It's playoff time again in the MLB, and this year's postseason seems to have an unusual feel. For the first time in over a decade, New York will have no representatives. Instead we have teams such as the playoff-virgins of Tampa Bay, and the Milwaukee Brewers, who haven't seen October baseball since 1982. The new blood makes for an intriguing field of teams when you combine them with mainstay clubs like the defending champion Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels, who had the best record in the majors.
Earlier in the week, before the playoffs began, I typed up an in-depth preview of the Division Series matchups, only to have my internet give out as it neared completion. I was able to save my award predictions, and had another thought for a new idea. I've always wondered why MLB has no type of All-Star recognition at the end of the season, such as the NFL with it's All-Pro teams and the NBA with it's All-NBA rosters. In baseball, All-Stars are selected mid-season and those players don't always maintain that level of success over a full 162 games. Often times, due to the popularity influence when allowing fans to vote, players that are selected are not truly deserving (see: Jason Varitek). So after a full season of baseball and a good amount of research, I have compiled a full season All-Star roster for both the AL and the NL. I have provided a starting nine (or eight in the case of the NL), along with five starting pitchers and two closers for each league. If you compare these rosters to the mid-season All-Star teams, I think you will find some significant differences. Without further ado, here are your 2008 All-MLB teams:
AL:
C- Joe Mauer, MIN: Although Mauer's power numbers could improve, the AL batting champ is clearly the class of the AL.
1B- Justin Morneau, MIN: Morneau and Mauer are the two biggest reasons the Twins compete every year. Morneau is an RBI-machine, and barely edges out Boston's Kevin Youkilis.
2B- Dustin Pedroia, BOS: An incredible year for Pedroia proved that he's more than just a spark-plug. He led the AL in several major hitting categories, and finished second to Mauer in the batting title race.
3B- Evan Longoria, TB: Expect better things to come from this rookie who snatched this spot from A-Rod. He's probably Tampa's best player already.
SS- Derek Jeter, NYY: Say what you will about DJ getting older, but the Yankee Captain still led all AL shortshop's in batting average and on-base percentage. He's also quickly approaching 3,000 career hits and will likely go well beyond that.
LF- Carlos Quentin, CHW: The White Sox could really use this guy for the playoffs (out with a broken wrist) who had a major breakout season. Quentin went from a fourth outfielder to an All-Star, finishing second in the AL in home runs while registering only 480 at-bats.
CF- Josh Hamilton, TEX: Although Hamilton's production dropped off after the All-Star break, he still led the AL in RBIs with 130. The sky is the limit for the former #1 pick (if only the Rangers could acquire some pitching).
RF- Magglio Ordonez, DET: Last year' s batting champ quietly had a very good year for the underachieving Tigers. He led all AL outfielders in batting average while only striking out 76 times, which is very good for a run producing, middle of the lineup type of player.
DH- Aubrey Huff, BAL: While Huff played some games in the field for the Orioles, he was primarily a DH and had himself quite a season. A .304 batting average, along with 32 homers and 108 RBIs will likely earn Huff a big payday.
Pitchers:
SP- Cliff Lee, CLE: He went 22-3 on a team that only won 81 games. Enough said.
SP- Roy Halladay, TOR: A case could be made that Halladay has been the AL's most consistent pitcher over the past few seasons.
SP- Mike Mussina, NYY: The lone bright spot in an otherwise sorry Yankee rotation. The Moose finally got the 20-win season he deserved.
SP- Ervin Santana, LAA: A huge bounce back year for Santana who took on the role of L.A.'s ace early in the year when John Lackey was out.
SP- Jon Lester, BOS: Has developed into a shutdown pitcher for the Red Sox, highlighting his amazing year with a no-hitter in May.
CL- Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: Broke the all-time single season saves record in a contract year. Cha-Ching.
CL- Mariano Rivera, NYY: An almost perfect year for Rivera who proved he's still the best in the game by converting 39 of 40 save opportunities.
NL:
C- Brian McCann, ATL: Quietly was one of the few Braves' to have a good year. Led all NL catchers in batting average and home runs.
1B- Albert Pujols, STL: An absolute monster year for Pujols (surprised?) who carried the Cardinals on his back and into playoff contention.
2B- Chase Utley, PHI: Started the year red-hot and looked as if he would break all kinds of second baseman records, but even though he cooled off he still proved he's the best in the game at his position.
