Sunday, November 28, 2010

SEAN ROMAN on College Football

This past weekend was my favorite of the entire college football season because of one rivalry game. On Black Friday, the Iron Bowl took place, which was the 75th meeting between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

I am from College Point, Queens County, where there was very little college football interest on my neighborhood block. Instead, there was usually talk of the Yankees, Mets, Knicks and NY Football Giants. How I developed an affinity for Auburn is a Christmas themed story that I will briefly share.

My mother was a once a Radio City Music Hall Rockette, who performed in the Christmas Show for more than a decade. During my regular trips to Radio City, I developed a relationship with a wonderful family from Jasper, Alabama – the Lathems.

A few of the younger members of the Lathem clan, Stacy and Bradley, were cast as children in the show. Stacy and Brad performed in such numbers as: the "Nutcracker", the "Christmas Carole" skit, and the "Nativity" scene. I just loved their Southern accents as well as everything else about them.

The Lathems were always kind enough to hang out with me when I visited. Linda Lathem was my unofficial baby sitter for many a Christmas season and kept me out of a lot of trouble.

The Lathems were almost all big Alabama Crimson Tide fans. However, Bradley Lathem (closest in age to me) liked the Auburn Tigers, likely because of the popularity of Auburn graduate Bo Jackson. By reason of Auburn being more of the “the underdog team,” as part of the Alabama in-state rivalry, I adopted them as my college team and followed them each year. Come to think of it I should have applied to school there!

Years later Bradley actually switched his allegience to the Tide. However, as illustrated below, I have remained quite loyal to the Tigers. My affinity for Auburn actually played out in a funny way quite recently.

One day last week (before the Iron Bowl) I was sitting in on a radio talk show that my good friend Steven Covino hosts on Sirius Satellite radio. As I was leaving, I noticed that Neil Cavuto of Fox News was doing his Thanksgiving themed show in the mid-40 degree weather right from the New York City sidewalk. I hung around where Mr. Cavuto was doing his stand-up broadcast and was in the background of the camera shot. I was actually shown quite a bit on TV and was also interviewed.

During one of the points where Mr. Cavuto was speaking to the bystanders who were next to me, kind of as a goof, I yelled: “Go Auburn,” in the direction of the camera. Other people in the crowd must have been Crimson Tide fans because they started yelling, “Roll Tide.”

Then other people in the throng started yelling “War Eagle,” which is the battle cry for Auburn. Suddenly an Alabama-Auburn shouting contest developed on 6th Avenue and Neil Cavuto appeared quite confused as he went to a break.

The police even came over to see what was the matter. Instead of explaining what I started, I quickly scooted. As you can imagine, I was quite thrilled with how Auburn made their comeback at Alabama this past weekend. Alabama had won 20 straight home games and was the team that I expected to steam roll through this season.

However, Auburn with its Heisman front runner, QB Cam Newtown, staged an incredible comeback to win 28-27 and they are now poised for a long overdue National Championship.

Friday, November 26, 2010

SEAN ROMAN - ON BOXING

On an unseasonably warm November night this past Saturday in Atlantic City, Sergio Martinez scored a devastating knock out of Paul Williams in their middleweight rematch.

The end came in the second round with a crushing left hook to the jaw that stunned Williams as if he had been shocked with a taser.

As William's weight took him forward, he toppled to the canvas like a statue knocked off its block. I almost expected The Punisher to crumble into small pieces on impact.

As soon as Williams started going down, I realized the referee could have stopped the fight and called in the medical team.

This was not the result anyone expected after their competitive Fight of the Year Candidate in 2009, which WIlliams won by decision.

It was 7 seconds into the count that the referee waived his arms and Williams received the medical attention he needed.

As Williams lay motionless, Martinez was on someone's shoulders being paraded around like a silly crown, while compelling the crowd to shout "Argentina, Argentina." However, most of the fans were there to cheer on Williams.

While it was a great result for Martinez, his joy was not easy to share in the moments when you did not know how seriously Williams was hurt.

The punch that ended the fight was a true Knockout.

It was not a situation where a competitor could not continue and it was not a situation where a fighter couldn't beat the count. It was so fierce that Williams just may have had "the fight" knocked out of him in Atlantic City.

