctantly). I'm not waiting for him to slip so I can knock him. Please; this is my team too.
Terry Collins basically represents an in-house promotion getting bumped up from minor league duties. He is familiar with the young players on the roster. That is a plus (I guess). Here's another plus you may not like to hear. He has no particular connection to "the core" of this team; namely Reyes and Wright. Those two players are accustomed to getting pampered by this organization like two finely lotioned baby butt cheeks in a pair of Snuggies. Maybe with someone like Terry Collins urging more from them and holding them to expectations, they might finally make the final break-through towards real genuine stardom.
We really don't know what Sandy Alderson's analysis and plans for the young players are. Do Mike Pelfrey, Josh Thole, Jon Niese, Ike Davis, Bobby Parnell, Hennry Mejia and others form a new future core of players or are they trade bait? Until that gains focus, it's hard to gauge what kind of impact a personality like Terry Collins' will have on the overall roster; veteran and prospect alike.
Wally Backman was a better known variable to us personally than Terry Collins is. We all knew what we would have been in for hiring Wally Backman to be skipper. We all envisioned good times in a new Era with our little Wally "McGraw". I also think everyone was aware Wally at any moment could have gone Billy Martin on us too; and I don't mean Good Billy. That's why there won't be too much commotion or resistance to Terry Collins regardless what we really think.
I think we all know Sandy knows what's better for us than we do. We're fans. Let's stick to that. Wally was a very emotional choice on our part. Many of us knew that also. Heck, I would have given the job to John Stearns! But that's me; not Sandy Alderson. And that in the end, is best for the Mets.
In the end, that makes it good for us.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, November 20, 2010
N.J. DEVILS ~ Adding Injury to Insults; Pat Burns
Big Boss Lou Lamoriello added his voice to the conversation taking place about his team's current, on going dilemma, being, they suck. Big Lou indicated flatly Coach John MacLean is not the problem with the Devils. He placed the onus squarely on the player's performances. After twenty games played Big Lou is calling on his star players to play like such. He's calling on the rest of the cast to know their roles and execute.
But now the Devils find themselves without the services of Martin Brodeur for a few weeks as he needs time to heal his re-injured elbow; originally re-aggravated by a shot off the arm. So add injury to an already futile defense effort which is no doubt insulting the Devil's fan base's long time sensibilities regarding how this game gets played.
The once unilaterally effective, system oriented, interchangeable parts churned out by DEVIL Corp., no longer fit this once proud (Animal House) Death Mobile. Now, this reconfigured machine...No!.. Instead, this assemblage of incompatible body parts play hockey more like Dr. Frankenstein's mismatched Monster on skates.
Tonight they play a very good St. Louis Blues team. And I'm afraid things will no doubt get a little worse before things get better for Jersey. I don't just mean on the ice either. Their poor 5-12-1 start this season can not be written off to injury. They've earned their subterranean spot in the standings with a non-existent defensive effort and a core of star players currently MIA. Twenty games is one fourth of the season and therefore a sizable body of work with which to scrutinize.
A great majority of the fan base is still in shock over this assault to their Devil Fan indoctrination. Such ineptitude was thought to have been "exorcised" back in the 80s. But when said majority start to snap out of their haze, sooner than later, they may very well turn into an angry mob.
Coach John MacLean turns 46 years old today. As far as it being a Happy Birthday...? That will be decided tonight after we get a final score from St. Louis.
The once unilaterally effective, system oriented, interchangeable parts churned out by DEVIL Corp., no longer fit this once proud (Animal House) Death Mobile. Now, this reconfigured machine...No!.. Instead, this assemblage of incompatible body parts play hockey more like Dr. Frankenstein's mismatched Monster on skates.
Tonight they play a very good St. Louis Blues team. And I'm afraid things will no doubt get a little worse before things get better for Jersey. I don't just mean on the ice either. Their poor 5-12-1 start this season can not be written off to injury. They've earned their subterranean spot in the standings with a non-existent defensive effort and a core of star players currently MIA. Twenty games is one fourth of the season and therefore a sizable body of work with which to scrutinize.
A great majority of the fan base is still in shock over this assault to their Devil Fan indoctrination. Such ineptitude was thought to have been "exorcised" back in the 80s. But when said majority start to snap out of their haze, sooner than later, they may very well turn into an angry mob.
Coach John MacLean turns 46 years old today. As far as it being a Happy Birthday...? That will be decided tonight after we get a final score from St. Louis.
FINAL
PAT BURNS ~ Rest Well.
Former New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Champion Coach and NHL Titan, Pat Burns, has passed away at the age of 58 after a long complicated bout with cancer. The NHL Hall of Fame erred terribly by not paying Pat Burns his due respect and recognition while he was still with us by inducting him into the Hall. I for one thought Pat Burns was one of the Elite Coaches of my lifetime. My condolences to his loved ones, family and friends. Rest Well Pat.
I chose the following ARTICLE from the Montreal Gazette. After reading it I'm sure you'll agree with my selection. I read many works over the last two days. This one speaks best.
Mike.BTB
DEVILS 2
BLUES 3
Post Game ~ Grit your teeth and bare the pain like men. That's how you handle this. Don't whine; No snivelling. Stay professional and humble, say the right things and keep trying hard.
The Devils are now 5-13-1. New Jersey has scored a mere 36 goals in 20 games to start the season. There's wry achievement in there somewhere. The defense was expected to be of lesser caliber coming into the season. No one expected it would be this bad. But what is utterly astonishing is the lack of offense highlighted by the stat I just offered.
Take tonight for instance; the Devils got their two goals from David Clarkson and Mattias Tedenby. Why not just give Bill and Ted a stick and skates and let them take a "most excellent" chance on the first line? Where is Gionta? Elias? Zajac? Arnott? Kovalchuk? Parise?
That's what Lou Lamoriello wants to know.
PAT BURNS ~ Rest Well.
Former New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Champion Coach and NHL Titan, Pat Burns, has passed away at the age of 58 after a long complicated bout with cancer. The NHL Hall of Fame erred terribly by not paying Pat Burns his due respect and recognition while he was still with us by inducting him into the Hall. I for one thought Pat Burns was one of the Elite Coaches of my lifetime. My condolences to his loved ones, family and friends. Rest Well Pat.
I chose the following ARTICLE from the Montreal Gazette. After reading it I'm sure you'll agree with my selection. I read many works over the last two days. This one speaks best.
Mike.BTB
NYRangers ~ Trounced in Denver; Go Wild Tonight
New York Rangers:
Rocky Mountain Beat-Down.
N.Y. Rangers 1; COLORADO Avalanche 5
The best part of last night is we have a quick turn around and play tonight against the WILD. A short memory will serve everyone well after last night's drubbing at the hands of the Avalanche in Denver. Of course it wasn't the ideal way to start this Western swing. But we should expect this kind of a game every week and a half to two weeks, or so. Look back at the schedule and last year's too. They come like clock-work. Even the ancient Mayans could have planned accurately around a Henrik Lundqvist stinker.
But if we all thought the Rangers were an 8th or 7th seed team early in October, then last night shouldn't be freaking you out. Be cool about this. Just remember; You can't be disappointed with what you don't expect. If you have no expectations of grandeur for this team, there will be no disappointment. I hope winning three of four prior to last night didn't get you too carried away. I can't speak for myself.
So let's just forget it. Dissecting a game like that is maddening. There was so much to criticize.
Me personally, I'd start with Michael Del Zotto and his frighteningly bad defense and decision process. But I'm going to cut the kid some slack and just say he's been horrible. But our follies in the Neutral Zone have me sweeping my hair off the floor and the Power Play is missing like O.J. Simpson's Black Bag.
Torts gave Sean Avery almost 15:00 of ice time last night. While he didn't exactly cash-in with the increased playing time, I'm glad to see Coach Torts let Avery off the leash for some quality time.
Chris Drury is coming back soon, as will Prospal. There will be decisions Torts and Glen Sather will have to make. I'm going to start now and voice my want to have Drury and Avery play on a line together. Christensen might be odd man out when Drury returns, but it's a pretty decent problem to have. Obviously Torts has instituted Dunbinsky-Anisimov-Callahan as the top line, as well they should be. Gaborik's line may still be a work in progress and since there is tinkering to be made, I'd like to see Frolov joined with Drury and Avery on the third line together. This is something I'm going to be flapping about a lot more. It looked like Torts was burying Sean Avery, and he has been, but the time received last night was a surprise to me. So, since Avery isn't exactly shackled inside Torts' dog house, let's be creative.
Rocky Mountain Beat-Down.
N.Y. Rangers 1; COLORADO Avalanche 5
The best part of last night is we have a quick turn around and play tonight against the WILD. A short memory will serve everyone well after last night's drubbing at the hands of the Avalanche in Denver. Of course it wasn't the ideal way to start this Western swing. But we should expect this kind of a game every week and a half to two weeks, or so. Look back at the schedule and last year's too. They come like clock-work. Even the ancient Mayans could have planned accurately around a Henrik Lundqvist stinker.
But if we all thought the Rangers were an 8th or 7th seed team early in October, then last night shouldn't be freaking you out. Be cool about this. Just remember; You can't be disappointed with what you don't expect. If you have no expectations of grandeur for this team, there will be no disappointment. I hope winning three of four prior to last night didn't get you too carried away. I can't speak for myself.
So let's just forget it. Dissecting a game like that is maddening. There was so much to criticize.
Me personally, I'd start with Michael Del Zotto and his frighteningly bad defense and decision process. But I'm going to cut the kid some slack and just say he's been horrible. But our follies in the Neutral Zone have me sweeping my hair off the floor and the Power Play is missing like O.J. Simpson's Black Bag.
Torts gave Sean Avery almost 15:00 of ice time last night. While he didn't exactly cash-in with the increased playing time, I'm glad to see Coach Torts let Avery off the leash for some quality time.
Chris Drury is coming back soon, as will Prospal. There will be decisions Torts and Glen Sather will have to make. I'm going to start now and voice my want to have Drury and Avery play on a line together. Christensen might be odd man out when Drury returns, but it's a pretty decent problem to have. Obviously Torts has instituted Dunbinsky-Anisimov-Callahan as the top line, as well they should be. Gaborik's line may still be a work in progress and since there is tinkering to be made, I'd like to see Frolov joined with Drury and Avery on the third line together. This is something I'm going to be flapping about a lot more. It looked like Torts was burying Sean Avery, and he has been, but the time received last night was a surprise to me. So, since Avery isn't exactly shackled inside Torts' dog house, let's be creative.
