As many of you have already heard, the word out of Denver is that WR Brandon Marshall has demanded to be traded. He informed owner Pat Bowlen sometime last week, and met with Bowlen on Monday, saying that he would accommodate his request. This marks the second franchise player that has demanded a trade from Denver in the past four months. The well publicized trade demands of former Broncos QB Jay Cutler resulted in a move to Chicago for him.

You gotta think that the Giants are making a phone call to Denver as I write this article to at least kick the tires and see what it will take to get Marshall. He is a tremendous talent who has caught more than 100 passes over the past two seasons. However, he is probably just as big a malcontent as former Giants wide-out Plaxico Burress, which you have to think will be a factor in the Giants decision making. Let’s also factor in that Marshall, much like Braylon Edwards and Anquan Boldin, is also in the market for a new contract. Can the Giants really afford to spend 10 million dollars on a guy who will most likely be a headache for them? I’d say yes, but you never know.

With all of this in mind though, I have really started to anticipate the Giants not making any moves and just hedging on the fact that someone out of the group of Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Sinorice Moss will step up and be that big play receiver that the Giants so badly missed at the end of last season. I also think that they feel as if Hakeem Nicks has the ability to do so as well, but to place that much emphasis on him as a rookie receiver is foolish, especially in the NFL these days. This puts a ton of pressure on Eli Manning to channel his inner Tom Brady and make the receivers around him better instead of having his receivers making him look good much like Burress did throughout his time with the Giants. I think Eli is up to the challenge, especially after the strides he made last season as a quarterback.

You also have to think that the Jets are  front and center getting ready0 to pounce on Marshall. They are already in serious discussions with Drew Rosenhaus about Plax, so why wouldn’t they at least find out what it would take to get Marshall. At least you can count on Marshall playing this season. It would allow them to slide Jerricho Cotchery to the second receiver’s spot, where he is much better suited, and then they can also use a guy like Chansi Stuckey or David Clowney as the third receiver. This would also considerably ease the burden on Mark Sanchez to dominate out of the gate. Remember what Plax and Marshall did for Eli, Ben Rothlisberger, and Cutler.

My bet is on the Jets to pick up Marshall, especially with Plax’s legal situation, but as a Giants fan, I hope that they at least make an attempt. They are only one great receiver away from being the odds on favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Posted in NFL - Giants, NFL - Jets, Writer - Christian Chiavetta

I just came across a great link from the Daily News‘ website, which was put up about three months ago. It’s a slideshow of the greatest plays in Big Apple Sports History, encompassing all the tri-state area teams in the four major sports. Keep in mind it’s the greatest “plays” not the  ” greatest moments”. So, if you were looking for “Yankees win 26th world title” or “Rangers break 54 year championship drought” you won’t find it. But you will find “Jim Leyritz Game 4 1996 World Series HR ” and “Richter stops Bure on Penalty Shot Game 4 1994 Cup Finals.”

Interestingly, the Daily News does not attempt to rank the events, but lists them in reverse chronological order. This brings up an interesting question: Can we rank the greatest plays in BAS history?

It’s a hard task, especially considering team biases, and considering I am too young to have experienced many of those moments. And I think that’s a big factor. You have to have experienced watching that play or in being in attendance of that play to be able to judge it.

So, the best I can do is rank the top plays within the last 15 years (so no earlier than 1994)

Here’s my Top 5:

5.  Jason Arnott’s double OT goal to win 2000 Stanley Cup Finals (vs. Dallas Stars)

Look at me giving the Devils some DAP!  But seriously, an overtime goal to win a championship?!? It was a dramatic play and a terrific way to end a hockey season.

4.  Aaron Boone’s Walk off Homer sends Yanks to 2003 World Series (Yankees vs. Red Sox)

Yankees. Red Sox. World Series Implications. Boston Chokes.  Can it get better than that?

