The New England Ego

Well, the New England Patriots "came back" against the Buffalo Bills, who were without defensive player Paul Posluszny, 25-24. The Bills dominated the first three quarters by holding Brady's Patriots to only 13 points.

However, the crucial turning point came after the Pats narrowed it down from 24-13, to 24-19. Leodis McKelvin returned the kick from the end zone, when he could have downed it for a touchback.

Big mistake.

McKelvin ended up fumbling the ball at around the 25 yard line with New England recovering, and eventually scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 50 seconds left. Brady's pass was deep in the end zone, when tight end Ben Watson made the grab.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Bills tried to go ahead, but to no avail. The Pats won, and everyone in New England - at least in my area - is buzzing about the comeback led by Brady.

But is it really a comeback when the other team gives you so many opportunities to win it late? Dick Jauron and the Bills demonstrated poor clock management, misusing their timeouts during their final drive. Precious seconds ticked away after the play when they could have called a timeout immediately.

Plus, is it really a comeback when McKelvin gave the ball away? He could have easily downed the ball in the end zone for a touchback, giving the Buffalo offense the ball at their own 20. Instead, he carelessly chose to take it out and, ironically enough, fumbled it.

Yes, it was an impressive end of the game for New England, but it certainly should not be considered a comeback. The Bills choked in this game, like they have done in many years past. Wide right. Motor City Miracle. So many late, close losses last season. The list goes on...

Buffalo's choke not only gives them a long trip back home, but gives Tom Brady, the rest of the Patriots, and their fans a large ego; large enough to bring back "undefeated" talks.

Next week the Pats will play the rival New York Jets at the Meadowlands. Defensive-minded head coach Rex Ryan impressed Jet fans by pounding the quarterback, and Brady struggled when pressure was put on him. Plus, the Jets beat Houston without defensive end Shaun Ellis due to suspension.

If the Jets can put pressure on Brady, and Bart Scott and David Harris can pound him, it will be a much needed kick in the face, and a blast to the New England ego.

Take it Easy

Nearly every Yankees fan on the planet knows the Yankees are in very good shape to make the postseason and are poised to make a playoff run. But, one thing to remember: IT IS STILL ONLY AUGUST!

Anything can happen during the last few weeks of the season. With two weeks to go in the 2007 season, no one thought the Colorado Rockies had a shot at the playoffs. No one thought the Mets would relinquish their lead in the NL East. But what happened? The Rockies made it to game 163 and won the NL wild card while the Phillies took the NL East division.

The key for the Yankees – and their fans – is to take it slow. Do not overlook any series. If the Yankees overlook a series with low importance, they might falter and wind up losing a few games, when a team like the Red Sox starts to be seen from the rear view mirror. The regular season is still going on, and every game counts, but some more than others.

Yankee fans learned their lesson in 2007, when they were matched up against the Cleveland Indians in the 2007 ALDS. The common thought was that the Yankees were 6-0 against the Tribe entering the ALDS and the Yankees would head into the ALCS smoothly.

Well, what happened? The Yankees lost the first two games in Cleveland and ended up losing the series in four games.

The key to success for the Yankees is to take things slowly and not assure anything. Come playoff time, fans everywhere make playoff predictions by simulating each series up until the World Series. The Yankees, if they do in fact make the playoffs, need to focus on the series they play first and foremost and not look ahead. If they look ahead too soon, it will be a distraction to the current series and they might lose focus.

For instance, if the Yankees were in the ALDS and supposedly face a game 5. Do they use their ace or try to save him for game 1 of the ALCS? The smart thing to do would be to start him in the must-win game 5 to even think about having him pitch in the ALCS.

I have heard fans already penciling in some teams for the World Series, when those teams may not even make it to the playoffs in the first place. I have even heard of some people projecting the 2010 roster for their favorite team when their favorite team is in the midst of the 2009 pennant race. It’s absurd.

C’mon people, you should know better than that. Wait until the season is over to make those predictions.

Jeter Being Jeter

Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter is quietly having one of his best seasons in his career, and it is not all benefit to the supposed jet stream of the new Yankee Stadium.

Let’s start with the batting average. He is currently hitting .333 with 169 hits on the season, which leaves him on pace to end the season with 220 hits, according to ESPN.com projections. His .333 average is his personal best since his MVP-caliber 2006 season, when he hit .343. As most of you may recall, Jeter fell a few votes shy of winning the 2006 AL MVP award to Twins’ 1B Justin Morneau.

Jeter’s power has gone up significantly, as he has hit 16 homeruns this season, the most since he hit 19 homers in 2005. 11 of his 16 dingers have been at the new Yankee Stadium, but he has taken advantage. Jeter’s .479 slugging percentage is his highest since 2006 (.483).

Mr. November has been finding numerous ways to reach base. His on-base percentage currently lies at .398, his highest since 2006 (.417). Jeter has drawn 53 total walks this season (three intentional) and has taken one for the team four times too.

According to FanGraphs.com, Jeter’s wOBA (weighted on-base average) is .388, his highest since 2006 (.399). Jeter’s speed score this season is 5.0, which is better than what it was in 2007 (4.8) and in 2008 (4.6), according to FanGraphs.com. As stated by Baseball-Reference, Jeter has an OPS+ of 129, his highest since 2006 (132).

Jeter’s BB/K ratio is relatively low (.77), but his highest since 1999 (.78). Jeter’s strikeout percentage has also dropped significantly. His current strikeout percentage is 12.9%, a career low for him. To put it into comparison, Jeter’s next-lowest percentage was last season, when hit was 14.3%.

Jeter’s defense has been superb this season when put into comparison. Jeter made 30 errors in his last two seasons (18 in 2007, 12 in 2008), but has cut that total down to only 6 this season. His .987 fielding percentage is currently a career best for the perennial all-star.

FanGraphs.com says Jeter’s range has been tremendous. His range runs above average is 5.2, which is 8 points higher than it was last year and over 21 points higher than it was in 2007. Jeter’s UZR (ultimate zone rating) is a career-best 7.0, 22.3 points higher than it was in 2007. ESPN.com also says Jeter’s RF (range factor) is 4.06, his highest since 2006 (4.14).

What are the keys to Jeter’s success? Offensively, it is the switch in roles to leadoff hitter. Manager Joe Girardi decided to flip-flop Jeter and Johnny Damon in the batting order because of Jeter’s high GIDP total (24 in 2008, 21 in 2007). This season, Jeter has only grounded into 13 double plays. Jeter is hitting over .330 when he bats leadoff in the batting order this season.

What else makes Jeter the great hitter he is this season? Let’s examine the splits.

Jeter absolutely dominates against left-handed pitching with a .424 batting average and 1.077 OPS. Jeter’s power numbers are exceptionally high at home (11 HR, .502 SLG), but on the road, he is a .343 hitter with an OBP of .396.

Of late, Jeter has been on fire. He has a .360 batting average after the all-star break and is hitting .382 so far in the month of August.

And he is doing all of this at the age of 35, well past his prime, but he is still performing at a high level. It has nothing to do with him trying to earn a contract; it is simply Jeter being Jeter.

What seems to be lost in Jeter’s miraculous season is him climbing up the all-time list for Yankees milestones. He is 17 hits shy of tying Lou Gehrig for most hits in franchise history (2721) and 30 stolen bases shy of tying Ricky Henderson’s franchise mark of 326 stolen bases.

If Jeter can stay a Yankee for the rest of his career (he is eligible to hit the free agent market after next season) and stay healthy, he can break Mickey Mantle’s all-time game’s record (2401) in 2011. He already owns the all-time at-bats record (8532) and ranks tenth on the franchise homerun mark with 222 homers, tied with fellow Yankee great Don Mattingly.

In the mind of Derek Jeter, he knows he is near those milestones. He knows where he stands amongst the all-time Yankees. But the thing that makes Derek Jeter so great is that he doesn’t get overly focused regarding the feats. He doesn’t consider each hit to be “one step closer to Gehrig.” He thinks of each hit as “just another hit.” And that is what makes him Derek Jeter.

The Cause of Joba's Problems

Last night, the Yankees decided to pitch Joba Chamberlain on eight days rest. EIGHT days rest. That is to conserve his innings limit for the season, which is now around 165 innings.

Chamberlain was drafted as a starting pitcher out of Nebraska and was developed as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues. But in the midst of the 2007 pennant race, the Yankees needed immediate help, so they called up Chamberlain – but not for the rotation.

No, the Yankees needed help getting the ball to closer Mariano Rivera. The bridge to Mo was incredibly shaky in 2007 with Scott Proctor, Kyle Farnsworth, and Brian Bruney as the set up men beforehand.

Chamberlain succeeded in the role, allowing two runs (one earned) in 24 innings from the ‘pen. But after the season, there were questions regarding his role on the 2008 roster.

In 2008, Joba started the season as a reliever, but manager Joe Girardi stretched him out into a starter. He was a reliever for the first two months of the season and his first start came on June 3rd against the Blue Jays. He only threw 2 1/3 innings that day due to pitch count (62), but that was the beginning of what would become a successful future.

Joba would start 12 games for the Yankees before being placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He threw 65 1/3 innings as a starter, striking out 74 batters in the process. As a starter, his era was 2.76. When he returned from the DL, he came back as a relief pitcher to conserve his innings, as the Yankees’ front office wanted to be extra cautious with such a young stud.

Entering this season, the question arose again: Should Joba Chamberlain be a starter or a reliever?

Advocates on him being a reliever say he is a five-inning pitcher. 12 of his 23 starts this season have gone longer than six innings; seven of his 12 starts last year have gone at least six innings; he has had five starts in which he has gone seven complete innings (allowed a total of four runs in those five starts).

After his latest performance, people are all over him like the midges were in the ’07 ALDS. He has pitched 20 innings in his last four starts and allowed 27 hits and walked 15 batters in those, not to mention the 19 earned runs.

Everyone knows his potential as a starting pitcher. He was a starter in the minors and was forced to convert to a set-up man in short time only for six weeks of the 2007 season. You cannot let a pitcher with four plus pitches (two plus plus pitches) only use two pitches from the bullpen; you need to have him use all of those pitches and give him a chance.

