Bleacher Report - Articles by Andrew Tonge

Back To the Future for the Women's Tennis Tour In 2010

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:22:44 -0500

When Kim Clijsters announced that she was coming back to the women's tennis tour, there was not a lot hype about it. No one really expected her to win many tournaments, much less a major. But she shocked the tennis world by winning the U.S. Open in September.

She became the first mother to win a major since Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon 29 years ago. What has been surprising about her comeback is the fact that she is playing at least as well or better than she was before.

She is so relaxed and confident that it is almost unreal. Her strokes are as crisp as ever, and her match management may be better than before she retired. The only thing we can attribute that to is that her life with her husband and daughter Jada are her priorities, and tennis is just an extra curricular activity.

To quote Clijsters in an interview she did recently, "You can have your own life and still be a good mother and a good wife. But I won't risk my family life falling apart for tennis."

Clijsters is poised to continue her stellar play during the 2010 season. Other than Serena Williams, there really isn't anyone else out there now that has enough of a game to beat her on a consistent basis.

What makes 2010 more interesting is that another former grand slam winner will be coming out of retirement.

Justine Hennin will be returning to add more spice to the women's tour.

Hennin, Clijsters, and the Williams sisters will renew their rivalries and liven-up a women's tour that was often devoid of excitement and quality play.

Hennin's return will be a little different than Clijsters. While Clijsters is settled in her life, who knows what mental state Hennin is in. When she left the tour in 2008 was it because she was burned out? Did her body betray her? Was it because she had won everything and didn't have anything else to play for?

We can only go by what she says, but even though Hennin is a superior athlete and a machine like tennis player, she has never been the most emotionally stable player on the tour.

In tight moments she is often seen looking to her coach in the stands as if she is seeking guidance on what to do at that time. In a sport where there is no coaching for the most part, and the players pretty much have to suck it up and work it out on their own, it was a little disconcerning to see the number one player in the world constantly looking to her coach.

Everyone's emotional make up is different, but it does play a role in how they perform on the big stages.

Not withstanding, 2010 will be one of the most interesting years in quite a while on the women's tour.

Hennin has seen the uninspiring play and knows she can get her number one ranking back.

Clijsters knows she can add more majors to her resume because she is playing like she hasn't missed a beat.

We will find out how badly Serena Williams wants to keep her current number one ranking. She is a fighter, and competes as well as anyone. She did rebound nicely from her meltdown at the U.S. Open to finish number one.

It will basically be back to the future, as the main story lines will be the renewed rivalries from a few years ago with Serena Williams, Hennin, and Clijsters. Will anyone else step up and be a part of the mix?

I doubt it.

Venus Williams in my view is no longer a threat to win any major except Wimbledon. Tennis wise, she is a little long in the tooth, and she has become inconsistent in most of the tournaments she plays in.

Caroline Wozniacki has made a nice climb up the rankings, and there is some young talent out there, but if everyone is playing up to their potential it will be harder then ever now to break in to the top five and win majors.

Maria Sharapova could be a factor, but if her shoulder and serve are not right, she may find it hard to break through.

Jelena Jankovic has taken a step back in consistency.

Dinara Safina has proven mentally incapable of winning majors.

Svetlana Kuznetsova shows flashes but can't take that next step.

Elena Dementieva can't seem to break through no matter what she does.

One thing is for sure. The window may have closed for a lot of players who have not taken advantage of the absence of Henin and Clijsters.

NFL Week Nine: Gut Check Time For Three Teams, Plus Picks

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:42:13 -0500

In Week Nine, we will find out what we want to know about three teams playing big games. The Dallas Cowboys have been playing well of late, but are they for real? We will find out on Sunday as they play Philadelphia on the road.

In the past we have been duped into believing that the Cowboys were a very good team that was not playing up to their talent. The fact was, and is, that they are a mediocre team with a mediocre quarterback.

Tony Romo's struggles in critical moments in big games, and in the playoffs have been well documented. A lot of that, I believe, has to do with with Dallas's play-calling and what they have asked him to do.

The coaches and coordinators are asking him to win games like an elite quarterback, and that he is not. Instead of pounding the ball and setting up their passing game, the coaches ask Romo to make just about all of the plays.

