Getting back to what they Used to be

I like the Yankees most recent move. Last week they acquired outfielder Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox. This move was good for a variety of reasons. They need a center fielder, Melky Cabrera just wasn't cutting it, even though he was a great defensive player, he couldn't hit if they'reaying with a beach ball. I always defended him saying they don't need his offense because they have so much fire power around him, he doesn't need to hit .300 and hit 20 home runs. He has good speed and a great arm out in center field. This also solves the problem of Johnny Damon playing center. Now, I have always liked Damon. He is a hard nosed player who will; do anything to win, anything to get the job done. If it means crashing into the wall, or bunting in a crucial situation, he is a player who is team first, then himself. They can now put him in left field/DH him.

I like the move of Nick Swisher because he is a player that is similar to the old Yankee tradition. Back when they won all those titles, from 1996-2000. They didn't have many star players, but they played great as a team, had great chemistry in the club house, and just looked like they just gelled well together. Swisher can help that, because that's what kind of player he is. HE may not be an all star, or put up Alex Rodriguez type numbers, but he is a player who wants to win, and will do it at any way possible.

This is a big year for the Yankees coming up. They recently just had Mike Mussina retire, which if it wasn't for him they might have had a just barely .500 record. The past few years have been dominated by the Red Sox and most recently, the Tampa Bay Rays. They need to start contending and beating these teams out in close games. They have to much talent not to in, I just don't understand. The front office needs tostart getting players who are not going to the hall of fame because of their own stats, but because of players that put the team first. I'm glad they got rid of Jason Giambi, He didn't really do much, and ever since he was accused of steroids he was never the same player. I'm just hoping that the 2009 season will not be a faliure, and the playoffs can be brought back to New York.

1st placeee

Well the Jets have finally done it. They have beaten the evil Patriots and have a 1 game lead in the division. Even though I couldn't watch the game on TV because the NFL network and NFL in general needs more money, I listened to it on the radio and watched a play by play on NFL.com. The Jets first half was almost perfect but I knew they would let the Pats back in it, just because well, I'm a Jets fan its expected. I knew the Patriots were really going to get back into it when Matt Cassell who I have been very impressed with as of late, took his team down the field with ease and scored a touchdown before the half. At that point I knew this was going to be a game.

After the first half this game did look like a blow out. The defense has improved, The offensive line, and Brett Farve was just the missing piece of the puzzle to this scheme. Farve has really calmed it down and followed the Jets orders in just getting what needs to be down, getting first downs, moving the chains, and when they need it using his big time arm picking up gains of 40-50 yards, something Chad Pennington couldn't ever do.

All in all I am happy with this season as of now (despite the fact they should be 8-2 that loss to the Raiders killed me). The defense is really coming together making huge stops and is led by nose guard Chris Jenkins who is just a plug in the middle stopping the run game. The running game has been surprising as well as Thomas Jones has really stepped it up to what I thought after last season was a bad signing, has come out and proven himself. He had 3 touchdowns all of last years, and now has 10 putting him into the top three in the league for rushing touchdowns. Now the next game will be tough when the face the Titans who are undefeated. This will be a great game and who knows maybe the Jets have what it takes.

The Main Event...TN!

Tonight is a night I haven been looking forward to all week. The Patriots will host the J-E-T-S in New England. I have been waiting for this game because in their first meeting, the Jets lost 19-10. however, this time around they have a better shot because Brett Farve is getting used to the offense, the defense seems to be clicking, and the Jets just seem to have some momentum going into this game. Leon Washington is looked at as a big part in the Jets offense and should be a player to watch tonight.

In the past the Patriots have owned the Jets. Kerry Rhodes, the Jets safety has even gone on record saying, " The Patriots are like a bully for us, they push us down, we push back but they always find a way to win." This statement is so true and it feels like the Jets are always one step behind the Pats. No matter how bad or good the Patriots are, they always seem to find a way to beat the Jets. Now with Tom Brady out, they Jets need to capitalize on this opportunity. They need to pull this game out and capture first place in the AFC East, which is heating up with competition as of late.

Even the the coaches have some history. Eric Mangini, defensive coordinator for New England for a number of years, is now head coach of the Jets. He has come so close, but Bill Bellicheck just always finds a way to win, even if it means cheating as the Jets caught them doing last season. I will give them credit where credit is due, the Patriots are a great team, but CHEATING has definitely helped them.