3B- Aramis Ramirez, CHC: Had an excellent year while leading the first place Cubs in RBIs with 111. This could have been the Mets' David Wright's spot had he performed better down the stretch.
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLA: Expect Hanley to earn this distinction for years to come. He's approaching the Pujols/A-Rod class.
LF- Manny Ramirez, LAD: Manny makes it three straight Ramirez's. Although he did not play the entire season with the Dodgers, his impact was unlike anything we've seen. He made them a playoff team while hitting nearly .400.
CF- Nate McLouth, PIT: McLouth does everything well. As a leadoff hitter for most of the year he still managed to hit 26 home runs and drive in 94 runs. Add 23 stolen bases, an NL-leading 46 doubles, and great defense and you've got the makings of a star.
RF- Ryan Ludwick, STL: Another name who if you saw at the beginning of the year would have you scratching your head. Ludwick hit 37 home runs while benefiting from being apart of the same lineup as Pujols.
Pitchers:
SP- C.C. Sabathia, MIL: Was nothing short of dominate after coming over from Cleveland. The Brewers could not have made the playoffs without him and his partiality for throwing complete games.
SP- Tim Lincecum, SF: Led the NL with 265 strikeouts, almost 60 more than any other pitcher. Lincecum looked unhittable in his first full season and should be on Cy-Young watch for years to come.
SP- Brandon Webb, ARI: Much like Halladay in the AL, Webb has been the most consistent pitcher in the NL for the past few seasons. This year he led the league with 22 wins.
SP- Johan Santana, NYM: Served as the Mets' lone shining star down the stretch and became the only pitcher they could count on for a win. Took a little while to adjust to the NL, but finished strong while leading the league in ERA.
SP- Ryan Dempster, CHC: Dempster is far from the most decorated Cubs' starter, but he was their most consistent. He led a deep staff with a sub-3.00 ERA and showed that he is best suited as a starter.
CL- Brad Lidge, PHI: A change of scenery was exactly what Lidge needed, as he converted all 41 of his save opportunities and led all NL closers with a 1.95 ERA.
CL- Kerry Wood, CHC: After many injury-filled seasons, Wood finally found his role and flourished as the Cubs' closer showing he still has top-notch stuff.
Also, here's some award predictions-
AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia, BOS
While Pedroia does not fit the role of your typical MVP candidate (a la A-Rod, Big Papi, etc.), it's difficult to deny the substanial impact he has on the Red Sox on a daily basis. In part, I would choose Pedroia due to the fact that this was not a big year for many of the big guns in the AL. Miguel Cabrera led the league with 37 home runs compared to last year when A-Rod topped the AL with 54. But while it was a down year for the power guys, Pedroia managed to lead the league in runs scored, hits and doubles while finishing second in the AL batting race with a .326 average. What makes Pedroia truly the American League's most "valuable" player though are the little things he does. He is known around the league as a scrappy player, who does everything at full speed. Incredibly, he played in 157 games and only struck out 52 times. And while his teammate Kevin Youkilis deserves consideration as well, Pedroia is the one who seemed to be the pulse of the Red Sox all season.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, STL
Pujols has cemented his place as the best player in the NL. In spring training there were talks of him needing surgery on his injured elbow, but he elected to forgo any procedure and see how the season played out. The Cardinals were not expected to content with a roster full of unknowns, but Pujols proved that as long as he is in the lineup the Cardinals will be in it. His biggest competitor for the award is probably Manny Ramirez, who was incredible in his short time with the Dodgers (sorry Ryan Howard fans, but I'd have a tough time voting for a guy who only hit .250 and struck out 200 times). And while a case could be made for Manny, Pujols' played through injury and still thrived. His numbers were outstanding (.357 AVG, 37 HR, 116 RBI), but the impact his bat had on players such as Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel was perhaps his most impressive feat.
AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee, CLE
It's hard to dispute this one. Lee led the AL in wins and ERA while playing on a team that offered little run support. He accounted for over a quarter of his team's wins with 22, and amazingly lost only 3 games. While fellow 20-game winners Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina had fine seasons, Lee came out of nowhere and dominated the AL.
NL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia, MIL
Although I am skepical about selecting a player who only played a bit more than a third of the season with his team, Sabathia's impact on the Brewers has been beyond huge. Neither of Sabathia's two biggest competitor's (Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Brandon Webb of the D-Backs) could lead their team's to the playoffs, while Sabathia almost singled-handedly dragged his across the finish line. He dominated the NL in 17 starts going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. But his impact goes way beyond his numbers. Every time the Brewers looked as if they were in trouble, Sabathia answered the call, often pitching on three days rest. He also threw an uncanny seven complete games in his short time with the team. He gave everything he had despite the risk involved due to his pending free agency, and has put himself in a position to reap the rewards.
AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, TB
NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto, CHC
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, TB
NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, CHC
Stay tuned for Championship Series previews and predictions once the teams are set...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Jets-Pats Blog
4:16PM ET: Jets get the ball. K Stephen Gostkowski's opening kick sails past the end zone for a touchback. Here comes Jet Favre...
4:19PM ET: Jets are moving the ball already. A couple nice runs from RB Thomas Jones and a big third down pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery. So far, so good for the Jets' O-Line.
4:24PM ET: Watch out for Jets' RB Leon Washington. They're moving him around and freeing him up for some short pass plays. He's capable of breaking one.
4:27PM ET: The return of K Jay Feely to the Meadowlands does not go smoothly. He shanks a 31-yarder after a good Jet drive. Looked like a bad hold from Ben Graham; hopefully for the Jets it won't come back to haunt them.
4:31PM ET: Thrilling high school game footage of Matt Cassel. He lays somebody out playing safety. Maybe if this QB thing doesn't work out...
4:33PM ET: The Patriots are keeping things simple for Cassel with short patterns that allow for yards after the catch, and don't require multiple reads. It's working thus far.
4:37PM ET: Nice drive from the Pats ends with a short field goal thanks to a big third down stop by the Jets inside their own 10. Not much running room so far up the middle (Kris Jenkins, anyone?)
4:44PM ET: Jets' WR Laveranues Coles drops a ball on third down which forces the Jets to punt. Jets are going to need him to step up at some point and get over Chad Pennington's release.
4:47PM ET: End of first quarter. Pats up 3-0. This game is flying by.
4:49PM ET: Good play by Jets' OLB Calvin Pace to tip a Cassel pass is erased by an even better play on a one-handed catch by Pats' RB Kevin Faulk. The ball doesn't seem to be bouncing the Jets' way.
4:54PM ET: Cassel has been completing the short passes, but everytime he's been asked to throw down the field he has not been accurate. He just made a bad pass on third down to force the Pats to settle for another field goal.
5:00PM ET: Coles it steps up. HUGE third down conversion as he catches a 10-yard pass and turns it into a 54-yard gain. Jets inside the Pats' 30.
5:02PM ET: Great run by Washington to put the Jets in a first and goal situation. It looked like he was going to get tackled at the line of scrimmage but he made a beautiful cut.
5:06PM ET: Jets get stuffed three plays in a row and only get three points. Hard to understand how you can't gain two yards in three plays. That was one of those drives where the Jets really had to be expecting a touchdown. Luckily for Jay Feely, he doesn't miss the kick.
5:11PM ET: Bad facemasking penalty by Jets' DE Shaun Ellis followed by a nice play by S Kerry Rhodes to stop RB Sammy Morris in the backfield. Rhodes is looking very active, but veterans like Ellis can't make mistakes like that if the Jets expect to win.
5:18PM ET: Jets offense looks awfully conservative, and goes three and out. Jets' P Ben Graham can't even punt the ball past midfield, giving Cassel and co. the ball back with 2:12 until halftime.
5:20PM ET: Cassel gets hit hard and comes up limping. He stays in for the next play but the Pats are forced to punt. We'll keep an eye on Cassel.
5:26PM ET: Pats' DE Richard Seymour breaks through Jets' O-Line to sack Favre on first down. With under a minute to go, the Jets should just play it safe and head to the locker room.
5:28PM ET: Halftime. Pats up 6-3. Fairly sloppy half for the Jets, who should have more points if not for Feely's miss and three straight stops by the Pats on first and goal. The Pats defense is not letting the Jets gain yardage consistently, but their offense looks underwhelming with Cassel at the helm. He has yet to complete any balls down the field. Still, Favre and the Jets are going to have to get in the end zone if they want to win this game.
5:42PM ET: Jets kick to the Pats. Pats' rookie QB Kevin O'Connell was warming up but Cassel comes onto the field.