Tony Romo's accuracy in fourth quarters in big games against good teams is not good. When pressured he doesn't step into his throws. He bails on a lot of them and it causes him to be inaccurate and throw picks.

Dallas would be better served using Romo like the Ravens use Flacco. He is not an elite quarterback.

Speaking of the Ravens, if they want to get back into the race in the AFC North, they have to have this game against the Bengals. Baltimore has struggled against the pass, which is uncharacteristic for them, but they are still capable of making big plays on that side of the ball.

They shut down Denver last week for just about the whole game, which is what we are used to seeing from them. A healthy Carson Palmer and a stout defense has made all the difference in the world for the Bengals.

Palmer has been clutch in the big moments of games, like the last drive against Baltimore in their first meeting. We know a healthy Palmer can be a difference maker, but no one has associated the Bengals with good defense in a long time. They have been especially good against the run.

The Giants look nothing like the team that started the season. Eli Manning and the offense look lost, and their defense has shown some cracks. In their last three games, Manning looks befuddled when he is looking for a receiver downfield.

He doesn't look comfortable at all, and one wonders if he doesn't have confidence in his receivers. Their receivers certainly don't scare anyone, and have had problems getting open. Could it be that Plaxico not being not being there is affecting Eli more than they are saying?

The Giants are desperate, and if they cannot move the ball against San Diego, they can give up on any hopes of winning the division.

The Chargers will test the Giants defense with a variety of looks and formations. They too are fighting for their playoff lives, so the loser of this game could be on the outside looking in.

Playoff teams come through with their backs against the wall. We will see which ones pass the test this week.

Ravens (-3) at Bengals

I think the Bengals are for real. Their ability to shut down the run translates well in this game. Take the Bengals and the points.

Chiefs at Jaguars (-6.5)

Neither of these teams are very good. The Jags are home, and when clicking they can put up a lot of points. I will take them and give the points.

Texans at Colts (-9)

Peyton Manning has shown no signs of slowing down. He is having an MVP type season. They are home. That being said, the Texans are capable of scoring points as well and have weapons, but not enough to overcome the Colts. Take the Colts and give the points.

Redskins at Falcons (-10)

Must win game for the Falcons. For their confidence they will want to win big. With the Redskins in disarray, take the Falcons and give the points.

Packers (-10) at Buccaneers

I can't remember a time when there were so many bad teams in the league. Aaron Rodgers and company should be able to put up enough points to cover this spread. Tampa Bay is still trying to find their way on offense, and finding out if they have a franchise quarterback. Take the Pack.

Cardinals at Bears (-3)

Jay Cutler has looked ordinary of late, and the Cardinals look like they are playing a more physical brand of football. Arizona is playing better at this point, and conventional wisdom says to go with them, since this looks like a bad match up for Chicago's defense. Take the Cardinals and the points.

Dolphins at Patriots (-11)

Not sold on the Dolphins defense keeping this one close. Brady and company should pull away late at home and cover.

Panthers at Saints (-13.5)

The Saints look like the best team in the league and are firing on all cylinders. Even though this is a lot of points, still take the Saints and give the points.

Lions at Seahawks (-10)

Two teams that are playing out the string. Seahawks are better than the Lions, but not good enough to be a lock to cover 10 points at home. Take the Lions and the points.

Steelers (-3) at Broncos

We will find out all about the Broncos this week as they try to rebound from a tough loss last week. I don't think the Steelers will cooperate, even with a less than dominating defense. Take Pitt and give the points.

Locks fo r Week Nine

Titans at 49ers (-4)

The Titans won their first game, but the buck will stop here with the 49ers. They should cover easily. Take San Fran and give the points.

Cowboys at Eagles (-3)

Another big game for the Cowboys on the road, and it will be another loss, as Philly takes control of the division. Take the Eagles and give the points.

Chargers at Giants (-5)

I know that teams traveling east have a poor track record, but there is nothing that I like looking at the Giants. Manning has the Super Bowl, buy Phillip Rivers has looked like the better quarterback this year. Take the Chargers and the points.

Week Seven Picks: Three Teams Going in the Wrong Direction, Fast

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00:14 -0400

Who would have thought that we would be talking about the Tennessee Titans as a team in trouble. Yes they are win-less, but that isn’t the only issue by a long shot.