I guess everyone is a Dolphins fan

Apparently the Miami Dolphins are winning the AFC East. They are the best team in the division coming off a one win season. Are these guys on ESPN stupid or what. I can't stand watching these idiots sit there and give their opinions that are usually wrong. Or how when they "predict" who the winner will be for each division they pick the Dolphins every single time. My question is why?

Being a Jet fan I guess I am a little biased wanted to see my team by at the top of the list. But even I know that the Patriots and Bills have just a good of chance to be that team. But the Dolphins? Give me a break please. They have improved a lot I will give them that but to be the division champs I really don't know where they get this information from. For years Chad Pennington was the Jets quarterback, and for years he was never even considered in the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. Now they are making him out to be this John Elway, Troy Aikman like QB. Guys, take it easy half the time he doesn't even get the snap because their doing that wildcat offense which coaches after a while will figure out. NFL players and head coaches will catch on to it soon enough and will put a stop to it. The only good team the Dolphins have even beaten so far is the Partiots, which was pretty convincing. However, they have lost to teams who are competitive.

I'm just so sick of everyone jumping on this team's bandwagons just because they "like their style" of play. That is the worst excuse an ESPN analyst can have. How bout the Jets and Bilsl winning games against good teams or the Patriots currently in first place even after losing both Tom Brady and their running back. It's time for these guys to wake up and actually pay attention to what is going on. If the Dolphins really do come in first place or make the playoffs, I guess I will be the idiot.

Cortaca

So Cortaca is right around the corner. I can't wait for it. This will be my first Cortaca experience and from just hearing stories from everyone in the past it sounds like an absolute blast. Starting from Thursday and ending on Sunday, I've heard that the whole weekend is really amazing and its only 5 days away! This year should be even better, considering its at Cortland, both Cortland and Ithaca have great records in 8-0 and 7-1, and it is the 50 year anniversary of the whole event. I will finally get to see what the rivalry is all about, and I will get a first hand experience as to what everyone has been talking about for the 3 years I have been in college. I have even helped design and make a t-shirt for one of my friends which is another part of the whole event. Some of the t-shirts I have seen are really creative and its all part of the weekend to, making the rivalry more personal.

One thing though that I am mad about is that we only have this event once a year. We have a gorgeous brand new stadium and the only time really the whole school shows up is for this Cortaca game. When I say really show up i mean its impossible to find a seat. The other thing is, I have friends that go to division one schools such as Penn State, Florida State, etc. This is like a every weekend thing for them, tailgating, the drinking, the wearing everything you can for your team. Plus the stadium holds up 50,000 people which I dont even want to start thinking about how these places get on game day.

I am truly jealous of my friends who do get to experience their "Cortaca" every weekend. But for now, I will enjoy my own weekend of excitement and partying for that this is the biggest D3 game in the nation. Should be a great game to watch this year.

The Knicks...

Basketball used to be a great sport. I could actually watch the games and enjoy them. I even would get into it and used to be a Knicks fan and would follow the schedule along with individual stats and standings. Now, I cant even watch a full quarter anymore. Basketball to me has just turned into these superstars who are just playing for the paycheck, chucking up shots whenever possible. The Knicks, our New York Knicks playing in one of the best sports arenas in the country in Madison Square Garden are absolutely horrendous and have been that way for a number of years.

It started when Isiah Thomas took over the team. Who then became the head coach which was the worst decision ever. He was also accused on a sexual harassment charge but that's besides the point. The draft selections after all these losing seasons haven't produced shit and have all pretty much been duds. You would think as a fan after finishing in last place for so many seasons in a row, they would at least get a decent player in all these years of losing. Not the Knicks, they managed to mess that up as well which is pretty embarrassing that they can't even get a superstar that us as New York fans actually care about.

It's not just the Knicks however, the NBA in my opinion is just focused around a bunch of superstars and the word "team" doesn't even exist anymore. You hear of Kobe Bryant and Lebron James two players with enormous talent. If you can name the other starting 4 players besides James on the court I would be amazed because all you hear about is him. I just hope one day basketball can resort to what it used to be, and be a game I can someday watch again.