On to last night’s outing. Eight days of rest for an uninjured starting pitcher is inexcusable, regardless of how good you are. Starters have a different mindset than a reliever; starters pitch once every four days whereas relievers can be used in any game. Joba’s mentality was shaken up with the extra rest, and it is evidently seen.

The problems Joba has been undergoing are a combination of confidence and the rules the Yankees are giving him. Joba has been pitching behind hitters, which causes him to get behind in counts, which forces him to throw a strike down the middle of the plate for the hitter to crush. According to FanGraphs.com, opponents have swung at 22.5% of balls out of the strike zone this season, nearly 4% lower than all of last and almost 13% lower than it was in 2007. FanGraphs.com also says that Joba throws first-pitch strikes to only 55.2% of hitters, 5% lower than all of last season. Lastly, when Joba throws pitches inside the strike zone, hitters make contact 91.6% of the time, 6% higher than in 2008 and over 10% higher than in 2007.

The solution for that is to get ahead of hitters. Joba is losing confidence when he falls behind in the count and when he falls behind, he either walks a lot of hitters or gives hitters a chance to hit the ball out of the park.

As for the Joba rules, that needs to go too. Yankee management has been cautious with him, but the Yankees are too cautious now. They need to treat him like a regular starting pitcher and throw him every four days. If they want to give him rest, skip his start and use someone else. It is wrong to have him pitch once every seven days, as that will not only affect his mentality as a starter, but affect his confidence as the potential starting pitcher of the future.

Take away the Joba rules and give Joba some reassurance. That is the key to have him succeed at the major league level. Babying him for the first three seasons of his big league career may affect how he pitches in the long run.

A Rose in Cooperstown

Pete Rose should be reinstated into baseball and be apart of the baseball hall of fame. When players and coaches are up for the hall of fame, the voters look for how important that person was in the era he played in and how much of an impact he made toward the game.

He had 4256 hits in the regular season, the most of anyone all-time. He leads all players in games played, plate appearances, and at-bats. He was apart of an unprecedented 17 all-star games in his illustrious career. He won one MVP award, one Silver Slugger, two Gold Glove awards, a ROY award, and the Roberto Clemente award in 1976.

According to Baseball-Reference, Rose is clearly deserving of having a monument of his in Cooperstown. He ranks 15th in black ink (64 compared to the HOF average of 27), 24th in gray ink (239 compared to the HOF average of 144), 13th in the HOF monitor (308 compared to the ideal HOF number of 100), and 52nd in HOF standards (54 compared to the HOF average of 50).

Rose was even a great postseason player. He hit .321 in 67 career playoff games with an OBP of .388. He won three WS rings as a player. Many people criticize players for not winning World Series rings, as they are a key part in determining how successful they were on successful teams.

Yes, he bet on baseball; he cheated the game. But is that method of cheating any worse than what the players in today's era are doing? The players playing today are trying go gain a better competitive edge to compete and stay in baseball to help their teams and earn a better salary. Rose admitted to his wrongdoings and some of the game's legendary players have lied and not admitted to what they have done.

The 1919 Black Sox threw the World Series for money, but how do we know Rose was intentionally betting on other teams to win? How do we know he wasn't betting on his team to win? The fact of the matter is, we may never know all the bets he placed, but we do know that he did it. It was proven the Black Sox intentionally threw the World Series, but it is not proven that Rose intentionally threw games he was apart of.

Rose's credentials overshadow the negative things he has done toward the game. Pete Rose paid the price and has suffered, but he should not suffer forever.

Bombers Sweep Sox out of Bronx

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy. I have kept writing articles, but did not post them onto this blog, and they are too outdated to be posted. I have, however, kept up with photography and maintained doing both sports picture taking and sportswriting. Hopefully I can update this some more.
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This was a tremendous series for the Yankees. Winning the series is one thing, sweeping it is an entirely different thing. The Yanks hit in the clutch and this series showed that the Yankees' pitching (Joba's outing on Thursday excluded) will be a strength. Burnett was dominant (albeit, 6 walks), CC was lights out for the first few innings and still managed to keep the Red Sox hitters scoreless, and Pettitte proved that he is a true second half pitcher who can go up against a strong #2 starters in the majors.

It also proved how strong the Yankees' bullpen can be at times. Not bringing in Hughes in the eighth was a mistake in my books, but the rest of the bullpen stepped up, especially in the 15-inning game. Aceves, Bruney, and Coke all came up big for the Yankees in innings 10-15. Hughes, though only facing two batters, still kept nerves from overcoming him. Melancon started the fire in the first game of the series, and though he was demoted before Saturday's game, can still throw at a major league level. Robertson, too, can pitch in a crucial game like this.

I predicted a series split, but if they were to win 3 of 4, Burnett would have outdueled Beckett. Well, he didn't outduel him, but he matched up extremely well against him and kept the Sox hitters at bay.

Also, for the record, the only way this sweep is better than the 2006 5-game-road sweep is because of the games they played and the background entering the series.

In the 5-game series, the Yankees were ahead by 1 1/2 games entering. The season series beforehand was not as decicive as the one this year (Boston up 8-0). This year, the Yankees were up 2.5 games, but they needed to prove they could match up against the Sox and that they can face a first place team and not falter.

In the 5-game series, there were some games with tons of offensive support, but for both sides. There were no classics like the 15-inning marathon, or the clutch late hitting of Damon/Teixeira.

To simply put it, this series was meaningful. The Yankees will head into the dog days of August with a lot of momentum, proving they can fare well against some of the top pitchers in the AL. Mark Buerhle, who was hot entering last Sunday's game, struggled against the Yankees; the same game Melky hit for the cycle. They faced Halladay and hit a few homers off him, albeit late in the game, but a run is a run. They faced Beckett and got a stellar pitching effort to match up against him. They faced Lester and got another stellar effort from Pettitte too.

As for the Red Sox, this series could be a sign of things to come, for a pessimistic side. They face a tough schedule with a lot of road games and top-tier teams. The Tigers, Rangers, Blue Jays (Halladay, Rzepczynski, Romero), Yankees, and White Sox are some of the notable opponents who they play in the coming weeks. Boston has lost 6 in a row and are 8-14 since the break. Take away the games against the Orioles, and they are 3-13. They are in huge trouble if they do not find a key to success.

Day 2 Draft Notes

Well, the 2009 NFL Draft is in the books...

• The Jets' butchered their day two draft with the Shonn Greene trade. They gave up their 3rd (12th pick in the round), 4th, and 7th round picks to the Lions for their 3rd round pick (1st pick in the round). They also missed out on a wide receiver, which is brutal.
• Brandon Tate was an interesting pick for the Pats; he was caught smoking marijuana during the combine and also had several injuries. They might not put him in immediately, but he may be a pick that other teams will fear in the future.
• The Cowboys also had a bad draft; no picks in day one and a lot of their picks were questionable. Kicker David Buehler, despite the combine workout, was chosen in the 5th round when the Cowboys still have Nick Folk.
• Chicago stole Juaquin Iglesias from other teams. He will be one of the hidden gems on day 2. He has the skills to be a good NFL wide receiver and will help Jay Cutler in Chicago.
• ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had OLB Kaluka Maiavia in his top 10 for players in day 2; he was the 4th pick in the 4th round, falling out of the 3rd round. He could end up being a quality linebacker in time.
• Buffalo addressed its defense with a late-round pick of Nic Harris, the former safety from Oklahoma. Harris was a star on Oklahoma, but he transformed into a linebacker due to his size. With his experience in the secondary, he could become a quality linebacker (with some time) in the future with a lot of range.
• If San Francisco runs into a block with their QB situation, Nate Davis from Ball State may be able to help. He has a strong arm and accuracy.
• Michigan State RB Javon Ringer had tremendous skill in college, but fell to the end of the 5th round to Tennessee. Though he will see little playing time with Chris Johnson and LenDale White, it is hopeful that he shows upside to impress coaches.
• I believe Mike Teel (Rutgers) can be this year's "Tom Brady." A 6th round choice with a lot of arm strength and upside can go far. If the right opportunity arises, he may be able to prove himself NFL-worthy.
• I was surprised Texas WR Quan Cosby went undrafted. Though he does not posses the ideal height of a wide receiver, he can control the ball well and can fake out defensive backs.

Day 1 Draft Notes

One day down, one day to go. The NFL Draft yesterday was very exciting to watch. A lot of cheers and a lot of boos.