TONIGHT
New York Rangers
vs.
Minnesota Wild
"Land of 10,000 Lakes"
RANGERS 5
WILD 2
FINAL
RANGERS 5
WILD 2
FINAL
POST GAME:
A Solid Bounce Back Victory. Biron the Dependable!
Marty Biron continues to be a superlative back-up to Henrik Lundqvist. After Torts pulled Henrik from last night's contest at roughly the 7:30 mark of the second period, a night like tonight and a back-up performance like Biron's was sorely needed not to mention timely. Coach Torts said this was a scheduled start for Biron.
OK Coach. If you say so.
The Rangers played a much smarter, crisper game tonight, except for allowing a short handed goal with 7 minutes left in the third period and then a bad angle shot off a face-off.
For a second it looked as if someone flicked on the "melt-down" switch with 4:30 left. The Wild had another shot on goal at Biron's doorstep. Then at 2:15 left, the Rangers put the Wild on the Power Play when Del Zotto got whistled. The Wild pulled the goalie for the extra skater. They fired off a slew of shots on goal before running out of time.. Game over.
The Rangers played a solid 53:00 minutes of hockey tonight. Things got a little strange over the last seven. But this win still is a three fold improvement over last night. Let it reinforce why we should be deleting yesterday's loss to Colorado from our re-callable memory.
**Sean Avery played 9:04 tonight; the second lowest on the team after Boogaard.
Tonight's Ranger goal scorers:
Anisimov (7) sweeter
Del Zotto (2) sweet
Frolov (5)
Dubinsky (12) sweetest goal of the night.
Fedotenko (4)
Next up ~ Calgary Flames at MSG. Monday; November 22, 2010
Mike.BTB
PIGSKIN ~ WEEK 11 ~ The GIANT Fight For First
Welcome to the WEEK 11 Big BAGEL Roll-Out. Last week family matters didn't allow me to post my picks before Sunday's games. In Week 9 however, I had my best Sunday of the season even though I lost my first Lock of the Week.
Last week I was 7-3-1 for the Sunday games. My record for Shmear of the Week is now 7-1 with the loss.
The Sunday games are worth one Bagel each and the Shmear of the Week is worth 3 Bagels.
I am now +13 Bagels for the season which really means I am .500 on my picks and living large on the success of my Shmear picks.
The WEEK 11 BAGEL Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)
JETS -7 (Texans)
Winning a pair of games in O.T. can do a lot to boost Sanchez' confidence. Jets have gotten big breaks but have maximized the opportunities. They'll make their own breaks this time for a convincing win.
LOSS ~ 30-27 Jets
Giants +3 (EAGLES)
This pick is strictly from the heart. The Eagles laying three at home? What does that tell you? Vegas doesn't like them that much either. I smell a PUSH. So why not take the points?
LOSS ~ 27-17 Eagles
STEELERS -7 (Raiders)
I've been riding the Raiders with much success. They've been raining points upon their opponents lately. But they haven't played a defense like PITT's. It will be "Terrible" for the Raiders on the road.
WIN ~ 35-3 Steelers
Ravens -11 (PANTHERS)
When it rains, it pours! Coach John Fox is left re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. His team has quit on him. This will be ugly. The Ravens will have zero sympathy. Lay the points in a romp. The spread moved up a point from 10 yesterday. That means even more people like the Ravens.
WIN ~ 37-13 Ravens
Redskins +7 (TITANS)
What's more discouraging than losing badly to Michael Vick's solo efforts? Answer ~ losing again the following week in a close game. The Skins will cover but lose. Every time Daniel Snyder spends money they get worse (see McNabb contract).
WIN ~ 19-16 Redskins
COWBOYS -7 (Lions)
Will the real Cowboys please stand up? Both teams are playing for pride but Dallas is vastly more skilled. This may be a blow-out.
WIN ~ 35-19 Cowboys
Packers -3 (VIKINGS)
What Vegas is really saying is Minnesota is done and Green Bay will win by a touchdown.
WIN ~ 31-3 Packers
BENGALS -5 1/2 (Bills)
What reason would you have to believe the Bengals aren't 5 1/2 points better then the Bills? The Bills first win isn't enough for me.
LOSS ~ 49-31 Bills
Browns +1 1/2 (JAGUARS)
I went with CLEV early in the season and lost. Then I turned against them and lost. The Jags were too lucky last week and laying *2 at home proves it. The Browns aren't the same team they were in first three weeks of season. Today they shaved 1/2 point from yesterday's line. That rates as a 'BUY'; Browns win.
LOSS ~ 24-20 Jaguars
Cardinals +8 (CHIEFS)
That's a lot of points to be laying for a team getting worse (Chiefs).
LOSS ~ 31-13 Chiefs
SAINTS -12 (Seahawks)
Seattle can't score and the Saints can...and are home. This seems way simple...(?)
WIN ~ 34-19 Saints
Falcons -3 (RAMS)
Coach Spags has the Rams playing good defense but the Rams won't be within three points. This won't be a trap-game for ATL.
WIN ~ 34-17 Falcons
Bucs +3 1/2 (49ERS)
There is always at least one game a week that makes you scratch your head...asking yourself, "Huh?"
WIN ~ 21-0 Bucs
PATRIOTS -3 (Colts)
I like the Pats at home. Peyton Manning has kept his team in the mix with mirrors. There will be none of that Sunday against Coach Belichick.
PUSH ~ 31-28 Patriots
That's 14 more Bagels into the oven.
SHMEAR of the WEEK:
Falcons -3 (RAMS)
*Post Games ~ Sunday Re-Cap:
(Before the Giants vs. Eagles game)
8 WINS 4 LOSSES 1 PUSH That makes me +21 Bagels!
I hit on the SHMEAR OF THE WEEK with the Falcons.
That makes me 8-1 for the season on the Shmear. The Shmear is a 3 Bagel game.
That makes me +24 Bagels on the season! After Giants game drops me to +23.
*I can't believe I got burned with the Browns...again! I've been wrong about them every game this year.
*What's gotten into the Bills lately?!
*Who the hell thought the 49ers should have been favored in that game?
*The Saints and Ravens were laying a lot of wood, and I nailed em.
*Freakin' JETS! What the hell was that all about?
*I told you the Raiders were in for a "Terrible" time.
*The K.C. Chiefs called to tell me, "Shut your mouth"!
*Minnesota Vikings ~ R.I.P.
N.Y. Football Giants ~ Pre-Game:
The Birds; Battling Our Old Rivals for First Place.
If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck...., odds are it's the Eagles. And this game against Philly represents our most important game of the year. Let's call this game for what it is, shall we?
In my lifetime, it all started with Joe Pisarcik, Herm Edwards and "The Fumble". Ron Jarworski and Randall Cunningham; Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick today; since the days of Harold Carmichael, Reggie White and Seth Joyner and even Brian Westbrook in more recent times, this Eagles team, for ever and a day, has represented nothing less than nightmarish Sundays for me.
This is the game heading into Thanksgiving which will decide who is in first place for the Holiday. There! That wasn't as scary to say as it seemed now did it? A loss Sunday would knock the Giants out of first place. A loss Sunday is survivable. I believe we'll win the second game at home regardless. It's rare to beat division rivals twice in the season. But do I believe we can beat the Eagles in their nest? I believe it as surely as a pigeon can spot a newly washed car. But because of all our injuries, an awful-lot of things need to go our way. This game can easily turn into something very bizarre like Hitchcock's The Birds no sooner than kick-off.
This traditional NFC East battle is not for the faint of heart. As a Football fan with a team in the NFC East, I wouldn't have it any other way.
The battles over the last 30 years between our Giants and our inner-division rivals have been nothing short of classic. Without thinking too much about the final outcome, it's been one of my greatest joys as a Football fan, looking forward to games like this Sunday night's. The battles over the years have been memorable to say the least.
There are few things better than having all the NFC East teams playing at high competitive levels together. This division, Big Blue, my hatred for the other teams we play twice a year and the long histories of the Giants, Eagles and Redskins organizations, including the Cowboys, are what truly drive me as a fan.
Games like tomorrow are what great seasons are made of. For me, the ride is so much more enjoyable than the arrival at one's destination. But if there are greater moments in the Giants' near future, you look back on a game like this and say, "Damn! That was great; Remember that?! Autumn is the greatest time of year and Sunday's game is a supreme reason why.
However, as colorful as I try to paint this picture, the reality is this game is never fun until it's over..., and we win.
If you care to catch up with my last two posts leading up to this game, check them out HERE and HERE.
Enjoy Football Sunday!
Last week I was 7-3-1 for the Sunday games. My record for Shmear of the Week is now 7-1 with the loss.
The Sunday games are worth one Bagel each and the Shmear of the Week is worth 3 Bagels.
I am now +13 Bagels for the season which really means I am .500 on my picks and living large on the success of my Shmear picks.
The WEEK 11 BAGEL Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)
JETS -7 (Texans)
Winning a pair of games in O.T. can do a lot to boost Sanchez' confidence. Jets have gotten big breaks but have maximized the opportunities. They'll make their own breaks this time for a convincing win.
LOSS ~ 30-27 Jets
Giants +3 (EAGLES)
This pick is strictly from the heart. The Eagles laying three at home? What does that tell you? Vegas doesn't like them that much either. I smell a PUSH. So why not take the points?
LOSS ~ 27-17 Eagles
STEELERS -7 (Raiders)
I've been riding the Raiders with much success. They've been raining points upon their opponents lately. But they haven't played a defense like PITT's. It will be "Terrible" for the Raiders on the road.
WIN ~ 35-3 Steelers
Ravens -11 (PANTHERS)
When it rains, it pours! Coach John Fox is left re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. His team has quit on him. This will be ugly. The Ravens will have zero sympathy. Lay the points in a romp. The spread moved up a point from 10 yesterday. That means even more people like the Ravens.
