PIGSKIN ~ WEEK 13 ~ NYG: Hail To December!! Hail Victory!!

Last week I lost my second SHMEAR of the year making me 8-2 this season.  I followed two very strong weeks on the Sunday games with a mediocre 6-6 record in WEEK 12.  A .500 record for the day was salvaged by the last game of the day and S.D.'s win.  On Thanksgiving I went 1-2.

I'm a +19 BAGELS for the season.
Sunday games worth One Bagel: Shmear of the Week pick is worth 3 Bagels.


BAGEL ADVISORY!! I have been wrong about the Cleveland Browns every game this season.  That makes me perfect in a way.  Use the pick at your own discretion.


WEEK 13 WARM-UP:
* Are the K.C. Chiefs for real? The Chiefs and the Chargers can make the Raiders disappear this week.
* Week 13 is a virtual NFC WEST mini-playoff round with two "Battles in Futility".
    The 1st Toilet Bowl features the (5-6) SEAHAWKS vs. (1-10) Panthers.
    The 2nd Toilet Bowl features the (5-6) Rams vs. (3-8) CARDINALS.
* PhilaEAGLES already played and won Thursday night.  The GIANTS must win.
* Jets vs. Patriots might be the biggest game of the week, but Falcons vs. Bucs is the most interesting!
* The Vikings are still wiggling.  They ain't dead yet?



The WEEK 13 Big BAGEL Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)



GIANTS -7 (Redskins)
The Giants must win to keep pace with the Eagles.  Somehow we always play well against the Redskins.  McNabb is a different story.  The Giants will win despite offensive injuries and Donovan McNabb's winning record against us.  I think we're going to get a very complete game and convincing victory from Big Blue; See below.
WIN ~ 31-7 Giants

Bills +6 (VIKINGS)
I just like the number.  Buffalo has been scoring loads of points lately just for fun!  The Bills are the 3rd most porous defense in Football but the Vikings couldn't score even if you put them in a Nordic woman's prison with a few cartons of cigarettes.  Brett the Wrecker sacked this Vikings' village all by himself.
LOSS ~ 38-14 Vikings

DOLPHINS -4 1/2 (Browns)
..not because I can't pick the Browns, but because I think The 'Fins are ready to wreck some seasons and piss teams off.
LOSS ~ 13-10 Browns

TITANS -3 (Jaguars)
..only because the number is low.  I don't have much faith in the Titans' QB situation but I like Jeff Fisher.  TENN should be better and JAX should be worse than their records indicate.
LOSS ~ 17-6 Jaguars

CHIEFS -8 1/2 (Broncos)
The Chiefs are on the War-Path.  Broncos on the road with no thin-air; No chance on the plains of K.C.  The Broncos are ready for the glue factory and the Chiefs are high on AFC West(ern) peyote.
LOSS ~ 10-6 Chiefs

Bears -4 1/2 (LIONS)
I'm respecting the Bears and their defense in a division game.  They are 3-0 with-in their division and know the Packers have a gift game against the 49ers.  There will be no let-down on the road.
LOSS ~ 24-20 Bears

Saints -7 (BENGALS)
This game is only seven?  Is Vegas chewing on the same (western) peyote as the Chiefs?  Saints can gain on the Falcons who have a tough game vs. Tampa Bay.  Are you kidding me?  Saints are going to March ALL Over the Kitties!  This game should have been -11 1/2.  The Bengals can score some, they just won't stop N.O.
LOSS ~ 34-30 Saints

BUCS +3 (Falcons)
The Bucs are so close they can taste it, even though it's fool's gold they taste.  The Falcons being a bad road team is very old news.  It's been like that for years.  The Falcons appear to be the most complete team in the NFC "this week".  This is where parity rears it's ugly head again.  Vegas' three points isn't a great vote of confidence for ATL either.
LOSS ~ 28-24 Falcons

Raiders +13 (CHARGERS)
Thirteen points seems like a lot.  The Chargers have one more hiccup in them before they have a furious finish with a 10-6 record.  But this will be the Raiders last hurrah before they fade away.  I'm going with a sentimental upset but certainly the Raiders cover.
WIN ~ 28-13 Raiders

SEAHAWKS -6 (Panthers)
Jim Zorn can comeback and QB the Seahawks for this one.  I think this number is low.  This game has tremendous implications in the pathetic NFC West.  And the Panthers just don't want to play anymore.  But I've been very wrong about the Panthers this season also.
WIN ~ 31-14 Seahawks

Cowboys +6 (COLTS)
I like the Cowboys to cover, but not much else.  They can afford to play very loose and reckless, if you will.  Nothing has come easy for Peyton Manning this year.  Why should this game be any different?
WIN ~ 38-35 Cowboys  o.t.

Rams -3 1/2 (CARDS)
That 1/2 point is pure evil.  Sink or swim with this game.  No push here.
WIN ~ 19-6 Rams

RAVENS -3 (Steelers)
These teams are almost mirror images of each other.  Vegas issued the standard home team permit.  Big Ben is hobbling on the road which might mean Ravens win by 5.  Roger Goodell is going to collect a lot of fine money after this game.
LOSS ~ 13-10 Steelers



*Bagel SHMEAR OF THE WEEK: (8-2)
Saints -7 (BENGALS) is too tempting.

Happy Football Sunday Everyone!


POST GAME COMMENTS:
* I'm a loser!  I am 1-7 in the early games.  I lost The SHMEAR.
* Who cares...The Giants Won!!!
* The Vikings need to stop annoying me.
* Poor Peyton Manning.
* This was an all-around bad day if you were picking favorites.
* At least I went 4-1 in the afternoon games to save a little face.

New York Football GIANTS: Welcome to December!

The weather gets a little raw and games become more desperate matters this time of year. 

Welcome to December Football when cold and weak teams lag behind and perish.  Those teams resourceful enough to generate heat down the stretch survive to play in January.  Now, a BIG BLUE storm-front is needed to make Sunday's game down right inclement and nasty for the visiting Washington Redskins.

I did say the time for this Giants' season to be great has passed; And it did.  But there no reason the Giants can't come out tomorrow and dominate this game.

And that's exactly what I think will happen.  The Eagles already took care of their business winning Thursday night and I don't believe the Giants will disappoint as I think they will keep pace with a Big Blue performance against the 'Skins tomorrow.

We know the Offensive Line is lacking with David Diehl and Shaun O'Hara still out.  But last week the reserve unit had a solid day of run-blocking and protected Eli extremely well while minimizing penalties and eliminating turn-overs.  They had the Giants moving forward consistently last week even during that bad first half they had versus JAX.  But the Offense repeatedly stalled in the red-zone settling for field goals.  With Brandon Jacobs named as the starting back again and the offensive-line establishing a patched-up synchronicity over the last three weeks, I think maintaining continuity as a unit through another week of practice will serve us tremendously tomorrow.  I feel those field goals last week will be touchdowns this time around.

Eli and Coach Gilbride will maximize the passing game as best they can with Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith still out.  Mario Manningham will be the feature receiver again and will find himself open against Washington.  I'm thinking a steady diet of Ahmad Bradshaw catching passes out of the backfield and screen passes along with clever Kevin Boss releases will be enough of a passing game to keep the Skins' average defense honest.

