Bleacher Report - Articles by Shawn Dommer

Real Giants Football Returns to New York

Shawn Dommer — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:17:37 -0500

The New York Giants could not have written a better script for their attempt to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

There were many questions coming into this season, and all of them have been answered by great performances. Tom Coughlin has mixed his old-school ways with the new-school league and created a team from the mold of traditional Giants football. And oh yeah, the best team in the NFC, if not the league.

The big question going into Week One was how would the defense fair without Michael Strahan and Usi Umenyora? The answer: Just fine. Justin Tuck has become a beast, and the G-Men have the second best defense in terms of yards allowed and the fifth-ranked defense in points against.

The defense is a machine, with second-year man Aaron Ross anchoring an improved secondary and Kenny Phillips is proving he's the real deal. Nick Blackburn has been a pleasant surprise, and Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, and Matthias Kiwanuka have been dominating.

Put this together with "Earth, Wind and Fire" as the best rushing attack in the NFL, and the Giants are in control of every game.

The second question of everyone's mind was the passing game, and in it was a subset of questions: How would Eli Manning fair with, perhaps, an increased pressure to keep it up? How would the attack fair without Jeremy Shockey? Would Plaxico settle in and stop complaining?

Manning has been above solid. He'll most likely pass for 3,200-3,500 yards and approach, if not break, his career high of 24 touchdowns. The greatest improvement has been his ability to keep his head and not turn the ball over.

Through 10 games, Manning had only thrown seven interceptions. Take away the one game at Cleveland, where he threw three, and he has spread four interceptions over nine games.

If he keeps his current pace, he'll end up with a line looking some what like this: 293 for 486 with 24 touchdowns and 11 INTS. That's a QB Rating of 123.8.

As for Boss, through 10 games, he has 19 receptions for 217 yards with four TD. He'll end up with 30 touches for 342 yards and six or seven TD.

It's no where near the touches or yards Shockey has put up, but Shockey's career high is only seven touchdowns. Clearly, however, is the fact that Boss is stepping up in the run blocking, with the league's most potent attack, no one is missing Shockey's attitude or injuries and the play action pass over the middle to Boss in the red zone has become feared.

The last issue in the passing game was whether or not Plaxico's whining would continue into the season. While this year has not been as smooth as last, Plax appears to be under control, even if his numbers are disappointing. He's on pace to reach 726 yards with six TDs, which is well below his outputs over the past two seasons.

Still, the G-Men have made up for it with a bigger contribution of Steve Smith, the emergence of Dominik Hixon, and the steady hands and leadership of Amani Toomer.

In addition to their play, the Giants have been helped by outside factors. Within their own division, which can easily lay claim to being the nastiest in football, the Cowboys have been plagued by drama and injuries.

This while the Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb show continues to roll on, mismanage the clock and blow games.

They have also been helped by the spotlight being diverted, just like Tom Coughlin likes it. I don't know if you've heard, but ESPN's favorite quarterback is in New York, having his mediocre team atop their division and an old New York quarterback has been resurrected in undefeated Tennessee. These certainly help to allow a team that's 9-1, who have defeated the Steelers in Pittsburgh and put 30 up on the Ravens to just keep going on their merry way.

Gone are the days of turnover-laden games with superstars thinking only of their life after football or their next endorsement.

This is now, without a doubt, the team Coughlin first planned when he got to New York. Free of the "me first" players and plenty of the team first, hard-nosed players he loves. They have strong veteran leadership, great coaching, the antithesis of Broadway Joe at quarterback, and a dominating defense and run game.

This will be Coughlin's legacy: The Return of Real Giants Football to New York.

Sorry, College Football: I'm Just Not That Into You

Shawn Dommer — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:16:10 -0400

I know it must sound like sacrilege to most of you, but I am not—nor have I really ever been—excited about college football.

I understand its appeal and why a lot of people prefer it to the NFL, but I, for one, would sacrifice my Saturdays for free Sundays.

Recently this has been bothering me, because I see the joy college ball brings others, and I want to be a part of it. I root for Notre Dame—always have and always will—but it has never been the life or death fandom I experience with my other teams.

Don't get me wrong—I spend my Saturday afternoons watching NBC's lovefest with the Irish and usually tune in to the big games Saturday nights. I loved watching Vince Young win a National Championship by himself and wish USC and Florida State would just go away.

However, it's kind of like the girl you date on the weekends. I have a good time Saturday, and I'll give her a call once or twice during the week—reading some ESPN articles—but I am in no way ready to commit long term.

I have searched my inner being as to why this is the case and can only offer the following reasons as to why I cannot get into college football as much as the NFL.

Firstly, I grew up in Albany, New York. This set off a chain of events that has brought me to my current impasse. The closest thing we have to a college football team is the Syracuse Orange, who I refused to root for because they're from central New York.

This explains my allegiance to Notre Dame. With no local team to seriously root for, I would get up on Saturdays, watch Saved By the Bell and Hanging with Mr. Cooper, and leave the tube on for Notre Dame games. It seemed to be a natural fit as I was both Irish and Catholic.

(I was very happy to be a Notre Dame fan a few years later, since I felt I had more of a claim to the movie Rudy than my classmates who jumped on the Florida State or Nebraska bandwagons.)