3.  Stephane Matteau’s OT Goal Game 7 1994 Eastern Conference Finals ( Rangers vs. Devils)

Howie Rose on WFAN:  “Matteau swoops in to intercept. Matteau behind the net, swings it in front. HE SCORES! MATTEAU!! MATTEAU!! MATTEAU!! STÉPHANE MATTEAU!!”

2.  Scott Brosius Homer Game 5 2001 WS (Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks)

One of the most improbable of sports feats occuring for the second time in consecutive nights.  Everyone in NY knows where they were when Scott Brosius homered of Byung-Hyun Kim.

1. David Tyre’s Catch in Super Bowl XLII (Giants vs. New England Patriots)

The defining moment in what is arguably the greatest Super Bowl Game ever. “The catch”  had everything: suspense, surprise, and a tremendous athletic play.

Posted in MLB - Mets, MLB - Yankees, NBA - Knicks, NBA - Nets, NFL - Giants, NFL - Jets, NHL - Devils, NHL - Islanders, NHL - Rangers, Writer - Tim Sharobem

I am fully aware that it takes three years to properly evaluate a team’s draft class.  But I don’t feel like waiting three years, so let me give my preliminary breakdown on how I think the Giants fared:

Giants

• Round 1: Hakeem Nicks, WR - I’m not in love with Nicks, especially upon hearing that he gained 14 pounds between the Combine and Pro Day (although that is partially attributable to a hamstring injury).  But at #29, he is a good combination of value and need for the Giants.  Scouts Inc. says, “Nicks gained 14 pounds between the combine and his pro day and that is reason for concern. However, we still believe he has the ability to make an immediate contribution. He doesn’t have great initial quickness, but he shows good footwork getting in and out of his breaks, and he isn’t going to get pushed around by corners. Nicks also flashes fly-trap hands and the ability to make spectacular catches. His catch during the Meineke Car Care Bowl was one of the year’s most impressive.”
• Round 2: Clint Sintim, LB - Another good combination of value and need.  The Giants defense is very strong, but the linebacker unit is probably the weakest on the team.  Sintim is a big, physical player who will be yet another pass rushing threat to the Giants already deep rush.  Scouts Inc. says, “Sintim’s going to have a hard time matching up with tight ends and running backs and there are also concerns about his instincts. The good news is that at 256 pounds, he’s big enough to set the edge and does a good job using his long arms to keep blockers off his frame. He’s also an effective pass-rusher who can put his hand in the dirt and rush off the edge.”
• Round 2: William Beatty, OT - I am a firm believer in building strong trenches, along the offensive and defensive lines.  Beatty will not start right away, but should be a serviceable reseve.  And anyone who watched the Giants play last year knows that the line sufffered when right tackle Kareem McKenzie was injured and Kevin Boothe was playing in his place.  Boothe was atrocious last year (Remember when the Cowboys sacked Eli 8 times last year?  Give Boothe credit for most of those.) so Beatty should be an upgrade.  Some mocks had Beatty as a potential first round pick, so getting him at 60 looks like good value to me.  Scouts Inc. says, “Beatty has all the tools; he possesses the length and agility to be a consistent pass-blocker. However, there are major concerns because Beatty is physically underdeveloped at this point. He could have problems anchoring against more powerful defensive ends at the NFL level.”
• Round 3: Ramses Barden, WR - I never heard of this guy until yesterday, but all I needed to hear was his measurables: 6-foot-6.  Am I the only one thinking Plaxico Jr. here?  He won’t produce like Plax, but I also doubt he will shoot himself in the leg at Latin Quarters.  Might be a risky pick, but for the third round it’s a worthy gamble.  Scouts Inc. says, “Barden possess rare size for the WR position (6-foot-6, 229 pounds). He also has adequate speed considering his size. The thing we like most about him is his body control and his ability to go up and high-point the football. However, we have some slight concerns about his ability to get separation because he struggles to stay low coming out of his breaks.”
• Round 3: Travis Beckum, TE - We’re at the point now where I know very little about the prospects being drafted, so I’ll hand it off to Scouts Inc. for most of the picks.  “Beckum’s speed could jump out at you on film. He has the burst teams covet in a receiving tight end and the speed to run by most linebackers. There’s also a lot to like about the way he catches the ball and he runs hard after the catch. However, there are concerns about his durability and overall toughness.”
• Round 4: Andre Brown, RB - “Brown possesses a nice combination of size and speed. He also is a shifty runner who can be extremely tough to tackle when entering the open field. We also love his finish as a runner.”
• Round 5: Rhett Bomar, QB - Now this is a guy I am familiar with.  He was a very, very highly touted recruit coming out of high school.  He was projected to be a great quarterback for Oklahoma, but was kicked off the team after taking a phony job at a car dealership, where he was basically paid to do nothing.  Obviously the tools were there at some point in his career, so nabbing him in the 4th round could be a nice coup.  He obviously will never start as long as Eli is there, but he could be a good back-up, or best case scenario eventually fetch the Giants a future second round draft pick through a trade (a la Matt Schaub to Houston in 2007).  Scouts Inc. says, “Bomar possesses underrated mobility and has the arm strength to make all the NFL throws. However, he will need to improve his mechanics to become more accurate as a passer. “
• Round 6: DeAndre Wright, CB - “Wright is a fluid athlete who changes direction well and possesses above-average ball skills. However, he is undersized and is thinly built, which brings up concerns about his ability to contribute in run support. “
• Round 6: Stoney Woodson, CB - “Woodson has good size along with the versatility to play both safety and corner. He also possesses good top-end speed. However, we have questions about his fluidity and his ability to change direction in a timely manner. “