Aside from the fact that they can’t score enough on offense, their normally Top-10 defense is not stopping anyone. It is rare in this NFL to see a team go from super bowl contender one year, to pathetic the next.

They don’t have their defensive coordinator from last year, and that is a bigger deal than people realize. You are not only changing coaches, you are changing philosophies. Jim Schwartz had their defense playing at a high level, with help from current defensive coordinator, Chuck Cecil.

That is why one has a hard time figuring out why the defense is struggling as much as they are. They did lose Albert Haynsworth, but why change the from their attacking style defense? Why change things just to put your own stamp on the defense?

It’s Jeff Fisher’s problem to fix. He’s got issues on offense as well. Kerry Collins is struggling on offense, and they can’t extend drives and score points. They need to find out if they have a franchise quarterback or not, because Collins is not the answer.

As a coach, do you remove Collins, insert Young, and go into the draft next year knowing whether, or not you need a franchise quarterback? I say yes. Even at the expense of winning games. Try telling that to a coach who thinks his job is on the line.

The Cleveland Browns are another franchise that is in very bad shape, from top to bottom. In steps Eric Mangini as the new coach, but the rumors are still flowing that he has lost the players and they don’t respond to his disciplinarian approach.

Mangini finished badly in New York, and it would have served Cleveland better if they took their time and did an extensive, careful search for a coach, rather than jumping to hire Mangini.

The Browns are lost on offense with no leader. Derek Anderson has not looked like the quarterback that put up big numbers a couple of years ago, and that is an understatement.

If you are in rebuilding mode, like the Browns are, it makes no sense not to play Brady Quinn and let him grow as the team grows. He hasn’t played enough to know whether, or not he can get the job done.

That decision reeks of a coach trying to save his job, rather then do what is in the best interests of the team, long term. Defensively, the Browns aren’t bad. Well, they weren’t bad until D’Quell Jackson went down, and Shaun Rodgers, Kamerion Wimbley, and others got the flu.

The Browns are pretty much a rudderless ship at this point. They are years away from being relevant again.

The Washington Redskins as an organization are in worse shape than any other franchise in the NFL. Daniel Snyder has adopted a pattern of over-paying free agents in an attempt to buy a championship team.

You can’t buy chemistry, or continuity though, as they have found out. They have a meddling front office, a quarterback with no confidence, and offense that can’t score, and a coach that is pretty sure he will not be there next year.

The offense averages 13 points a game, and it is obvious that Jim Zorn’s system doesn’t fit the personnel that he has. That is a mistake that quite a few teams make. They were previously built as a power running team, but the leadership went ahead with this new offense without the necessary personnel.

They have to bear most of the responsibility for that. Jason Campell may not be their franchise quarterback, but the organization hasn’t done much to put him in a situation to succeed either.

They have embarrassed their coach by stripping him of play calling responsibilities, and made him a lame duck. They really need to hire a football guy and take this team in another direction. This whole organization needs an over-haul.

San Diego -5 At Kansas City

The Chargers are 1-4 against the spread this season, and haven't done a good job on defense. Kansas City hasn’t done much better, as their lone win was on the road. This is a last stand of sorts for the Chargers, so take them and give the points.

Indianapolis -14 At St. Louis

The Rams have actually played better away from home, and the Colts are 3-0 against the spread on the road. The only way this doesn’t get too ugly is if the Colts call off the dogs in the second half, and the Rams make it look respectable. Take Indy and give the points.

Cincinnati (PK) At Chicago

Two evenly matched teams. Cutler starting to get it done for Chicago, and Carson Palmer has his old form back for the Bengals. Whoever gets the better quarterback play will win. I like Cutler and Chicago to pull it off at the end.

Green Bay -9 At Cleveland

The Packers can put up a lot of points in a hurry and on the surface shouldn’t have problems covering, but their defense is not very good. The Browns play better at home, and even with the drama they have going on there, take the Browns and the points.

Minnesota +6 At Pittsburgh

This is the marquis game this week. The Steelers have only covered once this year, and have had problems putting teams away. The defense hasn’t been quite as dominant. The Vikings are 3-0 against the spread this year, but they really haven’t played anyone yet. Pittsburgh should win a close one, but the Vikings should cover the spread.