This was the first time William suffered any sort of stoppage.

It will surely have Williams' questioning his ability to be part of this brutal sport.

Martinez retained his WBC middleweight title and would like a shot and the financial reward of facing the smaller sensations of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.

However, Martinez would likely have to fight two weight divisions down to make a Pacquiao fight worth considering.

Nothing Mayweather saw from Martinez is likely to scare him, and Mayweather just may opt to face Martinez instead of Pacquiao, who will not submit to the drug testing Mayweather demands.

The fight was promoted by Lou DiBella, who said of the knockout blow, "that punch would have knocked out anyone on Earth."

Terence Winter, the creator of Boardwalk Empire, the HBO series that pays tribute to Atlantic City in the Prohibition Era, was present at the fight. Winky Wright, Burt Sugar, and Kermit Citron, were also on hand.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

How do I thank thee? Let me count the ways?

I am The Rabbi, video editor of On The Sportslines.

Well, well, well. Thanksgiving is only 9 days away, and now it's time to make a list. This list will span all sports as I give a quick look of what I am thankful for as the holidays near.

I am thankful for The AFC East. The division is the only one (outside of the NFC South) that provides excitement in their top 2 teams. The New England Patriots are doing it with surprising power. They have provided offensive fireworks versus the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers (are you kidding me?) They have a team that doesn't like they've missed an offensive beat with the subtraction of Randy Moss. Rob Gronkowski with 3 TD's? Are you kidding me? Maybe Tom Brady should be an MVP candidate. But the New York Jets are surprisingly keeping it up. They won back to back games on the road, in the most unbelievable way possible. The Jets though know they can't be like this all along, so I hope they raise their game once they start their hell run Dec 6th at New England. Lucky for us, the Jets and Pats will both have ELEVEN days for that matchup. Get real thankful, as both teams could be 9-2 then, and one of them should be at least 8-3.

I am thankful for Mike Vick. OK, the NFL is, but as a Giant fan I am surely not. The Redskins got lit up like a Christmas tree. 6 TOTAL TD'S for Mike Vick! Are you serious? The Mike Vick that got to the playoffs in the 2002 and 2004 seasons was not as dangerous as this one in 2010. It seems like the time away made him stronger, and aware of how much he needed to develop a passing game. Add the weapons in Philadelphia, and this is the MVP. It's been that kind of a season where someone who's missed about a quarter of the season deserves a chance at the MVP award.

I am thankful for the comedy the NFLPA is bringing me with their counteroffer to the 18 game season the owners want. Larger salary? I can deal with that. But, to essentially want another bye week and then decide that they want to get rid of offseason workouts? Please. You're almost asking for the loudest no possible. The NFL is trying to find everyway to getting their 2011 season delayed or canceled via strike, and with their "negotiating tactics", they are on their way.

I will be very thankful when this Cam Newton situation is over. Reports of being offered money to go to many different colleges, cheating while at Florida, being payed money to play...yeah, I would say Cam Newton is in trouble. Auburn is letting Cam play this out until the NCAA says otherwise, but Tiger fans must be crying. Remember the two other undefeated seasons of 1993 and 2004? Neither ended in a national title game. This year it will, but who knows if it will even stick.

I am thankful for the BCS.....OK, you know I'm kidding, right? Here's my latest BCS rant: unless Oregon or Auburn lose again, I think the streak of non-BCS teams going into the National Title game will last into....well, forever. But let's add this new wrinkle that many people don't realize. The only reason both Boise and TCU made the BCS last year was that not enough teams qualified from the at large conferences. This year? Not so much. Stanford looks like a Top 10 team, so without a loss, they'll get an invite. Either LSU or Alabama has enough name recongition for an invite from the SEC. As for the Big 12, Oklahoma or Nebraska should still make it as a 1 or 2 loss team. That means only one spot goes to a BCS buster. So not only may there not be a BCS buster spot in the title game, the lower ranked of the two go to the....MAACO Bowl? Good god.