But let's not get far from what should be the mission this week.  The Giants should try and pound the ball right down the Redskins' throats.  Run with power and often.  If there was ever a game on the schedule that screams for the 20-20-20 plan, it's this one.

The 20-20-20 Plan is:
Twenty pounding carries for Brandon Jacobs ~ Twenty thrill carries for Ahmad Bradshaw ~ Twenty pass attempts for Eli Manning.

Where is this confidence against the Redskins coming from?  The Skins never scare me; never have.  There is something about a Giants/Redskins game that I have always felt confident about.  Donovan McNabb on the Skins changes nothing for me.  I expect the Giants' Defense to pounce on him all day long.

I'm expecting Coach Fewell's Defense to dominate all day tomorrow.  From kick-off to the final tick of the clock, I'm expecting the G-Men to be relentless and extremely physical.  And points; I sense the Giants' D will finally score points tomorrow.

Maybe it's the coldness in the air that excites me, but I do believe this is where the Giants are, heading into a game against Washington on December 5th.  This doesn't speak to Week 14 and beyond.  But for this week, I think the Giants are poised to have a statement game against an old division rival.  The match-ups strike me as idealy suited for this very type of a game.

The short version ~ I believe the Giants will play their most complete sixty minutes of the season tomorrow.  Don't bring Special Teams into this.  I don't want to ruin the moment.

"Hail To The Redskins!!  Hail Victory!! "

FINAL

Washington Redskins  7

NEW YORK GIANTS  31

Sunday night post:  JETS VERSUS PATRIOTS...next.

WEEK 13 Posts:
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2010/12/ny-giants-brandon-jacobs-started-this.html
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/2010/11/ny-giants-powder-blue-start-big-blue.html

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Loss Against Tampa Still On Coach's Mind

BLUESHIRT POWER PLAY:  All The Rangers Are Doing is Speeding Along The Perimeter Now. The Methods Still Haven't Changed.

This is just total speculation and opinion on my part about Torts...but there is no doubt in my mind the loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov.24th, is the one game above all that stays in Tort's mind during every practice and every game.  He's not haunted by his former team.  But that's the game Tampa put on a Power Play clinic.  That's the Power Play style Torts wishes he could teach the Rangers to play.

Has The NY Rangers' Power Play been better as of late?  Sure.  But...
Tampa ~ moved with the puck and after the pass.  They crisscrossed and passed through the slot and crease.  They start high and wide then tightened the noose around the net in a hurry.  They get the defense out of position by making them move their heads.  When that happens the body follows.  They get defenses moving and out of position by passing counter-motion.  They utilize high low passing and when in close (enough) they cross-ice pass.  All those factors make defenses skate in circles chasing the action.  Cross-ice passes beg to be picked off when the set-up is high and wide along the perimeter; that has to happen close and low.  Enter Rangers.

Rangers ~ Last night's Power Play had accurate passing and "lightning" speed.  They shot more and passed less.  But I'm sorry to be the kill-joy in this, the PP unit is still the same.  All they did last night is what they've always done, just this time a little faster paced.  The Rangers still played two high; two wide and passed around the perimeter.  At no time did an Islander defender have to change direction or look the opposite way.  The Rangers' passing around the perimeter keeps defenders moving laterally, allowing them to stay squared on the puck, stick down, and eyes peeled on the skater in front of him.  The four-man set-up in front of the goalie merely has to sway left and right.  All I saw last night was the Rangers merely trying to speed this process up.

The Rangers' Power Play is as far away from Tampa's as is the distance between the two cities itself.

Sean Avery is the very type of passer needed to execute the style of Power Play Coach Torts has salivated for since Tampa.  No player on the Rangers has out-done the effort by Avery behind the net this season.  He looks to make low-high passes to someone coming down the slot.  He understands the Science of Chaos down low and in front of the net.  Challenge him with responsibility more and you'll get cleaner play from him.

Just saying.


Next Game: 
Ottawa Senators @ NYRangers ~ Sunday DECEMBER 5th.


LINKS:

1050ESPN.com
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/hockey/post/_/id/1495/rapid-reaction-rangers-2-islanders-0


NEWSDAY-Islanders
http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/arthur-staple/staple-islanders-rangers-rivalry-needs-a-boost-1.2509340





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Coach Gets In On Defensive Effort

GAME TWO

The RIVALRY HOME-and-HOME SERIES

NEW YORK ISLANDERS  0

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS   2

FINAL

Blueshirts Sweep Home-and-Home Series; win 2-0 tonight.


New York Rangers:  Coach Torts Defends Sean Avery.
I can only guess that was Larry Brooks (NHL writer; NYDN) in the back of the room who said something about Sean Avery.  I don't know if it was Larry for sure, but it's usually him who gets Torts all bent out of shape just by showing up, much less questioning Coach about Avery.

After a near-perfect game by Sean Avery last night, he followed up tonight with far from perfect play.  That might be a bit harsh.  Guys in Stripes send him to the box for just looking at somebody the wrong way.  His over-all game tonight was still relatively solid.

But whatever the matter that may have been between Torts and the reporter who tweaked Coach's patience, it was outstanding to see and hear Coach Torts defend Sean Avery and acknowledge his play this year with conviction, as no doubt, "some" reporter may have been trying to strike while the Avery iron was hot.  It wasn't to be so.  Torts unplugged that questioning post haste in defense of his maligned player.


Broadway Blueshirts:  Henrik and Defense "Score" Shut-Out Over Islanders.

SWEEP!  Rangers win both games of the Home and Home Series.

Rangers' Defenseman Marc Staal scored a Power Play goal, assisted by Stepan, with 15:26 left in the 2nd period.  That's all the Rangers could muster offensively tonight during 59:58 of regulation play.  That's all Henrik Lundqvist would need.  On the heals of giving up two goals to these Islanders in relief of Marty Biron midway through the 2nd period of last night's game in Long Island, King Henrik ruled tonight's 60 minutes in MSG allowing no goals during game two, of the back-to-back set.

The Numbers on Henrik ~ Tonight's 2-0 Shut-Out:
* No shots against in the first 15 minutes of the game.
* 17 saves.
* 3rd career shut-out versus Islanders.
* 4th shut-out of season.
* 28th shut-out of career.

This game got a little chippy at times but over-all it was a tightly contested match with good defensive efforts by both teams.  Islander Goalie-ROLOSON received the game's third star.  Rick DiPietro did not follow-up last night's stinker against the team he loves to hate.  He sat out tonight.  Shame.

With two seconds left in the game, Brian Boyle scored an empty net goal assisted by Dubinsky and Callahan, to make the final score 2-0 Rangers; and with the victory, the series sweep.

Tonight's defensive gem was a 180 degree turn from last night's action filled affair the Rangers won by a score of 6-5.

For the Islanders?...More streaks. ~ After snapping their 14 game losing streak, they've started another streak losing their last two in a row to us, further cementing their place in the NHL cellar.