Watching Rick Mirer and Ron Powlus was exciting, but not being in a conference hurt my college football development. Sure, we had rivals, but every week wasn't do or die. Could I really ever hate Army, Navy, and Air Force? After all, they were usually horrible, and they were the soldiers who were protecting me.

Perhaps if I had an SEC or Big Ten or Big 12 team to root for, college football would be about tailgates, BBQs, and rivalries. Maybe being formed in an environment with more pressure would have me more excited each year when August rolls around.

Secondly, I decided to go to the University of Albany. I had friends that decided to go to Maryland because they were huge basketball fans, and buddies who went to Boston College for their football program.

I thought they were foolish, but now their basements are full of Terrapin and Eagle paraphernalia, and mine is very empty (can anyone find a Great Dane intimidating?).

Seriously, UAlbany isn't exactly known for its athletic program (although we have an up-and-coming basketball program). It's known mostly for its cheap tuition.

In fact, more students would go up to see the New York Giants' fourth string D-line hit the sleds during training camp than an actual UAlbany game.

Aside from my geographical impediments, I find it hard to get into a sport where there is no clear-cut winner.

Perhaps I'd care more if I had a conference rivalry or championship to play for, but with me it's only about the BCS, which four or five teams can always lay claim to being overlooked for or screwed. It makes great sports talk, but I need a cut-and-dry winner.

The lack of a playoff system may bring in more money (debatable), but it leaves fans longing for something more. It doesn't make sense that two teams can lose to the same opponent, but the determining factor is when they lost to that team.

There is also a disconnect between the fans and players in the sense that players often do not stay four years and usually only start for one or two. Fans always know that it's going to a be a short-term relationship with their stars.

Also, I cannot stand Lee Corso. I respect Dickie V for what he's done for the sport of college basketball, but Lee Corso tries too hard to be football's Dickie V. One Dickie V. is more than enough for me.

Before I make my next point, let me be clear that I amazed at what most college athletes sacrifice simply for their love of football, and the fact that they perform feats I could not possibly imagine myself doing. However, I enjoy watching the higher quality pro game.

I know the college game is supposed to be more pure, with the players strapping on their helmets and giving their all for their brothers and school. For some, this is obviously the case. But most of them are playing for much more: scholarships, the pro scouts, the sorority girls, and the "under the radar" gifts.

The NFL also guarantees higher competition and not having to worry about legacy coaches, players with generous fathers, and boosters who don't know their limits. Every player is a world-class athlete, and every coach's paycheck depends on the outcome of the season.

Sure, there are upsets in college ball, but watching the Giants defeat the Patriots was more exciting than Appalachian State shocking Michigan, perhaps because I have more invested in the NFL. I know that if my NFL team doesn't make the playoffs or win the Super Bowl, no number of wins over their rivals will ease that pain.

On the other hand, after a college team is eliminated from BCS contention, these wounds can be healed with a big rivalry win or conference championship, or a win in the Citgo National First Bank of Cellular Telephones Bowl.

This is not to say there aren't many qualities that one could use to argue that college football is better than the NFL. I'm just not that into it. I like it, but I don't get excited about it.

Go Irish!

10 Things New York Yankee Fans Can Do in October

Shawn Dommer — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:20:00 -0400

In 1994, I was 11-years old. I don't even think I had started to like girls yet, and it was a close competition as to whether or not NHL '93 or Madden '95 was my favorite game for the Sega Genesis.

I walked the halls of my elementary school with my L.A. Lights sneakers and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers lunch box. Saved by the Bell was still making new episodes for Saturday mornings, and Michael Keaton was the best Batman I could ever imagine.

I was still hoping Pat Kelly would turn out to be a decent ballplayer after the strike and that the Giants' quarterback, Dave Brown, could lead the G-Men to the Super Bowl (I was young and stupid).

I watched SportsCenter every morning, with the hideous brown tones and not one LCD screen behind Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, or Charlie Steiner.

This was the last time I would go an October without watching Yankee playoff games.

I'm 25 now and looking seriously at the possibility of a Yankee-less October. The Yanks are nine games back of the Rays and five games back of the Red Sox for the wild card.

It's not so much the numbers right now, as there is still a month and a half left in the season, but it's the way the Yankees are playing.

Despair is looking at Yankee fans right in the face.

In order to ease the potential blow, I have come up with 10 activities to keep myself (and other Yankee fans) busy during October. I didn't really even know there were other activities besides baseball...

10) Actually work a 40+ hours a week or go to all your classes.

It doesn't sound appealing, but throwing yourself into your work or studies may be just what you need to forget about the Angels, Rays, and White Sox. Besides, you need to make up for all those hours you got paid for being at a bar, or watching on the Internet, or pretending to work while using an ear bud. It's karma.

9) Watch football.

You and I both know it's not as good as Jeter going to the hole and firing to first, or a five-story homer by Giambi, but it is exciting, and the New York teams do have interesting story lines this year. The only drawback is that it only occupies Saturday and Sunday.

8) Do autumn things.

It turns out that autumn is actually a nice season when you go out of the house and get away from repeat episodes of Baseball Tonight. There's apple picking, hayrides, cider drinking, and pumpkin carving. It also turns out that girls love this sort of thing: Bonus!

7) Reorganize tool shed/house/basement/closets.

Spring cleaning is always missed due to Spring Training, so take this once-every-15-year opportunity and reorganize your dwellings. Hopefully you won't have to again for another 15 years.