New York Jets -6.5 At Oakland

The Raiders defense is good, even though their offense is putrid, with the over-weight and highly ineffective Jamarcus Russell. Mark Sanchez is a struggling rookie quarterback, and that should continue in Oakland. Whichever defense gets the most turnovers should win. Take Oakland and the points.

New England -14.5 at Tampa Bay

We don’t know how the trip to London will affect the teams. Tampa Bay is a bad team, but New England hasn’t covered away from home. Too many points here. Take Tampa Bay and the points.

San-Francisco -3 at Houston

I like Houston to pull the upset here. The 49ers have shown some chinks in the armour of late, and even though Houston is only 1-2 at home, I think they will surprise the 49ers. Take Houston and the points.

My Locks

Philadelphia -7 At Washington

Washington can’t score, averaging only 13 points a game, and are 0-3 at home against the spread. McNab and friends should be able to score enough points to cover. The natives are restless in Redskin land, so if the Eagles get up early, it could be ugly. If Washington hasn’t played well against bad teams...Take the Eagles and give the points.

Arizona +7 At New York Giants

I have no confidence in teams from the west traveling north. The Giants have underachieved as of late and need an impressive win, especially at home. The Cardinals passing attack is coming together, but the Giant defense will prevail. Take the Giants and give the points.

New Orleans -6.5 at Miami

The Saints are undefeated against the spread this year, and are due for a loss. I don’t think it will be here though. Their defense is stout, and Miami’s offense, short of the wild cat, doesn’t scare anyone. Take the Saints and give the points.

Week 7 Picks: Three Teams Going In The Wrong Direction, Fast

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:53:52 -0400

Who would have thought that we would be talking about the Tennessee Titans as a team in trouble. Yes they are winless, but that isn't the only issue by a long shot.

Aside from the fact that they can't score enough on offense, their normally top ten defense is not stopping anyone. It is rare in the NFL to see a team go from super bowl contender one year, to pathetic the next.

They don't have their defensive coordinator from last year, and that is a bigger deal than people realize. You are not only changing coaches, you are changing philosophies. Jim Schwartz had their defense playing at a high level, with help from current defensive coordinator, Chuck Cecil.

It's Jeff Fisher's problem to fix. He's got issues on offense as well. Kerry Collins is struggling on offense and they can't extend drives and score points. They need to find out if they have a franchise quarterback or not because Collins is not the answer.

As a coach, do you remove Collins, insert Young, and go into the draft next year knowing whether or not you need a franchise quarterback? I say yes. Even at the expense of winning games.

Try telling that to a coach who thinks his job is on the line.

Mangini finished badly in New York, and it would have served Cleveland better if they took their time and did an extensive, careful search for a coach, rather than jumping to hire Mangini.

The Browns are lost on offense with no leader. Derek Anderson has not looked like the quarterback that put up big numbers a couple of years ago, and that is an understatement.

If you are in rebuilding mode, like the Browns are, it makes no sense not to play Brady Quinn and let him grow as the team grows. He hasn't played enough to know whether or not he can get the job done.

That decision reaks of a coach trying to save his job, rather than do what is in the best interests of the team, long term. Defensively, the Browns aren't bad. Well, they weren't bad untill D'Quell Jackson went down, and Shaun Rodgers, Kamerion Wimbley, and others got the flu.

The Browns are pretty much a rudderless ship at this point. They are years away from being relevant again.

You can't buy chemistry or continuity though, as they have found out. They have a meddling front office, a quarterback with no confidence, and offense that can't score, and a coach that is pretty sure he will not be there next year.

The offense averages 13 points a game, and it is obvious that Jim Zorn's system doesn't fit the personnel that he has. That is a mistake that quite a few teams make. They were previously built as a power running team, but the leadership went ahead with this new offense without the necessary personell.

They have to bear most of the responsibility for that. Jason Campell may not be their franchise quarterback, but the organization hasn't done much to put him in a situation to succeed either.

San Diego -5 At Kansas City

The Chargers are 1-4 against the spread this season, and haven't done a good job on defense. Kansas City hasn't done much better, as their lone win was on the road. This is a last stand of sorts for the Chargers, so take them and give the points.

Indianapolis -14 At St. Louis

The Rams have actually played better away from home, and the Colts are 3-0 against the spread on the road. The only way this doesn't get to ugly is if the Colts call off the dogs in the second half, and the Rams make it look respectable. Take Indy and give the points.