Overall Grade: B+

I won’t give them an A- here because I don’t there there is a guy here who will become a huge difference maker.  Basically, I would be surprised if any of these guys end up being Pro Bowl caliber players.  But that’s to be expected when you pick near the bottom of every round.  That being said, the Giants got good value out of most of their picks, and I expect that the top guys will be effective players.  Pro Bowlers, maybe not, but they will contribute and continue to make the Giants a force in the NFC East.  Yet another good draft for G.M. Jerry Reese.

Posted in NFL - Giants, Writer - Bill Slattery

With the NFL Draft being held today, here is a preview of how things may unfold for the Giants and Jets in the 1st Round:

Jets - 17th overall pick

• Needs: A quarterback and/or a playmaker at receiver.  I have been a big supporter of the Jets this off-season, from the hiring of Rex Ryan to their acquisitions of Bart Scott, Lito Sheppard and Jim Leonhard.  That being said, I think the Jets failure to acquire a quarterback this off-season is not just dumb, but irresponsible.  They have assembled a championship caliber defense, yet the offense will be led by either Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff, with Erik Ainge as an insurance policy.  I have faith in Rex Ryan, and I believe he’s aware of the tenuous QB situation.  The Jets will be looking for a QB in the draft, ideally Mark Sanchez (it definitely won’t happen at 17, they will have to trade up to get him) or Josh Freeman.  The problem with Freeman is that he’s a raw, long-term project who won’t be ready to contribute to a team (defense) who is ready to win now.  If the Jets don’t land either Sanchez or Freeman, I expect them to go out and land a veteran free agent QB as an insurance policy.  The Jets could also use a good wide receiver, as Jerricho Cotchery is their #1 guy right now.  They are all set on defense and along the offensive line, so I expect them to go after a quarterback or receiver.
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
• Todd McShay: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
• Don Banks: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas St.
• Peter King: Connor Barwin, LB, Cincinnati
• Bill Slattery: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland.  The Jets are in win-now mode, and they can’t afford to go with Freeman, a long-term project at QB.  Heyward-Bey is agruable the most physically gifted receiver in the Draft this year.  While there are questions about his hands and route running, he’s a guy who could make a differene offensively.  Harvin is a possibility here too, but his failed drug test at the Combine could hurt his stock and keep him from going to the Jets at 17.