You can catch up with last night's game blog, opinions about the rivalries with the Islanders and PITT, and everything I've been saying since we lost to the Penguins leading up to these two games HERE "Rivalry On Thin Ice".




Mike.BTB

An Arena Grows In Brooklyn ~ December 2010

This latest look at the BARCLAYS CENTER construction site is as-of December 2, 2010. 
The arena is finally taking form.

Looking west along Atlantic Avenue and 6th Avenue.

The building in the far right of this picture, with the store front over-hangs and flag poles fixed above, is the Atlantic Center Mall.  The exterior was designed to subtly mimic a ball park.  That is the location where Walter O'Malley wanted to build a new Ebbets Field for the Dodgers.  The street behind the wooded fence on the right is Atlantic Avenue.  Flatbush Avenue intersects Atlantic Avenue from this picture's left-to-right.

Along Atlantic Avenue.

Future home of Professional Basketball in Brooklyn.



Here's an ASSIST from http://www.netsdaily.com/

 http://www.netsdaily.com/2010/12/4/1854345/yormark-says-barclays-done-well-before-nba-opening-night-2012#comments

...and another FOUL by http://www.nolandgrab.org/

http://www.nolandgrab.org/archives/2010/12/an_arena_grows_1.html

Brooklyn Nets go to the line for two!

Mike.BTB

An EGG CREAM in Park Slope

EGG CREAM OF THE DAY:


Today's cup of Brooklyn Elixir was purchased in Park Slope; 5th Avenue somewhere near 9th Street.

On the one hand, it was a very good Egg Cream; a tiny-bit on the smoother side than I prefer but still very tasteful.  There was a nice blast of chocolate at the bottom to work with. And don't forget, clear cups are the way to go.

On the other hand, they are not a part of 

"The Egg Cream Society"

...as of yet.

Skepticism ruled their day.

Unfortunate.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ N.Y. Islanders; Rivalry On Thin Ice

N.Y. Rangers ~ This Rivalry Might Be Ice Cold At The Moment, But The BlueShirts Better Be Boiling Mad After
"SID THE SLEW"!


The New York Islanders are dead last in the Atlantic Division; dead last in the Eastern Conference; and dead last in the NHL.  They only have 5 wins and 15 points to their credit this season.  They are one of three teams not to have cracked twenty points so far; the other two being Edmonton, and unbelievably, the New Jersey Devils (18).  Fittingly, the Islanders have scored the second fewest goals in the League with 46.  Do you want to know who's worse with 45 goals scored thus far?  Unbelievably, it's the Devils again.  And how much longer do we anticipate that remaining so?

As a Rangers' fan I find no joy or satisfaction with regards to the Islanders' over-all situation on the ice, in the standings, in the front office and with ownership.  I would like very much for them to remain in the area whether it be in Long Island, Queens or Brooklyn.  I wish them luck; ...Just not tomorrow.

As much as we still revel in our hatred for Dennis Potvin, we fans have a new enemy since those days and I hope this BlueShirt BrotherHood takes out all their frustrations on the Long Islanders in the after-math of "SID The SLEW".  Ranger fans making the trek out to Uniondale tomorrow night will no doubt be mischief making with the "Potvin Sucks" chant in their house, but it's "SID the SNot" who will really be on their/our minds.  The Punk That Saved Pittsburgh...Again; Slew Crosby is still fresh on every-one's minds for the bush play on Ryan Callahan.  Fresh off that debacle against Pittsburgh we now get to play the Islanders in a home-and-home series.  Before the game gets started tomorrow, Ranger fans have been toying with a question. 

Who do we hate more; Sidney Crosby or Dennis Potvin?

Damn it!... I hate them both.

In any case, the Rangers better trek out to Nassau County tomorrow and play in an agitated state of mind.

Thursday; December 2, 2010

New York Rangers

vs.

New York Islanders

Uniondale,  Long Island

Update: 12/2/10 Pre-Game

GAME NIGHT: December 2, 2010 ~ Game One

HOME And HOME Series ~ RANGERS @ ISLANDERS.

AVERY is out of the Cellar...Finally!

Coach Torts made two decisions for tonight's game. 

First, Marty Biron will get the start tonight instead of Henrik Lundqvist.  Coach Torts said he wants to keep Biron fresh as he's been sitting long enough since his last start after playing so well with his opportunities.  Marty Biron is 5-2 this season with a 2.15 Goals Against Average and a .917% Save Average.

The second decision Coach Torts made for tonight 's game was announcing Sean Avery will play on the first line tonight with Marian Gaborik.  Torts admitted Avery's ice time has been minimal while he had him burried on the fourth line this season. But Coach admitted that Sean has played solid Hockey and the move was earned and warranted while hinting other players are under-performing (eh..hem...Frolov).

As you know that is welcome news to me as I've been agitated by the situation between Torts and Avery.

I started the "Free Sean Avery Society" to protest his lack of ice time.  Sean consistently was receiving the 2nd least amount of ice time behind Derek Boogaard, who himself has been out with a bad shoulder.

Now my hopes are he rewards his coach with continued effective play and, yes, he doesn't do anything stupid.  I honestly don't know what he's thinking sometimes but I think he recognizes his sudden responsibility shouldn't be mishandled.

Let's hope that's the case.  But he is...a...good...hockey...player.

The Islanders finally snapped their brutal losing streak after dropping 14 in a row.  Another fun guy to hate, Rick DiPietro will be in goal for the Islanders against his former team-mate from last season, Marty Biron.

It was easy to guess Biron would get the start one of these two games.  Tonight is a natural as Biron is quite familiar playing out on Long Island, then giving Henrik the start tomorrow at home.

FACE-OFF   7 PM

Let's Go Rangers !!

..and Yes!

FIRST PERIOD:

Inspired Hockey!

The Rangers completed a furious period of Hockey.  The first line combination of Gaborik-Christensen-Avery has been outstanding over the first 20 minutes.  The passing has been neat, crisp and quick.  Avery in particular has had a strong game.  His play behind the net has been nothing short of commendable.  Digging hard, working down low he found Christensen in the right circle who converted the pass for the Rangers' first goal.  Ryan Callahan later scored on a delayed penalty after Stepan secured a turnover in the Islander's defensive end for a 2-0 Ranger lead.

**The first eruption of testosterone came early.  Derek Boogaard and Gillies dropped gloves 1:15 into the game.  Boogaard stood his ground with fists up as Gillies circled.  Once they locked jerseys, Boogaard decisively defended his "title".

**Before 5 minutes elapsed in the game the first "Potvin Sucks!" chant could be heard.

For as furious a period the Rangers played in the first nineteen minutes, they cheapened the effort somewhat allowing a soft goal to NYI-Konopka at the 19:11 mark.

Outside of that, The Rangers played a rather intense period of Hockey as the Avery Line shined.

Rangers 2 ~ Islanders 1



SECOND PERIOD:

What happened?  Inspired became lethargic and pathetic! 

The Rangers spent the first seven minutes of the Second Period letting the Islanders tie the game and then allowing them to take the lead.  Including the late First Period goal, the Islanders answered the Rangers with three goals to take a one goal advantage half way through the game.