I am thankful for the possibility of the Miami Heat being only the 4th best team in the Eastern Conference. When healthy, we know Boston is better, they've beaten the Heat both home and away. Orlando could match Miami and all cylinders. Chicago might have the drive to go all year with the Heat too. Now this is a pipe dream (except for the Celtics), and we know the Heat will still be a big team (say 55 to 60 wins). However, the thing that has me optimistic? If Bosh keeps underperforming in the early season, what's he gonna do if Wade or James go down? Yeah, that's why I still think 45 to 51 could.

I am thankful for the 24 hours of college basketball tip off marathon on ESPN! But when my girlfriend Randi wakes up at 6 am and sees Stony Brook playing on the TV? I might as well just change the channel right now. Luckily, she's not home all day (except today, lucky me). My pick for the National Champion? Michigan State, making Tom Izzo proud to stay one more year in college basketball.

I am thankful for the UCONN women's basketball team. 80 in a row, 9 away for the College Basketball d1 record of 88 by UCLA. But it won't be easy. They have 2 Seniors (although having national 2 time player of the year Maya Moore helps) and 5 freshmen (including 2 time New York High Schooler of the year and North Babylon's own Bria Hartley) who will try to live up to the legacy of the past 3 seasons. A matchup against perennial solid team Florida State could be that 89th game in late December. Hope they do it, cause think, what competition happened back in 1970's college men's basketball? The same that happened in 2010's women's college basketball. Yeah, think about that over thanksgiving dinner.

See you next week....when you digest the leftovers.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Yeah, I thought New York was a baseball town.

I'm The Rabbi, video editor extraordinare of On The Sportslines, and the answer is yes, it still is. However, for the 3rd season in a row, there is a good discussion on both New York Football teams possibly going far in the playoffs.

One problem. It always seems around this time one of those two teams always ends up on a losing streak, dashing hopes of the postseason. In 2008, it was the Brett Favre led Jets who finished 1-4 after an 8-3 start to give the division to the Dolphins and left the playoffs far away.
In 2009, the Giants finished their season 3-8 to finish 8-8 and played an embarrassing bunch of defense. Embarrassing.

So, how do the Jets and Giants, both 6-2 at the halfway point in their seasons, get to the playoffs and possibly do stuff when they get there. 5 points for both teams:

GIANTS

1. Eli Manning needs to keep it simple.

Listen, Eli, you have three very capable WR's in Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, and Mario Manningham. They have combined for 15 TDs this year, and have a chance to be possession receivers that move the chains (Smith), and two deep threats that can get TD's from any point (Manningham and Nicks). A QB like Manning with a receiving core like that can't have 11 INT's to 17 TD's. There were too many times when Eli tried to take the game into his own hands (see Week 3 against the Titans). He needs to let the game come to him.

2. Keep Bradshaw at the lead.

Considering how Brandon Jacobs was whining and moaning at the beginning of the season, I am shocked at how Jacobs has accepted his change of pace role. Ahmed Bradshaw is 3rd in the league in running yards, and Jacobs has as many TD's as Bradshaw with 5. If both runners are on board, the G-Men have a version of thunder and lightning not seen since Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne.

3. Perry Fewell can't let up.

So yeah, that Bill Sheridan D looks like a mirage right now. 253 yards given up per game LEADS THE LEAGUE in Total Defense. Osi Umenyiora already has 8 sacks halfway through the year. However, even though the D is clicking on all cylinders, there are times (like the Dallas game in Week 7) where they've unnecessarily let the team back in the game. That can not happen, or D coordinator could be scrutenized quickly again.

4. Secondary concerns?

Shockingly not yet. They are right now 2nd in the NFL against the pass, and it's not all about Kenny Phillips, who lots thought would be the lynchpin of this defense. Tyrell Thomas has 3 INT's and has really taken over one of the CB spots which I didn't think he would do after last season. It's been a 180 for the secondary, but can they keep it up?

5. Division Closeness.

After the Cowboys visit on Sunday (yes, the 1-7 Cowboys, how great is that to say!), the Giants have to go through two teams who I feel match up very well against them. In a 7 week span, they will play the Eagles and Redskins twice. The Giants have had a horrible experience against the Eagles, not beating them since the Fall of 2008 (and they may be just as good with Vick this year then they've been with McNabb). The Redskins are not gonna push over either, as McNabb I feel will bounce back after that little sitting incident 9 days ago in Detroit. A win against each is essential to stay a playoff contender, if they go 3-1 in this 4 game stretch I feel they win the division and maybe conference.