WIN ~ 37-13 Ravens
Redskins +7 (TITANS)
What's more discouraging than losing badly to Michael Vick's solo efforts? Answer ~ losing again the following week in a close game. The Skins will cover but lose. Every time Daniel Snyder spends money they get worse (see McNabb contract).
WIN ~ 19-16 Redskins
COWBOYS -7 (Lions)
Will the real Cowboys please stand up? Both teams are playing for pride but Dallas is vastly more skilled. This may be a blow-out.
WIN ~ 35-19 Cowboys
Packers -3 (VIKINGS)
What Vegas is really saying is Minnesota is done and Green Bay will win by a touchdown.
WIN ~ 31-3 Packers
BENGALS -5 1/2 (Bills)
What reason would you have to believe the Bengals aren't 5 1/2 points better then the Bills? The Bills first win isn't enough for me.
LOSS ~ 49-31 Bills
Browns +1 1/2 (JAGUARS)
I went with CLEV early in the season and lost. Then I turned against them and lost. The Jags were too lucky last week and laying *2 at home proves it. The Browns aren't the same team they were in first three weeks of season. Today they shaved 1/2 point from yesterday's line. That rates as a 'BUY'; Browns win.
LOSS ~ 24-20 Jaguars
Cardinals +8 (CHIEFS)
That's a lot of points to be laying for a team getting worse (Chiefs).
LOSS ~ 31-13 Chiefs
SAINTS -12 (Seahawks)
Seattle can't score and the Saints can...and are home. This seems way simple...(?)
WIN ~ 34-19 Saints
Falcons -3 (RAMS)
Coach Spags has the Rams playing good defense but the Rams won't be within three points. This won't be a trap-game for ATL.
WIN ~ 34-17 Falcons
Bucs +3 1/2 (49ERS)
There is always at least one game a week that makes you scratch your head...asking yourself, "Huh?"
WIN ~ 21-0 Bucs
PATRIOTS -3 (Colts)
I like the Pats at home. Peyton Manning has kept his team in the mix with mirrors. There will be none of that Sunday against Coach Belichick.
PUSH ~ 31-28 Patriots
That's 14 more Bagels into the oven.
SHMEAR of the WEEK:
Falcons -3 (RAMS)
*Post Games ~ Sunday Re-Cap:
(Before the Giants vs. Eagles game)
8 WINS 4 LOSSES 1 PUSH That makes me +21 Bagels!
I hit on the SHMEAR OF THE WEEK with the Falcons.
That makes me 8-1 for the season on the Shmear. The Shmear is a 3 Bagel game.
That makes me +24 Bagels on the season! After Giants game drops me to +23.
*I can't believe I got burned with the Browns...again! I've been wrong about them every game this year.
*What's gotten into the Bills lately?!
*Who the hell thought the 49ers should have been favored in that game?
*The Saints and Ravens were laying a lot of wood, and I nailed em.
*Freakin' JETS! What the hell was that all about?
*I told you the Raiders were in for a "Terrible" time.
*The K.C. Chiefs called to tell me, "Shut your mouth"!
*Minnesota Vikings ~ R.I.P.
N.Y. Football Giants ~ Pre-Game:
The Birds; Battling Our Old Rivals for First Place.
If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck...., odds are it's the Eagles. And this game against Philly represents our most important game of the year. Let's call this game for what it is, shall we?
In my lifetime, it all started with Joe Pisarcik, Herm Edwards and "The Fumble". Ron Jarworski and Randall Cunningham; Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick today; since the days of Harold Carmichael, Reggie White and Seth Joyner and even Brian Westbrook in more recent times, this Eagles team, for ever and a day, has represented nothing less than nightmarish Sundays for me.
This is the game heading into Thanksgiving which will decide who is in first place for the Holiday. There! That wasn't as scary to say as it seemed now did it? A loss Sunday would knock the Giants out of first place. A loss Sunday is survivable. I believe we'll win the second game at home regardless. It's rare to beat division rivals twice in the season. But do I believe we can beat the Eagles in their nest? I believe it as surely as a pigeon can spot a newly washed car. But because of all our injuries, an awful-lot of things need to go our way. This game can easily turn into something very bizarre like Hitchcock's The Birds no sooner than kick-off.
This traditional NFC East battle is not for the faint of heart. As a Football fan with a team in the NFC East, I wouldn't have it any other way.
There are few things better than having all the NFC East teams playing at high competitive levels together. This division, Big Blue, my hatred for the other teams we play twice a year and the long histories of the Giants, Eagles and Redskins organizations, including the Cowboys, are what truly drive me as a fan.
Games like tomorrow are what great seasons are made of. For me, the ride is so much more enjoyable than the arrival at one's destination. But if there are greater moments in the Giants' near future, you look back on a game like this and say, "Damn! That was great; Remember that?! Autumn is the greatest time of year and Sunday's game is a supreme reason why.
However, as colorful as I try to paint this picture, the reality is this game is never fun until it's over..., and we win.
If you care to catch up with my last two posts leading up to this game, check them out HERE and HERE.
Enjoy Football Sunday!
WEEK 11
November 21, 2010
NEW YORK GIANTS
vs.
Philadelphia Eagles
@
"The LINC", South Philadelphia
Mike.BTB
N.Y. Aviators Out of the Clouds
I told you a little home cooking would do our Boyz fine.
After "The Coolest Guys in Brooklyn" started the season 0-3, they stabilized going 2-2 over the next four games. All seven games were on the road. Now with Thursday night's victory over second place Danbury, the A's have a three game winning streak going away, with all three wins coming at home; their first three home games of the year. They now go back on the road having corrected their faulty start.
They chipped their way out of last place and their ten points after ten games is now good for third place in the standings. They've only given up 31 goals in 10 games which rates them second in the League in that category.
The Akwesasne Warriors still lead the Federal League with an 8-3 record. They've practically doubled N.Y.'s offensive output scoring 60 goals thus far. However the Aviators are sporting a tighter defense as the Warriors have allowed 45 goals against.
.
AVIATORS Scoring Leaders:
* RW ~ Matthew Puntureri ~ 10 games; 6 goals; 10 points.
* C ~ John Goffredo ~ 10 games; 5 goals; 10 points.
* D ~ Andrew Scampoli ~ 10 games; 6 goals; 9 points.
* RW ~ Casey Mignone ~ 8 games; 6 goals; 8 points; +7
After "The Coolest Guys in Brooklyn" started the season 0-3, they stabilized going 2-2 over the next four games. All seven games were on the road. Now with Thursday night's victory over second place Danbury, the A's have a three game winning streak going away, with all three wins coming at home; their first three home games of the year. They now go back on the road having corrected their faulty start.
They chipped their way out of last place and their ten points after ten games is now good for third place in the standings. They've only given up 31 goals in 10 games which rates them second in the League in that category.
The Akwesasne Warriors still lead the Federal League with an 8-3 record. They've practically doubled N.Y.'s offensive output scoring 60 goals thus far. However the Aviators are sporting a tighter defense as the Warriors have allowed 45 goals against.
.
AVIATORS Scoring Leaders:
* RW ~ Matthew Puntureri ~ 10 games; 6 goals; 10 points.
* C ~ John Goffredo ~ 10 games; 5 goals; 10 points.
* D ~ Andrew Scampoli ~ 10 games; 6 goals; 9 points.
* RW ~ Casey Mignone ~ 8 games; 6 goals; 8 points; +7
NEXT GAME ~ TONIGHT
Saturday 20 November 2010
Danbury, Connecticut
The Coolest Guys in Brooklyn
visit the DANBURY WHALERS
Mike.BTB
Friday, November 19, 2010
NYMets ~ There's Backman...and everyone else.
The interviews are finished. General Manager Sandy Alderson has said he will announce the next manager for the New York Mets either Sunday or Monday.
I haven't been wow'd by any candidate. No one really stands out for me. I think part of the sentimentality for Backman is lack of a stand out candidate. If I'm choosing from the list of final four, I'm with Backman too. And it's not because I really want him, it's just the other guys seem so inconsequential to me. But Backman is also one of those cats who is nothing without Baseball. He needs Baseball to exist. There's been many great managers in Baseball history cut from that mold. You have to admit Wally fits a profile. I'll keep it local too and I don't think it's hyperbole to just toss this around for fun; Billy Martin, John McGraw, Leo the Lip, even Casey who manipulated the platoon system before they had a name for it, were all unconventional loners, kooks and boorish but at the same time brilliant managers. From once being 'marginal' players, they get their starts somewhere.
The case for Wally Backman based on the Davey Johnson model is a little off. That comparison would be a better match describing Tim Teufel. Davey Johnson didn't have MLB experience when called upon to manage the Mets. But when he did get his opportunity, no potential manager was more familiar with all the Mets' call-ups than him as he was their manager down below on the farm. Many of the younger players on today's roster are more familiar with Tim Teufel, having played for him either in Brooklyn or Binghampton, than they are Wally Backman.
The Davey Johnson model is additionally not appropriate for Wally Backman because Frank Cashen, then GM of the Mets, was all too familiar with Davey Johnson since their days together in Baltimore. So, Davey Johnson was indeed a manager in training and waiting. Sandy Alderson and Wally Backman have no such prior relationship.
I find it very odd, as in a solar eclipse 'odd', this remarkably transformed Front Office orchestrated a very bland managerial search which included very hum-drum candidates.
Who ever Sandy hires will have my full support regardless. Don't worry, I have my goggles on.
Mike.BTB
I haven't been wow'd by any candidate. No one really stands out for me. I think part of the sentimentality for Backman is lack of a stand out candidate. If I'm choosing from the list of final four, I'm with Backman too. And it's not because I really want him, it's just the other guys seem so inconsequential to me. But Backman is also one of those cats who is nothing without Baseball. He needs Baseball to exist. There's been many great managers in Baseball history cut from that mold. You have to admit Wally fits a profile. I'll keep it local too and I don't think it's hyperbole to just toss this around for fun; Billy Martin, John McGraw, Leo the Lip, even Casey who manipulated the platoon system before they had a name for it, were all unconventional loners, kooks and boorish but at the same time brilliant managers. From once being 'marginal' players, they get their starts somewhere.