5:46PM ET: Great defensive stand by the Jets. OLB Bryan Thomas gets a sack on first down, Jenkins stuffs the run on second down, and then Pace and DB David Barrett combined for a sack on third down. They're giving the Jets' offense a shot. (Interesting note: WR Randy Moss has been very quiet)
5:50PM ET: Jets free agent signee RT Damien Woody erases a nice run by Jones with a holding penatly and then Favre follows that up by throwing a pass after he had crossed the line of scrimmage. The Jets' can't afford these mistakes. Now they have a 2nd and 23 to work with.
5:52PM ET: Favre redeems himself by scrambling and finding WR Chansi Stuckey for a first down on 3rd and 22.
5:54PM ET: Terrible call on a nice play by Cotchery to erase a 30+ yard gain. The ball was underthrown and they called offensive pass interference when CB Deltha O'Neal fell down. That should not have been a penalty.
5:55PM ET: Favre throws a bad pick to Pats' S Brandon Meriweather. There was no one even close. Things are going bad quickly for the Jets.
6:00PM ET: Touchdown Patriots. Morris bangs one in from the Jets' one yard line. Now the Jets are down by two scores. That one is on Favre; let's see how the old QB responds to adversity in New York.
6:07PM ET: We got that answer quick. Jets go three and out.
6:08PM ET: Short punt by Graham and a nifty run back by Faulk gives the Pats the ball near the Jets 40. The Jets defense has hung tough so far but their offense is putting them in a tight spot.
6:14PM ET: Gostkowski makes the field goal, so it's touchdown or bust for the Jets. They need two in a little over a quarter just to tie. And that's if the Pats don't score anymore.
6:22PM ET: The Jets are moving the ball a little bit, but Favre seems to be settling for a lot of checkdowns. At some point you have to open up the offense.
6:23PM ET: We have a Dustin Keller sighting. 19-yard gain.
6:24PM ET: Big run by Jones gives the Jets the ball almost on the goal line. Here's another chance inside the five with four plays to work with. Maybe the Jets should consider some play-action.
6:27PM ET: Favre hits Stuckey in the back of the end zone from the shotgun. He was wide open. Jets down 6 now. It's not over yet...
6:31PM ET: The Jets defense gets hit with a 12-man on the field penalty on first down. That's on the coaches shoulders. That's one noticeable difference between the two teams: the Pats haven't made as many mental mistakes.
6:34PM ET: Wow. Moss had CB Darrelle Revis beat, but Cassel underthrew the ball and Revis was able to rip it from Moss' hands. Let's see how long Moss keeps playing the good solider with passes like that. If Tom Brady is playing QB, that's 6 points for the Pats and game over for the Jets.
6:38PM ET: More Jet mistakes. Roughing the passer penalty on Pace.
6:43PM ET: Nice, long drive from the Pats. They moved the chains and milked the clock culminating in an easy field goal for Gostkowski. Now it's a two score game with less than six minutes left. Jets are going to need a quick score.
6:47PM ET: Pats' OLB Adalius Thomas drags Brett Favre back almost 20 yards. Jets do nothing and are forced to punt. I can hear the fat lady on the horizon...
6:55PM ET: Pats run out the clock. Matt Cassel wins his first start. Not the prettiest win, but I'm sure Belichick will take it. The Jets clearly still have work to do. Pats 19, Jets 10.
Game Recap: The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but today's game showed some glipses of vulnerablity. Matt Cassel didn't do anything spectacular, but he managed the game and didn't make any criticial mistakes. If he continues to do to that the Pats will win their share of games, but the Jets have to feel like they had a shot to come out on top. Brett Favre still does not look comfortable, which had to be expected this early in his Jet career. He settled for a lot of checkdowns and didn't make many plays down the field. The Jets offense showed some flashes, but were clearly overmatched by a solid Patriot defense. Hopefully for Favre and the Jets they will continue to grow each week, but this week showed they still have a long way to go. One thing that Eric Mangini needs to address right away is his team's mental mistakes. The Patriots looked like the more battle-tested team, while many of the new Jets are still getting to know each other. The Patriots remain on top for today, but the Jets should feel they have a chance next time these teams meet. In the meantime, they have some work to do, especially on Favre's side of the ball.
4:19PM ET: Jets are moving the ball already. A couple nice runs from RB Thomas Jones and a big third down pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery. So far, so good for the Jets' O-Line.
4:24PM ET: Watch out for Jets' RB Leon Washington. They're moving him around and freeing him up for some short pass plays. He's capable of breaking one.
4:27PM ET: The return of K Jay Feely to the Meadowlands does not go smoothly. He shanks a 31-yarder after a good Jet drive. Looked like a bad hold from Ben Graham; hopefully for the Jets it won't come back to haunt them.