Final Verdict: The NFC is getting better, not sure they can keep the pace. I've predicted 10-6 and Wild Card for the G-Men.

Jets

1. Get a WR rotation.

I feel the Jets always need to implore everyone in every spot to make all the dynamic personalities on the WR staff happy. Not necessary. But find a way to keep everyone in the game, but establish a pattern. I think Braylon right now should be the #1 target (he's been light years better since the DUI), and Keller should be involved more at the outset. I think Santonio has been pretty good, but he disappears very, very quickly. He can have a 100+ yard game with a long TD or do nothing at all. It makes Mark Sanchez look bad.

2. Get Shonn Greene to wake up.

Unless Shonn Greene is gonna be used the same exact way he was used a year ago, got to be better on the ground. Only 400 yards this year with as many rushing TD's as Mark Sanchez. Shonn Greene showed a lot of promise in the Jets postseason run, but considering just like last year, the #1 Back is probably gonna break down ahead of him, and Greene needs to wake up in the end.

3. Secondary needs a shake up.

Yeah, I know that Darelle Revis has been hurt most of the year, but come on Cromartie. They are 18th in the league against the pass, and it's not a problem of shutting down the #1 guy. Only 2 #1 guys have had a 100+ yard game this year against the JEts (Anquoin Boldin Week 1, Brandon Marshall Week 3). However, the names Nate Burleson, Percy Harvin, and Jabar Gaffney have burned the Jet secondary. Can't be that way, Revis and Cromartie need to be on point at the same time. There is no depth in the secondary past those 2.

4. When all goes wrong, don't get fancy.

You saw two examples on how to win a game when you're team can't move the ball and how to lose a game when you're team can't move the ball. The Jets tried to move the ball vs the Packers and once they didn't, they fake punted on 4th and 18! Almost worked, but the move looked dumb. Nothing seemingly went right in the Lion game, but the Jets waited patiently, and after a knockout of the Lions QB and Kicker, the Jets waited for the other team to make the mistakes. Backup kicker missed an extra point, and the backup QB could not even make his screen pass when the game was on the line. The Jets didn't give away points on Sunday and the result showed.

5. Dominate, then survive.

At Cleveland, Then home to Houston and Cincy. I never suggest going 3-0 in a span, but here are the 4 games after that: at New England, home for Miami, At Pittsburgh, and At Chicago. Oh boy. I'm saying 4-3 is a minimum for what will not just be division title contention, but PLAYOFF contention this season. I think the Jets really should win those first 3 to give themselves the luxury of not getting hurt in Conference standing if they lose 2 out of the next 4.

Prediction: 10-6. The way they're playing now they'll be lucky to get through that 4-3, so I say 3-4 and a win against Buffalo at the end, and the 6 spot in the playoffs.

That's it. Wanna go against me, respond to this blog or give me you're best Facebook hatred. I am out.


Wednesday, November 03, 2010

It's cold outside. Let's talk Hot Stove now please.

I am The Rabbi, video editor of On The Sportslines.

The Giants have won The World Series. They put on a pitching performance that hasn't been seen too many times in the postseason. Between Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarter, each put on performances that helped the very timely and veteran hitting of baseball's G-Men win San Francisco's first pennant (can't believe I am saying that!). Now, it's time to look ahead. Here are 10 teams we will all be focused on in the offseason:

10. M-e-t-s Mets Mets Mets- Congrats on getting the GM part boys, in 62 year old Sandy Alderson. Unfortunately he is 62 and hasn't been in this position with a MLB team for 13 years. First comes the manager, which from all pressure by fans, will be former player-hero Wally Bachman. To be honest, it should be Bob Melvin, who has experience for what will be a win now, if not win very soon role. Then there's the team...what can they do? They've essentially decided to take the core controversial parts of the team: Jose Reyes (option picked up) and Frankie Rodriguez (settlement reached) for 2011. Can this team get more help by trading one of the setups to the teams return to prominance in Carlos Beltran? It may get rid of one of the two albatrosses on the team: Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo.