Goals by NYI ~ Moulson and Schremp highlighted the first half of the Second Period seemingly dominated by the Islanders or just treated with ignorance and apathy by the Rangers.  Either way, it cost Marty Biron his post!  Coach Torts decided to send a very clear message to his team that this kind of play, especially on the heals of a brilliant First Period was not going to be tolerated.  Torts pulled Biron and inserted Henrik into net.

The message was registered by the BlueShirts loud and clear.  Marty Biron was pulled with 7:30 left in the second Period.  The Islanders did not have another shot on goal till there were .27 seconds left in the period.

To further demonstrate Coach Torts' message was duly noted, Prust scored on a deflection with 6:40 left and Gaborik banked one in net from the side with 3:30 left during a Ranger Power Play.

Marty Biron was not the sharpest we've seen him.  The early return on Coach Tort's decision to replace him seems like the right move so far as the Rangers battled back knowing they caused their goalie grief.

Rangers 4 ~ Islanders 3



THIRD PERIOD:

And then things got absurd!

Sean Avery continued to have a superlative night of Hockey causing another turnover and finding Gaborik with a great pass from behind the goal line...again.  The goal coming at 3:31 into the Third period made the score 5-3 Rangers.

Then, NYI-Grabner deflected a shot from the point with 7:31 to go to make the score 5-4 Rangers.  But the League's worst scoring team, coming into tonight, wasn't done.  Less than two minutes later, the Islanders scored again on a puck deflected off Steve Eminger which Henrik Lundqvist couldn't control, that limped over the goal line at the 5:50 mark.

Just like "that", the game was tied.

Tonight however, Sean Avery was not going to be denied.  His stellar game picked a puck from the Islander's pockets along the boards yet again; he found Marian Gaborik yet again; and 25 seconds after having the game tied at five, Gaborik scored, yet again, for a Hat Trick on the night.

With 1:09 left in the Third, the Islanders pulled the goalie who loves to hate us for another skater.  With .04 seconds left the Islanders got off a quality shot against Lundquvist.  But the goalie Ranger fans love to root for made the games' last save and Rick DiPietro's awful night was now officially another loss.

FINAL

NEW YORK RANGERS    6

New York Islanders          5

COMMENTS:  Sean Avery Not only did he reward his Coach with a brilliant effort making his Coach look "smart"; and not only did he not do anything stupid tonight; SEAN AVERY put on a Hockey Clinic tonight!  His score card does not tell a fraction of the story.  He had three assists and a +3 rating for the game.

But tonight Sean Avery was:
* was stopped on an excellent shot on goal.

* great behind the net and goal line.

* great along the boards all night.

* a great passer tonight.

* smart and physical on defense.

* always moving with and without the puck.

* always in position.

And something that can not go under-spoken; Sean Avery was cool, calm and collected.  The Islanders tried baiting him many times tonight.  But Avery could do no wrong tonight!

***************GAME TWO***************

HOME-and-HOME SERIES

Friday; December 3, 2010

New York Islanders

vs.

New York Rangers

Madison Square Garden,  NYC

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Brandon Jacobs "Started" This Big Blue Engine

New York Football Giants: 
It's Time To Crank-Up This Big Blue Mack Truck And Let Brandon Jacobs Drive Again!


Brandon Jacobs kept things respecable while the Giants played an embarrassing first half of Football against the Jaguars last Sunday.  He didn't rush all over the place like Jacksonville did to us for 207 yards, but he kept the Jaguars honest until Justin Tuck snapped the team out of their funk and Big Blue caught up to Jacobs' effort.

Fourteen rushes for 87 yards isn't exactly a John Riggins-like type performance that I think Jacobs can give us, but it was exactly what the Giants needed Sunday.  He was chosen to start this game because Ahmad Bradshaw could not hold on to the ball, despite Ahmad rushing ever closer to 1,000 yards on the season.  Brandon was given back the starting job he originally lost to Ahmad Bradshaw.  He returned to the job he earned and won from Tiki Barber back when...   In NFL years, the old vet Brandon Jacobs, then proceeded to give his team the Big Blue effort Sunday his team asked of him.  He didn't chip off any would-be tackler's helmet paint this game, but he did run with power.

Giant fans, I call you out, to recognize.

Except for one bout of frustration early in the season, he has been nothing short of a model citizen and team mate.  No one wants to give him that credit; much; or out loud.  What ever grudges you have for him once holding out and getting a big contract; for supposedly demanding a trade; for the errant helmet toss;.... Let that all go.

If you want to criticize Jacobs on the grounds of diminished talent ~ In 2008 and 2009 there were injuries to contend with.  What role that played in his sudden loss in ability to hit the holes and "run to daylight", we can certainly discuss.  But this year he is healthy and running quite effectively when given a chance.  He's been limited to an average of about 6 to 8 carries a game this season and for the last month running behind a battered Offensive -Line (keep Bradshaw out of this..he's a different animal and more of a self-creator).  I've called, week-in and week-out, for more carries game-planned for Jacobs.  I firmly believe with more touches this year his performance Sunday would have been that much more crisper and gainful.  It's a simple supposition but undeniably true.  If you have issues with Brandon Jacobs this year, Blame Coach Gilbride.

With a little more attention to detail by Coach Gilbride and less unnecessary passing for most of the first 7 games of the season, Brandon Jacobs could have and would have been even better than he was this last Sunday.  I cringed how Gilbride sets up his run game with the pass.  It's been my never ending crusade to get our running game geared up for the December Football run.  That means running with power behind a healthy O-Line.

All the injuries to the Offensive Line aside, maybe Coach Gilbride is doing just that.  There has been a noticeable trend towards the running game these last two games or so.  Is that because Coach Gilbride is transitioning to December Football or are our Receiving Corps are so diminished, and with Eli's alarming interception rate, Coach Gilbride has little choice?  That's debatable also, because Gilbride and Eli are fearless.  Kevin Boss and Manningham will try to make us think not.

The Giants have announced Brandon Jacobs will be the starting back again this Sunday when the Skins come to town.  Can Brandon Jacobs be the Big Blue version of John Riggins?  Are you feeling me on that?  The Giants need to keep Brandon Jacobs as the feature back and for now, revert to an old formula where Jacobs battered defenses and we changed-up with Bradshaw.

Brandon Jacobs made it very easy for Giant fans to "matter-of-fact-ly" sweep Tike Barber under the rug.  If it were not for Jacobs we wouldn't dismiss Tiki as readily as we do.  We'd still do it, we just wouldn't be as derisive about it.  We all heralded his arrival on the scene.  Brandon Jacobs is the one who got this whole Big Blue Mack Truck's engine running with Horse Power.  He had paint chips flying in Green Bay.  He set the tone right from the outset that dark frigid night a few years ago.

Today, Brandon Jacobs is healthy, willing and able.  It's time this team looks to him again to bust through road blocks, and with luck and a healthy offensive line, Big Blue can roll-on through the December Ride. 

I can't think of a better way to get a pounding start than with a game against our old foe, The Washington Redskins at home.