Cincinnati (PK) At Chicago

Green Bay -9 At Cleveland

The Packers can put up a lot of points in a hurry and on the surface shouldn't have problems covering but their defense is not very good. The Browns play better at home, and even with the drama they have going on there, take the Browns and the points.

Minnesota +6 At Pittsburgh

This is the marquis game this week. The Steelers have only covered once this year, and have had problems putting teams away. The defense hasn't been quite as dominant. The Vikings are 3-0 against the spread this year, but they really haven't played anyone yet. Pittsburgh should win a close one, but the Vikings should cover the spread.

New York Jets -6.5 At Oakland

New England -14.5 at Tampa Bay

We don't know how the trip to London will affect the teams. Tampa Bay is a bad team, but New England hasn't covered away from home. Too many points here. Take Tampa Bay and the points.

San Francisco -3 at Houston

My Locks

Philadelphia -7 At Washington

Washington can't score, averaging only 13 points a game, and are 0-3 at home against the spread. McNabb and friends should be able to score enough points to cover. The natives are restless in Redskin land, so if the Eagles get up early, it could be ugly. If Washington hasn't played well against bad teams.... Take the Eagles and give the points.

Arizona +7 At New York Giants

New Orleans -6.5 at Miami

The Saints are undefeated against the spread this year, and are due for a loss. I don't think it will be here though. Their defense is stout, and Miami's offense, short of the wild cat, doesn't scare anyone. Take the Saints and give the points.

Wimbledon 2009 Preview: Contenders And Pretenders On The Women's Side

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:25:56 -0400

At first glance one would think that the women's draw is wide open, and that the Wimbledon trophy can be had by at least 10 players. If we take a closer look we can conclude that is not the case.

What we have learned this year so far is that there really isn't a dominant player on the WTA when we start talking about the majors. Serena Williams probably comes the closest, but she is by no means a lock.

Dinara Safina

The No. 1 ranked women's player has made tremendous strides in the last year and a half, but still hasen't found a way to get over her nerves in grand slam finals. It is obvious she has the game, and the tools to be great, but that is not enough to get to the pinnacle of the sport.

It has to be packaged with a calm belief and intestinal fortitude that will not let her shrink on the big stage. It seems like her emotions get the best of her in the major tournament finals and she is unable overcome it during the match.

She really didn't show up against Svetlana Kuznetsova, and there is not really a good reason why. The question is does Dinara really believe that she is the best women's player in the world?

Not the most consistent, but the best. If she really believes that, then she has to believe that she is supposed to win Grand Slams. That has to be the logical progression, and if she is not winning them, then something is wrong.

Dinara has conquered her emotions before and it has helped her get to this point, so it is not a question as to whether she can get over that hurdle. The question is how long will it take and how many opportunities will she miss?

There are no real weakness' in her game. Her serve could be more consistent, and maybe she could be more aggressive and come forward more (especially on grass) but other than that she is fine.

She is a contender, but we have to wait and see how the crushing loss at Roland Garros affected her, either for the better, or worse.

Serena Williams

Definitely a contender. There are no confidence issues with Serena Williams, and as she has stated before, she believes that she is the favorite in any tournament she is in.

She has come under fire for her bold comments proclaiming that everyone knows who the best women's player is, and for not giving her opponents credit when she loses.

There is certainly room for more humility on her part, but we can't argue with the results. She has won two of the last three Grand Slams, and one she didn't win she lost to the eventual champion.

Other than her booming serves and over-powering ground strokes, Serena's biggest asset is her confidence. Combine that with the fact that she will never quit no matter what the score is, and her ability to stay calm in big spots, and you have a player capable of dominating, if she puts in the work.

One of the interesting things is that Serena admitted that she choked after her loss to Kuznetsova in the semi's at the French Open. She was up a break in the third set but but uncharacteristically couldn't get it done.

That was an interesting and candid admission from a player that normally forces others choke in big moments. There are no issues with Serena's game overall. She can serve her way out of trouble when necessary, and when fit, covers the court like no one else.

If you want to know about Serena's will to win, ask Nadia Petrova, when she was up a set and serving for the match in the Australian Open, and an out of shape Williams came back and won.

If she is going to go down in a major before the semi's it usually is within the first three rounds.