The case for Wally Backman based on the Davey Johnson model is a little off. That comparison would be a better match describing Tim Teufel. Davey Johnson didn't have MLB experience when called upon to manage the Mets. But when he did get his opportunity, no potential manager was more familiar with all the Mets' call-ups than him as he was their manager down below on the farm. Many of the younger players on today's roster are more familiar with Tim Teufel, having played for him either in Brooklyn or Binghampton, than they are Wally Backman.
The Davey Johnson model is additionally not appropriate for Wally Backman because Frank Cashen, then GM of the Mets, was all too familiar with Davey Johnson since their days together in Baltimore. So, Davey Johnson was indeed a manager in training and waiting. Sandy Alderson and Wally Backman have no such prior relationship.
I find it very odd, as in a solar eclipse 'odd', this remarkably transformed Front Office orchestrated a very bland managerial search which included very hum-drum candidates.
Who ever Sandy hires will have my full support regardless. Don't worry, I have my goggles on.
Mike.BTB
Thursday, November 18, 2010
NYI ~ Deserted ISLANDERS
N.Y. Islanders ~ The Ghosts of Uniondale:
Chris Botta, a long-time employee of the New York Islanders and author of the team's blog, had his press credentials revoked by the team. There are still so many loose ends to this story and it appears as if there will be consequences and repercussions for this course of action. But initial reports say the move came on the heals of critical comments made by Botta on the team's blog page.
Without the Light House project, things just keep getting darker and darker in Uniondale for the New York Islanders Hockey Club. Now the situation for them has taken a turn towards the absurd. Click the link, check out Bruce Ciskie's article on nhl.fanhouse.com and get updated on this story.
The problems the Islanders face are so far from the realm of Chris Botta's imagination, yet this is what they chose to devote their time to.
*They are trapped in a dilapidated arena till the year 2015.
*Their prospects for the Lighthouse Project ever getting approved are pretty much dead.
*Charles Wang is hemorrhaging his own personal monies trying to keep the Islanders afloat in their present situation....after over a decade and a half of crooked ownership, Mike Millbury and futility.
*Nassau County served Charles Wang with a slap in the face engaging in talks to bring Atlantic League Baseball to Nassau County. Read about that development HERE. As part of Wang's original idea, he and Fred Wilpon entertained the idea the Light House would also host a AA-class baseball team for the Mets.
*In July of 2009 Charles Wang even expressed dismay for purchasing the team in a Newsday article.
*Islanders hire their back-up goalie to be their General Manager. Really?
*After their 10th consecutive loss they resorted to firing Head Coach Scott Gordon.
*In their first game under a new coach, they extended their losing streak to 11 games.
*In their last home game the arena was hauntingly empty with less than 5,000 fans in attendance.
The four-time Stanley Cup Champions are in dire straights. Take a visit to Light House Hockey for some more in-depth reading about the Islanders' newest dilemma.
Post Script:
As a New York Rangers fan, I'd like to see the Islanders have all their troubles corrected and have them stay in the area. Whether they remain in Long Island or come to Brooklyn and play in the Barclays Center, or even if Charles Wang and Fred Wilpon can strike a deal to bring the Islanders to Queens, it's in the NHL's best interest to do their part and ensure they stay viable and remain in the NYC area. It's a shame what's happened to the franchise.
Mike.BTB
Without the Light House project, things just keep getting darker and darker in Uniondale for the New York Islanders Hockey Club. Now the situation for them has taken a turn towards the absurd. Click the link, check out Bruce Ciskie's article on nhl.fanhouse.com and get updated on this story.
The problems the Islanders face are so far from the realm of Chris Botta's imagination, yet this is what they chose to devote their time to.
*They are trapped in a dilapidated arena till the year 2015.
*Their prospects for the Lighthouse Project ever getting approved are pretty much dead.
*Charles Wang is hemorrhaging his own personal monies trying to keep the Islanders afloat in their present situation....after over a decade and a half of crooked ownership, Mike Millbury and futility.
*Nassau County served Charles Wang with a slap in the face engaging in talks to bring Atlantic League Baseball to Nassau County. Read about that development HERE. As part of Wang's original idea, he and Fred Wilpon entertained the idea the Light House would also host a AA-class baseball team for the Mets.
*In July of 2009 Charles Wang even expressed dismay for purchasing the team in a Newsday article.
*Islanders hire their back-up goalie to be their General Manager. Really?
*After their 10th consecutive loss they resorted to firing Head Coach Scott Gordon.
*In their first game under a new coach, they extended their losing streak to 11 games.
*In their last home game the arena was hauntingly empty with less than 5,000 fans in attendance.
The four-time Stanley Cup Champions are in dire straights. Take a visit to Light House Hockey for some more in-depth reading about the Islanders' newest dilemma.
Post Script:
As a New York Rangers fan, I'd like to see the Islanders have all their troubles corrected and have them stay in the area. Whether they remain in Long Island or come to Brooklyn and play in the Barclays Center, or even if Charles Wang and Fred Wilpon can strike a deal to bring the Islanders to Queens, it's in the NHL's best interest to do their part and ensure they stay viable and remain in the NYC area. It's a shame what's happened to the franchise.
Mike.BTB
NYG ~ Big Blue Week 11 Preview ~ Here Come the EAGLES
Look for a typically wacky game this week between these old NFC East Rivals.
The last game played by the Giants (vs. Dallas) and the last played by the Eagles (vs. Washington) couldn't be two worse games to gauge the upcoming Giants/Eagles game by. We saw the Giants at their season's worst and the Eagles played arguably at their best. Will the Giants look as bad this week as they did against the Cowboys? Will the Eagles look as good as they did against the Redskins? The answer to both questions is ~ I doubt it. These teams will probably meet somewhere in the middle and turn this into an old fashioned school yard fight.
Before I continue though, there's a little matter I'd like to get off my chest.
If you've been reading this blog as I follow the Giants this season, you know all year long I've been howling about the running game and Brandon Jacobs in particular. I've been getting "Blue" in the face talking about Coach Gilbride's unnecessary and rambunctious pass calling at times. I've been going on ad-nausea about how Coach Gilbride needs to take steps towards playing Football in December by making a change in his philosophy and featuring the running game more. I voiced all those complaints while we were winning. We are now at the point of the season when a team must dominate 3rd and short and 4th and short situations. You only dominate those situations with a power running game.
Today we are ill prepared for that situation because Coach Gilbride didn't make his in-season adjustment to the cold weather game yet; if he does at all. On this Giants team with this offensive line and this compliment of running backs the running game needed to be instituted as it's bread and butter weeks ago. Our failure to control short yardage was glaringly evident versus Dallas as we could not execute on 4th and 1 late in the game.
So what's my point and what is my "matter"? Well, the media all of a sudden is calling for the Giants to implement a game plan similar to the one that won them Super Bowl XXV and Super Bowl XLII; a power running game, ball control, clock management by winning time of possession, and keeping Vick off the field. That's what the experts are saying about this week's game.
*sigh*
From the the desks of Obvious; Really? Welcome to last month! Why don't we just game-plan every game like a Super Bowl? It's ponderous how we don't win every game if all you have to do is write it into the script. It's not my want to take jabs at the media and I rarely, if ever do. I just call them up directly to air my grievances. But this struck me as a lay-up because I've been calling for a change in the Giants' attack since.....You've been reading; you tell me. I'm done. .....the game....
The Captains of Obvious are right. We need to pound this football on the ground all day long. Pound out yardage on the ground, get first downs, keep the clock running and Michael Vick off the field. Take your shots down field when the situations arise instead of forcing the passing game. And most importantly, no turn-overs. In this game, who ever turns over the ball least, wins.
We all know the left side of the Offensive Line has been decimated by injuries and that fact may add wrinkles to the best laid plans to run the ball. I totally get that.
But this is a Giants-Eagles game. Usually the best prognostications are rendered stupid in this match-up. One freaky game is usually what ensues when these teams meet. These games are never pretty and to call them ugly is calling Phyllis Diller, Aphrodite. Fumbles, interceptions, safeties, penalties, hostilities, and the darnedest things you ever saw are all part of Giants/Eagles games. It's always been that way with these NFC East rivals.
If we can't keep Vick off the field with the running game or we keep turning over the ball, Michael Vick poses a very real problem for the Giants this week. That big problem is Vick's confidence level; not his skill level. He can do what he can do and we're all a testament to that. But riding a confidence level that is sky high right now, Vick's 'id' might be looking to do things he never thought he could before; - That's the scary aspect of "him". Skill begs for great moments and his brain just might listen.
OK...relax. Here's the other side. We always managed to contain Vick before when he was with the Falcons. That was a different day. I'll give you that. But somehow we've always managed him. He didn't have a great camp or early start to the season. Last week was a break-through game in an improving season for him but a bad day at the office just might be right around the corner too.
Defensively?
This is the week for the linebackers to make a name for themselves. This quiet and surprisingly effective group must now be a unit the entire team can lean on for a week. The Giants need to play Vick as straight-up traditional as can be, - as if you were teaching Defense 101 to horticulturalists and drawing it up on a chalk board.. I'm talking no gimmicks, minimal blitzing and 1950s era positioning.
The front four need to keep Vick in front of them and in the middle of the field. The secondary needs to keep their eyes glued to the whites of the receiver's eyes without a blink and blanket them as long as they can. The Linebackers need to keep Vick from running outside, escaping inside when the pocket slides past him, and prevent him from just running wild in general and improvising plays. The key to beating Vick this week from a defensive point of view will be how our linebackers read and react to Vick. In short form, that's what I think. For this type of quarterback I myself would use a 3-4 defense. But we know that's not what the Giants do, so their hands will be full.
Why play him straight up and show him old school schemes? He'll pick apart our aggression at the line of scrimmage. We'll get 'pass to the backs' and 'screen-passed' to death. QB's like to identify and single out safeties. This week I say it will be one our linebackers who will wind up getting singled out and attempts to exploit him will be made all game long; not the secondary like most fear. Michael Boley, Jon Goff, Keith Bullock, Clint Sintim....? This is the week "the game" finds them. I hope what ever Perry Fewell and Coach Coughlin bickered about last week is resolved. Perry Fewell will be facing his biggest test as Giants' Defensive Coordinator this week against a soaring Eagles team. His schemes as much as his defensive players' efforts will play a large role in this game. I would just caution against over aggression this game versus Michael Vick.