9. Chicago White Sox- Only cause they have what I believe is the best hitter on the FA market in Paul Konerko. They also have some guy named Manny on the team, but that's not looking too likely of an immediate fit. Next on the list though is JJ Putz, (remember him fans of team #10?), who is looking for a little more money and Bobby Jenks, the closer that's not getting the 9 million team option on his contract from the team.

8. LA Angels- After finally ending their mystifying run on top of the AL West, they're gonna need some upgrades. And Kendry Molases ain't gonna do it. I would expect them to add one of the 4 big FA hitters: Crawford, Dunn, Beltre and Werth. I'm thinking Adam Dunn. They also need to address closer just in case Brian Fuentes ain't worth the money. And Hideki Matsui? Going back on the market cause the Angels want to re-evaluate the DH role.

7. St Louis Cardinals- Only for the fact that Albert Pujols will be a lame duck if he doesn't get signed before pitchers and catchers report. Think this is a matter of when, not if.

6. Boston Red Sox- Obviously. David Ortiz has already said he wants to sign a multi-year extension, this is probably not gonna happen quickly. Victor Martinez has been a real good option at catcher, and catchers are gonna be hard to come by always in free agency, so he will be coveted (the Tigers already want him). Dice-K may be on the block as well, and of course, there will be the fact of competing with the Yankees...Cliff Lee will be bid on by the Sox.

5. Minnesota Twins- Believe it or not, if they lost all of their FA's, the payroll would STILL be $100 Million! This IS the Twins we're talkin about, right? Their #1 starter Francisco Liriano is up for arbitration too, and even though they can offer Carl Pavano arbitration, Pavano knows his time in Minnesota will get him more money elsewhere. Then there's the issue of offering Jim Thome a new contract....I hope to god they do...

4. Defending World Series Champions San Francisco Giants- OF the bottom 6 players in their World Series winning Game 5 lineup....the only one who still is guaranteed a chance to defend the Giants title is FA disappointment Aaron Rowand. Juan Uribe, Aubrey Huff, and Pat Burrell all can become free agents. LCS and WS MVP's respectively Cody Ross and Edgar Renteria could both have new teams next year, and Renteria could go out on top. The future is bright in the top of the order and in the ptiching, but there are questions about 24 year old Pablo Sandoval, who may be fallin out of favor with Giants management.

3. Philadelphia Phillies- I think the rotation will be fine. Jason Werth on the otherhand is probably a goner unless the Fightin Phils are willing to overpay for him, and with so many OTHER people in that lineup who will be criticized for not playing up to their salary, I'm not too sure if the Phillies wanna find another player to add to that pile. Chad Durbin and Jose Contreras (yes, that one) are pieces to the relief puzzle.

2. Texas Rangers- Two words. Cliff Lee. Does Lee decide to finish what he started in Texas? Or does he go for the money? We won't make any predictions here, but we would have to think that the Rangers will probably make the lowest offer possible. However, Cliff Lee probably feels the most connected to this spot (and #3). The Yankees will throw the well at Cliff Lee the most though, cause he is the key to the entire Yankees offseason. Speaking of....

1. New York Yankees- Lee doesn't come? You got a rotation of Sabathia, Hughes, and Burnett, and the final 2 didn't install confidence late in the season. Andy Pettitte has been living off a few one year contracts, and will get the same one if he wants it again, but will he actually want to continue in the majors? There's also the question of relief...will Mariano Rivera be back? (Sure he will be. Yankees know he's still tops at the position.) Who will set him up if and when Mo does come back? Kerry Wood's got money coming to him as a closer...

Then there's the captain.

I bet there is one team, maybe the Sox that will take him, but I think there's one question that will be the center of the Derek Jeter talks...

4 or 5 years?

Or maybe 3. There is a whole lot of interest on how long Derek's contract will be, and of course, will be how will it be compared to A-Rod.....A-Rod's contract takes him to 43. It's dumb someone would compare the two people together?....but they will.

I think Jeter gets 4 years, 80 million dollars, that's my bold prediction. Now on to football season. See you next time.