Bleacher Report - Articles by Tron Harris

Brett Favre + New York Jets = Trouble for the New England Patriots

Tron Harris — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:47:05 -0400

The New York Jets desperately need aging Hall of Famer Brett Favre.

Let's review the Jets' notable offseason moves to exploit their "win now" approach.

Jets sign G Alan Faneca

Faneca is 31-years old and is entering his 12th season in the league. This is old for any football player and very old for an offensive lineman. There is no question that Faneca is still one of the best guards in the league, however, he could very well retire three years down the road.

Jets sign OL Damien Woody

Woody is 30-years old and is entering his 11th season in the league. He is currently an above-average lineman, but it's very possible that Woody will be useless three or four years down the road.

Jets trade for DT Kris Jenkins

Although Jenkins is only 28-years old, his numbers have begun to slip in recent years. Jenkins, at 6'4" and 350 pounds, is a big body that is much better suited for the Jets' 3-4 scheme than predecessor D'Wayne Robertson.

If Jenkins is unable to revive his numbers with the Jets this season, he could be a non-factor three or four years from now.

Jets sign LB Calvin Pace

Pace had a breakout season last year with the Arizona Cardinals. He is just 27-years old and very possibly could be entering the prime of his career. Last year, Pace recorded 98 tackles, 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. This is an enormous increase in production from two years ago (2006) when Pace had a mere 31-tackle season (just one of them a sack). Hopefully, Pace will continue his upward trend in New York and become a Pro Bowl linebacker for years to come.

Jets sign TE Bubba Franks

In a move straight out of the New York Yankees' playbook, the Jets signed an aging over-the-hill veteran whose best years have long since passed. Franks, now 32-years old, recorded 27 of his 32 touchdowns receptions from 2001-2004. Now that it is 2008, the only Franks I want is Franks Red Hot Sauce.

Jets traded LB Jonathan Vilma

Vilma was one of my favorite Jets; I was devastated to see him traded away. The 26-year old out of "DA U" was traded to the New Orleans Saints because he was not a good fit in the 3-4 scheme.

This trade freed up some cap space so that the Jets could sign the veterans Faneca and Woody. Best of luck to Vilma in New Orleans; we are going to regret giving him away so cheaply.

Right now, the Jets have a delicate balance of up-and-coming stars and battle-tested veterans. On the O-line, the newly-signed vets will play alongside youngsters Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson. This line has the potential to be one of the top offensive lines in the entire league.

Defensively, the Jets have been revamped by the additions of Jenkins, Pace, and rookie first-round draft pick Vernon Gholston.

At middle linebacker, second-year stud David Harris will team up with veteran Eric Barton. At defensive back, another second-year player (Darrelle Revis) will play opposite 10-year vet David Barrett.

The infusion of youth and experience is so important because the young guys learn a lot from the veterans and develop faster under the guidance of veteran leadership.

Offensively, returning playmakers Thomas Jones, Jerricho Cotchery, and Laveranues Coles are talented players in their primes. Jones will benefit from the additions of Woody and Faneca, but Cotchery and Coles need someone to deliver them the football. This team has all the pieces of a Super Bowl contender, except probably the most important: a quarterback.

Chad Pennington's suspect arm-strength is well documented and defenses "pack it in" against him because they know he cannot beat them deep. Third-year quarterback Kellen Clemens' arm strength is average at best. Add that to his inexperience and lack of discipline, and you get at least two to three years of growing pains.

That is unacceptable for New York.

So, here is the solution. Go after Chad Pennington's polar opposite in Brett Favre. Favre's greatest asset is his arm strength, Pennington's biggest weakness. Favre's Achilles heel (if he has one) is that he is careless with the ball. Pennington's greatest strength is his ball control.

As a Jet fan, I am tired of seeing 5-10-yard pass routes, and as a sports fan, I am tired of reading about Brett Favre. So, I propose a remedy to both of these seemingly never-ending nightmares: a second and a fourth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers for Brett Favre.

Packer fans, what do you think? Deal or no deal?

It may be a lot to give from the Jets' point of view, but who cares? We have two second-round picks this year (one of them from New Orleans for Vilma).