Injuries; We got em. We have a bunch of em; just like everybody else. So..., the last comment of the day goes to the Special Teams. They've been flat out rotten but we've gotten around it. This may be a game when their sub-par play comes back to haunt the Giants.
Mike.BTB
The last game played by the Giants (vs. Dallas) and the last played by the Eagles (vs. Washington) couldn't be two worse games to gauge the upcoming Giants/Eagles game by. We saw the Giants at their season's worst and the Eagles played arguably at their best. Will the Giants look as bad this week as they did against the Cowboys? Will the Eagles look as good as they did against the Redskins? The answer to both questions is ~ I doubt it. These teams will probably meet somewhere in the middle and turn this into an old fashioned school yard fight.
Before I continue though, there's a little matter I'd like to get off my chest.
If you've been reading this blog as I follow the Giants this season, you know all year long I've been howling about the running game and Brandon Jacobs in particular. I've been getting "Blue" in the face talking about Coach Gilbride's unnecessary and rambunctious pass calling at times. I've been going on ad-nausea about how Coach Gilbride needs to take steps towards playing Football in December by making a change in his philosophy and featuring the running game more. I voiced all those complaints while we were winning. We are now at the point of the season when a team must dominate 3rd and short and 4th and short situations. You only dominate those situations with a power running game.
Today we are ill prepared for that situation because Coach Gilbride didn't make his in-season adjustment to the cold weather game yet; if he does at all. On this Giants team with this offensive line and this compliment of running backs the running game needed to be instituted as it's bread and butter weeks ago. Our failure to control short yardage was glaringly evident versus Dallas as we could not execute on 4th and 1 late in the game.
*sigh*
From the the desks of Obvious; Really? Welcome to last month! Why don't we just game-plan every game like a Super Bowl? It's ponderous how we don't win every game if all you have to do is write it into the script. It's not my want to take jabs at the media and I rarely, if ever do. I just call them up directly to air my grievances. But this struck me as a lay-up because I've been calling for a change in the Giants' attack since.....You've been reading; you tell me. I'm done. .....the game....
The Captains of Obvious are right. We need to pound this football on the ground all day long. Pound out yardage on the ground, get first downs, keep the clock running and Michael Vick off the field. Take your shots down field when the situations arise instead of forcing the passing game. And most importantly, no turn-overs. In this game, who ever turns over the ball least, wins.
We all know the left side of the Offensive Line has been decimated by injuries and that fact may add wrinkles to the best laid plans to run the ball. I totally get that.
But this is a Giants-Eagles game. Usually the best prognostications are rendered stupid in this match-up. One freaky game is usually what ensues when these teams meet. These games are never pretty and to call them ugly is calling Phyllis Diller, Aphrodite. Fumbles, interceptions, safeties, penalties, hostilities, and the darnedest things you ever saw are all part of Giants/Eagles games. It's always been that way with these NFC East rivals.
If we can't keep Vick off the field with the running game or we keep turning over the ball, Michael Vick poses a very real problem for the Giants this week. That big problem is Vick's confidence level; not his skill level. He can do what he can do and we're all a testament to that. But riding a confidence level that is sky high right now, Vick's 'id' might be looking to do things he never thought he could before; - That's the scary aspect of "him". Skill begs for great moments and his brain just might listen.
OK...relax. Here's the other side. We always managed to contain Vick before when he was with the Falcons. That was a different day. I'll give you that. But somehow we've always managed him. He didn't have a great camp or early start to the season. Last week was a break-through game in an improving season for him but a bad day at the office just might be right around the corner too.
Defensively?
This is the week for the linebackers to make a name for themselves. This quiet and surprisingly effective group must now be a unit the entire team can lean on for a week. The Giants need to play Vick as straight-up traditional as can be, - as if you were teaching Defense 101 to horticulturalists and drawing it up on a chalk board.. I'm talking no gimmicks, minimal blitzing and 1950s era positioning.
The front four need to keep Vick in front of them and in the middle of the field. The secondary needs to keep their eyes glued to the whites of the receiver's eyes without a blink and blanket them as long as they can. The Linebackers need to keep Vick from running outside, escaping inside when the pocket slides past him, and prevent him from just running wild in general and improvising plays. The key to beating Vick this week from a defensive point of view will be how our linebackers read and react to Vick. In short form, that's what I think. For this type of quarterback I myself would use a 3-4 defense. But we know that's not what the Giants do, so their hands will be full.
Why play him straight up and show him old school schemes? He'll pick apart our aggression at the line of scrimmage. We'll get 'pass to the backs' and 'screen-passed' to death. QB's like to identify and single out safeties. This week I say it will be one our linebackers who will wind up getting singled out and attempts to exploit him will be made all game long; not the secondary like most fear. Michael Boley, Jon Goff, Keith Bullock, Clint Sintim....? This is the week "the game" finds them. I hope what ever Perry Fewell and Coach Coughlin bickered about last week is resolved. Perry Fewell will be facing his biggest test as Giants' Defensive Coordinator this week against a soaring Eagles team. His schemes as much as his defensive players' efforts will play a large role in this game. I would just caution against over aggression this game versus Michael Vick.
Injuries; We got em. We have a bunch of em; just like everybody else. So..., the last comment of the day goes to the Special Teams. They've been flat out rotten but we've gotten around it. This may be a game when their sub-par play comes back to haunt the Giants.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
NYRangers ~ Original Six Game; Final vs. Boston
NYRangers ~ THWARTED BY TIM THOMAS; Boston
The Boston Bruins were in town tonight for an Original Six match-up as the Rangers continued their 85th Year Celebration by unveiling their third alternate/throwback jerseys. The Rangers will wear these jerseys for all remaining Original Six scheduled match-ups. The last time these two clubs met was in Boston as the Rangers were able to leave town with the win.
Early in tonight's contest, the maturation of Brandon Dubinsky continued in the First Period. Has the game begun to slow down for Brandon? His play has gotten so much smarter. These last three games are just mere snapshots in a bigger and still developing picture. An assist by Lundqvist and Callahan on Dubinsky's First Period goal gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Brandon's Power Play goal was his 11th of the year.
But after two periods there were two mistakes that led to two Boston goals which were Too Bad for the Rangers tonight. The fact of the matter is it was a well played game to this point. The Rangers had a lot of traffic in front of Tim Thomas. But he was up to the task over the first forty minutes.
The Rangers could have used a little more luck in front of the net tonight against him (Thomas). They played a little too unselfishly blowing a scoring opportunity early in the first period. They later missed another scoring opportunity in the First Period as a Fedotenko pass from behind the red line went right through the crease and past an unsuspecting Anisimov.
Boston tied the score at one each with a goal by Lucic off a turnover in our defensive end with 8:50 left in the 2nd period. Girardi made his play smartly down low but Anisimov was out of position. Marc Staal got caught pinching on the offensive end and Anisimov came back to cover, but left the boards free and open. Boston converged and scored.
Then with 3:25 left in the second period, the Rangers misplayed a puck on the offensive blue line. Unbelievable! ~ I thought as I watched Boston's Rookie Seguin intercept the misplayed puck and blaze his way down ice where he blasted a shot past Henrik. That incredulous goal made the score 2-1 Boston and that's the way the 2nd Period would end.
Boston struck again in the Third Period. Old Man Hockey ~ Marc Recchi scored for Boston on a gimmie, offered up by Henrik Lundqvist. He made the save off the Recchi shot but couldn't secure the puck and it trickled in over the goal line; Totally cheap.
The Rangers soon after capitalized on a turnover by Boston with Stepan making a sweet play to secure the give-away and backhanded a pass to a net-breaking Gaborik where "the Finisher" scored to make it a 3-2 game at the 14:35 mark.
Callahan and Gaborik had great chances to tie the game at three all; chances all thwarted by Thomas.
At 5:35 left in the Third Period, the Rangers went on the Power Play with a two man advantage off a Boston delay of game penalty while already on the PP. Callahan had a shot at the doorstep but did not go in. Thomas made the save with his toe and didn't even know it.
Boston killed off the two man advantage and eventually the Power Play. The Rangers were not meant to score off Thomas tonight it seemed. He was owning the final thirty minutes too.
With 3:30 remaining, the Rangers spent the next 90 seconds buzzing Thomas to no avail. And with 1:00 left in regulation, Lundqvist left the ice for an extra skater. Tim Thomas repelled the extra skater too.
The NHL's top rated defense wasn't so much the problem for the Rangers tonight because we had our quality chances in good supply. What snapped our three game win streak and our problem tonight was Tim Thomas himself. We needed him to see Henrik's gift-goal, and raise him one. He never did. He made almost half of his saves against the Rangers in the Third Period. He made 34 saves in all.
Chara might be the biggest Bruin, but tonight Tim Thomas was the best Bruin. We could have used a little luck against him tonight.
The Free Sean Avery Society!
THE TORTORELLA~SEAN AVERY DILEMMA: FROZEN IN ICE
After first period ~ 2:14 Ice Time ~ 4th Line with Stepan and Boogaard.
After second period ~ 5:17 Ice Time ~ 4th line with Stepan and Boogaard.
After third period ~ 7:11 Total Minutes of Ice Time on 4th Line. Only Boogaard had less ice time tonight.
Mike.BTB
The Boston Bruins were in town tonight for an Original Six match-up as the Rangers continued their 85th Year Celebration by unveiling their third alternate/throwback jerseys. The Rangers will wear these jerseys for all remaining Original Six scheduled match-ups. The last time these two clubs met was in Boston as the Rangers were able to leave town with the win.
Early in tonight's contest, the maturation of Brandon Dubinsky continued in the First Period. Has the game begun to slow down for Brandon? His play has gotten so much smarter. These last three games are just mere snapshots in a bigger and still developing picture. An assist by Lundqvist and Callahan on Dubinsky's First Period goal gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Brandon's Power Play goal was his 11th of the year.
But after two periods there were two mistakes that led to two Boston goals which were Too Bad for the Rangers tonight. The fact of the matter is it was a well played game to this point. The Rangers had a lot of traffic in front of Tim Thomas. But he was up to the task over the first forty minutes.