Then, Ahamd can leave 'em in the dust.





Mike.BTB

N.J. Nets vs. N.Y. Knicks ~ Don't Ignore The Buzz

New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets:  You're Lying If You Don't Believe There's A Different Buzz About This Now.

The naysayers can down-play this all they want.  "They" will point to the fact the 6-11 Nets still play in front of sparse crowds in Newark and to their abysmal record last season.  The Nets also had their off-season hopes unrealized to a large extent while the Knicks overhauled their roster with 10 new players including Amare Stoudemire.  I will cede the fact this is not the sexiest rivalry in the Metro area, the NBA, or in Sports.  I know.  The fact both franchises have struggled mightily in recent years pretty much means both teams and fan bases are starting from scratch in a sense.  The Nets had to dismantle their Conference Championship teams and drifted into obscurity out in the No-Man's MeadowLands.  The Knicks' fan base just wanted to get as far away from the Isiah Thomas Inferno as possible.  Madison Square Garden even "had to" initiate a complete renovation because of the damage wrought by Demolition Zeke.  And of course, the building of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn should not go under-spoken.

Do you see it?  If you don't, you're not looking.  The future of this rivalry is very bright because both teams are loosely tied together in a race to be better; not necessarily better than each-other..., just better as a franchise. 

Knick Fan; Net Fan ~ Win, Win.  You'll see.  It's still a vision.  But things are in place for both franchises to have far better days ahead of them than today's 9-9 and 6-11 editions...(namely Cap Space).

Both teams are headed in positive directions.  I myself think the Nets took a major hit when Rod Thorn stepped down and took the Philly job.  But they are still organizationally sound and now reinvigorated with new owner Mikhail Prokhorov.  Avery Johnson is a damn good coach.  Brett Yormark and Billy King still form a smart front office.  The young players on the court, like Lopez will develop and with ample Cap Space, in time, the roster will be augmented.  Right?  We'll see.  In the mean-time, No Sleep Till Brooklyn.

We know the Knicks; - Zeke we hope.., but can never really know for sure, is in the past (?).  Donnie Walsh is good people to have running things now.   Coach D, Amare and LANDRY FIELDS!... ~ We see what's going on and we like the progress.  Right? (I have my issues with Coach D, but I'm cool).

The possibilities for two years from now are pretty bright IMO.  For the Nets, the Knicks, the fans, two Boroughs and the city as a whole, I see good times ahead as fans and as this rivalry emerges (re-emerges?).

Admit this, the days of considering these teams neighborly will end when the Nets settle in Brooklyn.

By all means let tonight's game between the Knicks and Nets serve as a litmus test to see how warm the water is.  This the first time they will be facing each other on the court since the teams started The BillBoard Wars.  Let's see how the players react to each-other tonight.  Let's gauge crowd reaction too.  We'll see where we are with this thing and build from there, here; tonight.  Why not?  Like I said, both teams are positive forward now, not backwards negative.  Coach Johnson is going to Coach a good game.  Bank on it.
Coach D seems to have all the players' attention and functioning.  The game should be a good one.

You have to admit because of the BillBoard Wars, we've all spoken more about the Nets and the Knicks, together, in the same sentences, in conversations, than I'm willing to bet we ever did before.  Am I right? 

Dolan, the Planned West Side Stadium Wrecker, chose to fight his fight with signage and commercials on his MSG Channels thus far.  Mikhail Prokhorov likes to just tell us what he thinks and it's usually a great listen.  He most recently said he doesn't care to be like the Knicks,  nyet..rather, the Lakers were the team to emulate.  He provides classic stuff.  These mighty men of "power" and wealth can only serve to keep us entertained.

You have to admit, and not ignore the BUZZ to this game and these teams today.  It's a low-level buzz, but a buzz none-the-less. 

What started when Bruce Ratner announced plans to bring the team to Brooklyn was just a flare in the middle of nowhere.  No one ever could get a feel for the news with all the "what ifs".  But, here we are.  I drove by the Barclays site today.  There's steal beams rising like mighty Red Woods. We build from this and keep moving forward.

Enjoy the game and start thinking about this match-up in a different way.

NEW JERSEY NETS

vs.

NEW YORK KNICKS

Madison Square Garden

33rd Street and 7th Avenue

NEW YORK CITY

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Powder Blue Start, Big Blue Finish

New York Football Giants:  Wanna Send A Message?  Try This:
"These Games Are Important!"

Not only did the Giants help themselves by correcting their ill timed two game slide, they received an assist from Chicago as the Bears clipped the PhilaEagles' wings in the Windy City.  Alas, the G-Men share a piece of first place in the NFC East....again. 

I told you last week was survivable.

The Giants beat the Bears earlier this season; We lose to the Eagles; the Bears beat Eagles.  Such as life in the National Football League these days.

So here we are.  And there we almost went.

Being down to the Jags 17-6 in the first half had me in a state of Big Blue Bewilderment.  The Jags' running game plowed through us in the 1st quarter like we weren't even there.  In the 2nd quarter, Garrard tapped into his inner Michael Vick (or even Mark Brunell when he was a young QB) and ran right, then left, then straight past the over-pursuing Blue Cloud into the end zone for a touchdown.  The play goes down in the books as a 5 yard gain for the score.  But he ran loops around us for at least 15 yards before his forward gain.  Ponderous; Simply ponderous!  A lot of 'all of the above' falls on the defensive front four; specifically Osi and Tuck.

Ponderous?  Yes.  But not until half-time, unless chaos is ruling the day, is really when the time bomb starts ticking on a game.  The question is, in thirty minutes can you defuse it, or are things certain to go "BOOM"?

No, I'm not going to do the "Justin Tuck Half-Time Locker Room Speech" thing.  Speeches are cool.  They certainly have their place in the grand scheme of things.  "Boomer" played, he said they serve a purpose (at times..and if the right person makes them).  And if Osi and Tuck felt that's what they needed to do, then fine.

BUT, I do believe in half-time adjustments.  That's the true test of a Coach's staff. 

It's not fair of me to bring Hall of Famers into the mix, but I remember guys like Harry Carson, Reasons and LT making side-line, on-field and in-game adjustments.  I remember Leonard Marshall; rarely fooled and never twice.  I remember Coach Belichick with his markers and board on the side-lines designing, and re-designing DOOM as he went along.  Coach Fox was like that too.  He was crazy like a "Fox" for sure, problem was his guys were undisciplined and crazier.  Jesse Armstead, Keith "The Hammer" Hamilton, Sehorn, and Strahan the Younger, (Dumb-asses they were..1997..), under Coach Fox were still excellent in-game adjusters.  Then if you like, think of Strahan the Elder, pulling and teaching the Tuck/Osi Padawans in '07.  What was that defense all about?  Coach Spags was a great in-game adjuster.  I digress.

But if Coach Fewell, Justin Tuck and Osi needed the confines of the locker-room after a half of Football to make an attitude alteration and inject a little mood management, I'd kindly ask them to come up with a better plan by the time we play Washington.  Harry Carson used to do it with one look and LT implored his team to be "A Bunch of Crazed Dogs", Remember?  My point, it doesn't take a whole half.  And as far as making in-game adjustments, can we please speed that up?  Or, maybe we were spoiled once upon a time?