Venus Williams

The reigning Wimbledon champion hopes to defend her title and has to be one of the favorites. Her results in past tournaments can't be used as a gauge because she seems to transform herself on the grass.

Venus, with her five Wimbledon titles, can lay claim to being the best grass court player of her time. Her willingness to force the action and finish points at the net is an advantage on this surface.

Her serve and forehand have been known to breakdown during matches, but she has enough firepower to over-come that. The other women on tour need to take a page out of Venus' book if they want to be successful on this surface.

Most of the women on tour are content to bang away from the baseline until the point is over, but if it is not working on a particular day you are at an immediate disadvantage if you are uncomfortable at net.

Not only is Venus a contender, but I would install her as the favorite.

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Kuznetsova is brimming with confidence after winning the French Open. The knock on her was that she didn't come through in the big spots against the best players.

That doesn't seem to be an issue any more as she seemed more mentally up to the challenge than Serena Williams was in their semi-final match in the French.

She is a good athlete and moves around the court well. When she is playing with confidence she is able to overwhelm her opponents with her ground strokes. Kuznetsova is equally dangerous with the back hand and forehand, and not afraid to go for her shots.

If she is physically and mentally on her game, she can win her third major here. She has all the tools and doesn't want to take a step back.

Definitely a contender.

Maria Sharapova

Sharapova made a good showing at the French, coming back after her shoulder injury. She did better than most thought she would.

She probably needs more court time to get all the way back, but the main thing for her is to make progress and not get hurt again. Her serve, if working, is capable of dominating, but the question is where is she with her fitness and movement.

Sharapova can be beaten if you make her move, and she is not willing to come forward. She has won this tournament before, so at least at the outset you have to take her seriously.

She is in a pretty favorable part of the draw, along with Serena Williams, Lucie Safarova, and Victoria Azarenka, so if she gets past the first couple of rounds it could get interesting.

Jelana Jankovic

The former No. 1 in the world has slipped to number six and hasn't really shown signs of returning to the top of the rankings. She has logged a lot of matches the last couple of years, and seems to have flamed out.

That is why you can never assume that you will continue to get opportunities to win grand slams when you don't take advantage other chances that you have had. You never know what can happen.

Jankovic has a great tennis IQ, but really lacks the weapons to completely impose her will on her opponent. If she gets into a hitting contest with the top players, most of the time she will lose.

She has improved her serve the last year and a half, but it is not enough. I would be surprised if she made it to the semi's, but stranger things have happened. Jankovic needs to reinvent herself and her game so that she can get back into the equation as far as the majors are concerned.

If you are losing ground, it makes no sense to keep doing the same thing the same way because it is obviously not working.

She is a great competitor, but I would have to label her as a pretender, not a contender.

Other Pretenders

Elena Dementieva - great athlete, and great ground game. Her serve doesn't pose a real threat. Capable of pulling the upset, but has problems putting everything together in the big matches.

Nadia Petrova - good ball striker, and able to put pressure on her opponent, but has had trouble closing out matches against ranked opponents in the past.

Ana Ivanovic - The free spirited Ivanovic has all the goods to be a multiple grand slam champion. The question is whether she wants it bad enough, and is she willing to put the work in necessary to consistently play at the level.

It seems as if she needs more of a competitive edge. She has a good tennis IQ as well. That is why it is surprising that she hasn't gotten results, and that it doesn't seem to bother her a lot.

She has all the physical tools, but does she have what it takes on the inside?

The women's game today is up for grabs for anyone who will take it. It seems like it is not a matter of talent, but a matter of mental fortitude and belief. Of the top players, the ones who can conquer themselves are the ones who will win the slams and rise to No. 1.

Wimbledon 2009: Federer Looks To Regain His Number One Ranking

Andrew Tonge — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:53 -0400

Turnabout is fair play in 2009 as we approach Wimbledon. Last year Nadal wrenched the number one ranking from Roger Federer by winning the French Open, and then beating Federer in an epic battle on the grass at the All England Club.

This year it is Federer that has the opportunity to return the favor. He is the favorite going into Wimbledon, especially with Nadal having problems with his knees. His body is basically reacting to the style of tennis he plays.

His grinding, sliding, and skidding style is tough on his body, especially his knees, both of which have tendinitis. As time goes on his biggest opponent may not be the guy on the other side of the net.