6) Catch up on the wife's TO-DO LIST

I don't have a wife yet, but I have enough buddies to know that the wife's TO-DO LIST is important. So go to Home Depot, pick out that paint, buy those extra shelves, and get to work. Just because the Yankees can't move runners into scoring position doesn't mean you can't.

5) Start watching the NBA.

The Knicks...uhh nevermind. Diehards only.

4) Start watching the NHL.

The NHL is undergoing a resurgence, and the way these large men fly around on skates is simply amazing. The Rangers should have a decent year, and you can always root against the Bruins.

3) Pick up a hobby.

Woodworking for instance. I've heard that it's relaxing and makes you feel manly. Try to stay away from creating statues of A-Rod that you can burn in effigy. Remember, the point is to refocus your mind.

2) Root against the Red Sox.

If the Yanks can't win it, then anyone but the Red Sox should. In case they miss the playoffs as well, you can root against the Angels, who suck only slightly less than the Red Sox.

Since you won't be as enthralled, you'll have extra time, watch all of your Yankeeogrophy DVD's for supplemental value.

and the No. 1 activity...

1) Write an email to CC Sabathia everyday.

Sure, it doesn't take away the pain, but it can help for next year. Don't be too blunt in your communications. Start off in a friendly manner, using polite conversation. Don't even mention the Yankees. You're his friend seeing how he is.

Shortly after initial contact, the conversation turns to your families and careers. Suddenly, you're writing back and forth about baseball, and you just happen to mention the pitching situation in New York. Suddenly, you have this idea of CC visiting you and touring Yankee Stadium...subtle.

I figure if 1,000 of us do this, then CC has 1,000 friends telling him to go to New York. He would have to think it destiny, right?

Ahhh, an October well spent...here's hoping this list will become useless...Believe.

Michael Phelps Is the Most Dominant Athlete of His Generation

Shawn Dommer — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:47:26 -0400

Keep Tiger Woods, I'll take Michael Phelps.

I hope everyone is watching the Olympics because the world is being treated by Michael Phelps' swimming.

We are drawn to athletes who are "freaks of nature." Our chins dropped when we saw Michael Jordan fly, Barry Sanders cut, or Tiger Woods hit a golf ball. For the past five years, we have watched in amazement as the freakish Phelps has blown the competition out of his pool.

Phelps, of course, won six gold medals at the Athens games in 2004 (eight total) and has won three gold medals in three attempts so far in Beijing.

It is amazing to see Phelps swim, going along with the pack, and then all of a sudden blowing past them. It's like he turns to the swimmers on his left and right and says, "Thanks for coming, I hope you like silver."

Phelps has amazing flexibility and an amazing arm span. It is almost as if Zeus touched Phelps from Mount Olympus while he was in his mother's womb, and destined him for the vocation to be the greatest Olympic athlete of all time.

It is tough to put in perspective how dominant Phelps has been. Since first competing in World Championships in 2001, Phelps has captured gold in 17 out of 20 races. In the other three, he merely took home silver. His first race was 200 meter butterfly, in which he won gold. He was 16 years old. Phelps wins 85% of his world championship races.

In Olympic competition, Phelps has competed in 12 events so far (I'll even include the one race in Sydney in 2000 when Phelps was 15.) Phelps has won nine gold medals or 75% of his Olympic races.

It is amazing that one athlete is so dominant that he is chosen to compete in eight events in back-to-back Olympics. If he won half of them he would be a legend, but the dominance he displays puts him in a category by himself.

How do you compare Phelps' dominance to other sports figures?

Michael Jordan won six championships in six consecutive seasons in which he played, but basketball is a team sport.

Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927. His closest competitor was Lou Gerhig with 47, while Tony Lazzeri was third with 18. Still, Ruth did it over the course of a season with 3-5 at bats a game.

Tiger Woods has dominated golf, but his best year (2000) was the one in which he won three out of four majors. However, Woods has dominated golf for over a decade.

One can not definitively say who the most dominant athlete of their generation, or of all time, is. However, I can say that the percentage at which Phelps wins leads me to give him the advantage. It is also the fact that he is simply accomplishing feats that were unheard of.

Finally, while MJ, Ruth, and Woods are certainly the most dominating figures in their respective sports, Phelps' competition has been training their entire lives in their respective government's program with the best coaches in the world, and they still can't touch Phelps.

Open Mic: MLB - All-Time Modern Expansion Team

Shawn Dommer — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:08:22 -0400

The expansion years of Major League Baseball are some of the most exciting. With all the new merchandising and flashy promotions, fans are given a real treat when MLB expands.

(Unfortunately, since most of the primary colors are already taken, the teams have to put together a uniform with teals, aquas, purples and other assorted colors. Does any one not agree that the Devil Rays, Marlins and Diamondbacks had some of the worst looking uniforms in history?)

Anyway, on to the team. The rules are simple: if a player was taken in an expansion draft or on the opening day roster of the expansion team in their first season, he is eligible for this team. I took the four most recent expansions ('93 Rockies, '93 Marlins, '98 Diamondbacks and '98 Devil Rays) and this is the team I would put together.