• The Seahawks took Aaron Curry because he was the best available player. They did not think he would fall to them, but because he did, he was taken.
• The Jets did NOT give up too much in the Mark Sanchez trade. Brett Ratliff is a backup, Abram Elam was replaced over the off-season, and Kenyon Coleman can be replaced via the draft. While the Jets did not take a WR in round one, there is still a Brandon Tate or a Juaquin Iglesias in the later rounds.
• The Raiders will regret picking Darrius Heyward-Bey over Jeremy Maclin AND Michael Crabtree. Heyward-Bey impressed the Raiders with his 4.3 40-time, but that is it. He is fast, but does not have all the skills necessary to become an elite WR like Crabtree or Maclin.
• The Bills had one of the best drafts in the first round. Aaron Maybin is a great defensive end and they help solidify their offensive line with Eric Wood and Andrew Levitre.
• The Broncos missed out in the first round for their franchise QB - twice. They could have easily traded up for Sanchez, but chose not to and he ended up going to the Jets. After picking Knowshon Moreno #12, they still had the #18 pick, but Tampa Bay traded up two slots to steal Josh Freeman from the Broncos.
• The Eagles stole Jeremy Maclin from everyone. No one thought he would fall that low and even though they picked DeSean Jackson (Cal) last year, they still need help at WR. Plus, Maclin was the best player taken in that situation.
• The Lions answered their QB needs, but they did not help their offensive line or defense. Brandon Pettigrew is a receiving tight end, not a blocking one. Detroit also made the mistake of taking safety Louis Delmas (Western Michigan) over Patrick Chung (Oregon) and William Moore (Missouri). Those picks may come back to haunt them.
• Even though the Browns were smart by trading down, and down, and down, their first pick (Alex Mack) was not such a smart one. He is good, but they could have taken a different, more talented player (Michael Oher).
• I like the first round picks by the Dolphins (Vontae Davis/CB/Illinois) and the Giants (Hakeem Nicks/WR/UNC). Both can make any play explosive and are both highly touted draft prospects. Davis will help Miami's secondary and Nicks will help the Giants recover from the whole Plaxico Burress fiasco.
• Every Patriots fan is disappointed with their day-one draft, but I do not understand why. Patrick Chung is one of the best safeties in the draft and will help their secondary. He and Brandon Merriweather will frighten the opposing teams' passing games. They also drafted cornerback Darius Butler (Connecticut), who will also help their secondary. Butler and Ellis Hobbs can make a good duo at the cornerback position. New England had a surprising, underrated draft.
• With Cleveland taking Brian Robiskie (Ohio State) and Mohamed Massaquoi (Georgia) in the second round, that may be an indirect sign of what Cleveland will do with Braylon Edwards. Edwards wants a new team and now the Browns have two young wide receivers who can both suffice.
• James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) and Ray Maualuga must be regretting not entering the draft last year. Both of them were shoe-ins for being in the top-10, but neither one of them declared. Now, Laurinaitis was the 35th overall pick (St. Louis) and Maualuga the 38th overall pick (Cincinnati). Those are good picks for both teams, but as for contracts, it can only be a dream for Laurinatis and Maualuga.
• Miami surprised many by taking QB/WR Pat White (West Virginia) with the 44th overall pick. White can help with the wildcat offense and while he could have slid down more, he was actually a fairly decent pick.
• Oakland's other mistake was taking Michael Mitchell (Ohio) in the SECOND round. He could have slid down to the later rounds of the draft, but they took him in the SECOND! William Moore from Missouri, one of the best safeties in this draft class, was still available and they still passed on him. Unbelievable.
• The Cowboys had the worst draft - they took no one. They gave up their first round pick (#20 overall) to the Lions in the Roy Williams and sat at #51. They traded that pick away to the Bills for a few picks on day two. Cowboys' fans must hate Jerry Jones right now, as he has not helped their future at all.
• Picks 53-55 (LeSean McCoy - Philadelphia, Phil Loadholt - Minnesota, William Moore - Atlanta) are all great picks that fill voids and accomplish needs. Moore was probably the most surprising name to see down there, as he could have easily been taken #33 overall.

Day 2 may not be as exciting as day 1, but there is still a lot of intrigue with it. Day 2 begins in a few hours from now, so let's get ready.

My 2009 NFL Mock Draft

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been fairly busy of late. I will be sure to keep this updated.

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1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford/QB/Georgia
The Lions desperately need a quarterback and Stafford is the guy. He can be a franchise-type player and will help his team around him, especially Calvin Johnson. Stafford is young and is the best quarterback in the draft. Plus, it is a given since they did sign him to an enormous deal.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith/OT/Baylor
Smith will help out the Rams' offensive line and will give QB Marc Bulger more protection. He is a great pass protector and is worth being drafted number two overall.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry/LB/Wake Forest
Curry is one of, if not the best player in the draft. He impressed a lot of scouts in the combine and his stock has risen so much throughout. The Chiefs have to pick the best player available with this pick.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe/OT/Virginia
Seattle needs help at a lot of positions, but the offensive line is one of their biggest needs. Monroe helps their pass blocking makes their offensive line a strength. Though they could pick Mark Sanchez, they still have Matt Hasselbeck.

5. Cleveland Browns: Tyson Jackson/DE/LSU
Jackson is the best defensive end in the draft and he can help stop the run. Cleveland allowed 151.9 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked 28th in the league. Jackson would be a very good pick here.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Smith/OT/Alabama
The Bengals adding a troubled player, what are the odds? But seriously, the Bengals need help on their offensive line. The Bengals struggled without a strong passing game last year, and their weak offensive line did not help.

7. Oakland Raiders: Jeremy Maclin/WR/Missouri
Oakland could select Michael Crabtree, but with his draft stock plummeting, Maclin is a better fit. He is versatile, fast, and is just what Al Davis wants.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: B.J. Raji/DT/Boston College
Ever since the Jags lost Marcus Stroud, their defense has not been the same. Raji could be the next Stroud for Jacksonville as he is strong and helps against the run.

9. Green Bay Packers: Brian Orakpo/DE/Texas
Green Bay needs a pass-rushing defensive end (or OLB) and Orakpo is that player; he is a pass-rushing expert and an explosive defensive player who any team would covet.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree/WR/Texas Tech
Brandon Jones and Isaac Bruce are currently San Francisco's top two wide receivers...really? Though Crabtree has fallen due to injury, he is too tough to pass up at the number ten spot.

11. Buffalo Bills: Michael Oher/OT/Ole Miss
After the Bills traded OL Jason Peters, a void was created in the offensive line. Oher is one of the top offensive linemen in the draft and will help Buffalo's offense in bettering the run and the pass.

12. Denver Broncos: Mark Sanchez/QB/USC
Trading away Jay Cutler gave the Broncos a definitive player to look for in the draft. Kyle Orton is not suit to be a quarterback, whereas Sanchez is young and can play in the Broncos' system.

13. Washington Redskins: Brian Cushing/OLB/USC
Washington needs improvement on their defense and Cushing can help. He is a hard hitter and is strong enough to make an immediate impact for Washington.

14. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins/CB/OSU
The Saints were in the bottom tier for pass defense last season and need help in their secondary. Adding Jenkins will fulfill their needs.

15. Houston Texans: Robert Ayers/DE/Tennessee
Houston's pass defense was above average last year, but their run defense was not. Ayers could play opposite Mario Williams and help stop the run.

16. San Diego Chargers: Aaron Maybin/DE/Penn State
Maybin, who could play alongside Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips, would only make San Diego's linebacker core even stronger. Maybin led the Big Ten in sacks last year and is explosive enough to make a strong presence for San Diego.

17. New York Jets: Percy Harvin/WR/Florida
Personally, I believe the Jets should trade down, but assuming they stay at #17, Harvin is the wide receiver they will go to. He is fast and versatile and can play the wide receiver position well enough to suffice.

18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago): Chris Wells/RB/OSU
Even though the Broncos are known for constantly picking running backs, Beanie Wells can be the one who will last the longest and be the franchise back. He knows where to find the open hole and can make a big play at any time.

19. Tampa Bay Buccanears: Josh Freeman/QB/Kansas State
The Bucs need a quarterback and Freeman can be the young quarterback they need. Byron Leftwich and Luke McCown are not good enough to be starters in the NFL anymore. Freeman is a fresh arm and a lot of scouts and analysts are high on him.

20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Vontae Davis/CB/Illinois
The Lions desperately need help in their secondary and Vontae Davis is the cornerback who can help. He times his jumps well and is a strong open-field tackler.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno/RB/Georgia
With Brian Westbrook aging and Donovan McNabb's impatience, the Eagles will need a strong running game again. Moreno is a quick running back and can make big plays at all times.

22. Minnesota Vikings: Darrius Heyward-Bey/WR/Maryland
The Vikings are in need of a wide receiver and Heyward-Bey will be available to them at number 22. Heyward-Bey is extremely fast and can be a threat when next to Sidney Rice and Bernard Berrian.

23. New England Patriots: Clay Matthews/OLB/USC
The Patriots' linebackers are not getting any younger and Matthews is a young, powerful linebacker who will be available. Matthews can replace an aging Tedy Bruschi full-time and become an intimidating presence in their defense.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Pettigrew/TE/Oklahoma State
Pettigrew is the best tight end in the draft and the Falcons have been eyeing him. He can block and he can catch, which is perfect for the Falcons and Matt Ryan.

25. Miami Dolphins: Hakeem Nicks/WR/North Carolina
Nicks is an explosive wide receiver with great hands. If he had a better workout at the combine, he could have gone higher in the draft. He is big and has tremendous hands.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Butler/CB/Connecticut
Rex Ryan "stole" some of Baltimore's secondary when he went to the Jets. Dominique Foxworth and Fabian Washington are decent corners, but Butler is the young corner who can intercept passes at the NFL level quickly.

27. Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry/DT/Mississippi
The Colts need another strong player for their defensive line alongside Dwight Freeney and Jerry is that. Peria Jerry can stop the run, which is something the Colts are not known for.

28. Buffalo Bills (from Philadelphia): Ray Maualuga/LB/USC
Maualuga is an agile linebacker who can make his presence well known. He is a great pass-rusher and can handle the man-to-man in the NFL.

29. New York Giants: Kenny Britt/WR/Rutgers
Britt is a hometown boy who will fit in right with the Giants. He is a great route runner and will help ease the pain left by Plaxico Burress. Though he is known for dropping the ball at times, he has the ability to get open as a receiver and make key plays.

30. Tennessee Titans: James Laurinaitis/LB/OSU
Though Tennessee may not need Laurinaitis to fill a need, he is the best player at this point and it will be too tough to resist passing him up.

31. Arizona Cardinals: Donald Brown/RB/Connecticut
The duo of Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower worked at times last year, but neither one of them did extremely well. Brown is a talented, young back and can help Arizona's offense.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Unger/C/Oregon
The minor flaw in Pittsburgh's offensive line is at the center position, with Justin Hartwig. Unger is an improvement and also helps bolster their offensive line.

March Madness Predictions

Everyone has filled out a bracket, so why not me?

Elite Eight:
(1) Louisville
(3) Kansas
(1) Connecticut
(6) Marquette
(1) Pittsburgh
(3) Villanova
(1) North Carolina
(3) Syracuse

Final Four:
(3) Kansas
(1) Connecticut
(3) Villanova
(1) North Carolina

Ntl. Championship:
(1) Connecticut over (1) North Carolina

2009 Season Preview: Cleveland Indians

In relation to 2007, the Cleveland Indians had a disappointing 2008 season, finishing 3rd with an 81-81 record.

Cleveland's off season consisted of several minor transactions. The Indians signed pitchers Kerry Wood and Carl Pavano to short term contracts. The Tribe also signed Tomo Okha to a minor league contract.

Continuing with pitching, the Indians were apart of a three-team deal that involved the Mariners and the Mets. Seattle's JJ Putz was sent to the Mets and the Indians acquired reliever Joe Smith from the Mets.