OK...so the Offense was sputtering along also, with only six 1st half points Sunday.  Phil Simms' offense used to sputter a lot too.  But the Defense always kept things manageable for Phil and the O-Boys.  They used to create short fields for us and provide ample opportunities to hold, run and control the ball on offense.  Joe Morris did it; "Good" O.J. did it too.  What? - Pound the ball...Much Like Brandon Jacobs did Sunday against the Jags.  He did it behind an offensive line decimated by injury, but who's back-ups served up a very clean, penalty free, effective game.  Parcells hated O-Line penalties in particular.  Coach Coughlin will vouch to that.  He was there.

The Giants outscored the Jags 18-3 in the second half much the way Phil Simms used to generate 2nd half offense with a late touchdown to Mark Bavaro.  How many 24-20; 23-17, 23-20; 24-21 games can you remember from those days?  If you're like me, many.  Am I the only one who had this race through his/her mind watching Eli connect on a touchdown pass late in the 4th quarter to Kevin Boss?

I won't lie and tell you that I didn't think about these things Sunday.  It just seemed oddly familiar, how once we struggled for points while the defense held things together and through the running game and a timely pass or two won games in the second halves of games employing this very formula..  But that was then and this is now.  The way the defense came out for the 2nd half against the Jaguars just reminded me of so many games I remember seeing before; - The whole game actually including all the angst.  Phil was frustrating too if you recall.  Mario Manningham; Lionel Manuel....Anyone?    *sigh*

The NFL is a different animal these days though.  It's been 20 and 25 years since XXI and XXV.

Some things haven't changed since then, like making 2nd half adjustments.  But parity is more pervasive today than in those days and the League is much more unpredictable (hence 2007).  When the defense clamps down and allows 3 points the rest of the way like the Giants' D did Sunday, does the ends justify the means?  Maybe for a day against an AFC opponent, it took a whole half of Football to adjust.  Making teams adjust to us is an offensive conversation to be had in the next posting of mine.

For now what we should be taking away from Sunday's effort is something as old as Football itself.  Coach Fewell, Osi and Tuck chose their own, NEW way, of reminding us all it's not how you start more than it's how you finish.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ King Henrik Reigns Again

Broadway Blueshirts Are Tired But Inspired In Support of Their Liege.

After an abysmal game against Tamp Bay, the Rangers collectively tightened up their game and finished their road trip with two very well played games against the Florida Panthers and the Nashville Predators.

Henrik, who had been win-less in his last three starts entering Friday night's game versus Florida, rebounded from a couple of forgettable performances, along with his teammates, and shout-out the Panthers 3-0.  The Blueshirts and their King followed that up with a very gritty performance against the Predators, who put 40 shots on goal last night, and won in shoot-out for a 2-1 final score.  The last shot for the Predators during the shoot-out was gloved by Henrik at point blank range.  The Lundqvist "fist pump" after stopping that shot was a signal to his team that The King is back. 

Brandon Dubinsky was the first off the bench to thank, congratulate and hug his goalie.  And why not?  After logging an exhausting 25:44 of ice time playing superb hockey, Dubinsky as much as Henrik or anyone dressed in Blue last night, deserved the victory.  They needed all of the 65 minutes played and a goal by Christensen in the shoot-out to log their 9th road win versus 4 losses.

The Predators got on the scoreboard first.  Dan Girardi couldn't handle a pouncing puck in the Ranger zone. Nashville pounced on it and capitalized on the turnover.  A Ryan Callahan deflection from the slot off a Christensen pass from the top right corner found net to tie the game in the second period..  From that goal on, the Rangers played as smartly, intensely and as wily as they've played all year.

In the drubbing they suffered against the Lightning, the Rangers were skating like turtles in sand.  Outside of a respectable third period...yea, it was that bad.  But what is separating this team from previous years is their resiliency.  They may have been dog-tired but this group is mentally strong and they dug deep within themselves and left nothing in reserve the last two games, so much so, Coach Torts smiled at reporters while speaking about his guys.  Imagine that.  A year ago, maybe we lose this game to Nashville.  So, like Torts, I'm smiling too.

Now the Rangers get to bring their tired bones back to New York in preparation for the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow.


NOTES:  Vinny Prospal was travelling with the team on the trip and is expected back soon.  Marian Gaborik, whom Coach Torts called on to be better, while playing an engaging game against Florida, sat out last night with the flu.  Let's hope that doesn't get around.  Michal Rozsival is also back and played last night.



Mike.BTB

PIGSKIN ~ WEEK 12 ~ Big Blue Needs To Play Like GIANTS!

My Thanksgiving Day picks didn't go too well.  I went 1-2 and that leaves me +22 for the season.


The WEEK 12 Bagel Roll-Out:
(Saturday's NYDN Line)


Jaguars +7 (GIANTS)
The Giants have too many injuries to overcome.  This game might come down to a last minute field goal.  In any case take the points.  (See more below in the Giants game).
WIN ~ 24-20 Giants

REDSKINS -1 (Vikings)
When it rains it pours.  The Vikings are in a state of chaos.
LOSS ~ 17-13 Vikings

Steelers -6 1/2 (BILLS)
I don't care how many points Buffalo has been scoring.  The Steeler defense won't let the Bills get within 7 points.
LOSS ~ 19-16 Steelers  o.t.

Titans +6 1/2 (TEXANS)
Vince Young went mentally limp again and is now out for the season with a hand injury.  That makes this game tough to call.  But then I remembered how many points the Texans are giving up with the 5th or 6th worse defense in Football.
LOSS ~ 20-0 Texans

BROWNS -10 (Panthers)
I haven't gotten a Browns game right all year.  The Panthers are pitiful on offense and have all but quit on themselves.  Only turnovers can keep the Panthers within 10 points.
LOSS ~ 24-23 Browns

Bucs +8 (RAVENS)
This isn't the Ravens defense from 10 years ago.  I think The Ravens win but the Bucs will stay in the game and within the spread.  Heck, they might even win this game.
WIN ~ 17-10 Ravens

Eagles -3 1/2 (BEARS)
If Vegas doesn't like the Bears at home, then neither do I.  I never had much respect for the Bears this season anyway.
LOSS ~ 31-26 Bears

FALCONS -2 (Packers)
I like the Falcons at home.  I think the Falcons have had a harder time playing their division than the Packers have had in theirs.  That should be good enough for a 3 point win at home.
WIN ~ 20-17 Falcons

RAIDERS -3 (Dolphins)
After getting blown-out by PITT last week, it's time to get right back on the Raiders' wagon.  I'll take it a step further...I like the Raiders BIG.
LOSS ~ 33-17 Dolphins

Chiefs -1 1/2 (SEAHAWKS)
I haven't given the Chiefs much respect.  Versus the Seahawks...it's time I did.
WIN ~ 42-24 Chiefs

Rams +4 (BRONCOS)
This game is a field goal but Broncos win.  Rams have been staying relatively close in their games.
WIN ~ 36-33 Rams

Chargers +3 (Colts)
Peyton has had to work way too hard keeping his team in contention.  Rivers is great in closing minutes of games.  I like the Chargers winning outright.  They always play the Colts tough.
WIN ~ 36-14 Chargers


That's 12 Bagels into the oven.