Starter: Fred McGriff—'98 Devil Rays—Signed as Free Agent

.284 BA 493 HR 1,550 RBIs (18 Seasons)

Backup: Andres Galarraga—'93 Rockies—Signed as Free Agent

.288 BA 399 HR 1,425 RBI (19 Seasons)

They also rank one and two on the team for Cool Nicknames. There's no hiding from the Big Cat and the Crime Dog.

Starter: Eric Young—'93 Rockies—Drafted from LAD

.283 BA 79 HR 543 RBIs 465 SB (14 Seasons)

Backup: Miguel Cairo—'98 Devil Rays—Drafted from CHC

.266 BA 27 HR 508 RBI's 127 SB (12 Seasons)

Cairo, while not having amazing numbers has consistently contributed to good teams.

Starter: Wade Boggs—'98 Devil Rays—Signed as Free Agent (NYY)

.328 BA 3,010 Career Hits 117 HR 1,014 RBIs 578 2B 1,412 Walks (17 Seasons)

Backup:Matt Williams—'98 Diamondbacks—Traded (Cle)

.268 BA 378 HR 1,218 RBI's (14 Seasons)

Boggs' consistency easily outweighs Williams' power.

Starter:Vinny Castilla—'93 Rockies—Drafted from ATL as SS

.276 BA 320 HR 1,105 RBIs (16 Seasons)

Backup: Walt Weiss—'93 Marlins—Traded (Oak)

.258 BA 25 HR 386 RBIs (13 Seasons)

Starter: Benito Santiago—'93 Marlins—Signed as Free Agent (SD)

.263 BA 217 HR 920 RBIs (19 Seasons)

Backup: Joe Girardi—'93 Rockies—Drafter from CHC

.267 BA 36 HR 422 HR (14 Seasons)

Starters:

Bobby Abreu—'98 Devil Rays—Drafted from Hou—Traded to PHL

.299 BA 236 HR 1,061 RBIs (12 Seasons)

Carl Everett—'93 Marlins—Drafted from NYY

.271 BA 202 HR 792 RBIs (13 Seasons)

Dale Murphy—'93 Rockies—Signed as Free Agent (PHL)

.265 BA 398 HR 1,266 RBIs (18 Seasons)

Bench:

Randy Winn—'98 Rays—Drafted from FLA

.287 BA 99 HR 568 RBIs (10 Seasons)

Jeff Conine—'93 Marlins—Drafted from KC

.285 BA 215 HR 1,071 RBIs (17 Seasons)

Starters:

Andy Ashby—'93 Rockies—Drafted from PHL

98 Wins 4.12 ERA 1810.2 IP (13 Seasons)

Jeff Suppan—'98 Diamondbacks—Drafted from BOS

125 Wins 4.61 ERA 2,199 IP (13 Seasons)

Andy Benes—'98 Diamondbacks—Signed as Free Agent (STL)

155 Wins 3.97 ERA 2,000 K 2,505 IP (13 Seasons)

Cory Lidle—'98 Diamondbacks—Drafted from NYM

82 Wins 4.57 ERA 838 K (Nine Seasons)

Set Up

Roberto Hernandez—'98 Devil Rays—Signed as Free Agent (SF)

67 Wins 326 Saves 945 K (16 Seasons)

Closer

Trevor Hoffman—'93 Marlins—Drafter from CIN

54 Wins 549 Saves 2.79 ERA

New York Yankees: Decisions Loom

Shawn Dommer — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:55:12 -0400

The New York Yankees have arguably the best season as far as it came to the trades they were able to pull off. Now that the deadline has come to pass, you can be sure that management has already started to think about the difficult offseason decisions that loom.

Of course, a lot of the credence that goes into personnel decisions will come to light over the next few months during the stretch run and playoffs. However, the complex situations the Yankees will face forces top brass to start brainstorming.

The Yanks have some big name free agents: Andy Pettitte, Richie Sexson, Mike Mussina, Bobby Abreu, and Ivan Rodriguez. They are all free to seek employment elsewhere next year. Damaso Marte and Jason Giambi have options that the team needs to decide on.

The Giambi Dilemma

Giambi certainly has not been the Ruthian slugger Yankees fans thought they were getting coming off his MVP campaign in 2001. Giambi brought scandal to the Yankees, but showed an amazing perseverance earning Comeback Player of the Year honors and showing he could still hit the ball.

The Giambino has an option for $22 million next year and a $5 million dollar buyout if the Yankees do not pick up the option.

The solution: Let him go. When the Yankees signed him, they were expecting the .300 BA, 40 HR, and 120 RBI production. Since he's been in the Bronx, Giambi has hit 40 HR twice (his first two years), batted .300 once (his first year), and driven in 120 RBI once (his first year).

He's been injury plagued since coming off the juice and paying $5 million to be able to renegotiate is worth it. The Yanks could end up getting him to sign a two or three year deal for $12-$13 million, a significant amount of savings.

Add into the dilemma that Mark Teixeira. It's worth losing Giambi to make a run at the 28-year-old. Teixeira is averaging 36 HR, 120 RBI, and batting .280. He's only making $12.5 million this year. There will be a bidding war, but I'd gladly pay the $22 million a year for an upgrade of this proportion, even if we lose the $5 million dollar buyout.

Worst case scenario: The Yanks lose both Giambi and Teixeira to the market. They will then have options. They can either convert one of many players to first base (Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady). Of course, they could sign Rich Aurilla or Carlos Delgado for a season or two. In 2010, they can try to convince an aging Chipper Jones to split time between first base/DH.