To fix a void at second base, the Indians traded for Cubs' infielder Mark DeRosa for three pitching prospects.

With all the acquisitions, the Indians still have some things to focus on. How will their rotation fare without CC Sabathia? How underrated is the bullpen? Will Travis Hafner rebound? And can Grady Sizemore and Victor Martinez carry the Indians to another playoff berth?

As of now, Cleveland's rotation is: Cliff Lee, Fausto Carmona, Jeremy Sowers, Anthony Reyes, Carl Pavano. Lee and Carmona each have a ton of potential and Reyes has a lot of upside, but Sowers and Pavano are both downers. If the Indians want to contend, they need to hope Sowers has a breakout season and/or trade for a qualified pitcher.

Last year for middle relievers, the only ones with earned run averages under 4.00 were Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez. That is something to worry about coming into the 2009 season. Some people say the Indians' bullpen is underrated, but those people are just saying that to stay optimistic.

2006 was a career year for Travis Hafner, hitting above .300 with an OPS over 1.000 and 42 homeruns. Ever since, Hafner has been declining tremendously. In 57 games last year, Hafner hit below the Mendoza line with an OPS just over .600. Hafner is optimistic he will rebound, but the majority of the people believe he will not.

The rest of Cleveland's offense consists of Kelly Shoppach, Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco, and Asdrubal Cabrera. If the Indians want to win the American League Central, they need Victor Martinez, who was injured for most of last year, and Grady Sizemore to come up big.

Though the Indians hope to finish above .500 and make the playoffs, I predict them to finish 78-84 and in fourth place. There are too many holes in their lineup and bullpen for them to make a serious run at the playoffs.
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Tomorrow's article will preview the upcoming season for the Colorado Rockies.

2009 Season Preview: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds seek improvement from a mediocre 74-88 record in 2008. They may improve a little, but not dramatically.

The Reds lost Adam Dunn to the Washington Nationals through free agency during the off season. Dunn's presence in the lineup will be missed as he led the Reds with 32 homeruns last season.

On the bright side, the Reds signed the fast outfielder Willy Taveras to a two-year contract and also agreed with pitchers Arthur Rhodes and David Weathers. Cincinnati also traded for pitcher (and hitter) Micah Owings last September to bolster their rotation. The Reds also traded for catcher Ramon Hernandez, but gave up Ryan Freel and two other prospects in that trade.

Overall, the Reds' acquisitions helped them, but they still have voids to fill and questions to ask.

Is the Cincinnati outfield for real? Their current outfield consists of Norris Hopper, Willy Taveras, and Jay Bruce. They used to have Ken Griffey Jr., but the aged outfielder was well past his prime and did not perform at a superb level.

Can the Reds' bullpen be good enough for the season? The newly acquired Weathers will help build a way to closer Francisco Cordero, but the rest of their bullpen is not stable. Arthur Rhodes is an inconsistent pitcher and is mainly a lefty specialist. Francisco Cordero was 34/40 in saves last year, a decent percentage but not spectacular. The rest of the Reds' bullpen is solid with Jared Burton and Bill Bray.

The Reds have a great infield to lessen the pressure of their outfield. Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, and Edwin Encarnacion each have enough power to combine for at least seventy homeruns and, quite possibly, three hundred runs batted in.

Cincinnati's rotation can also take a little pressure off the bullpen. Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez combine for a solid 1-2 duo in the top of the rotation. Bronson Arroyo is also a decent pitcher who eats a lot of innings. The young Johnny Cueto can be a valuable asset towards the bottom of their rotation as he can strike people out. The only problem with Cueto is his inconsistency; he recorded a 2.77 ERA in August but a 6.16 ERA in September.

I believe the Reds will improve by four wins, a 78-84 record. It is a small improvement, but this season's goal may not be leading the team to the playoffs. Developing Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Johnny Cueto is a big step for the future. Their bullpen may have a lot of problems, but their lineup can last.
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Tomorrow's article will preview the upcoming season for the Cleveland Indians.

2009 Season Preview: Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox advanced to the playoffs on game 163 in the regular season, but lost in the ALDS to the Tampa Bay Rays in four games. They won 89 games (including the one-game playoff), but that may not continue in 2009.

The ChiSox lost pitcher Javy Vazquez to the Braves via free agency and outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. left the team. The White Sox also traded away 1B/DH Nick Swisher to the Yankees for utility player Wilson Betemit and two minor league pitchers.

On the bright side, the White Sox signed the highly touted Cuban 3B Dayan Viciedo to a four-year contract. Viciedo, 19, hit 32 homeruns and 123 RBI in 233 games in the Cuban leagues. With the addition of Viciedo, the White Sox have a lot of depth at third base with him and Josh Fields.

But the White Sox are faced with many problems. How will Alexei Ramirez adjust to the short stop position after playing second base in 2008? What about the new vacancy at the second base position? Who will win the starting job in CF in 2009? Will their rotation succeed?

Alexei Ramirez played most of his time at 2B last year for the White Sox. The Cuban infielder recorded a .981 fielding percentage for the White Sox at 2B and was apart of 71 double plays. However, because the White Sox lost Orlando Cabrera to free agency, Ramirez has to shift to short stop for the time being.

With Ramirez shifting to SS, the White Sox have a few options to replace the hole at second base. 25-year old Chris Getz is one of the options. Getz had a .814 OPS in the minor leagues and with his speed, could make the roster as a starter. Wilson Betemit can be the other option. The switch hitter has been subject to little playing time over the years, but if he plays more than he could be one of those players related to the Jeremy Giambi Effect (more playing time means more success).

Brian Anderson, Jerry Owens, and Dewayne Wise will all be competing for the center field job in 2009. Anderson did not play well in 2008 with a low batting average, but his fielding in center is much better than that of the corner outfield spots. The second choice is Jerry Owens, who stole 32 bases back in 2007. Owens is very fast and is better suited to the lead off role. Dewayne Wise is their third option for the starting job. Wise hit six homeruns in 57 games last year and stole nine bases in nine attempts. The only problem with Wise is his extremely low career batting average (.214).

With the loss of Javier Vazquez, the White Sox rotation only consists of Mark Buerhle, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Clayton Richard, and Bartolo Colon. Vazquez would have made a direct impact toward the Chicago rotation, but instead it seems less harmful. Without Vazquez, the back end of their rotation is less dominating.

I believe the White Sox will finish with 84 wins and a second place finish in the American League Central division. Their offense has little to be worried about with Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, Jermaine Dye, and Jim Thome, but it is the pitching that is the cause for concern. The Chicago rotation may not be enough to make the playoffs again.
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the upcoming season for the Cincinnati Reds.

2009 Season Preview: Chicago Cubs

Last year, the Cubs had hopes to end a century-long World Series drought after winning the NL Central by seven and a half games over the Brewers. Unfortunately for them, they were ousted in the divisional round against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One of the Cubs’ major problems came in right field. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome slumped big time in 2008 and manager Lou Piniella benched him on several occasions. In the off season, they signed outfielder Milton Bradley, the American League leader in OPS in 2008. Bradley is certainly an upgrade over Fukudome as he has more experience and power, but the problem with him is durability. Bradley has not played 142 games in a season in his eight year career. He played in 100 games in a season only three times.

The Cubs lost one of their franchise players in Kerry Wood during the off season to the Cleveland Indians. Wood has been with the Cubs since 1998 and recorded 34 saves last season. On the bright side, flame thrower Carlos Marmol can replace Wood with succession. Marmol, 26, saved seven games and held 30 games last year. Marmol’s K/9 rate was superb (11.75) and a great WHIP rate (0.93).

The Cubs can replace Marmol in the set up role with either Jeff Samardzija or Kevin Gregg. Samardzija impressed the Cubs last season with a 2.28 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 27.2 innings pitched. Gregg was the closer for the Florida Marlins in 2008 and saved 29 games in 33 chances.

But the Cubs still have some questions to answer.

Can the Cubs’ rotation last the whole season? Ace Carlos Zambrano was fatigued toward the end of the 2008 season. Fellow pitcher Rich Harden also has a history of injuries and that may continue.

What about the Chicago offense? Five players hit at least 20 homeruns in 2008 and Jim Edmonds had 19. Will they be able to continue hitting for that much power?

I believe the Cubs can suffice with their rotation. Ryan Dempster pitched excellent at Wrigley Field last year and that can happen again. If the Cubs can rest Zambrano for an extra day once in a while, he can be very effective in 2009.

The Cubs’ offense has no reason to slow down. Alfonso Soriano hit 29 homeruns in only 109 games in 2008 due to injury. If Soriano can stay healthy, he may be in line for a 20/20 or quite possibly a 30/30 season. Though the Cubs lost Mark DeRosa, players like Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez can pick up the pace.

I expect the Cubs to win the NL Central again, but with only 91 wins. Their bullpen still has some question marks with Aaron Heilman and Luis Vizcaino, but Samardzija, Gregg, and Marmol are the three stable pitchers in the ‘pen.
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the upcoming article for the Chicago White Sox.

2009 Season Preview: Boston Red Sox

The 2008 season for the Boston Red Sox ended on a sour note, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays in game seven of the American League Championship Series. Though they could not repeat as World Series champions from 2007, they won an amazing 95 games in the regular season but ended up in second place to the Rays.

So will the 2009 Red Sox end up like 2008? Will they fare better? Let’s examine…

The Red Sox offseason began with the trade of outfielder Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals for relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez. Crisp was not the starting center fielder in the foreseeable future due to the emergence of the young and talented Jacoby Ellsbury. Ramirez will fit in with the rest of the Red Sox bullpen, along with Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, and Javier Lopez.

The Red Sox later signed MVP second baseman Dustin Pedroia to a brand new six-year extension. With the signing, the Red Sox avoided salary arbitration for the next few years and established Pedroia as the franchise second baseman for years to come. Boston also signed Kevin Youkilis to a four-year contract extension to evade arbitration with him too.

After Pedroia’s signing, the Sox went across the Pacific Ocean to make a deal by signing Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa. Tazawa, 22, will likely start off the 2009 season in the low-level minor leagues as a starting pitcher, but may change to a reliever as he advances through the system.