The Rangers could have used a little more luck in front of the net tonight against him (Thomas). They played a little too unselfishly blowing a scoring opportunity early in the first period. They later missed another scoring opportunity in the First Period as a Fedotenko pass from behind the red line went right through the crease and past an unsuspecting Anisimov.
Boston tied the score at one each with a goal by Lucic off a turnover in our defensive end with 8:50 left in the 2nd period. Girardi made his play smartly down low but Anisimov was out of position. Marc Staal got caught pinching on the offensive end and Anisimov came back to cover, but left the boards free and open. Boston converged and scored.
Then with 3:25 left in the second period, the Rangers misplayed a puck on the offensive blue line. Unbelievable! ~ I thought as I watched Boston's Rookie Seguin intercept the misplayed puck and blaze his way down ice where he blasted a shot past Henrik. That incredulous goal made the score 2-1 Boston and that's the way the 2nd Period would end.
Boston struck again in the Third Period. Old Man Hockey ~ Marc Recchi scored for Boston on a gimmie, offered up by Henrik Lundqvist. He made the save off the Recchi shot but couldn't secure the puck and it trickled in over the goal line; Totally cheap.
The Rangers soon after capitalized on a turnover by Boston with Stepan making a sweet play to secure the give-away and backhanded a pass to a net-breaking Gaborik where "the Finisher" scored to make it a 3-2 game at the 14:35 mark.
Callahan and Gaborik had great chances to tie the game at three all; chances all thwarted by Thomas.
At 5:35 left in the Third Period, the Rangers went on the Power Play with a two man advantage off a Boston delay of game penalty while already on the PP. Callahan had a shot at the doorstep but did not go in. Thomas made the save with his toe and didn't even know it.
Boston killed off the two man advantage and eventually the Power Play. The Rangers were not meant to score off Thomas tonight it seemed. He was owning the final thirty minutes too.
With 3:30 remaining, the Rangers spent the next 90 seconds buzzing Thomas to no avail. And with 1:00 left in regulation, Lundqvist left the ice for an extra skater. Tim Thomas repelled the extra skater too.
The NHL's top rated defense wasn't so much the problem for the Rangers tonight because we had our quality chances in good supply. What snapped our three game win streak and our problem tonight was Tim Thomas himself. We needed him to see Henrik's gift-goal, and raise him one. He never did. He made almost half of his saves against the Rangers in the Third Period. He made 34 saves in all.
Chara might be the biggest Bruin, but tonight Tim Thomas was the best Bruin. We could have used a little luck against him tonight.
The Free Sean Avery Society!
THE TORTORELLA~SEAN AVERY DILEMMA: FROZEN IN ICE
After first period ~ 2:14 Ice Time ~ 4th Line with Stepan and Boogaard.
After second period ~ 5:17 Ice Time ~ 4th line with Stepan and Boogaard.
After third period ~ 7:11 Total Minutes of Ice Time on 4th Line. Only Boogaard had less ice time tonight.
Mike.BTB
N.Y. Giants ~ Dallas Aftermath
NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS:
Coaches Not On Same Page.
One of the more disturbing things I saw Sunday versus the Cowboys was Coach Coughlin and Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell bickering with each other. The way Dallas and Dez Bryant torched our secondary I can see why they'd both be frustrated.
But here's my concern. Coach Perry Fewell has been mentioned lately as a candidate to become a Head Coach. The talk originally surfaced when Wade Phillips was fired from Dallas. I'm hoping this was just an isolated in-game argument during a game gone bad, that was quickly forgotten by the two. What I'm hoping against is this being the beginning of a rift between the two. I don't want Coach Fewell leaving to take a Head Coaching job so soon after taking our position like Coach Steve Spagnuolo did; it's just disruptive to the big picture.
What Happened To Perry Fewell's Defense?
The cat is out of the bag. The Giants have been exposed. Attack our suspect secondary utilizing three step quarterback drops. Our pass rush is predicated on our Defensive Front-Four. The best way to thwart them is getting rid of the ball quickly.
I'd suspect Coach Coughlin had a bigger problem with the gaping holes in secondary coverage than the lack of a pass-rush. It seemed as if Coach Fewell didn't have any reasonable solutions for containing Dallas' Dez Bryant. Corner-back Terrell Thomas offered, "They attacked our weakness. They went right after us and kind of caught us off guard."
My questions are how and why? How did they catch you off guard and why did they catch you off guard?
If this be the case then maybe Coach Coughlin was justified snapping at his Defensive Coach.
Oh, Our Aching Line!
With every pun intended, it's painfully obvious, injured Center Shaun O'Hara is one of the most important players in a Giants' uniform. It was painfully evident when the Giants could not convert a fourth down and one with a hand-off to Brandon Jacobs. Although I thought he made the first down, there was little to no surge from the Offensive Line. Shaun O'Hara's importance was painfully evident when Kevin Boothe got called for a holding penalty calling back a touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks. It was also painfully obvious on the missed snap and Eli's ill advised pass attempt. While iron-man David Diehl's importance to this line should not go under-spoken, everything starts with the Center position.
Kevin Boss added his name to the list of casualties by injuring his tail bone making a stellar catch and having his legs removed from under him.
Fourth Down and Gilbride To Go..
Because our Offensive Line is compromised my next comment should be taken in stride. It's been my pet-peeve this season, as you know.
The failure to gain one yard and get a first down when faced with 4th down and 1 is representative of something I've been saying and stand by.
Coach Gilbride calls plays based on what he wants to do. He's pass happy; gets cute and greedy. Blah blah. There are enough play calls to go around to throw the ball less than he does, and invest those plays into getting Brandon Jacobs more touches and a better vibe for attacking the line of scrimmage. There's things Coach Gilbride likes to do, but there's things we absolutely must do in dire situations. Whether you like it or not, Jacobs is on this roster and has to be looked to in short yardage situations as your bread and butter. Coach Gilbride just has not given him enough touches this year. As the inclement weather gets closer, the ability to execute when you absolutely have to becomes more detrimental to a team's success.
Mike.BTB
Coaches Not On Same Page.
One of the more disturbing things I saw Sunday versus the Cowboys was Coach Coughlin and Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell bickering with each other. The way Dallas and Dez Bryant torched our secondary I can see why they'd both be frustrated.
But here's my concern. Coach Perry Fewell has been mentioned lately as a candidate to become a Head Coach. The talk originally surfaced when Wade Phillips was fired from Dallas. I'm hoping this was just an isolated in-game argument during a game gone bad, that was quickly forgotten by the two. What I'm hoping against is this being the beginning of a rift between the two. I don't want Coach Fewell leaving to take a Head Coaching job so soon after taking our position like Coach Steve Spagnuolo did; it's just disruptive to the big picture.
What Happened To Perry Fewell's Defense?
The cat is out of the bag. The Giants have been exposed. Attack our suspect secondary utilizing three step quarterback drops. Our pass rush is predicated on our Defensive Front-Four. The best way to thwart them is getting rid of the ball quickly.
I'd suspect Coach Coughlin had a bigger problem with the gaping holes in secondary coverage than the lack of a pass-rush. It seemed as if Coach Fewell didn't have any reasonable solutions for containing Dallas' Dez Bryant. Corner-back Terrell Thomas offered, "They attacked our weakness. They went right after us and kind of caught us off guard."
My questions are how and why? How did they catch you off guard and why did they catch you off guard?
If this be the case then maybe Coach Coughlin was justified snapping at his Defensive Coach.
Oh, Our Aching Line!
With every pun intended, it's painfully obvious, injured Center Shaun O'Hara is one of the most important players in a Giants' uniform. It was painfully evident when the Giants could not convert a fourth down and one with a hand-off to Brandon Jacobs. Although I thought he made the first down, there was little to no surge from the Offensive Line. Shaun O'Hara's importance was painfully evident when Kevin Boothe got called for a holding penalty calling back a touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks. It was also painfully obvious on the missed snap and Eli's ill advised pass attempt. While iron-man David Diehl's importance to this line should not go under-spoken, everything starts with the Center position.
Kevin Boss added his name to the list of casualties by injuring his tail bone making a stellar catch and having his legs removed from under him.
Fourth Down and Gilbride To Go..
Because our Offensive Line is compromised my next comment should be taken in stride. It's been my pet-peeve this season, as you know.
The failure to gain one yard and get a first down when faced with 4th down and 1 is representative of something I've been saying and stand by.
Coach Gilbride calls plays based on what he wants to do. He's pass happy; gets cute and greedy. Blah blah. There are enough play calls to go around to throw the ball less than he does, and invest those plays into getting Brandon Jacobs more touches and a better vibe for attacking the line of scrimmage. There's things Coach Gilbride likes to do, but there's things we absolutely must do in dire situations. Whether you like it or not, Jacobs is on this roster and has to be looked to in short yardage situations as your bread and butter. Coach Gilbride just has not given him enough touches this year. As the inclement weather gets closer, the ability to execute when you absolutely have to becomes more detrimental to a team's success.
Mike.BTB
Monday, November 15, 2010
NYRangers; Fighting For Everything and Avery Too
The Gang is all in!
The injury bug isn't gone just because Marian Gaborik is back. We still have players we need their quick returns to health.
But everyone dressed in a Blueshirt and present yesterday was ready, willing and able to lock arms, plow forward and through Edmonton early yesterday afternoon. Sean Avery will be topic one, as many accuse him for instigating yesterday's on-ice fracas. But I'm thinking Coach Torts is not only happy with how the Rangers responded after the fracas, but how they all came together during the fights.
Penalties be damned!...when you win 8-2.
I'm thinking after a gritty Over-Time win over Buffalo where Torts could be seen pumping his fist in triumph, the response to a game like this makes Torts want to go out and hit someone himself. He didn't, which is a good thing. Instead, Torts had to restrain Brandon Dubinsky from getting involved while he was on the bench as he was getting pulled into the fight by his jersey. I'm guessing Torts was thinking and feeling like Flounder in Animal House, "Oh Boy! This is great!" as he was holding Dubinsky back. But did you think, like me, Torts really wanted to let him go?
OK...So the Sunday matinee game wasn't an exercise in sportsmanship. It was more like Grown Men Behaving Badly. I'm sure the kids in attendance had a blast watching things transpire despite an appalled soccer mom or two.