4:31PM ET: Thrilling high school game footage of Matt Cassel. He lays somebody out playing safety. Maybe if this QB thing doesn't work out...
4:33PM ET: The Patriots are keeping things simple for Cassel with short patterns that allow for yards after the catch, and don't require multiple reads. It's working thus far.
4:37PM ET: Nice drive from the Pats ends with a short field goal thanks to a big third down stop by the Jets inside their own 10. Not much running room so far up the middle (Kris Jenkins, anyone?)
4:44PM ET: Jets' WR Laveranues Coles drops a ball on third down which forces the Jets to punt. Jets are going to need him to step up at some point and get over Chad Pennington's release.
4:47PM ET: End of first quarter. Pats up 3-0. This game is flying by.
4:49PM ET: Good play by Jets' OLB Calvin Pace to tip a Cassel pass is erased by an even better play on a one-handed catch by Pats' RB Kevin Faulk. The ball doesn't seem to be bouncing the Jets' way.
4:54PM ET: Cassel has been completing the short passes, but everytime he's been asked to throw down the field he has not been accurate. He just made a bad pass on third down to force the Pats to settle for another field goal.
5:00PM ET: Coles it steps up. HUGE third down conversion as he catches a 10-yard pass and turns it into a 54-yard gain. Jets inside the Pats' 30.
5:02PM ET: Great run by Washington to put the Jets in a first and goal situation. It looked like he was going to get tackled at the line of scrimmage but he made a beautiful cut.
5:06PM ET: Jets get stuffed three plays in a row and only get three points. Hard to understand how you can't gain two yards in three plays. That was one of those drives where the Jets really had to be expecting a touchdown. Luckily for Jay Feely, he doesn't miss the kick.
5:11PM ET: Bad facemasking penalty by Jets' DE Shaun Ellis followed by a nice play by S Kerry Rhodes to stop RB Sammy Morris in the backfield. Rhodes is looking very active, but veterans like Ellis can't make mistakes like that if the Jets expect to win.
5:18PM ET: Jets offense looks awfully conservative, and goes three and out. Jets' P Ben Graham can't even punt the ball past midfield, giving Cassel and co. the ball back with 2:12 until halftime.
5:20PM ET: Cassel gets hit hard and comes up limping. He stays in for the next play but the Pats are forced to punt. We'll keep an eye on Cassel.
5:26PM ET: Pats' DE Richard Seymour breaks through Jets' O-Line to sack Favre on first down. With under a minute to go, the Jets should just play it safe and head to the locker room.
5:28PM ET: Halftime. Pats up 6-3. Fairly sloppy half for the Jets, who should have more points if not for Feely's miss and three straight stops by the Pats on first and goal. The Pats defense is not letting the Jets gain yardage consistently, but their offense looks underwhelming with Cassel at the helm. He has yet to complete any balls down the field. Still, Favre and the Jets are going to have to get in the end zone if they want to win this game.
5:42PM ET: Jets kick to the Pats. Pats' rookie QB Kevin O'Connell was warming up but Cassel comes onto the field.
5:46PM ET: Great defensive stand by the Jets. OLB Bryan Thomas gets a sack on first down, Jenkins stuffs the run on second down, and then Pace and DB David Barrett combined for a sack on third down. They're giving the Jets' offense a shot. (Interesting note: WR Randy Moss has been very quiet)
5:50PM ET: Jets free agent signee RT Damien Woody erases a nice run by Jones with a holding penatly and then Favre follows that up by throwing a pass after he had crossed the line of scrimmage. The Jets' can't afford these mistakes. Now they have a 2nd and 23 to work with.
5:52PM ET: Favre redeems himself by scrambling and finding WR Chansi Stuckey for a first down on 3rd and 22.
5:54PM ET: Terrible call on a nice play by Cotchery to erase a 30+ yard gain. The ball was underthrown and they called offensive pass interference when CB Deltha O'Neal fell down. That should not have been a penalty.
5:55PM ET: Favre throws a bad pick to Pats' S Brandon Meriweather. There was no one even close. Things are going bad quickly for the Jets.
6:00PM ET: Touchdown Patriots. Morris bangs one in from the Jets' one yard line. Now the Jets are down by two scores. That one is on Favre; let's see how the old QB responds to adversity in New York.
6:07PM ET: We got that answer quick. Jets go three and out.