I am sick of conceding the division to the New England Patriots every season before my birthday (Aug. 11). With our improved defense and offensive line, I know that Brett will enable us to not only compete with the Patriots, but maybe, just maybe, to dethrone them as perennial champs of the AFC East.

Sure, Favre to Coles would not be as good as Brady to Moss. However, the upgrade from Pennington/Clemens to Brett Favre is more than enough to push a team poised for 8-8 into the division race.

And it certainly will turn up the heat in Foxboro this winter.

Scary thought huh, New England?

The New York Yankees' Top Five Needs to Win the AL East

Tron Harris — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:37:28 -0400

With a record of 50-45, the New York Yankees are in third place in the AL East six games out of first place and 5.5 behind the surprising Rays. This is not a position any Yankee fan can tolerate, albeit better than being 43-43 at the all star break like they were last year. Here are the top five things that MUST happen for the Yankees to postpone the final game at historic Yankee Stadium:

5. THE STACHE MUST STAY.

Jason Giambi has been a very pleasant surprise this season. After a very sluggish start in April, he is tied for the team league in home runs with 19, and second to Bobby Abreu in RBIs with 55 (Abreu has 59). But considering that Abreu has played in nine more games than Giambi, it's fair to say that Giambi has arguably been the most productive Yankee this season.

Okay, maybe A-Rod has been more productive, but you cannot ask anyone to be better than A-Rod. In 15 plate appearance with a runner on third and less than two out, Giambi has knocked in 16 runs. The Yankees would score a lot more runs if the entire team capitalized as well in this situation as Giambi does.

Giambi possesses a great eye (and a great stache) and a .386 obp good enough for fourth on the team. I attribute his success this season entirely to the moustache and, "I support the stache" through and through.

Giambi must keep up the production in the middle of the order and be strong behind A-Rod so Alex gets good pitches to hit. In order for that to happen Giambi must keep the stache.

4. DAMON MUST GET HEALTHY, QUICK.

Johnny Damon has been the catalyst to the Yankee offense all year. In my eyes, this is the season he truly became a Yankee. Aside from his incredible performance on the field, Damon has emerged as a clubhouse leader off the field.

It was widely reported that Damon was the only Yankee player to speak in the meeting that was held after the Yankees were routed by the Red Sox a few weeks ago. Sources said he spoke with passion about what it meant to wear the pinstripes.

Having a guy with Damon's personality in the lineup impacts the entire team in a positive way. He brings such a positive attitude and energy into the club house every day.

Not only did Damon talk a lot at the meeting, the next day he came out, lead the game off with a double and then hurt himself in an all out effort to make a spectacular catch (although he was unable to hold onto the ball, he still undoubtedly saved a home run).

His offensive numbers are also incredible. He is batting .319 with a .387 obp, both well over his impressive career averages. Johnny carried the team on his shoulders for a while, and now we need that shoulder to get healthy so he can help carry us into October.

3. ACQUIRE A STARTING PITCHER AT THE TRADE DEADLINE

Darrell Rasner has done a very good job filling in the rotation this year, but he has not been consistent enough. He has an ERA of 4.97 and a record of 5-7, though I will be the first to admit he should have more wins the run support has been disappointing (see the #2 need for more details). These are respectable numbers for someone entering the league and even really for a number five starter, however Rasner is the Yankees' fourth starter.

No offense to Rasner, I really respect him, but you cannot expect to make the playoffs, or go deep into the playoffs, with Rasner and Sidney Ponson in your starting rotation.

The problem is that at this point there are no longer any stud starters on the market. CC and Harden went far earlier than the Yanks expected and probably before they had even decided whether or not to make a serious run at either of them.

At this point, the sexiest name out there on the market is AJ Burnett of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees saw first hand what Burnett is capable of just a few days ago, but his ERA is far from great at 4.96 and at 31, Burnett's best years may well be behind him.

The price for Burnett in economic terms ($13.2 million) and in prospect terms may well be to high. The San Diego Padres will likely be sellers at the deadline and Randy Wolf will be evaluated by many teams including the Yankees. Wolf is 6-9 with a 4.66 ERA, bear in mind he plays in the NL West, and is much cheaper than Burnett earning "just" $4.25M this season.