But in Hockey, the game is tough, the crowds are rough, Coach says and does crazy stuff, and we can't get enough, of a game like this. Just because the Sunday game is usually "kids day" doesn't mean you're going to get a P.C. game. We got a Tuesday night game this Sunday. It was a little bit of Hell for the Oilers but Heaven to the Blueshirt Brotherhood.
So what about this fight? What about Sean Avery?
Sean Avery laid a clean shoulder to shoulder hit on Colin Fraser which sent him into the boards and down to the ice. Fraser didn't appear to have a problem with the hit and got up and skated on. Ladislav Smid seemingly had a problem with the hit on his team mate and skated cross ice to confront Avery. The story on the Oilers side is Avery told Smid "No" or "Next shift" with regards to dropping gloves.
If you were watching, Smid was still talking at Avery and snapped his stick up and away from Avery. Smid might have been about to skate away from Avery, but Sean pounced on him connecting with a first shot; a solid right to the jaw. Smid saw Avery drop his gloves and couldn't react in time. But why was he challenging Avery in the first place? He did so and forgot the cardinal rule of self-defense; never let your guard down. Too bad for him.
Avery was peeled off Smid and escorted off the ice. That's when the place went all Mike Milbury and the Bruins. Some Oilers, who were in the middle of a change so therefore had about 8 men on the ice, went after Avery as he was being escorted off the ice, as he was done for the night riddled with penalty minutes. Avery's team mates came to his aid and it was on. Several fights and struggles ensued before the Refs and Linesmen restored order.
The Oilers used Gutless and a few other descriptions when speaking about Avery. But when Avery was told the Oilers said he said things like, "No" and "Next Shift".... Avery's response was, "That's what they said? Funny."
Avery is many things to many people; mostly bad. But I don't think he's a liar. He doesn't need to be. He beats his own drum and isn't out to win any popularity contests. So why lie? Who knows what Smid said to Avery or Avery to Smid. Smid picked a fight with the wrong guy and got more than he bargained for. Too bad for him.
I can't tell you what Torts was thinking as he watched Avery in action before things got out of hand. Most likely the thoughts were not positive. I don't believe Tort's disdain ever went away for Avery, just because he's on the roster. My friend and I discussed the fight and Avery and he said even Ryan Callahan could be seen snipping at Avery as the Refs led him off ice. But by that time the Oilers were closing in and Avery was still exchanging pleasantries with them. I myself did not see Callahan yell at Avery.
But the aftermath is something I think Torts feels is a positive if you look how they ran up the score afterwards. It turned out to be somewhat of a Kumbaya moment for the team....I hope.
But now I really want you to pay attention. Sean Avery is partly the result of bad coaching by Torts. That's right. I said it.
Busy hands are happy hands. Torts is not doing enough to maximize his skill. We know Avery has loads of it. He is fantastic behind the net and is a good, crisp and above all smart passer. He skates very well and finishes his hits (yea....that's part of the problem. Don't stop me now). He's a great battler along the boards. He does many things well. You know this to be true.
Torts needs to put more talent around him on a more consistent basis. Sean Avery flat out needs a better line to play with. The more he is engaged into the offense the less reckless he is.
Torts has buried him all season so far on the third and fourth lines; playing with Boogaard and Christensen at times. As is Tort's way to mix lines in-game, Avery has played at times with Prust and Callahan. But if Torts continues to bury Avery on the 4th line, he's playing right into the mind of a mischief maker. Idle hands are the Devil's playground.
Coach Torts needs to engage Avery. His game and skill is waiting to be utilized. Yes, there's things that come along with that. But if you want Good Avery, give him Good Time with a Good Line.
** There are no suspensions as a result of last night's fight. Only Brandon Dubinsky received a monetary fine. How ponderous is that?
Tonight the NEW YORK RANGERS take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in their new arena. Let's see if the Gang is still All In.
Mike.BTB
The injury bug isn't gone just because Marian Gaborik is back. We still have players we need their quick returns to health.
But everyone dressed in a Blueshirt and present yesterday was ready, willing and able to lock arms, plow forward and through Edmonton early yesterday afternoon. Sean Avery will be topic one, as many accuse him for instigating yesterday's on-ice fracas. But I'm thinking Coach Torts is not only happy with how the Rangers responded after the fracas, but how they all came together during the fights.
Penalties be damned!...when you win 8-2.
I'm thinking after a gritty Over-Time win over Buffalo where Torts could be seen pumping his fist in triumph, the response to a game like this makes Torts want to go out and hit someone himself. He didn't, which is a good thing. Instead, Torts had to restrain Brandon Dubinsky from getting involved while he was on the bench as he was getting pulled into the fight by his jersey. I'm guessing Torts was thinking and feeling like Flounder in Animal House, "Oh Boy! This is great!" as he was holding Dubinsky back. But did you think, like me, Torts really wanted to let him go?
OK...So the Sunday matinee game wasn't an exercise in sportsmanship. It was more like Grown Men Behaving Badly. I'm sure the kids in attendance had a blast watching things transpire despite an appalled soccer mom or two.
But in Hockey, the game is tough, the crowds are rough, Coach says and does crazy stuff, and we can't get enough, of a game like this. Just because the Sunday game is usually "kids day" doesn't mean you're going to get a P.C. game. We got a Tuesday night game this Sunday. It was a little bit of Hell for the Oilers but Heaven to the Blueshirt Brotherhood.
So what about this fight? What about Sean Avery?
Sean Avery laid a clean shoulder to shoulder hit on Colin Fraser which sent him into the boards and down to the ice. Fraser didn't appear to have a problem with the hit and got up and skated on. Ladislav Smid seemingly had a problem with the hit on his team mate and skated cross ice to confront Avery. The story on the Oilers side is Avery told Smid "No" or "Next shift" with regards to dropping gloves.
If you were watching, Smid was still talking at Avery and snapped his stick up and away from Avery. Smid might have been about to skate away from Avery, but Sean pounced on him connecting with a first shot; a solid right to the jaw. Smid saw Avery drop his gloves and couldn't react in time. But why was he challenging Avery in the first place? He did so and forgot the cardinal rule of self-defense; never let your guard down. Too bad for him.
Avery was peeled off Smid and escorted off the ice. That's when the place went all Mike Milbury and the Bruins. Some Oilers, who were in the middle of a change so therefore had about 8 men on the ice, went after Avery as he was being escorted off the ice, as he was done for the night riddled with penalty minutes. Avery's team mates came to his aid and it was on. Several fights and struggles ensued before the Refs and Linesmen restored order.
The Oilers used Gutless and a few other descriptions when speaking about Avery. But when Avery was told the Oilers said he said things like, "No" and "Next Shift".... Avery's response was, "That's what they said? Funny."
Avery is many things to many people; mostly bad. But I don't think he's a liar. He doesn't need to be. He beats his own drum and isn't out to win any popularity contests. So why lie? Who knows what Smid said to Avery or Avery to Smid. Smid picked a fight with the wrong guy and got more than he bargained for. Too bad for him.
I can't tell you what Torts was thinking as he watched Avery in action before things got out of hand. Most likely the thoughts were not positive. I don't believe Tort's disdain ever went away for Avery, just because he's on the roster. My friend and I discussed the fight and Avery and he said even Ryan Callahan could be seen snipping at Avery as the Refs led him off ice. But by that time the Oilers were closing in and Avery was still exchanging pleasantries with them. I myself did not see Callahan yell at Avery.
But the aftermath is something I think Torts feels is a positive if you look how they ran up the score afterwards. It turned out to be somewhat of a Kumbaya moment for the team....I hope.
But now I really want you to pay attention. Sean Avery is partly the result of bad coaching by Torts. That's right. I said it.
Busy hands are happy hands. Torts is not doing enough to maximize his skill. We know Avery has loads of it. He is fantastic behind the net and is a good, crisp and above all smart passer. He skates very well and finishes his hits (yea....that's part of the problem. Don't stop me now). He's a great battler along the boards. He does many things well. You know this to be true.
Torts needs to put more talent around him on a more consistent basis. Sean Avery flat out needs a better line to play with. The more he is engaged into the offense the less reckless he is.
Torts has buried him all season so far on the third and fourth lines; playing with Boogaard and Christensen at times. As is Tort's way to mix lines in-game, Avery has played at times with Prust and Callahan. But if Torts continues to bury Avery on the 4th line, he's playing right into the mind of a mischief maker. Idle hands are the Devil's playground.
Coach Torts needs to engage Avery. His game and skill is waiting to be utilized. Yes, there's things that come along with that. But if you want Good Avery, give him Good Time with a Good Line.
** There are no suspensions as a result of last night's fight. Only Brandon Dubinsky received a monetary fine. How ponderous is that?
Tonight the NEW YORK RANGERS take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in their new arena. Let's see if the Gang is still All In.
FINAL
RANGERS 3
Penguins 2
OVERTIME
Post Game:
NYR ~ Late Heroics Save Rangers And Their King..(Henrik).
The Penguins came in waves. They buzzed Henrik all night long. They cris-crossed in front and behind him.
Shots came from all angles. The Rangers kept committing penalties and kept having to kill them off.
Through all this Henrik Lundqvist remained true. He protected a very precarious 1-0 lead as best he could till 57:29 of regulation time. If you're being honest with yourselves, you were thinking when the shoe was going to fall off this game? You were thinking that very thing all the way up until 57:28. Then it happened a second later; The Penguins scored and you didn't feel good about the rest of the game.
If you still had hope at that moment, I'm positive you were feeling queasy 28 seconds later when Pittsburgh scored again making it 2-1 with 2:03 to go. The other shoe had just fallen off.
We were feeling that because we've all experienced it and here we were again. Right? After two wins and the Penguins on the slate, recent history said we were going to lose tonight based on the win, lose, win, lose, lose, win, win model. If you're still being honest with yourself, we were over-come with this very same feeling against Buffalo, before we pulled that one out.
But a funny thing happened on the way to our Ranger Fan's abyss tonight. This team re-affirmed a remarkable break from the past. Tonight, heroes wore Blue. What makes this special, aside from being the third consecutive win, is the guys who we really want to be our new heroes, are answering the calls.