Giants - 29th overall pick

• Needs: A wide receiver who’s not a Pinhead and won’t shoot himself in the leg at Latin Quarters.
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Clay Matthews, LB, USC
• Todd McShay: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
• Don Banks: Hakeem Nicks, WR, UNC
• Peter King: No pick, he thinks they will trade for Braylon Edwards
• Bill Slattery: Hakeem Nicks, WR.  UNC. The Giants are a very, very talent-laden team, and don’t have many pressing needs.  However, the one HUGE need they have is at receiver, after the release of Plaxico Burress.  I hate when things seem so obvious, but Big Blue’s need for a receiver is so obviousy I can’t overthink this pick.  Barring a trade for a verteran receiver (Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards) they will take the best receiver who’s still available at 29.  I think that guy is Hakeem Nicks.

Posted in NFL - Giants, NFL - Jets, Writer - Bill Slattery

Gary Apple on SNY’s Sportsnite at 10 PM reported the following story:

According to a report on ESPN 950 in Philadelphia, the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns are “close” on a trade that would land wide receiver Braylon Edwards in East Rutherford in exchange for a first and fifth-round draft pick.

Side Note: Why is this report coming from Philadelphia?  I already hate this story.

Apparently, Edwards has been aware of the Giants interest as revealed by recent comments made by friend and former teammate Kellen Winslow Jr.

From Newsday’s Tom Rock:

The Tampa Bay tight end and former Browns teammate of Braylon Edwards was on Sirius NFL Radio today when host Solomon Wilcots asked him if he thought Edwards would be playing for the Browns in 2009.

“For some reason I don’t,” Winslow said. “I know Braylon would love to go to New York. The Giants would fit him to the T and he would have so much fun up there. I know he loves Cleveland, but New York would be a great fit for him.”

Winslow added: “He would love it there. He’s a city guy and, yeah, I know he would love it there.”

I am not sure how to feel about this trade-if it’s in fact true. Edwards has a reputation of bad hands, although he had a tremendous 2007 season in which he put up the following  numbers:

80 receptions, 1,289 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns

which actually tops the performance by Plaxico Burress in 2007, which was also his best season.

But here’s the thing…Why would the Browns, with a new head coach, after trading away a pro bowl tight end, and losing a WR to a vehicular homicide case (Dante Stallworth), AND  a quarterback controversy (Quinn/Anderson) trade away a supposed “number one wideout”?

You could say it’s the Browns being the Browns. You could also say something doesn’t seem right.

That being said, if the Giants were to keep their first round pick, they would probably use it to acquire a wide receiver. Usually, rookie WR’s need a half season, season to adjust playing in the NFL.

So then, is Braylon Edwards better than drafting, let’s say, Hakeem Nicks?

You be the judge.

Posted in NFL - Giants, Writer - Tim Sharobem

Ralph Vacchiano, who covers the Giants for the Daily News relayed an extremely interesting rumor yesterday afternoon on his blog, The Blue Screen, which I recommend as daily reading for all of you Big Blue diehards, involving a possible Steve Smith for Braylon Edwards swap with the Cleveland Browns. Here’s what he had to say:

Would you trade Steve Smith for Braylon Edwards?

That’s a decision Giants GM Jerry Reese reportedly had to make. And he apparently wouldn’t do it.

According to a report in The Giant Insider, the Giants and Cleveland Browns were involved in brief trade talks recently in which the Giants asked for Edwards and the Browns wanted Smith (plus some draft picks) in return. The trade didn’t happen, obviously, but the article (you need a subscription to TGI read it) does speculate that the talks could heat up again as it gets closer to the NFL draft.

I can’t confirm the story for you at the moment. But it certainly was a hot rumor for a while that the Giants were going after Edwards, though the rumor (which I previously told you was untrue) was that the Giants were dangling DE Mathias Kiwanuka. TGI’s story confirmed the Kiwanuka part was bogus.