SHMEAR of the WEEK: (8-1 this season on the Shmear)
Steelers -6 1/2 (BILLS)
LOSS!!



Post Game Results:
*Early games ~ I sucked.
*I remain perfect picking Cleveland ~ I haven't gotten a game right yet!
*Buffalo took PITT to O.T. ?  C'mon!  I lost the Shmear pick.  That hurts!  That's a -3 Bagel game for me.
*The TITANS was a miserable pick.
*Respect the Chiefs.
*I nailed the Falcons game didn't I?
*I was wrong with Oakland...BIG!
*How'ya like that Rams pick...huh?

*I changed 3 picks yesterday before I published.  I won't say which games...but I lost all three.  The lesson learned is - "Think Long ~ Think Wrong!"


I lost 4 BAGELS this afternoon to make me +18.  I'm sitting 5-6 going into the night game.  I need victory in the S.D. vs IND game to break even for the week (Shmear aside).

Chargers win.  I finish the day 6-6 and +19.





New York Football Giants:
Stop Turning The Ball Over and Turn This Around!

Forget the NFC West!  Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago are all leading their divisions.  The Saints are 8-3.  The Bucs are 7-3.  The Packers are 7-3.  Only now, we can start talking about the 6-4 Giants.  Unfortunately the Giants have turned this Sunday's game into a must win.

After losing two games in a row within the division by a combined score of 60-37, The Giants can't afford to let this game go sour for them.  The Jaguars have won their last three games and have new life in their division.

Eli will be without Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith.  The Giant's O-Line is still without Shane Andrews, Shaun O'Hara and David Diehl.  Ahmad Bradshaw lost his starting job to Brandon Jacobs who's been largely underutilized.

This game will have to be won on the arm of Eli Manning of whom I have "no idea" who will be receiving his pass attempts.  Mario Manningham and (Kevin Boss) are now the only two guys the Jags need to worry about.  Brandon Jacobs will also have to give the Giants a ground attack which this team desperately needs this week in light of the injuries to the receivers.  The Defense will have to be flat-out dominant and cause a couple of turnovers of their own in order to give the Giants a chance to win.  And lastly, please, the turnovers need to be corrected.

Can the Giants survive two more losses this season and still have hopes of making the playoffs?  I doubt it; not with the three teams I mentioned who are ahead of them in the Wild Card standings.

The Giants still have many healthy big name players on Defense who, without a doubt, need to step up this week and have supreme individual efforts.  Yes, the Defense needs to win this game for us.  We just can't have Eli and turnovers lose it.

Jacksonville Jaguars  20

NEW YORK GIANTS   24

FINAL

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Giants ~ Now Fighting To Stay Alive

New York Football Giants:
The Time To Be Great Has Passed, Now We Must Go Into Survival Mode.


With last week's loss to the Eagles, this season can no longer be great.  It can turn out well.  This season can still be called a good one when it's all over.  We'll see.  It just stopped having the potential to be great and the Giants have no one to blame but themselves.  The Giants have 6 games left to separate themselves from the also-rans of this League.  They must get healthy and correct their propensity to turn the ball over quickly in order to re-enter the conversation regarding the Conference's best teams.  But last time we looked, "Great" was leaving the building.

The playoffs are another matter.  Of course a playoff run can always be great.  I'm talking about the scheduled games in hand.  And this year's tablet has officially been depreciated.  All is not lost; not by a long shot - not yet anyway.  However, the question I'm starting to ponder is will 10 wins be good enough to make the playoffs?  If you answered no, then 11 and 12 total wins are needed from this moment out.  We currently have six wins with six to play.  Going 4-2 over the next 6 games gets the Giants to 10-6.  You can start driving yourself crazy trying to figure out the win-loss-win-loss game............Now.

Turnovers have been this team's downfall.  Eli Manning has his name attached to a great many of them.  But he isn't likely going to be asked to sit now is he?  No.  With Ahmad Bradshaw however, turnovers have now cost him his starting job.  Brandon Jacobs will return to his long-lost role as the feature back.  Fans aren't coming down too badly on Bradshaw because..., well, we like his maximum effort.  But he's coughed the ball up too many times this season, (six times), and we all recognize the change is warranted.  What this really means is questionable.  Just because Jacobs is getting the start doesn't mean Bradshaw still won't get the majority of the carries.  Ahmad Bradshaw has been doubling the touches given to Brandon all season.

Brandon Jacobs has only been averaging about 8 carries a game.  I've long been calling for Coach Gilbride to increase Jacobs' rushing attempts because as December neared, he'd be more important to the over-all running game and cold weather ball control.  We are now about to see how well or how badly Coach Gilbride has managed Brandon Jacobs' playing time.  Whether Coach is about to double or even triple Brandon's carries still remains to be seen.  Maybe Coach Coughlin is maintaining a bigger say in this situation than I currently understand.  Maybe Coach Coughlin will be sending a rather intense message to Ahmad Bradshaw this Sunday and restrict his touches.  Again, we'll see.  My overwhelming question is, has Coach Gilbride finally met his mistake in the face by under utilizing Brandon Jacobs, in my opinion, and left him under-prepared to carry the load this Sunday?  It seems my obsessive compulsion to champion Brandon Jacobs' cause this season is coming to a head this week.  I hope everyone who's been following me on this realizes this hasn't been a Man-Crush type Brandon push.  It's what I thought all along was necessary for the Giants.  With all that said, there is no escaping Jacobs and Bradshaw combined, only ran the ball 17 times for 39 yards against the Eagles last week.

Now that Brandon Jacobs is going to be the starting back again, it really couldn't come at a worse time as the Offensive-Line is riddled with injuries.  Last game there was nothing to turn to.  I credit Coach Gilbride for trying to establish the run against the Eagles, but is was clear to all, the Giants were getting ineffective run blocking from the Line.

To compound the Giants injury woes, the receiving corps. are now equally decimated.  Eli Manning's true go-to guy, Steve Smith, is out.  Ramses Barden is now out for the year also.  Mario Manningham isn't enough to detract attention away from Hakeem Nicks like Smith was.  Nicks can now be double-teamed with confidence.  Reflective of the struggles it's been for the deep and talented bunch of receivers and Eli is the fact he is tied for the League lead in TD passes and also has the 2nd most INT's in the League.

...And silly me, Hakeem Nicks is out too.

I said the loss to the Eagles was survivable.  But I hope Big Blue has been practicing their skills this week.  Their fight for life starts Sunday afternoon against a different kind of animal in the Jaguars.