They should resign Sexson. He's great against lefties and he's a solid backup defensively.

The Outfield Situation

Bobby Abreu wants to come back and he's lobbying hard for it. He knows that the pickup of Nady puts a lot of pressure on his back. He also knows that Justin Christian, Brett Gardner, and Austin Jackson are almost ready for the bigs.

This, of course, makes an already crowded outfield ridiculous. Mingle in the fact that Damon and Matsui usually have to DH a day or two a week, and it makes it even more complicated. Abreu is having a decent year, but he'll be 35 next year and is making $16 million. Is an insurance policy worth that much?

By all accounts, Gardner and Jackson will enter spring training competing for jobs in the outfield. If Melky Cabrera can get out of his slump, he'll also be in the mix. That would leave the Yankees with six viable outfielders (Damon, Matsui, Nady, Cabrera, Jackson, Gardner). Abreu will probably want a contract long enough to overlap the development of Jackson, leaving an odd man out.

The solution: Let Abreu go. Unless he can prove himself to be invaluable down the stretch, he can be replaced. Jackson is going to be a monster. Granted Damon, Matsui, and Nady are injury prone, so you need an insurance policy; however, $16 million is not a viable insurance policy option.

Enter Raul Ibanez. Ibanez will be 37 next year, but is only making $5.5 million this year. Let's look at the career statistical averages:

Ibanez: .285 BA, 21 HR, 92 RBI
Abreu: .300 BA, 21 HR, 97 RBI

Why pay a guy triple the amount for 15 points of batting average and five more RBI? Ibanez is more versatile in the field as well (granted, he doesn't have the Abreu cannon arm). Ibanez would be the smart ball move Cashman is trying to instill.

The Starting Rotation

Holy Cow! This would have been a lot easier if a) Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy gave us a good look at what they can do and b) if Mussina sucked again.

Let's start with what we got:

1) Chien-Ming Wang - He'll be well rested
2) Joba Chamberlin - Red Sox Killer for Life

That leaves three spots to fill. It would surprise me if Pettitte does not retire. He had to think long and hard about coming back for this season. He has, however, dropped hints that he'd like to pitch in the new stadium. He is having a decent year (12-9 4.34 ERA), plus he's money in October. He's no longer a number two, but who wouldn't take him as a four or five?

Mussina is having a year to remember. He has a shot at 20 wins and is having a decent showing in the Cy Young race. His age is becoming a major factor and there may not be enough room in next year's rotation.

The decision to keep Pettitte and/or Mussina may come down to how well Kennedy and Hughes do down the stretch. They are both pitching well in the minors and Phil "The Wild Thing" Hughes is fanning batters left and right.

Let's not forget about the huge free agents on the market. CC Sabathia, Ryan Dempster, Ben Sheets, and A.J Burnett. My guess is that Dempster will stay in Chicago, something special is happening there. I don't think Burnett is worth what the bidding wars will drive him up to.

My guess is that the Yankees will make a run at one big free agent starter, and I think it will be Sabathia. I have reservations about bringing in a guy who has only pitched in a small market. Sabathia is lights out and has pitched in October, but he won't come cheap. Fortuently, the Yankees will pay top dollar for him.

So here's what I think will happen.

1) Sabathia
2) Wang
3) Chamberlin
4) Hughes
5) Mussina

I think Pettitte is a class act, and he'll realize that it's in the Yankees' best interest to move ahead with Sabathia. I'm sure he may stay game ready in case the Yankees need him at some point in the season. My best guess is that he'll take a year off and return to coach in the Yankees' system, or even be Joe Girardi’s pitching coach.

Hughes is the better pitcher over Kennedy and I don't think Kennedy will have enough stuff to overtake Mussina's season. Mussina will be within striking distance of 300 wins. Plus, Mussina is a potential 20 game winner, which is great to have in your number five slot. He should get a two year deal with a club option for a third.

Wild Card: If Hughes shows high velocity, but lack of stamina, he may become heir apparent to Mariano Rivera. In this case, a one year deal for Pettitte would make sense.

The Catchers

This obviously all hinges on how Jorge Posada's shoulder reacts. If the Yankees think he can catch, then Jose Molina is a fine backup. If they think he's going to spend a lot of time at first base or as a DH, then why not bring back Rodriguez? Rodriguez is a fine defensive catcher and would be quite a number nine hitter.

Rodriguez is almost school boy giddy about playing in New York and honestly, who would walk away from a rotation like that? Aside from his playing, he would be there to mentor the younger pitchers. That's right, the Yankees would then have Posada, Rodriguez, Girardi, and Mussina to work with Chamberlin, Hughes, and Kennedy.

Possible Lineup

1. Damon LF
2. Derek Jeter SS
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez 3B
5. Nady RF
6. Robinson Cano 2B
7. Posada DH
8. Cabrera CF
9. I. Rodriguez C/DH

On the bench/rotating players: Jackson, Ibanez, Matsui, and Sexson.

Talk about 1,001 different possibilities.

S-C-A-R-Y

****Note: This does not mean the author is given up on this season by any means***

Brett Favre Is Not the Only Legend to Wear Odd Uniform

Shawn Dommer — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:49:02 -0400

When Brett Favre actually retires, it will most likely be as a member of the New York Jets. He will walk through the tunnel into the locker room the last time wearing green and white, not green and gold.