What TGI says actually happened is that the Giants offered Cleveland the two draft picks they got in the Jeremy Shockey deal (a second and a fifth), and the Browns said they wanted those picks and Smith. The Giants said no to that, according to the story, but offered an alternative of the picks plus Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham.

At that point, the story says, “Cleveland balked and the talks died.”

I don’t blame Cleveland for balking, if they really did. The 26-year-old Edwards has outstanding size (6-3, 215) and is just two years removed from an incredible, 80-catch, 1,289-yard, 16-touchdown season. Yes, his numbers were down this year (55-873-3) and he led the NFL in drops (16), but he has a bigger upside than most of the receivers in the NFL — definitely a bigger upside than Hixon or Manningham.

The only downside to Edwards — other than the dropsies — is that his contract is due to expire after the 2009 season and since he’s already making $4.55 million it’s a good bet he’s going to ask for $8-10 million per year.

There is no denying that Edwards is a dynamic receiver, but to me that sounds like an extremely high price for a guy who is on the verge of becoming a free agent, and most likely has zero interest in returning to Cleveland. Guys who drop the ball also frustrate the hell out of me as well. Ask Bill and Tim how many times Terrell Owens drove them nuts with how many passes he dropped. I understand that it is undeniable that we have to find some sort of way to fill Plaxico Burress’ shoes, especially since Eli Manning was not the same QB after Burress shot himself in the leg. Slot receivers are extremely important however, as was evidenced in New England with Wes Welker, and even with Smith during our Super Bowl run, when he came up big on the final drive.

Obviously you have to give something up to get someone on the level of a Braylon Edwards, which is why I wouldn’t think twice about swapping Domenik Hixon or Mario Manningham along with the Jeremy Shockey draft picks. It is good to see that Jerry Reese, as he has proven time and time again, sees a price on everything and won’t go out and overpay just to fill a need. There is still plenty of time to go out and make a move, especially come draft time when teams might drop their price tags on players.

Posted in NFL - Giants, Writer - Christian Chiavetta

From Newsday:

Michael Strahan, New York Giants defensive end great who retired after the 2008 Super Bowl win, will star in a Fox sitcom, “Brothers,” Variety reported yesterday. His agent, Maury Gostfrand, confirmed the report. This one’s about a retired NFL player who “reconnects” with his family, including a brother who uses a wheelchair, played by Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (”Veronica’s Closet”). Strahan, an analyst with “Fox NFL Sunday,” had a cameo in “Chuck.” No word on when - or if - the show will be picked up.

Well, good luck with that Michael.  If all else fails, pick up a helmet.

Posted in NFL - Giants, Writer - Tim Sharobem

Great news for Giant fans, because we don’t want Terrell Owens (as Bill calls him, Team Obliterator) anywhere near our team.

As per Giants Journal:

Right now, the Giants aren’t commenting on the possibility of picking up Terrell Owens, a divisive force who’s reportedly on the loose.

Don’t get too excited.

The answer from a person familiar with the Giants’ thinking is no way, now how. Owens might be a playmaker, but he’s made three NFL stops and has way too much baggage. He’s certainly had reason to change, but the same old problems seem to surface over and over. Tom Coughlin would probably quit before accepting somebody this polarizing.

Just for kicks, would you risk it?

Owens might be the final piece of the puzzle here. The fuse is always lit, though. Do you pick him up and hope the blowup comes after the parade down the Canyon of Heroes?

Posted in NFL - Giants, Writer - Christian Chiavetta

Free agency has been in full force the last few days, and both local teams have been no stranger to making big splashes thus far. Contrary to what we have seen from GM Jerry Reese thus far in his tenure in NY,  the Giants made three big moves over the weekend, bringing in DT Rocky Bernard, stealing away DE/DT Chris Canty from the archrival Cowboys, and bringing in LB Michael Boley, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. Boley enhances an area of need for the Giants where Gerris Wilkinson never seemed to get the job done. Bernard also strengthens an area that seemed incredibly strong at the beginning of last season with Barry Cofield and Fred Robbins, but seemed to break down towards the end, especially with Robbins battling a number of injuries. One would have figured that the Giants would have been done with Bernard and Boley, but the Giants instead brought Canty aboard as well, and I feel as if this is crucial towards the evolution of the 2009 Giants.