Marc Staal scored a short-handed goal with 1:26 left off a Dubinsky pass, which he brought up ice. That tied the score and sent this contest into overtime. In the extra period, Callahan wrestled a turnover in his own end and headed up the right side with Dubinsky riding shot-gun. A pass to Dubinsky and a return pass to Callahan ended this game.
The guys this organization wanted so badly to place their trust in; the guys Torts is imploring to be great; the guys we the fans so desperately want to commit to..., even the most jaded of us..., Those guys; the Callahans, Dubinskys and the Staals.. may be breaking through.
Shots came from all angles. The Rangers kept committing penalties and kept having to kill them off.
Through all this Henrik Lundqvist remained true. He protected a very precarious 1-0 lead as best he could till 57:29 of regulation time. If you're being honest with yourselves, you were thinking when the shoe was going to fall off this game? You were thinking that very thing all the way up until 57:28. Then it happened a second later; The Penguins scored and you didn't feel good about the rest of the game.
If you still had hope at that moment, I'm positive you were feeling queasy 28 seconds later when Pittsburgh scored again making it 2-1 with 2:03 to go. The other shoe had just fallen off.
We were feeling that because we've all experienced it and here we were again. Right? After two wins and the Penguins on the slate, recent history said we were going to lose tonight based on the win, lose, win, lose, lose, win, win model. If you're still being honest with yourself, we were over-come with this very same feeling against Buffalo, before we pulled that one out.
But a funny thing happened on the way to our Ranger Fan's abyss tonight. This team re-affirmed a remarkable break from the past. Tonight, heroes wore Blue. What makes this special, aside from being the third consecutive win, is the guys who we really want to be our new heroes, are answering the calls.
Marc Staal scored a short-handed goal with 1:26 left off a Dubinsky pass, which he brought up ice. That tied the score and sent this contest into overtime. In the extra period, Callahan wrestled a turnover in his own end and headed up the right side with Dubinsky riding shot-gun. A pass to Dubinsky and a return pass to Callahan ended this game.
The guys this organization wanted so badly to place their trust in; the guys Torts is imploring to be great; the guys we the fans so desperately want to commit to..., even the most jaded of us..., Those guys; the Callahans, Dubinskys and the Staals.. may be breaking through.
Mike.BTB
N.Y. Knicks ~ Signs of the Times
NYKnicks ~ Sign of the Times; Part I
Knicks Open Second Front in the Billboard War:
When the Knicks recently paid to have their billboard placed inside the footprint of Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, it was widely thought that was in response to the Nets' initial placement of their billboard on 8th Avenue just blocks from MSG earlier in the year.
Today's new billboard discovery is proof the Knicks are clearly on the offensive now as they've opened up a second front in the Battle of the Billboards.
There are five panels from left to right, four of them depicting a word from this year's Knicks' grand advertising campaign;
YOU US WE NOW; accompanied by these captions:
YOU ~ The Republic of Brooklyn.
US ~ The Original Ball Team of the Empire State.
WE ~ Are Unstoppable Together.
NOW ~ Is the Time To Represent.
(..then) Brooklyn Stand Up - NYK - KnicksNow.com
He said he came here to inaugurate a new era in Knicks Basketball. That remains to be seen and the last handful of games are your evidence for the new era being just as ugly as the old era. (Hmm?)
This is what we know or learned about Amare Stoudemire:
* He wasn't the first choice on the list of Free Agents.
* He came here to be a Big Dog surrounded by a bunch of puppies.
* No one offered him close to the deal we offered him.
* There is a familiarity factor with Coach D'Antoni,
* He's here because LeBron James is in Miami.
* He doesn't play with his back to the basket; posting up.
* He's not that much of a dribble, self-creating play maker.
* Steve Nash served him perfectly in perfect places and Amare won't have that here. Our pick and roll is more like a bump and stumble and we give him the ball too high on and off the elbow.
All that is neither here nor there, but don't look to me for criticism for what amounts to Amare Stoudemire calling out his team mates after last night's loss to the Houston Rockets.
It's about time some one in a Knicks' uniform spoke out against futility. For too long this type of play has been soothed over with Jergen's hand lotion, baby oil, Aloe Vera, Coconut Butter and every other ointment from the 'ol "Well This and We That and We have To" medicine cabinet.
Give Amare credit. He came here and has been a damn good soldier trying his best to fill a role he was charged with (yes, because of the money!). He plays his minutes and deals with all the media. He's not a Diva; playing unselfishly and only dominating the ball when he can.
But out of everything we know or learned about him since he got to MSG, we all knew this - He can't do it alone.
He is getting paid big bucks to take big shots in big moments for this team. Last night's shots directed at his team mates should register as his biggest shots so far in this still young and salvageable season. And they should be listening to their new vocal leader very attentively. He's not used to losing like this and his team mates should know and do everything they can to change it; Not for Amare and because he said so...But because it's what's in the best interest of the Knicks, and if Coach D'Antoni can't coach it out of 'em, maybe hearing it from one of their own for a change, a very refreshing change, is what's needed.
Amare Stoudemire shouldn't be viewed by us, as someone who he is not. He is not the franchise savior. But he is a very good player who was a huge step in the right direction. He may not have a championship ring to be calling anyone out, which will be argued by some, but he's got clout as a stand-out player in this League and his resume makes every player in that locker room's accomplishments look like scribble when listed on paper.
Taking shots at his team mates isn't going to bump up his scoring average but it just might wake some players up from their slumbering play. What the Knicks got after last night's game was the extra added bonus of signing Amare. Give him credit today for speaking out instead of killing him for it. That's more accountability from a player around here that we've seen since.........(insert your choice here). You'll probably come up with a name who hasn't played here in at least 10 years.
Don't fault him for trying to lead and earn his paycheck instead of being passive in defeat like so many players before him, and as he hints, among him now.
Mike.BTB
Knicks Open Second Front in the Billboard War:
Today's new billboard discovery is proof the Knicks are clearly on the offensive now as they've opened up a second front in the Battle of the Billboards.The Knicks struck with this ad on a Duane Reade rooftop over-looking the intersection where Park Slope's 7th Avenue empties out onto Flatbush Avenue. Four more Avenues north is where the Barclays Center is under construction at the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues.
There are five panels from left to right, four of them depicting a word from this year's Knicks' grand advertising campaign;
YOU US WE NOW; accompanied by these captions:
YOU ~ The Republic of Brooklyn.
US ~ The Original Ball Team of the Empire State.
WE ~ Are Unstoppable Together.
NOW ~ Is the Time To Represent.
(..then) Brooklyn Stand Up - NYK - KnicksNow.com
This billboard is in a far better location strategically, that the first, placed inside Atlantic Yards along Atlantic Avenue. This intersection is far more conducive to foot traffic coming from both sides of Flatbush Avenue and the evening scene. The tall tower in the distance is 1 Hanson Place and Barclays Center is being erected one block before.
They say necessity is the Mother of all invention. It's clear the Knicks are finding it necessary to invent new ways to reconnect with a despondent fan base.
NYKnicks ~ Sign of the Times; Part II
You-Us-We-Now? Amare asks WHO WHEN WHY HOW?
Before the Knicks engage in this War of Billboard Words, perhaps they should see if their soldiers are up to the task. He who wins most will earn the most fans. All that matters is wins.
Amare said he isn't used to this. So let's get into "This".
While the suits upstairs are pushing the You-Us-We-Now gig up in the offices of MSG, Amare is dealing with the Who-What-Why and How's downstairs on the 5th floor.
He said he came here to inaugurate a new era in Knicks Basketball. That remains to be seen and the last handful of games are your evidence for the new era being just as ugly as the old era. (Hmm?)
This is what we know or learned about Amare Stoudemire:
* He wasn't the first choice on the list of Free Agents.
* He came here to be a Big Dog surrounded by a bunch of puppies.
* No one offered him close to the deal we offered him.
* There is a familiarity factor with Coach D'Antoni,
* He's here because LeBron James is in Miami.
* He doesn't play with his back to the basket; posting up.
* He's not that much of a dribble, self-creating play maker.
* Steve Nash served him perfectly in perfect places and Amare won't have that here. Our pick and roll is more like a bump and stumble and we give him the ball too high on and off the elbow.
All that is neither here nor there, but don't look to me for criticism for what amounts to Amare Stoudemire calling out his team mates after last night's loss to the Houston Rockets.
It's about time some one in a Knicks' uniform spoke out against futility. For too long this type of play has been soothed over with Jergen's hand lotion, baby oil, Aloe Vera, Coconut Butter and every other ointment from the 'ol "Well This and We That and We have To" medicine cabinet.
Give Amare credit. He came here and has been a damn good soldier trying his best to fill a role he was charged with (yes, because of the money!). He plays his minutes and deals with all the media. He's not a Diva; playing unselfishly and only dominating the ball when he can.
But out of everything we know or learned about him since he got to MSG, we all knew this - He can't do it alone.
He is getting paid big bucks to take big shots in big moments for this team. Last night's shots directed at his team mates should register as his biggest shots so far in this still young and salvageable season. And they should be listening to their new vocal leader very attentively. He's not used to losing like this and his team mates should know and do everything they can to change it; Not for Amare and because he said so...But because it's what's in the best interest of the Knicks, and if Coach D'Antoni can't coach it out of 'em, maybe hearing it from one of their own for a change, a very refreshing change, is what's needed.
Amare Stoudemire shouldn't be viewed by us, as someone who he is not. He is not the franchise savior. But he is a very good player who was a huge step in the right direction. He may not have a championship ring to be calling anyone out, which will be argued by some, but he's got clout as a stand-out player in this League and his resume makes every player in that locker room's accomplishments look like scribble when listed on paper.
Taking shots at his team mates isn't going to bump up his scoring average but it just might wake some players up from their slumbering play. What the Knicks got after last night's game was the extra added bonus of signing Amare. Give him credit today for speaking out instead of killing him for it. That's more accountability from a player around here that we've seen since.........(insert your choice here). You'll probably come up with a name who hasn't played here in at least 10 years.
Don't fault him for trying to lead and earn his paycheck instead of being passive in defeat like so many players before him, and as he hints, among him now.
Mike.BTB
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