Over the past month or so, a lot has been said about how Favre was treated and how the Packers could possibly send Favre anywhere other than Titletown. Legends, however, often have to seek employment elsewhere when their teams have decided to move on.

The obvious comparisons are with quarterbacks, and Favre finds himself in good company.

Warren Moon brought the Houston Oilers to the door of the Super Bowl many times, but when they decided to move in another direction, Moon was forced to suit up in Minnesota Viking purple. He wasn't done there, either, bouncing around to Seattle and ultimately, the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs were no strangers to legendary quarterback castoffs. They, of course, welcomed Joe Montana into their family when his injuries allowed Steve Young to take his job. Joe did well, leading the Chiefs into the playoffs, where the prospect of a Montana-Young Super Bowl made everyone a Chiefs fan.

There was also the case of the Colts trading away Johnny Unitas to the San Diego Chargers. Unitas never looked good with the Bolts, but he sold tickets for a new franchise. Still, the last time Johnny U. played a game, it was in powder blue.

Hockey is also no stranger to legends moving on. Just look at the Bruins, who let Bobby Orr go to the Blackhawks and Ray Bourque to the Avalanche. I'm sure it disheartened many that Bourque's last moments on ice were raising a cup...in Colorado.

Of course, baseball legends are not immune to this phenomenon. A personal tragedy in my own life was seeing Tino Martinez brushed out of town by the reigning MVP, Jason Giambi. Was it a good move? Absolutely. Tino's bat had slowed down and there was real concern about his health. Giambi was an MVP almost begging to come to the Yankees.

The Yankees were proved right as Tino limped through seasons with St. Louis and Tampa Bay before spending a good season back in pinstripes, playing well with lots of rest. Still, the prospect that Tino would have spent his last game in the green and white of the Devil Rays would have been sad.

If Tino Martinez is not considered a legend, well then, try Babe Ruth on for size. The Great Bambino was looking forward to retiring and managing his beloved Yankees. When the organization decided that this was not the best course of action, Ruth decided to spend his last days playing and managing as a Boston Brave.

There is an endless list of legends who put a strange uniform on in the twilight of their career: M.J. in a Wizards uniform, Ewing wearing Orlando across his chest, Yogi in orange and blue pinstripes, and the list goes on.

No, Favre will not be the only legendary sports figure to suit up in a strange uniform. But he is separated by a simple fact: He is coming off one of the best years of his career. No one really believes Aaron Rodgers is better, but pride and stubbornness has gotten in the way.

Will I root for Aaron Rodgers? Absolutely! No one deserves that kind of limbo in their job. However, Brett's not done, and with a revamped Jets' line, he's going to make some noise.

New York Giants: Outside Factors Could Lead to Another Super Season

Shawn Dommer — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:10:43 -0400

Fans of both teams are giving a Giant New York Welcome to Brett Favre.

Giants fans knew the honeymoon was over as soon as Jeremy Shockey opened his mouth. It had been an incredible run which ended with Giants fans cheering as Goliath lay, headless, wearing a hoodie. But, alas, all good things must come to an end.

At some point, the Giants had to stop celebrating and get back to work. Everyone knows how hard it is to win back-to-back Super Bowls. After all, there's more attention and expectations, and with all of it comes an unbelievable amount of pressure.

Add to this pressure the fact that the face of the franchise retired, the All-Pro tight end was screaming for a trade, and a newly-proven big game receiver was asking for more money. Things did not look good.

Fast forward a month and a half and Giants fans are sitting back watching camp in Albany and getting ready to watch their beloved G-Men defend their championship.

Shockey has been shipped off, and the cancer has been removed from the locker room. Cooler heads have prevailed in the Plaxico Burress case and Plax is working while the agent is talking.

Fans are realizing that Osi Umenyora and Justin Tuck will once again lead the best front line in football and the team has plenty of leadership with Eli's professionalism and Antonio Pierce's fire.

"What about the pressure of expectations?" I say "What expectations?" The Giants weren't even supposed to make the playoffs last year; not with a revamped Redskin team, a dangerous Eagles team, and a seasoned Tony Romo in Dallas.

The question of repeating is not asked of the Giants, but of the Patriots. Everyone wants to see if they can go 19-0. They're the team everyone's picking. Hell, most people aren't even picking the Giants to win the division.

As a final piece to the pressure free Giants camp, Brett Favre has just been dealt to the New York Jets to help them make the playoffs. The legend will steal the headlines from Eli, just the way Eli likes it.

The Giants won't be top bill at the beginning, a perfect way to start their lazy march back to the playoffs.

Eli can make the mistakes that are bound to happen. He can quietly come back to being a mere mortal and pilot his team against a very hard division, without having to worry whether his two-interception game will be talked about all week. Sure, he'll get attention, but it won't be as much with a green No. 4 under center for the Jets.

The Giants have been handed quite an opportunity in the offseason frenzy. An ability to quietly get to work at camp, for their shy quarterback to quietly take the reins at the beginning of a season, and a media obsessed with a legend, a coach and a pursuit of perfection.

Peguins-Flyers: Pennsylvania's Cold War Begins

Shawn Dommer — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:25:12 -0400

The Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh was washed in white as the Penguins again called for a "white out" making "the Igloo" a very chilly place for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Penguins gave their fans something to cheer about by getting off to a fast start with a goal by Petr Sykora 6:19 into the game. He was assisted by Ryan Malone and Evgeni Malkin.