Not only have the Giants assembled an immense amount of depth, allowing for rotations with both the DE core as well as the DT core, but they have also single handedly put themselves in place to have pieces to move as well. I think in the end, the Giants will begin shopping DE Mathias Kiwanuka because they have brought Canty in for 2009. I think Kiwi is a tremendous asset and did a great job once he was moved back to DE this past season. However, he dropped off and was virtually non-existent at the end. After speaking with resident Cowboys expert Bill Slattery and witnessing Chris Canty terrorizing the Giants every time that we played the Cowboys, you have to be excited with what you get. The only thing lacking from Canty thus far is his consistency. He had a formidable rookie season, terrible 2006, amazing 2007, and shaky 2008. If we can get some combination of 2005 and 2007, I think this is a steal.

The reason I bring up Kiwi as a trade asset is because the Cardinals seem to have a need at DE after potentially losing Bertrand Berry to free agency and losing star DE Antonio Smith to the Houston Texans. We all know that WR Anquan Boldin is still seeking out a trade and the Giants have a need after Plaxico Burress made himself a nominee for Pinhead of the Year. Perhaps some combination of Kiwanuka and draft picks that we picked up from the Shockey trade would be enough to get Boldin away from the Cardinals. Obviously any trade for Boldin would probably have to come with a new contract, so in the process there could be some salary cap implications as well. We also might have to thank the Cowboys again for screwing us over with the Roy Williams trade. Boldin is a much better receiver than Williams, so the Cardinals can ask for what the Cowboys gave up, which might just be too much.

I think Reese has again put the Giants in position to make some quality moves. It will be interesting to see how he uses some of his defensive assets that he has now to strengthen the Giants’ offense. Mr. Boldin would look pretty fantastic in blue if I say so myself.

Added by Bill Slattery: As a die-hard Cowboys fan, I may not miss the fact that Canty had just 10 career sacks in 4 years as a starting defensive end, but I will miss seeing him do this (even though he’s only done it 10 times in his career):

Posted in NFL - Giants, Writer - Christian Chiavetta

Quarterback Matt Cassell and OLB/ILB Mike Vrabel for a second round pick?   Am I missing something?  Did the Kansas City Chiefs just acquire their future starting quarterback and a clubhouse leader/bona fide sack artist/goal line touchdown machine from the New England Patriots for a single pick?  The same pick that brought the New Orleans Saints perennial headache/perennial injury factor TE Jeremy Shockey one year earlier?  Scratch that, even the New York Giants were able to finagle a fifth-round pick out of that deal, too.  

So what gives?  There are lots of theories out there, some bordering on ridiculous (See Don Banks’ CNNSI piece asking whether New England Patriots head coach Bill Bellicheck has softened in his old age), others bordering on countless years of brain washing (in “Bill We Trust!”), and still others offering absolutely nothing of intellectual value (See the Associated Press’ piece of fluff here).

This much is certain, though: If this trade happened in a keeper fantasy football league, chaos and fisticuffs would have ensued.   