As an outside possibility, Greg Maddux may be traded, and his 3.90 ERA will earn him some looks from teams, like the Yankees, who are looking for a three month band-aid.

Realistically, I do not see the Yankees trading to get a starting pitcher based on the now weak market which means we need to hope Hughes comes back strong.

2. ACQUIRE A BAT AT THE TRADE DEADLINE

I never thought I would say this about a team with Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posoda, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Bobby Abreu, but the offense has just been bad. Already this season the Yankees have scored three or less runs as many times (47) as it happened all of last year. They have scored 436 runs which puts them tied for 13th with the Baltimore Orioles.

The heart and sole of the worst offense in the Major Leagues, Richie Sexson, is not the answer. Unfortunately, the only thing Sexson does for the Yankees is ensure that super stud Mark Teixera does not come to the Bronx. That having been said, the only hope the Yankees have of making a big splash at the trade deadline is landing Matt Holliday.

Holliday is an outstanding player who is just hitting his prime at 28 years old. The Yankees have the means to lock him up long term, but will likely have to part ways with Melky Cabrera. Next year, once Matsui is healthy again, there would be no spot in the lineup for Melky, so he should be included to spice up the deal.

I am thinking possibly Cabrera and Kennedy for Holliday, if the Rockies would go for that. Kennedy's value took a huge dive after the pathetic start he had this year, however, he still should be considered a B- to a B level prospect because he is only 24 years old.

There is nothing that would make me happier than to see Holliday end up wearing the pinstripes because this way even if we don't make the playoffs this year with some quality free agent pitching coming up (CC & Sheets to name a couple) the Yankees would have a potent offense and could focus on pitching.

1. SOME HELP FROM THE GHOSTS OF YANKEE STADIUM

This is the last chance for Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle's ghosts to make an impact on Yankee baseball. With "The House that George Built" opening next year/ the hallowed field where Larson threw the only world series perfect game, Mantle roamed center field, and Babe Ruth captivated America with his power will never be played on again.

The ghosts of Yankee stadium need to make one final appearance and spark some of that patented Yankee magic or this past All Star Break will be the world's final look at the American Sports Cathedral that is Yankee Stadium. We need some help from the legends so that Yankee Stadium can go out in style, Yankee style, with a World Series Championship.

New York Yankees Acquire Richie Sexson: A not so SEX-y move

Tron Harris — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:23:56 -0400

The New York Yankees have reportedly have picked up the prorated minimum salary for Richie Sexson, the 6-foot-8 "powerful" righty.

Sexson, who is scheduled to make $14 million this season, will come to the Yankees to fill the role of a power hitter versus left handed pitching.

Although Sexson has great numbers versus lefties this season (.344 avg, .423 obp, .623 slg), he has only faced lefties 70 times, hardly enough at bats to indicate that he will keep up this pace.

Sexson is batting a paltry .178 versus righties, and historically, Sexson is not much better against southpaws than he is against right handers.

Over the past three seasons (2005-2007), Sexson is .258 versus lefties and .245 versus righties, but Sexson is not coming to New York for his batting average. He is coming for his power.

From 2005-present, Sexson actually has more power verse righties than he does verse lefties, homering in one out of every 16.36 at bats against right handers and one out of every 17.04 at bats against southpaws.

Sexson will likely take playing time from mustachio (Jason Giambi), who nearly made the all-star team by way of the fan vote.

After getting off to a dismal start in April hitting .164, Giambi's average bounced back on strong performances in May and June hitting .315 and .305 respectively (his power numbers have been consistent hitting either five or six homers per month).

Giambi, who could very possibly see less at bats against southpaws, has six home runs in just 82 at bats (one per 13.8 abs) this season off of lefties including an epic two run, two out walk off home-run off of Blue Jays closer B.J Ryan.

Giambi has been an amazing story this season using his all natural stache, instead of anabolic steroids, to put up very productive numbers for the Yankees.

I wish Richie Sexson all the best in New York, but I am very skeptical about this move and do not want Sexson to cut into Giambi's playing time.

After coming clean about steroids, going through withdrawal, and finally coming back and performing on the big stage, I think Giambi deserves every at bat that he gets.