The crowd became slightly less excited when Michael Richards and the Flyers responded with two straight goals. Richards scored both, the first coming 8:30 into the game coming from the sticks of Coburn and Umberger.

Richards' second goal came nearly four and a half minutes later when he put one past Marc Andre Fleury 12:50 in. He was assisted by Lupul and Umberger again.

This would be the last time the Flyers would light the red lamp as Fleury held them scoreless for the remaining 47 minutes.

The arena fell into a stunned silence, which only lasted a minute and a half until Pittsburgh's captain, Sidney Crosby, tied the game at two at 14:11, assisted by Marian Hossa.

It must have been a relief for Sid the Kid after not netting a goal in the Eastern Conference Semis versus the Rangers.

With Sykora, Hossa, and Crosby all notching points, Evgeni Malkin needed to get in the game. The Russian made sure his scores were the most exciting of the night.

With seven seconds remaining in the first period, Malkin received a pass from Ryan Whitney. It gave the Penguins the lead and inviting Mr. Mo Mentum to spend the intermission with the Pens.

The intermission clearly did not cool Malkin down. In the fifth minute of the second period on a Flyer's powerplay, Malkin received a pass from Sergei Gonchar at the blue line.

Malkin was all alone and lifted his stick to take a slap shot. The crowd collectively held its breath as Malkin unleashed his shot within 10 feet of the goaltender Martin Biron, who had no chance.

Malkin continued building his Conn Smythe resume with his seventh and eighth goals and ninth assist.

The Penguins then clamped down on defense, playing a physical game like they have throughout the playoffs.

The Penguins are 9-1 in the playoffs so far and are undefeated at home.

The series is expected to be physical, and the play certainly was. The referees let the players play as there were only 10 penalties in the game. Tempers started to flare late in the third after Marian Hossa recieved an uncalled high stick.

A few minutes later Darien Hatcher took a cheap shot at Chris Letang, prompting a response from Evgeni Malkin. Look for the powder keg to explode sometime in the series, especially if Philly gets down and becomes frustrated.

Fleury continued his fantastic playoff run making 26 saves and shutting the Flyers down.

Game two will be played Sunday night at 7:30 p.m.

Yankees-Mariners: Johnny Damon Has Monster Weekend as Yanks Sweep

Shawn Dommer — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:12:10 -0400

He is not the Johnny Damon of the World Champion Red Sox — and he certainly isn't the hot young player he was with the Royals or A's — but Johnny Damon is still a factor.

He's a little slower and his defense isn't what it used to be. He's lost the everyday center fielder role and he's not in the lineup every game, but he still can be a catalyst for a team needing a spark.

The Yankees are mired in mediocrity, and all signs point to Hank Steinbrenner's eruption any day now.

An offense that was supposed to give the young second half of their rotation room to grow sputtered through April, losing three of their biggest guns (Jeter, Posada and ARod) to injury at some point in the month. In fact, Posada was never healthy.

Their high-priced first baseman is only hitting .150. Giambi does have five home runs and 15 RBI's but none of importance. Robinson Cano was supposed to build on his break out year, but he is only hitting .154 with three home runs and eight RBI.

The Yankees looked sluggish splitting a series with the struggling Indians and looked outclassed by the re-emerging Tigers as they got swept.

The Yankees needed a good showing against a very good Seattle team or there was fear that the season may be slipping away from Joe Girardi and the Yankees.

The Yankees put up 19 runs over the weekend against the top of the Mariners' rotation, including Erik Bedard and Felix Rodriguez. Damon played Saturday and Sunday going 5-for-10 with a home run, two RBI, five runs and a stolen base.

Everyone knows that Damon is capable of sparking a lineup and maybe this series will do just that. With so much pressure in New York, maybe an "idiot" is exactly what the Yankees need.

With a no-nonsense owner, a professional manager and a host of bad news injuries it can probably get hard to relax in the Yankees' clubhouse these days.

Damon can lead the young kids (Duncan, Melky and Cano) along with Giambi and Abreu to a relaxed playing style which the slumping Cano and Giambi may find conducive to their improvements.

The professionalism of Jeter, ARod, Matsui, Pettitte and Mussina should keep the powers that be happy.

Bottom Line: If you want your offense to be relaxed and consistent, let Johnny be Johnny.

The Yankees should not only be happy with the offense, but also the pitching staff, which held a good lineup to only four runs over three games.

Specifically, Darrell Rasner who was downright brilliant in his 2008 debut, causing Yankees' fans to ask Ian Who?

Rasner went six innings giving up five hits and two runs, both in the first inning. He settled down to pitch five innings of scoreless ball.

The Yanks also received stellar performances from their ace Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina, who is starting to stabilize with two solid outings in a row. If Rasner can be dependable, the Yanks will have at least four reliable starters and an awakening offense.

The Yankees could pose trouble in the logjammed AL East.

Penguins-Rangers: Marian Hossa Shows Up As Pittsburgh Moves On

Shawn Dommer — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:31:18 -0400

Sports can be a matter of inches. It can also be a matter of luck. For Marian Hossa and the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was both.

After relinquishing a two-goal lead in the third period the Penguins looked like they may be packing their bags to play Game Six tomorrow night in New York.