6:08PM ET: Short punt by Graham and a nifty run back by Faulk gives the Pats the ball near the Jets 40. The Jets defense has hung tough so far but their offense is putting them in a tight spot.
6:14PM ET: Gostkowski makes the field goal, so it's touchdown or bust for the Jets. They need two in a little over a quarter just to tie. And that's if the Pats don't score anymore.
6:22PM ET: The Jets are moving the ball a little bit, but Favre seems to be settling for a lot of checkdowns. At some point you have to open up the offense.
6:23PM ET: We have a Dustin Keller sighting. 19-yard gain.
6:24PM ET: Big run by Jones gives the Jets the ball almost on the goal line. Here's another chance inside the five with four plays to work with. Maybe the Jets should consider some play-action.
6:27PM ET: Favre hits Stuckey in the back of the end zone from the shotgun. He was wide open. Jets down 6 now. It's not over yet...
6:31PM ET: The Jets defense gets hit with a 12-man on the field penalty on first down. That's on the coaches shoulders. That's one noticeable difference between the two teams: the Pats haven't made as many mental mistakes.
6:34PM ET: Wow. Moss had CB Darrelle Revis beat, but Cassel underthrew the ball and Revis was able to rip it from Moss' hands. Let's see how long Moss keeps playing the good solider with passes like that. If Tom Brady is playing QB, that's 6 points for the Pats and game over for the Jets.
6:38PM ET: More Jet mistakes. Roughing the passer penalty on Pace.
6:43PM ET: Nice, long drive from the Pats. They moved the chains and milked the clock culminating in an easy field goal for Gostkowski. Now it's a two score game with less than six minutes left. Jets are going to need a quick score.
6:47PM ET: Pats' OLB Adalius Thomas drags Brett Favre back almost 20 yards. Jets do nothing and are forced to punt. I can hear the fat lady on the horizon...
6:55PM ET: Pats run out the clock. Matt Cassel wins his first start. Not the prettiest win, but I'm sure Belichick will take it. The Jets clearly still have work to do. Pats 19, Jets 10.
Game Recap: The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but today's game showed some glipses of vulnerablity. Matt Cassel didn't do anything spectacular, but he managed the game and didn't make any criticial mistakes. If he continues to do to that the Pats will win their share of games, but the Jets have to feel like they had a shot to come out on top. Brett Favre still does not look comfortable, which had to be expected this early in his Jet career. He settled for a lot of checkdowns and didn't make many plays down the field. The Jets offense showed some flashes, but were clearly overmatched by a solid Patriot defense. Hopefully for Favre and the Jets they will continue to grow each week, but this week showed they still have a long way to go. One thing that Eric Mangini needs to address right away is his team's mental mistakes. The Patriots looked like the more battle-tested team, while many of the new Jets are still getting to know each other. The Patriots remain on top for today, but the Jets should feel they have a chance next time these teams meet. In the meantime, they have some work to do, especially on Favre's side of the ball.
Jets-Pats Preview
Rarely as fans do we have the privilege of enjoying a Week 2 matchup that runs as deep with storylines as today's Patriots-Jets game at the Meadowlands. Despite a 4-12 record last season, the Jets have a golden opportunity to make a statement not only to the Pats, but to the rest of the AFC. Head Coach Eric Mangini made drastic changes over the course of the offseason, culminating with a trade for all-time great QB Brett Favre. For better or for worse, the Jets are built to win now.
Meanwhile, the Patriots had the greatest regular season in the history of the NFL, which they followed by being on the losing end of the greatest upset in the history of the NFL. Coming into this season they were still considered the class of the AFC, who would be ultra-motivated to avenge the loss that prevented them from being known as the greatest team ever.
But in the NFL, things can change in the blink of an eye.
The Patriots leader and reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady has been lost for the season after tearing both his ACL and MCL last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the Patriots hopes will rest squarely on the shoulders of career backup (both in college and the NFL) Matt Cassel. Suddenly, the Patriots aren't viewed as a sure thing to win the AFC East anymore. Thus opening the door for none other than the New York Jets (along with the Buffalo Bills, and for the sake of being politicially correct, the Miami Dolphins).
Although it is still very early, a win from the Jets would immediately show that the Brady-less Pats have lost that aura of invinciblity that they had last season. It would also show that the Jets now have to been taken seriously as contenders in the AFC East.