The Red Sox were in talks with the highly touted first baseman Mark Teixeira. Teixeira, young and powerful, deserved an enormous contract, but the Sox refused to negotiate with his agent, Scott Boras. Coincidentally, Teixeira ended up signing an eight year deal with the rival New York Yankees.

The rest of the Red Sox offseason was filled with a bunch of minor signings, mostly old veteran players, past their primes, to short contracts. Such players include outfielder Rocco Baldelli and pitchers Brad Penny, Takashi Saito, and John Smoltz. A lot of these are low-risk, high-reward contracts that may pay off in the long run.

Their offseason additions leave the roster full, but still some questions to ask.

Can team captain Jason Varitek improve at all? Varitek’s batting average was an abysmal .220, a career low. In fact, Varitek failed to hit above .260 in the past three years, topping out at .255. There is room to improve, especially since it is tough not to improve, but for the thirty-six year-old, it will be very challenging. Currently, the only replacement for Varitek would be Josh Bard, who hit .202 last season.

Can players like Mike Lowell and David Ortiz rebound from injury-plagued seasons in 2008? Lowell endured hip and back injuries throughout the 2008 season and when combined with his old age of 34, his downfall is inevitable. Lowell was not the player he used to be. He was playing for a new contract in 2007 and hit .324 in that season. In his 2008 campaign, Lowell’s batting average dropped .50 points, to .274.

David Ortiz, on the other hand, suffered a wrist injury early on during the season and it cost him valuable playing time and a diminished impact towards the Red Sox lineup. Ortiz’s wrist injury caused him to hit .264, his lowest batting average since his appalling days with the Minnesota Twins. The same goes for his slugging percentage (.507) and his on-base plus slugging percentage (.876). If Ortiz cannot rebound from his wrist injury, his glory days in Red Sox Nation may be long gone.

Now, let’s move on to the starting rotation. Josh Beckett still has the stuff, but it is now shown through his stats. His mediocre 4.03 ERA was his worst since he first pitched in the American League (5.01 in 2006) and still allows more fly balls than ground balls. Beckett no longer has to tolerate the pressure of being the ace of the staff with lefty Jon Lester, so that helps lessen stress.

But one of the real question marks in the Red Sox rotation is on Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka has shown tremendous success in Japan before he came to the US. In the US, his stuff has not translated well.

Matsuzaka’s ERA was 4.40 in his rookie season; awfully high for someone who was said to be “the next Messiah” when he came to the US. “Dice-K” also allowed a large amount of homeruns (25) and walks (80) in his 2007 rookie season. In 2008, his ERA dropped to 2.90 and his homerun total went down by more than half (12). The main problem was Matsuzaka’s walk rate. In thirty seven fewer innings, Matsuzaka allowed 14 more walks, which meant his walks-per-nine rate went from 3.52 to 5.05, an appalling number.

Few questions need to be asked about the Boston bullpen. Closer Jon Papelbon has been dominating over the past few years with the occasional rough outing, but has been lights out. Hideki Okajima has also been a stable for the Sox, shutting down opposing hitters as they only bat .212 against him in 2008 (and .202 in 2007). Reliever Manny Delcarmen recorded eighteen holds in 2008 compared to the 11 in 2007.

With all of that said, how will the Boston Red Sox 2009 season fare? Some predictions may say first place; others may say third, but this prediction says the Red Sox will have a season eerily similar to that of 2008.

I predict the Red Sox to record 94 wins and a second place finish, but this time to the New York Yankees. Dustin Pedroia will not have an MVP-caliber season like 2008, but he will still put up quality numbers. Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, and J.D. Drew are also stables in the Red Sox lineup as they can fill voids left by other key players like Mike Lowell and David Ortiz.

Jon Lester will not have a season like last year (16-6, 3.21 ERA), but again, that is not putting him down. Lester will still pitch like a number one or a number two pitcher, but it was evidently seen that Lester was fatigued down the stretch last year with his 4.09 ERA. Lester’s inning total in 2008 (210.3) was nearly three-and-a-half times more than his inning total in 2007 (63).

The main focus for Boston would be the health of key players and to see whether or not players could rebound from shameful 2008 seasons.
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the upcoming season for the Chicago Cubs.

2009 Season Preview: Baltimore Orioles

Coming off a 68-93 season, the Baltimore Orioles look to improve. In all likelihood, they will not win the American League East division, but that is not the focus of the Orioles right now; they want to build a future and are doing so quickly.

Losing Daniel Cabrera has been one sign of the rebuilding mode the O’s are in. There have been constant rumors over the past few years about the Orioles trading second baseman Brian Roberts, but nothing has happened yet, nor does a trade seem imminent. The Cubs, supposed suitors of Roberts, made a different trade during the offseason by sending pitcher Rich Hill to Baltimore in exchange for a player to be named later.

The Orioles will enter the season with a talented offense that included Roberts, Luke Scott, Nick Markakis, Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, and now Matt Wieters, a rookie catcher. There is little the O’s can change to improve their offense (maybe left field, but that is minor).

But the real problems the Orioles face are at pitcher. They have a lot of talent in the minor leagues at pitcher with Charles Tillman, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, and Troy Patton. But for now, they are stashed away for the future.

Instead of rushing them to the show, the O’s will have to settle with Jeremy Guthrie, Koji Uehara (from Japan), Chris Waters, Rich Hill, and Radhames Liz. None of those pitchers have an earned run average below 3.60.

The Baltimore bullpen may also struggle a lot as well. Closer George Sherrill had injury problems toward the end of 2008 and had to be placed on the disabled list for a time. Jamie Walker’s 6.87 ERA and Dennis Sarfate’s 62 walks will keep the opponents on the base paths.

Last season, I predicted the Orioles to have an appalling season, but I was wrong. This year, I believe their win total will go down, but not drastically. A 65-97 record seems likely for the O’s in 2009, especially with how talented the rest of the American League East is.
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the upcoming season for the Boston Red Sox.

2009 Season Preview: Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves did not have much to marvel about in 2008. Chipper Jones’ quest for a .400 batting average had the media centered on him for much of the season. Jair Jurrjens’ was another player who impacted the Braves, but aside from those two players, that was it. Atlanta’s 72-90 record landed them in 4th place, 20 games behind the first-place Phillies.

The Braves answered their pitching problems with the acquisitions of Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe. Vazquez was involved in a six-player trade from the White Sox to the Braves in mid-November. Lowe was signed to a four-year, $60 million contract thanks to the help of his agent Scott Boras.

One downer of the Braves’ offseason was the loss of franchise player John Smoltz. Though he was injured for the majority of the 2008 season, the Boston Red Sox signed Smoltz to a one-year contract. Smoltz, 41, has been a member of the Braves since 1988.

If the Braves want to contend with the rest of the National League East division, they will need some more offensive power. They traded away first baseman Mark Teixeira in the middle of the 2008 season. Catcher Brian McCann and third baseman Chipper Jones combined for 45 homeruns in 2008; the rest of the Braves’ roster (including Teixeira) hit 105 homeruns. Jeff Francoeur’s .239 batting average is hardly impressive and it seems like the numbers he put up in 2006 and 2007 are long gone.

The Braves’ pitching has certainly improved with the aforementioned Vazquez and Lowe. Their starting rotation should be more than adequate now. Jorge Campillo, Tim Hudson, and Jair Jurrjens all had ERAs under 3.00 in 2008 and if they can continue to put up such statistics, they can be taken seriously.

However, the one downside to their pitching staff is their bullpen. In 2008, their team leader in saves was Mike Gonzalez, with 14. Will Ohman, the team leader in holds, departed the team via free agency during the offseason.

But do the Braves truly have enough to make a playoff run? With the unexpected Rays’ turnaround in 2008, anything is possible, but it is extremely doubtful for this team. They play over 50 games against the Mets, Phillies, and Marlins, which is very tough for this team. Their offense just does not have enough power to last. But they will fare better then in 2008. Last season, their record in one-run games was pitiful, so they kept it close through much of the games played. I predict the Braves to finish with a record of 82-80, which would tie them for third place in the NL East (with the Marlins).
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the 2009 season for the Baltimore Orioles.

2009 Season Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks came within two games of winning the National League West division in 2008, but fell short to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brandon Webb and Dan Haren combined for two magnificent seasons on the mound.

Arizona’s offseason was extremely quiet; their only major signing was pitcher Jon Garland, and that was to a one-year deal. The main reasons for the silence are the recession the economy is in and the front-office changes the D-Backs underwent.

The Diamondbacks lost two prominent pitchers from their staff in 2008. Closer Brandon Lyons signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers and #3 starter Randy Johnson reached a deal with the San Francisco Giants. They are close to losing Adam Dunn through free agency as well. Dunn was acquired by the Diamondbacks via trade with the Reds.

If Arizona wants to contend with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2009 season, they surely need more production out of their offense. Only two hitters recorded batting averages above .300: Orlando Hudson and Conor Jackson; everyone else on the team hit in the .200s. Mark Reynolds, the team leader in homeruns (28), only had a .239 batting average in 2008. Highly touted prospect Justin Upton, brother of Rays’ outfielder BJ Upton, hit a measly .250 in over 100 games played in his rookie year.

Though many would say outfielder Chris Young’s 2008 season was worse than his 2007 season due to his homerun production, his on-base percentage was 20 points higher and he drove in more runs too. Plus, his batting average went up from .237 to .248. Plus Young hit seven more XBH in 2008 than in 2007.

Arizona’s rotation still has a dominant 1-2 combination with Webb and Haren, but the rest of it is depleted. Jon Garland is more of an innings-eater with a high ERA. With Randy Johnson gone and Micah Owings on the Reds (from the Dunn trade), they will have to use Max Scherzer and Doug Davis in the final two rotation spots.

The closer role will be filled by either Jon Rauch or Chad Qualls, with Qualls receiving a slight edge. Rauch pitched horribly down the stretch in 2008 while Qualls was most impressive in August and September (1.01 ERA).

The addition of Scott Schoeneweis makes the Diamondback bullpen a little shaky, but if Qualls and Tony Pena can have brilliant seasons, their bullpen may be a little less irritating.

Overall, I predict the Diamondbacks to finish with an 81-81 record in 2009, good for second place in the west. Their offense is too weak to contend with that of the Dodgers. They need to hope Webb and Haren can both pitch like Cy Young award contenders to stand a chance.
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Tomorrow's article will be predicting the 2009 season for the Atlanta Braves.