Luckily, a four-minute penalty on Chris Drury's high stick penalty returned the momentum to the Penguins.

The Penguins came back on the ice after the third intermission with two and a half minutes left in their power play and showed that their young legs could keep pumping into overtime.

The Pens kept the puck in their offensive zone for the majority of the 7:10 of overtime the two teams played. The team seemed to turn the afterburners on as they appeared to be faster than the older Rangers and playing with a renewed sense of purpose.

They also benefited from a bit of luck. In the eighth minute, the Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby brought the puck into the Rangers zone and passed the puck to Pascal Dupris.

He then appeared to pass it to Marian Hossa, who put it through the five hole of Rangers' goalie Henry Lundqvist. Upon further review, Dupris' pass actually hit Rangers' defenseman Daniel Girardi's skate and slid into a perfect position for Hossa to hit the back of the net.

A few inches to the left or right, and the pass may have missed Hossa altogether and ended up along the boards.

It was Hossa's second goal of the game, and for the new Penguin, it seemed to solidify him as a part of the team. Hossa was acquired from Atlanta before the trade deadline and formed a triple threat with the already dangerous Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Hossa was slow to start with the Penguins but had seemed to adjust to his new teammates before the end of the regular season. Hossa, however, has been quiet throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Maybe quiet isn't the right word since he had scored three goals before Sunday's game. Perhaps, underachieving would be a better word.

Hossa has been known to dominate and control games and Penguins' fans seemed to expect a goal a game from the All Star. After a two goal game on Sunday, Hossa has five for the playoffs, tying him with teammate Malkin and sending the Penguin to the Eastern Conference finals.

Hossa also made a stellar defensive play, hustling to break up a Rangers short-handed charge on the Penguins' goal.

The finals should be a hard-hitting affair featuring one of the oldest rivalries in hockey. For the Penguins, it seems a little like a dream.

After winning only 22 games in the 2005-2006 campaign no one would have guessed the Pens would be able to put together a team contending for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup a mere two years later.

Smart front office moves (drafting Crosby, acquiring Malkin, Hossa and Petr Sykora, and putting a smart combination of talented youth with experienced veterans) have the Penguins one series away from the Stanley Cup finals with home ice advantage and an incredible amount of momentum in hand.

Pressure on the Pens?: Game Five Becomes More Important with Flyers' Win

Shawn Dommer — Sun, 04 May 2008 05:51:00 -0400

You would think that Penguins fans would be relaxed and worry free with a three to one game advantage.

Unfortunately, Philadelphia's victory over Montreal Saturday night has sent the Steel City down a notch. Suddenly, the Game 5 affair this afternoon becomes an almost "must win" situation for the Pens.

It wasn't like this five days ago. The Pens were blowing through the playoffs and every other team was becoming banged up and expending energy.

The Pens were well rested coming into the series. After a Game 1 scare and two impressive victories, they were looking at another rest before opening up the Eastern Conference finals. Add on top of that the fact Sean Avery was lost for the series and the brooms were out in Pittsburgh.

In Game 4, the Rangers reappeared in a way that had not been seen since the first two periods of Game 1. They played with ferocity and hunger, while their goalie was simply phenomenal.

This was the Henry Lundqvist that we all expected to see staring down one of the games best scoring teams. In addition to the goal tending, the Ranger's Captain stepped up and reasserted himself as a factor in this series.

After being held scoreless in the first two games of the series, Jaromir Jagr finally notched a goal in the second period of Game 3.

His Game 4 goal was much more of a statement. With the score tied Jagr flew to the net and put a move on Fleury. He was pounded by the Penguins' defense the moment after the shot and he knew it was coming.

Jagr stayed down on the ice for a few moments and then got off of the ice, remaining in the game and being able to score an empty netter in the third period. It was a statement goal; "There's a lot left in my tank and these young guys are not taking over just yet."

The youth of Crosby and Malkin was highlighted a period later. With their team down two goals, the young stars allowed Daniel Girardi to get under their skin.

Of course, no one blames them. After all, these two guys are consistently and constantly being harassed and molested with cheap shots and unflattering chants from opposing crowds.

It is the equivalent of the "Hack a Shaq" strategy. If the Pens were up three goals they would be applauded for standing up for themselves.

The Penguins, however, were down two goals. With six minutes left, both Crosby and Malkin were in the box for two minutes. This was a mistake of their youth.

It's those times were they have to brush off the harassment more than they usually do. They can not try to ignite their team by being in the box, leave that to LaRaque, Gonchar, or Rutuu. The two young guns ignite their team by scoring goals, and all they could do was look on.

So Penguins fans are left with the hope that the stars will stay on the ice and figure out a re-energized goaltender. They also hope that their own young net minder will not allow Jagr and the Rangers any chance to build on momentum.

They hope that Ryan Malone can find a way not to whiff in front of the goal anymore, and that Hossa can be as dominant as he can be.

They know what's at stake. They have a two-game lead, and a loss would not exactly be devastating. They also know however that their arch rival, the Flyers, are sitting at home resting up after an impressive series against the number-one seed.

Below the air of confidence of having a three games to one lead and being the highest remaining seed in the East lies a whisper: "Win today, at home and let's move on."

Because if they don't, it means more travel, more stress, and more room to make mistakes. It means they point out kinks in the armor to an opponent who would love to destroy them.