On the other hand, a win from the Patriots would show that despite the loss of Brady, this is still very much the same team that went undefeated in the regular season last year. Any Jet fan would tell you they have a very tough time counting out Pats Head Coach Bill Belichick; no matter the circumstances.
The potential for dramatics in this game has been boiling over all week, causing an abundance of excitement, especially in New York. But the game must be played on the field, and here's what I'll be looking for out of both teams:
Meanwhile, the Patriots had the greatest regular season in the history of the NFL, which they followed by being on the losing end of the greatest upset in the history of the NFL. Coming into this season they were still considered the class of the AFC, who would be ultra-motivated to avenge the loss that prevented them from being known as the greatest team ever.
But in the NFL, things can change in the blink of an eye.
The Patriots leader and reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady has been lost for the season after tearing both his ACL and MCL last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the Patriots hopes will rest squarely on the shoulders of career backup (both in college and the NFL) Matt Cassel. Suddenly, the Patriots aren't viewed as a sure thing to win the AFC East anymore. Thus opening the door for none other than the New York Jets (along with the Buffalo Bills, and for the sake of being politicially correct, the Miami Dolphins).
Although it is still very early, a win from the Jets would immediately show that the Brady-less Pats have lost that aura of invinciblity that they had last season. It would also show that the Jets now have to been taken seriously as contenders in the AFC East.
On the other hand, a win from the Patriots would show that despite the loss of Brady, this is still very much the same team that went undefeated in the regular season last year. Any Jet fan would tell you they have a very tough time counting out Pats Head Coach Bill Belichick; no matter the circumstances.
The potential for dramatics in this game has been boiling over all week, causing an abundance of excitement, especially in New York. But the game must be played on the field, and here's what I'll be looking for out of both teams:
- We'll start with the obvious one, and that will be the play of the Pats' Matt Cassel. Don't expect Belichick to "over-adjust" simply to suit an inexperienced QB. They will still work the ball around to WRs Randy Moss, Wes Welker, etc. Belichick will find different ways to protect Cassel, but he will also be responsible for making his share of plays.
- The most intriguing battle may be between the Jets new-and-improved offensive line and the Patriots front seven, which has been a model over the past decade for teams that run a 3-4 defense. Last week against the Dolphins, the Jets' O-Line looked solid. RB Thomas Jones ran for over 100 yards and had noticeably more wiggle room to work with than last season. The pass protection was also good, minus a few miscommunications with Favre. But the Patriots are a completely different animal, led by their mammoth defensive line. Vince Wilfork and company have the ability to dominate, despite only using three lineman with their hands down. Don't overlook the contributions of the Jets' new fullback, Tony Richardson.
- In order to disrupt Cassel's timing and rhythm, Mangini will package a variety of different blitzes together. The Jets pass rush looked much improved last week, but again, they were playing the Dolphins. Free agent signee OLB Calvin Pace looks to be a nice fit in Mangini's defense, which demands versatility. First round pick Vernon Gholston is not trusted enough yet to play on first and second down, but he was used as a fourth defensive linemen on third downs for pass rushing purposes last week. Look for the Jets to get after Cassel early and often.
- The Patriots' secondary suffered significant losses in the offseason, with Pro Bowler Asante Samuel headlining the list of departures. Samuel will surely be missed; his playmaking ability created crucial turnovers for the Patriots last season. The question now will be how the replacements perform, and Belichick has been known for his ability to pull rabbits out of his hat. Favre and the Jets will undoubtedly test this group with the deep ball, as long as the O-Line provides enough time to do so. Keep an eye on the left cornerback spot, where Deltha O'Neal and rookie Terrence Wheatley will receive the majority of the playing time.
- WR Randy Moss: Duh...
- RB Sammy Morris: While Laurence Maroney will start, the Patriots are going to work hard to establish the run, and Morris has shown his effectiveness when healthy.
- DE Richard Seymour: He had a down year last season while playing hurt, but will be counted on to play like the Seymour we've been accustomed to while lined up over LT D'Brickshaw Ferguson and Pro Bowl LG Alan Faneca.
- TE Dustin Keller: The Jets second 1st round pick was quiet last week, but could be a viable weapon for Favre up the seem.
- NT Kris Jenkins: He was a monster last week against the Dolphins, limiting their running attack significantly. Let's see how he stacks up against the Pats experienced O-Line.