Blog Update

Starting tomorrow, I will start a baseball preview for all thirty teams, writing about one team per day. It will conclude before the regular season begins. During this spree, I will still write about the World Baseball Classic (begins Thursday) and other miscellaneous items.

Tomorrow's article will be about the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jets' Moves After Day 2

First, the New York Jets signed linebacker Bart Scott to a six-year, $48 million deal. Scott and Rex Ryan will be reunited.

Scott's presence in any defense is well-known. Him in Rex Ryan's defense makes him an even more prominent player. Scott will replace Eric Barton at the inside linebacker position, who is a free agent. Scott will also play alongside David Harris, the Jets' 2007 second round pick.

Also, the Jets traded a fifth round draft choice in 2010 and another conditional draft pick in 2011 to the Eagles for veteran cornerback Lito Sheppard.

Sheppard faced limited playing time last season with the arrival of Asante Samuel and the concerning money he was receiving. Mid-way through the season, Joselio Hanson replaced him and Sheppard sat on the bench.

Sheppard will play opposite pro-bowler Darrelle Revis and will compete with last year's fourth round pick, Dwight Lowery, for the starting job at cornerback, unless the Jets decide to draft someone.

Sheppard fills the void at cornerback for the draft, but does not satisfy the needs in the secondary. The Jets still have a hole at strong safety, but Sheppard will help the cornerback position. Lowery blew many coverages last season and Sheppard may be able to play better and/or mentor Lowery.

Also, the Jets released wide receiver Laveranues Coles earlier this week due to salary issues. Coles was making roughly $6 million and the Jets needed more salary cap room.

The Jets did say they were open to resigning Coles, but for less money.

With the recent moves, the Jets made their focus in the draft more clear than it was. They could have drafted a number of players with their #17 pick, between cornerbacks, wide receivers, and possibly even a quarterback. Trading for Sheppard and releasing Coles makes the Jets more likely to pick a wide receiver rather than a cornerback, but nothing is for sure until draft day.

Official WBC Rosters

Before, I posted the preliminary rosters for the 2009 World Baseball Classic in March. Here are some notable players on each country for the final rosters:

United States: Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt, Joe Nathan, BJ Ryan, JJ Putz, Brian McCann, Dustin Pedroia, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, David Wright, Jimmy Rollins, Kevin Youkilis, Ryan Braun, Grady Sizemore

Canada: Russell Martin, Justin Morneau, Joey Votto, Jason Bay, Matt Stairs, Mark Teahen

Cuba: Yulieski Gonzalez, Yulieski Gourriel, Ariel Prestano

Dominican Republic: Pedro Martinez, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Ubaldo Jimenez, Edwar Ramirez, Jose Veras, Willy Aybar, Adrian Beltre, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz

Japan: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Yu Darvish, Shunsuke Watanabe, Kenji Johjima, Akinori Iwamura, Ichiro Suzuki, Kosuke Fukudome

Mexico: Oliver Perez, Joakim Soria, Jorge Cantu, Alfredo Amezaga

Puerto Rico: Jonathan Sanchez, Javier Vazquez, Yadier Molina, Ivan Rodriguez, Geovany Soto, Mike Aviles, Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Alex Rios, Bernie Williams

Venezuela: Felix Hernandez, Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Silva, Francisco Rodriguez, Miguel Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez

Misc.: Frank Catalanotto (Italy), Nick Punto (Italy), Shin-Soo Choo (Korea), Sidney Ponson (Netherlands)
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-The US still has the most well-rounded team out there, I believe. They have pitching, hitting, defense, and speed. It all combines for a nice team.

-The Dominican Republic still has the best offense imaginable. Though Albert Pujols declined due to the lack of insurance, A-Rod, Hanley, Reyes, and Ortiz is a scary lineup.

-Venezuela's pitching is still top-of-the-line, despite losing Johan Santana. K-Rod should pitch often late and Zambrano can pitchoften too.

-The Bernie Williams headline is a nice story to focus on. The former Yankee was mistreated by the Yankees' front office, but went back to college to focus on his music career. Williams has still been playing baseball and has still openly said he would be willing to join a team during the season.

-Don't overrate Puerto Rico. Quietly, they put together a solid lineup with Beltran, Delgado, Rios, and Pudge.

-Japan and Cuba, like always, will have stellar teams, despite not having big-name players on their rosters.

The World Baseball Classic begins play March 5th and ends on the 23rd.

The Cousin is Real

ESPN Deportes reports the cousin Alex Rodriguez said in his press conference Tuesday is real. His name is Yuri Sucart.

When ESPN Deportes called Sucart's residence in Florida, his wife picked up and did not deny the allegations.

"My husband has nothing to say," she said. "What A-Rod said at the press conference is what happened and that is all."

This proves that Rodriguez was telling the truth about his cousin supplying him with "boli" from the Dominican Republic from 2001-03.

According to Amy Nelson of ESPN, a friend close to Rodriguez says he and his cousin were very close to eachother.

"He did what Alex told him to. He was only looking out for Alex," his friend said. "He is not a guy who would take the initiative to go out and buy drugs. Alex said during the press conference that his cousin just did what was asked."

Alex Rodriguez Press Conference (live blogging)

Sorry that it is a bit late, but here is my live blog of the Alex Rodriguez press conference

Update 2:00 pm- That was a question a lot of people would ask steroid users; everyone linked to steroids should be asked that.

Update 2:01 pm- Again, another interesting question. Coming to NY would certainly add pressure, but he stopped because they (the league) initiated a steroid policy

Update 2:03 pm- Apparently Alex believes in the 'placebo affect' with his water example.

Update 2:03 pm- It seems like Rodriguez has been dodging bullets. He has said "it is not up for me to determine" a few times now.

Update 2:06 pm- Ever since his interview with Gammons, A-Rod has been trying to tell children across the globe to not take steroids. Yes, he's trying to be an inspiration, but it is as if he wants to avoid some of the bigger questions.

Update 2:08 pm- He said he was unaware that they were steroids, a little bit like Barry Bonds (unknowingly took them)...

Update 2:09 pm- Very good question, asking about "why not do some research about the substances."

Update 2:09 pm- Mark Feinsand asked another great question regarding the homerun record.

Update 2:10 pm- Hannah Storm asked a great question about HGH and amphetamines. A-Rod denied HGH but did not fully deny amphetamine use.

Update 2:11 pm- "It will be the best season of our lives." - Alex Rodriguez

Update 2:15 pm- I'm glad I take Spanish in school, but the other reporters must be baffled by what she asked.

Update 2:18 pm- Joel Sherman questioned Alex's knowledge about the drug and his reasoning for his use; another great question

Update 2:19 pm- Alex (again) blames his young age and being naive about the situation for taking it and then stopping.

Update 2:25 pm- Another "that's not for me to decide" response to a question by Rodriguez...

Update 2:27 pm- Looks like A-Rod's portion of the news conference is finished. Time for Girardi and Cashman.

Overall, A-Rod's answers were a bit disappointing. He dodged a lot of questions and did not answer some of them to the fullest. He did not tell the "complete truth" on some of them by saying "I haven't given much thought about it" or "that's not up for me to decide."

2009 New York Yankees' Roster (as of now)

Projected Roster:
C: Jorge Posada
1B: Mark Teixeira
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Alex Rodriguez
SS: Derek Jeter
LF: Johnny Damon
CF: Melky Cabrera
RF: Xavier Nady
DH: Hideki Matsui

Bench:
Jose Molina
Nick Swisher
Brett Gardner
Angel Berroa

Rotation:
CC Sabathia
Chien-Ming Wang
A.J. Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Andy Pettitte

Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Damaso Marte
Brian Bruney
Phil Coke
Edwar Ramirez
Jose Veras
Alfredo Aceves/Jon Albaladejo

Minor Leaguers who may make an impact:
Phil Hughes
Austin Jackson (OF)
Humberto Sanchez
David Robertson
Mark Melancon
Jon Albaladejo/Alfredo Aceves

Selig Might Punish Rodriguez

An ESPN report states that baseball commissioner Bud Selig might consider punishing Yankees' 3B Alex Rodriguez for his prior steroid use.

"It was against the law, so I would have to think about that. It's very hard. I've got to think about all that kind of stuff," Selig told the USA Today.

This would just be an immoral thing to do if Selig does punish Rodriguez. For one, the steroids were not illegal at the time and if caught, a player would not be subject to any penalties whatsoever.

Second, it was only in the past and he has not failed a drug test since 2004 (allegedly). If he failed a test and that was reported, Rodriguez would be suspended fifty games.

Also, if Rodriguez is punished for his prior drug abuse, what about all the players named in the Mitchell Report? What about the other 103 players who failed drug tests in 2003? Would they face suspensions as well for taking performance-enhancing drugs? It would not be right for Selig to suspend the one player whose name was leaked out.

Rodriguez should not be suspended for his prior usage of performance-enhancing drugs. If he is, Selig will be criticized even more than he is already. Selig let an All-Star Game end in a tie in 2002 when there were no more bench players. That decision haunted him in the 2008 All-Star Game when the fans and the broadcasters wondered if that game would too end in a tie.

If Alex Rodriguez was suspended, it would be completely wrong for baseball.

Favre set to Retire

For the second time in as many years, Brett Favre will retire. This one, though, could be for good.

Favre informed the Jets that his time was up. "My time with the Jets was short, but I was honored to be given that chance," Favre said.

This will be the end to a glorious career for one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

In Favre's eighteen year career, he threw 464 touchdowns, the most in NFL history. He won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers over the New England Patriots, his only Super Bowl win.

For the Jets, they will have some freed up salary cap space to sign some draft picks and/or other free agents. There have been rumors that linebacker Ray Lewis might head to the Jets when he can, but that is up to the organization.

The Jets have a few options at quarterback: stick with Kellen Clemens, sign an experienced quarterback, or draft someone.

Kellen Clemens was the Jets' quarterback in 2007 after Chad Pennington flopped. Clemens has not played much since, but he did sit back and learn from Brett Favre. Clemens was subject to some poor offensive line support in 2007 when the Jets did not have Alan Faneca or Damien Woody. Wide receiver Justin McCareins also dropped a lot of Clemens' passes when they were on the same team.