Only the strong survive.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers ~ Struck By Lightning In Florida; Panthers Next

NYRangers ~ Wednesday night's first game of two in the Sunshine State didn't go so hot:

Things didn't go so hot for the Rangers in Tampa Wednesday and after the game Coach was pretty steamed.  I don't blame him either.  The final in Tampa was 5-3 but that's deceptive.  It wasn't that close.  The Rangers could do nothing to get in Tampa's way and Henrik Lundqvist paid the price for them

It looked as if the Rangers were skating with cement shoes for most of the 60 minutes against Tampa.  Lightning skaters kept streaking past Ranger players on their way to the net and harassing Henrik Lundqvist.
Harass him they did; in two's, three's, four's and five's.  They descended upon the crease like ants upon fallen ice cream in the playground.  They bumped Henrik, hit him; knocked him over and with ease and frequency, scored on Henrik.  As the Lightning skated by us and broke some ankles along the way, they put on a passing clinic and put 5 pucks past Lundqvist in two lopsided periods.

There was a point when it appeared certain Henrik would be pulled and Biron inserted "back" in net.  But Henrik and Torts seemed to work that out as he stayed in and finished the game.  The fact is Henrik had zero help from anyone dressed in blue last night.  With a look around, pigeons could be seen landing on the shoulders of numerous Ranger players.  They were that lethargic.  It seemed as if they were skating in place when viewed against the Lightning's tempo.

That's what had Coach Torts so angry.  Henrik was a one man team against the Lightning's best players with his defense offering little to no help in front of him and, where Tampa's best players were impacting the game in a most positive way, the Rangers' top players were as effective as trying to break down a door with a pillow.

After the game, Coach Torts had little problem insinuating Marian Gaborik needed to play like this team's star along with others needing to pulling their weight.  Coach Torts let Henrik stay in the game as he put the full blame of 5 goals on the defensive effort and it's shortcomings.  And Coach Torts also killed any notion the beat-writers might have had as they eluded to a possible looming goalie controversy.  He demanded a media member not create something that doesn't exist..(regarding a goalie controversy).  Before Q&A ended with Torts, he did offer the other side of the coin saying he is well aware some of his guys are dog-tired.

The Rangers will be taking on the Florida Panthers today on Black Friday and the question I think that might be on a lot of fan's minds is who will get the start in net against the Panthers?  I have no problem with giving Biron another start, but I think what's best right now is if we ride Henrik through a rough patch on the road and, as Torts, eluded, get him straightened out.

After coming down with the "flu" and missing a few games, Henrik came back with a stellar performance in his first game back but followed that up with a stinker versus Colorado.  This performance against the Lightning was his first start in a couple of games while Biron was shining; result...another stinker.

Marty Biron has been great as the "back-up".  He has won five games and four in a row (5-1 record).  Since the time Henrik got sick, Biron has been simply stellar.  It's only natural a reporter would ask about the goalie situation.  He just used the wrong line of questioning and Torts nailed him on semantics.  While Biron has been very solid in net, we all know Henrik is the starting goalie around here.

Hopefully Black Friday only has relevance to Holiday bargain shoppers and doesn't signify another dark night in Florida for the New Yawkers.  A game against the Panthers like the one they just played against the Lightning and Torts might be inspired to make the Blueshirts skate all the way to Nashville for their next match-up against the Predators.




Mike.BTB

PIGSKIN ~ Thanksgiving Day Picks

I'd like to extend well wishes to everyone and

a Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!

Among the many things I'm thankful for,

I'm additionally thankful to all who ever stopped by and spent time reading my posts

 or just perused through my blog page. 

Your kind words and comments are greatly appreciated.

Pigskin Holiday Picks:

(Wednesday NYDN Line)

I'm +23 Bagels for the season.  Three more Bagels headed into the oven.

Patriots -7 (LIONS)

I know; Never bet against the Lions on Thanksgiving at home.  But I think the Pats can cover the 7 points.  The Patriots have scored the most points in the NFL.  Detroit is scoring points on a pace equal with how many they've given up.  The Pats should be 8 points better.
WIN ~ 45-24 Patriots

Saints -3 1/2 (COWBOYS)

The other home underdog will also lose.  The Cowboys' sloppy play from earlier in the season will rear it's ugly head again when the Saints go marching through Dallas.  Bad habits and poor attitudes just don't go away like "that" in two weeks.  Tomorrow will be a certain step backwards for the Boys.
LOSS ~ 30-27 Saints

Bengals +9 1/2 (JETS)

The Jets have been riding a magic carpet ride the last three games with two O.T. wins and a last minute thriller.  Last week the Jets allowed the Texans to get back into a game they were firmly in control of.  The Defense has left a little to be desired lacking a pass rush.  I know the Bengals can't run the ball well, but they're still scoring points.  I think the Jets will win but I don't see them winning by 10.  There's something in the back of my mind screaming UPSET.  I'm trying to ignore it.  After three nail biters, they are due for a stinker; a real befuddling loss.  Why?  Parity.
LOSS ~ 26-10 Jets


Have a glorious day!


After Game Comments:
* OK  I went 1-2 on the day.  Whatever..  The down-tick drops me to +21 for the season.
* The NFL's top scoring team just tacked on another 45 points today.  The Patriots are now 9-2.
* The Saints almost lost to Reggie Bush!  C'mon!
* The Bengals really suck!  ..and the J-E-T-S are now 9-2....also!
* The next Jets/Pats game is going to be insane!! (WEEK 13)

PIGSKIN WEEK 12 Sunday Bagels will be ready Saturday.

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Knicks ~ You Don't Spell N.Y. With A Number

With 5 seconds left and the Knicks holding on to their precarious lead over the Bobcats, Amare Stoudemire lost his front uniform number.  But if you were watching, we all know his number was 6 tonight; six blocked shots.  Throw in his 20 points scored and 4-4 at the free throw line; including two clutch FTs to keep the Knicks ahead late, and what you have is "ONE" guy who is leading in word and deed.  He has been more The Man in character, player, and competitor than I ever gave him credit for (not necessarily written here).

I will say it now; I was one of the skeptical ones regarding Amare Stoudemire upon his signing.  If the first 16 games of the season are any indication, I couldn't have been more wrong regarding the magnitude of Amare's game, intensity, accountability and tonight specifically, his defense.

Since the night Amare challenged his teammates to elevate their games, the Knicks have won 5 in a row.

Of course we still know he can't do this by himself.  But more and more we are seeing the over-all Knickerbocker package in an improved state versus what we used to suffer for so long.  Players on this team are emerging into roles and filling them nicely.  There is an increasing cohesion and meshing of the 10 new players on this year's Knicks team. 

This 5 game streak should be viewed as nothing more than a five game streak in mid-November.  I myself am stuck on the fact we have no inside defense.  We still have a welcome mat in the paint.  And we often get out-rebounded.  You need a "Big Man" for that.  But that's a problem for tomorrow.  Tonight, the Knicks improved. 

They've been improving from game to game.  They are improved from last year and they are improved from three and five years ago.  This Knicks team is an improvement from almost a decade ago.

Forget the number missing from Amare's uniform tonight.  He'll be the first to tell you what's important now is that the uniform says NEW YORK and they're playing like a team.

...Number One, is alright by me. 

Let's keep improving.



Mike.BTB