- CB Dwight Lowery: The rookie played great against Miami after earning the surprise start due to Justin Miller's injury. If he does the same against the Pats he could make the starting gig his, permanently.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Schilling Working Out His Mouth, Not Arm
"Bitter" was the word used by Red Sox pitcher (or perhaps former Red Sox pitcher) Curt Schilling recently to describe fans in New York.
"They want us to be as bitter and mad as they are," said Schilling. "Unfortunately, it's not going to happen."
One might assume that the three-time World Champion was referring to Yankee fans being upset due to the fact that the team's playoff hopes are becoming dimmer by the day. But, that assumption would be false. Little did New Yorkers know, Schilling is not only one of the greatest pitchers of this generation, but he also seems to consider himself to be a football expert.
When asked about this weekend's upcoming Jets-Patriots matchup Schilling remarked: "The sad part is going to be when they beat the Jets."
By they, Schilling is referring to the Patriots, who lost their sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady for the rest of the season. The reaction in New York has been one of excitement and hope. The Patriots have dominated the AFC East for the majority of this decade, and now with Brady out and Brett Favre in the Jets corner, New Yorkers can see the light. And with good reason.
It was not too long ago when Boston fans were in a similiar boat. For 86 years they suffered watching the Red Sox continuously fall short of winning a World Championship. They were in many ways, if I may borrow a line from Schilling, "bitter." And who wouldn't be?
No passionate fan would be willing to accept losing on a consistent basis. And any fan across the country would tell you that prior to 2004 (when the Red Sox won), there was no fan base known as much for their bitterness as Red Sox fans. Have we forgotten about "The Curse" that was talked about so often in Boston?
In many ways, this is the beauty of sports. From year to year your fortunes can change. The Jets were 4-12 last season, yet today they are feeling optimistic about a playoff berth. In 2003 the Red Sox were cursed, yet in 2004 they were champions. These roller coaster rides are what makes fans want to watch each game, with the hope that today can be better than the day before. As a part of that 2004 Red Sox team, Curt Schilling should know this.
If I were Schilling, I would be more concerned with getting myself healthy than criticizing Jet fans. These New York-Boston rivalries are part of what makes sports in this section of the country so much fun. Let New Yorkers dream big today, because Boston fans will continue do the same.
"It's unfortunate," said Schilling referring to Brady. "But when you crawl to the top of the pile you will have people trying to knock you down."
Perhaps he forgot that another New York football team already did that to Brady and his Patriots last January.
"They want us to be as bitter and mad as they are," said Schilling. "Unfortunately, it's not going to happen."
One might assume that the three-time World Champion was referring to Yankee fans being upset due to the fact that the team's playoff hopes are becoming dimmer by the day. But, that assumption would be false. Little did New Yorkers know, Schilling is not only one of the greatest pitchers of this generation, but he also seems to consider himself to be a football expert.
When asked about this weekend's upcoming Jets-Patriots matchup Schilling remarked: "The sad part is going to be when they beat the Jets."
By they, Schilling is referring to the Patriots, who lost their sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady for the rest of the season. The reaction in New York has been one of excitement and hope. The Patriots have dominated the AFC East for the majority of this decade, and now with Brady out and Brett Favre in the Jets corner, New Yorkers can see the light. And with good reason.
It was not too long ago when Boston fans were in a similiar boat. For 86 years they suffered watching the Red Sox continuously fall short of winning a World Championship. They were in many ways, if I may borrow a line from Schilling, "bitter." And who wouldn't be?
No passionate fan would be willing to accept losing on a consistent basis. And any fan across the country would tell you that prior to 2004 (when the Red Sox won), there was no fan base known as much for their bitterness as Red Sox fans. Have we forgotten about "The Curse" that was talked about so often in Boston?
In many ways, this is the beauty of sports. From year to year your fortunes can change. The Jets were 4-12 last season, yet today they are feeling optimistic about a playoff berth. In 2003 the Red Sox were cursed, yet in 2004 they were champions. These roller coaster rides are what makes fans want to watch each game, with the hope that today can be better than the day before. As a part of that 2004 Red Sox team, Curt Schilling should know this.
If I were Schilling, I would be more concerned with getting myself healthy than criticizing Jet fans. These New York-Boston rivalries are part of what makes sports in this section of the country so much fun. Let New Yorkers dream big today, because Boston fans will continue do the same.
"It's unfortunate," said Schilling referring to Brady. "But when you crawl to the top of the pile you will have people trying to knock you down."
Perhaps he forgot that another New York football team already did that to Brady and his Patriots last January.
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