If the Jets decide to dig through the free agent pool, there is always Kurt Warner. Warner led the Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII, but he is 38 years old and has contemplated retirement. Kerry Collins could be another option. Collins led the Tennessee Titans to the best regular season record in the NFL in 2008, without premier wide receivers. The downside with Collins is he is also an old veteran QB and did not throw as much passes because of Tennessee's stellar running game.

Then, there is the draft. Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez are extremely doubtful to fall to the Jets at the #17 slot in the draft, but the Jets could sign someone in the second round. Former Ball State quarterback Nate Davis could be the answer. He is ranked as the fourth best QB in the 2009 draft class behind Stafford, Sanchez, and Josh Freeman. Davis has an above average arm and he projects to be a solid quarterback.

Will he be Forgiven?

We saw how Andy Pettitte and Jason Giambi apologized to the media about their previous steroid use. We also saw how they were treated afterwards.

Pettitte let the situation drag on for the beginning of the season, but by June of last year the situation went away and it seemed as though he was forgiven.

Jason Giambi also let the situation drag on for a while, but it took him some time for forgiveness. The fans and the media did not forgive and forget about Giambi's steroid use. But when we look at today, it seems like his name has been cleared, despite the fact that we all know his abuse.

Alex Rodriguez is a different story though. He grabs much more media attention than both players. He signed the two largest contracts in Major League Baseball history. He is approaching one of the biggest milestones in the world of sports.

People choose to react differently to similar situations because of the player. Since the player in this situation has been in so much trouble, it is undecided whether he will be forgiven.

Many fans across the globe will continue to view Alex in a negative light, mainly because of his previous reputation, which is downright wrong.

Alex Rodriguez deserves at least a little praise for admitting what he did was wrong.

I have previously commended A-Rod for coming out and admitting his prior use before the situation dragged on too long. His apology was honorable and he deserves respect for it.

A-Rod Admits

Today, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance enhancing drugs from 2001 until 2003, while he was with the Texas Rangers. ESPN has the news.

In 2001, he said there was an "enormous amount of pressure" to perform with such high standards. Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $252 million contract after the 2000 season, so it is no wonder why A-Rod would feel the heat.

"I had just signed this enormous contract I felt like I needed something, a push, without over-investigating what I was taking, to get me to the next level."

Rodriguez told ESPN's Peter Gammons about his prior steroid abuse.

"I did take a banned substance. For that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful," Rodriguez said to Gammons.

Additionally, Rodriguez states that in the five seasons with the Yankees, they "have been clean."

I congratulate Alex Rodriguez for coming out and admitting his usage. He took the honorable path and apologized for his wrongdoings.

This still will affect the way people see him, but what people should see is his honor and honesty. He did not lie to anyone (except Katie Couric) but he said what he did was wrong.

A New Thought on A-Rod's Scandal

Yes, Alex Rodriguez was wrong by taking steroids. Yes, he was wrong by lying to Katie Couric on "60 Minutes." But, could the reason for his abuse of steroids be from his agent, Scott Boras?

Scott Boras is a knifing sports agent who wants his clients to get top dollar. He will do whatever he can to make more money for the players he represents. Sometimes, when a player performs at his best, it still is not enough.

And that is where Scott Boras fits in. Boras could be someone who instigated Alex to take the drugs to increase performance. It may not just be Alex too...

Kevin Brown hired Scott Boras as his agent when he still played. Brown was also one of the players named in the Mitchell Report back in 2007. The Mitchell Report says steroid dealer Kirk Radomski sent performance enhancing drugs to Scott Boras' house in order for Brown to use. Boras must have known about that since Brown was once a premier client.

Eric Gagne was also named in the Mitchell Report and also dealt with Scott Boras. Gagne bought human growth hormone (HGH) in 2004, during his historical consecutive saves streak. Boras wanted Gagne to succeed so he would earn a higher contract; Gagne earned a $10 million contract from the Milwaukee Brewers last off season just days before the Mitchell Report was released.

How about Scott Schoeneweis? Schoeneweis, another Boras client, purchased shipments of steroids and used them "as prescriptions." According to the Mitchell Report, the pharmacist who prescribed the steroids to athletes said players came to him "for the purpose of obtaining anabolic steroids."

It does not end there. Rick Ankiel, Ron Villone, Ivan Rodriguez, and Gary Sheffield are all linked to steroids and performance enhancing substances. All were once represented by Scott Boras.

And now Alex Rodriguez has been linked. Rodriguez was also a Boras client. Notice a correlation?

So, was the mastermind Boras responsible for encouraging players to take steroids? Though he will deny it and there is no clear evidence that proves him doing so, it is possible. It is certainly possible.

Who will be the True HR King?

As of now, it is Barry Bonds. In the near future, it may be Alex Rodriguez. Both of them have been associated with performance enhancing substances and anabolic steroids. It is clear baseball fans want a clear name on top of one of the most prestigious sports milestones.

That said, who will be the true all-time homerun leader?

Will it still be Barry Bonds? If Alex Rodriguez suffers injuries or cannot keep up the pace he once reached, than Bonds may hold the record for a long time. Bonds would need help from other players as well.

Will it be Alex Rodriguez? He has put up monstrous numbers throughout his career and if he continues his current rate, he may end up with over 800 career homeruns. He is only 33 and has hit 553 homeruns so far.

What about Albert Pujols? Pujols is only 28 years old and recorded 319 homeruns so far in his career. He averages 42 homeruns per season and has yet to reach his prime. The only thing is, he would need to average 41 homeruns over the next eleven seasons to become the next homerun king. He would be 39 years old if he were to do so, but it is highly unlikely he would put up such numbers as he ages. Pujols' name has not yet been related to steroids and he could be a legitimate "clean" candidate to reach 763.

Why not Ryan Howard? Howard is the fastest player to hit 100 career homeruns and averaged 51 homeruns in the past three seasons. The only downside is Howard is 29 years old and still has not reached the 200-HR plateau. The reason for that is starting his career off slow. The only way Howard can come remotely close to Bonds' record is if he averages 45 homeruns for the next thirteen seasons. It is downright preposterous to believe Howard could hit 45 homeruns at age 42.

Can it be Ryan Braun? He is only 25 and through his two seasons in the bigs, he has hit 73 homeruns. But if Braun plays fifteen more years in the majors, he would need to average over 46 homeruns each season to approach the record. That is the best-case scenario for Braun, and it is extremely doubtful that could happen.

If not Braun, what about his teammate Prince Fielder? Fielder has a better shot than Braun, considering he has 40 more homeruns than him and is a year younger (note: Fielder has been playing in the majors than Braun). Fielder has the genes of a power hitter as his father is Cecil Fielder. But Fielder, a vegetarian, is seen as overweight, which could lead to problems down the road for him. If Fielder plays until he is 40, he needs to average 41 homeruns per season to break the record.

This may be one of the most unlikely names, but what about Manny Ramirez? He is a clubhouse cancer and still has not found a team for the 2009 season, but without a doubt, he is one of the greatest hitters in this era of baseball. Considering he has not been linked to steroids, he may be the best, just like how people consider Pedro Martinez the best pitcher of the steroid era. Ramirez has 527 homeruns as of now. Manny has been seeking a four-year contract, which would have him playing until he is 41 years old. He has shown he can still produce at this age by slugging over .600 and hitting 37 homeruns. The only problem regarding Ramirez is the fact that he has little time left in the majors. He has roughly two very good seasons left in him until he starts to decline. He needs to average 40 homeruns over the next six seasons to approach the record set by Bonds.

Barry Bonds currently holds the record. It is imminent that Alex Rodriguez will surpass the record. Right now, the fans don't want either of them on top of the most esteemed sports record. Sadly, the fans will have to live with that fact for a while.

New Perspectives

Up until yesterday, Alex Rodriguez was viewed as a hero. He was going to be baseball's savior in just a matter of years if/when he passes Barry Bonds' homerun record. He would have erased the asterisk on one of the most glorious records in all of sports.

Now, that asterisk may still be there if/when Alex Rodriguez tops the record.

Baseball fans across the globe are not going to forgive him. Nicknames of "A-Roid" and "A-Fraud" have only begun to be heard.

As if the appalling playoff numbers, strip-club appearances, and Madonna links could not have been bad enough already, his positive steroid test makes it even worse.

There are going to be people saying that "the test was in 2003 and he has not failed a test in the past five years." While that may be true, then why are Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens being crucified by the media for their steroid allegations.

If you think Yankee fans are going to forgive him because he is currently a Yankee, you are incorrect. He was constantly booed in 2005 and 2006 due to poor performances in clutch situations. He is not what Yankee fans would call a "True Yankee."

This entire ordeal is just disappointing to the entire sport. It's frustrating to not only hear more names linked to performance enhancing substances and anabolic steroids, but a name as prominent as Alex Rodriguez. It's too tough to believe.

A-Rod's Options

With the latest steroid allegations, Alex Rodriguez can handle the situation in several manners.

He can apologize for his wrongdoings, ala Jason Giambi. In Giambi's situation, people seemed to forget about his steroid usage as the years went on. Now, it is uncommon for steroids to be attached to his name like white on rice.

He can also admit to the allegations, the Andy Pettitte approach. Pettitte confessed his drug usage and why he did it. He came forward and rightfully admitted what he did. It seems as though people have forgiven Pettitte and can now see him as an "honorable" player even if he used performance enhancers.

A-Rod can also keep denying it, like Roger Clemens. We know how the Clemens situation has turned out thus far, and it is not working in his favor.

He can continue to blame the government for his problems. All steroid tests were supposed to be secret and held anonymous. Someone leaked his name out to the public and that could be Rodriguez's focus.

Alex can also continue to ignore the situation, which he started to do. If he avoids the situation, the media will only pressure him more.

Whatever he does, the way he will be looked at will never be the same.

SI: A-Rod Tested Positive for Steroids in 2003

A Sports Illustrated Report claims All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003, while he was with the Texas Rangers.

Rodriguez declined to comment, saying, "you'll have to talk to the union," about the subject. "I'm not saying anything."