• Perhaps the New York Mets should have a “Tums Night?”  SP Johan Santana is headed to New York for an MRI due to the recent revelation that he is suffering from elbow tendinitis.  If you decide to have an offseason in which you build your team on pitching, and make no improvement to your offense, you had better hope your ace will be there for the better portion of the year.  While there does not appear to be a long-term concern, the truth is that until he does make this first start, and gets through it well–the time for worry in Metland is only ratcheting up further.    
• Speaking of “arm” worry.  How can Catcher Jorge Posada sincerely claim that he is “not worried” about the recent soreness in his surgically-repaired right shoulder? This is the same shoulder that essentially cut Posada’s season short last year and made running on the Yankees a near certainty for half of the year. If Posada continues to contend that he will be behind the plate this year, any opponent of the Yankees’ would be c-r-a-z-y not to think that their offensive strategy should be to run…and run some more.   And you would be crazy not to think that such a strategy negates the effectiveness of a revamped pitching staff. 
• Does Dwayne Wade have to beat a “Knick?‘  Ah, Danillo Gallinari…remember, when you are ahead, don’t antagonize the opponent’s leading star.  Especially when that “star” is the Miami Heat’s scoring machine and T Mobile’s pitchman, Dwayne Wade.   24 points in the 4th quarter?  Wow…the Knicks defense is indeed awful.  But Wade is indeed fantastic.  And just think, he might be doing that in Madison Square Garden every night beginning in 2010…
• Daniel Snyder sure hates to lose and doesn’t learn from history.  Apparently, angry that the Pittsburgh Pirates, Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Lions have surpassed the Washington Redskins in the categories of “worst run franchise,” owner Daniel Snyder has decided to seriously up the ante.  In a span of 24 hours, he resigned cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a 6 year- $54 million contract and then gave face stomping DT Albert Haynesworth a 7 year - $100 million deal.  $154 million for two defensive players?  Uh, the Redskins have bigger problems than that.   Has there been any owner who has spent more money than Snyder and achieved less results?  The Giants, Cowboys and Eagles perennially get better in the NFC East everytime the Redskins make a move.
• More Good News for the Giants. Maniac SS Brian Dawkins is no longer an Eagle, G Jon Runyan isn’t likely to return to the Eagles, CB Lito Shepherd is now a Jet, and the Cowboys recently traded for “God’s Quarterback,” Jon Kitna.  Add the departures of Corel Buckhalter and Sean Considine from the Eagles and you have a downright prison escape from the NFC East.  Outside of the re-signing of RB Brandon Jacobs to a six year deal and the signings of LB Michael Boley from the Atlanta Falcons and DT Rocky Bernard from the Seattle Seahawks, there is nothing better than watching your opponents get progressively weaker.  (Though, the Cowboys recent signing of LB Keith Brooking was certainly a solid move).    
• Starbury ”LOVES” green.  Media sources continued to report how happy PG Stephon Marbury appeared to be when he made his debut with the Celtics this week.  Are they sure its not because everytime he stares at the Celtics green uniform, he thinks of the cash flow he is pulling down in this whole debacle?  I’d be happy too if I could get a team to pay me 95% of my contract and have the “loss” made up by my new team. 
• “Fired” for the wrong reason.  General Manager Jim Bowden of the Washington Nationals announced on Sunday that he was resigning his post amidst “false” allegations that he has skimmed money off the top of signing bonuses given to Latin players.  I am more shocked that he hadn’t been fired previously for being a bad general manager.  Take a good look at the moves made by the Nationals since 2004.  He hasn’t even shown progress…the Nationals declined from 73 wins in 2007 to 59 wins in 2008…so, how again do you get to keep your job?  And why does it take a scandal to get you to “resign” your post?  Something shadier is going on here…
• Black Bart is a Mean Green Wrecking Machine.  Huge move by the Jets, getting LB Bart Scott from the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.  So infrequently has this franchise given us an opportunity to applaud their actions, that I can’t even believe they made this move.  The Jets certainly have other needs, but an enormous hole was filled in the new-look Rex Ryan defense.  
• Speaking of which–in an effort to bring some circularity to this article, it turns out that the Denver Broncos were “very close” to trading QB Jay Cutler to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a three-way deal to get Cassell. (Apparently, new head coach, former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels wanted to have Cassell back to run his offense).  And now, Culter is, not surprisingly, livid and wants out of Denver.  Hmmm…could the Jets find a match?  What a huge addition he could be for Rex Ryan…

Posted in MLB - Mets, MLB - Yankees, NBA - Knicks, NFL - Giants, NFL - Jets, Other, Writer - Enrico Pallazo