A-Rod is one of 104 names on a list of players who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003, Sports Illustrated also claims.

Before, Alex said he never took any type of performance enhancing substance in his career.

If this report is true, it drastically changes the way people will see him. He is already seen as a player who cannot perform in the clutch and with a lot of off-the-field issues with his wife and Madonna. People will call him a cheater.

Plus, with this report, if Rodriguez nears the all-time homerun record (in the US), there will still be an asterisk on the sport. Barry Bonds' scandal left an asterisk once he surpassed Hank Aaron's all-time record, but when Rodriguez comes close, there will still be constant talk.

This also affects his HOF-position. Before, he was a sure-thing, first-ballot Hall of Famer. Now, this steroid report leaves a huge mark on what was a successful career.

For the record, I would vote in Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens; both of them left baseball legacies that few people in today's game can reach. With the report, I would vote in Alex Rodriguez, but it is not up to me.

Rex and Ray Reunite?

Jet fans expected Rex Ryan to recruit some of his former players when he signed with the Jets. No one expected them to look at Ray Lewis.

Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis will hit NFL free agency in a few weeks. He openly said to the media that there would be no hometown discount for the Ravens if they want to sign him, so it is all fair game in the NFL.

But Lewis said he was interested in joining either the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Jets; the Cowboys because they are America’s team and the T.O. effect; the Jets to be reunited with Rex Ryan.

The Jets are “a young… team that has a lot of talent across the board where if you [add] #52 in that equation, that team goes from being okay to 'Let's go win this.'” Lewis commented. “That scenario by itself is always attractive."

"It's like, wow, if something does happen where I'm not back in Baltimore, hmm, the Jets wouldn't be bad," he added.

Yes, Lewis would greatly impact the Jets’ defense and bring a nice leadership factor to the team. He is very intimidating and will make the defense more intense. However, this move may backfire.

Lewis is a 34-year old linebacker who is passed his prime. He is not as fast as he used to be, nor is he as strong as he used to be. He will need several million dollars for a contract to satisfy him, which would put the Jets very close to the cap limit.

The Jets spent millions of dollars in salary last season, acquiring Brett Favre, Calvin Pace, Kris Jenkins, and Alan Faneca. They do not need to sign Ray Lewis.

The Face of Baseball

Many say the face of baseball is Babe Ruth for his legendary significance towards the game in the early 1900s. Many say the face of baseball is Barry Bonds for being the all-time Homeruns leader and the icon of the steroid scandal. Many say the face of baseball is Alex Rodriguez for his controversy on and off the field.

The face of baseball needs to have it all. He needs to bring attention to the sport. He needs to be skilled. He needs to be dedicated. He needs to play with pride. He needs to make smart decisions. He needs to be reliable. He needs to handle the media attention well.

That person is Derek Jeter.

Jeter has been playing since he was a kid. Even when he was in high school did he show enthusiasm towards the game. He won the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in 1992, a very prestigious award for such a young athlete.

Jeter has always been known as a clutch player, but it all began in the 1996 ALCS against the Baltimore Orioles. Jeter hit the ball to deep right field. Orioles’ outfielder Tony Tarasco tried to catch the ball, but 12-year old Jeffery Maier caught it over the fence instead.

Jeter won the AL ROY award in 1996 with his .314 batting average and 78 RBI. In 2000, Jeter became the first player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP in the same season.

In 2001, his “flip play” became one of the most incredible plays of all-time. A’s player Jeremy Giambi was rounding 3rd base to try and score the game-tying run in the 7th inning. Shane Spencer’s throw missed the cut-off man, when Derek Jeter came out of nowhere, flipped the ball with his backhand to Jorge Posada, to tag Giambi at the plate.

Jeter has never been afraid to dive for a play. July 1, 2004 was one such example. In a critical extra-inning game against the Red Sox, a ball was hit into shallow left field, down the line. There were runners in scoring position and they would have scored had the ball dropped, but Jeter ran all the way from his position, to the line to make the catch. He dove into the stands to make the catch, risking injury, but saving the game for the Yankees.

Derek’s postseason numbers have always been outstanding. He hit .309 with 17 homeruns and an OPS of .846 in his playoff career.

Off the field, Jeter has been seen dating numerous celebrities. He dated Mariah Carey, Jordana Brewster, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba, Adriana Lima, and Minka Kelly for some notables. He and his girlfriends have been all over tabloids for years.

Also off the field, Jeter started his own charity in 1996, called the “Turn 2 Foundation.” His charity tries to help teenagers stay away from drug and alcohol problems.

Jeter’s face has been displayed everywhere, whether it be Nike commercials, Gatorade ads, Gillette Fusion commercials, video game covers, or other advertisements. Derek Jeter is the billboard for baseball.

The face of baseball is not Albert Pujols. Although he is the greatest active player in the game, he does not bring enough attention to the sport or himself.

Derek Jeter is baseball’s icon. He is dedicated to the sport, plays with pride, is clutch, handles the media attention extremely well, and brings attention to the sport. He simply is the face of baseball.

Holmes' Heroics give Steelers Sixth Super Bowl Ring

In heroic fashion, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers earned their sixth Super Bowl ring over the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23. With 35 seconds left, Roethlisberger threw a short bullet to Santonio Holmes by the edge of the end zone for a game-winning touchdown. Holmes' two feet barely stepped in bounds, but still tapped them down and maintained possession for the touchdown.

That was Big Ben's only passing touchdown of the game, and one of the biggest in his 5-year career thus far. Holmes won the Super Bowl MVP award with his 131-yard performance and his game-winning touchdown reception.

Towards the end of the first half, the Cardinals were deep inside Steeler territory, trying to take a 14-10 lead (or tie the game at 10). But Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner threw a pass to Anquan Boldin that was intercepted by linebacker James Harrison, the NFL Defensive player of the year. Harrison ran the length of the field to not only stop the Cardinals from scoring, but also increase the Steeler lead to 10.

Harrison's pick-six was the longest play in Super Bowl history (100 yards). Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff-return in Super Bowl XXXI was the previous record that stood for 12 years.

The Cardinals fought hard, but penalties were very costly; 11 penalties for 106 yards were called. Offensive lineman Mike Gandy was called for three holding penalties when matched up against James Harrison.

Kurt Warner's game was incredible, especially facing a premier Pittsburgh defense. Warner threw for 377 yards, 3 touchdowns, and the 1 interception to James Harrison. This was the first time all year the Steelers allowed over 300 passing yards in a game.

Before Holmes' winning touchdown, the biggest play on the Cardinals' side came with 2:37 left in the 4th quarter. Warner threw a pass to Larry Fitzgerald down the middle of the field and escaped two defensive backs to score a 64-yard touchdown. Fitzgerald was shut down in the first half with only 1 reception for 12 yards, but ended up with 7 catches for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Fellow wide receiver Anquan Boldin said he was fully healthy entering the game and caught 8 passes for 84 yards, but no TDs. Tight end Ben Patrick caught the Cardinals' first touchdown of the game, a 1-yard lob from Warner in the 2nd quarter.

Both teams' running backs did not have a big impact as only 91 rushing yards were recorded by both teams combined. Pittsburgh's Willie Parker ran for 53 yards while Arizona's Edgerrin James ran for 33 yards. Tim Hightower, James' teammate, only had 1 carry that was stopped for no gain.

Cardinals' Darnell Dockett and Steelers' LaMarr Woodley both sacked the opposing QB twice. All other defensive players did not record any sacks.

There have only been 3 head coaches in Pittsburgh Steeler history: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin. Noll won 4 titles (IX, X, XIII, and XIV) and Cowher won 1 (XL). Now, each of them has won at least one Super Bowl with the Steelers.

Super Bowl XLIII Preview

Well, we are finally here; Super Bowl XLIII. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals will duel it out on the field to see who will bring home the Vince Lombardi trophy.

It will be a great game to watch. The Steelers have an elite defense and a decent offense; conversely, the Cardinals have an elite offense but a decent defense.

Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald have hooked up on key occasions in the playoffs, one reason why the Cards have been playing so well. Fitzgerald will keep the Pittsburgh defense on their toes with his speed and agility. Fitzgerald's hands are superb and his jumping ability may be overwhelming to the Steelers.

Another key to the game is Kurt Warner's ability to handle the pressure the Steel Curtain will throw at him. Warner has faced some tough defenses that like to blitz, but none like that of the Steelers. If the offensive line can fend off the Steeler defense, that will give Warner more time to make accurate throws. If the offensive line cannot hold the Steelers, than Warner will be hurried to throw the ball and may make errant passes.

If the Cardinals want to win this game, they need to utilize trick plays like they have been doing all postseason. The flea-flicker in the wild card round caught the Falcons off guard and resulted in a touchdown. The play in the NFC championship game also left the Eagles baffled as to what happened.

The Arizona defense also needs to shine in order to win. They forced twelve turnovers in the postseason and that trend needs to continue. Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are two defensive backs who need to stay with the wide receivers they cover (most likely Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes).

As for the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger needs to make accurate throws. The Arizona secondary flourished in the playoffs and if Roethlisberger makes poor decisions, the secondary will take advantage.

Big Ben also has to avoid aggravating his rib and back injuries. Those have affected his passing game and if aggravated, then his skill may be diminished.

Hines Ward will be one of the X-Factors in the Super Bowl. Ward has not been 100% healthy in months and recently suffered a leg injury. He needs to run his routes and catch passes thrown to him. One strategy Pittsburgh could use is just having him on the field as a threat, not as a "receiver" on most plays.

Ward's fellow receiver, Santonio Holmes, will be another key player. Not only does Holmes have the ability to catch the deep ball as a wide receiver, but his speed and agility make him a threat to return kicks and punts for touchdowns.

Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, and Ryan Clark are three of the Steelers' defenders who will hit the Cardinals hard and will have an enormous impact on the game. The Cardinals have not faced a defense like Pittsburgh; they have not faced a team that hits as hard as they do.

With all that said, the Steelers will be the new champions of the NFL. Defense wins championships and their defense is too strong. I believe the Cardinals will keep it close throughout, but in the end the Steelers will be crowned champions.

Prediction:
Steelers over Cardinals, 23-17
*Ben Roethlisberger named Super Bowl MVP*