It may be the guy on his side of the net if his body continues to break down. Nadal needs his legs and his speed to be effective. Right now we don't know if he will be well enough to compete at Wimbledon, but we know that Federer will be there and will be itching to get his title back.

The two best tennis players in the world couldn't be more different. Federer is so smooth and graceful around the court he makes the game look too easy. We never mention that he has cat like quickness because he appears to be just gliding, not running.

His strokes are perfect form wise, and they look grace-full and elegant. Better than textbook. Even his tennis wear fits his style. Conservative, a little stylish, and unique. Just like his game.

Nadal's game on the other hand is anything but conventional. He is fast and runs down everything, but does not appear graceful. He will stop and slide on any surface to stay in the point.

His athleticism is unmatched and probably his greatest asset. Nadal puts a lot of muscle in his buggy-whip forehand that gives Federer fits when he hits it to his backhand.

His combination of strength and speed allows him to hit precision passing shots on the dead run as well as finding incredible angles on his ground-strokes. His tennis wear is no where close to being conservative.

Nadal's physicality is evident when he plays, while Feder's effortlessness and poise is evident in his game. Contrasting styles is the stuff great matches are made of, as we saw in last year's Wimbledon final.

Novak Djokovic will be anxious to go deep into the tournament this year to prove his second round exit at the hands of Marat Safin was a fluke last year. His game translates to grass well so he could be a factor.

The pressure will be on England's own Andy Murray. He is better than he was last year and the crowd will be pulling for him as they are desperate for a home grown champion.

He will definitely be a factor. My dark-horse is Andy Roddick. The grass suits his game and he is versatile enough to serve and volley if he has to. He is in much better shape than he was last year, so I look for him to be there in the second week for sure.

All eyes will be on Federer though, as he continues to make his climb back to number one. What he does at Wimbledon will be the difference.

Soderling Takes Down Nadal: Huge Opportunity for Federer and the Field

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 31 May 2009 19:12:15 -0400

Robin Soderling shocked the tennis world by eliminating Rafael Nadal, the best clay court player and world's No. 1 in four sets, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2). Using a barrage of booming serves and cannon-like forehands, Soderling made Nadal look rather ordinary.

No one expected this, at least not from Soderling. Nadal looked frustrated and bewildered as he miss-hit balls that are routine for him, especially on the service return, and wondered why he wasn't playing better.

This loss forces us to ask other questions as well. Some of the same ones we were forced to ask Roger Federer a little over a year ago.

Rafa was very passive in this match, and chose not to be aggressive at all, even with his back against the wall. Was this a tactical error, or is his physical, grinding style of play catching up with him?

You would tend to think not, given his age, but Nadal plays a lot of tennis, especially this time of year. He participates in a lot of clay court venues and routinely puts in more match time than just about anyone else on the tour.

He could just be mentally and a little physically worn down from the rigors of the tour, and what it takes work-wise to stay on top of your game and on top of the rankings. We will find out out how he rebounds in the grass court season after the French Open.

Nadal's loss affects the rest of the draw, but it probably affects Roger Federer the most. This is his opportunity to finally capture the French, complete the career Grand Slam, serve notice that he is back and able to dominate, and finally tie Pete Sampras for Grand Slam victories.

It won't be easy, but this is his chance to seize the moment. A loss by Federer with Nadal out of the way will prove to a lot of his detractors that his best tennis is behind him.

He should be brimming with confidence because there isn't anyone left in the draw that he can't beat, and none of them present any underlying mental issues for him as well, as Nadal did. Actually, Federer is the one under pressure to win now.

He should have no problem with Tommy Haas, but if Monfils gets through, he could be a major problem for Federer. He is athletic and it is hard to get balls by him, and if he is on his game, he can be tough to beat on the clay with the crowd behind him.

Andy Roddick has had a nice run, but I don't think he will get past Monfils. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has a chance as well. He is a shot-maker and capable of mowing down his opponent with his powerful forehand. He is also not afraid to come to net, which makes him versatile and able to go to another plan if his ground game is not working as planned.

Nadal's loss is a tremendous opportunity for Andy Murray as well. A win here will announce to the tennis world that he has arrived and ready to take over on the men's side. Without Nadal in the picture, Murray has a good chance to get to the final if he can get past Fernando Gonzalez, another veteran shot-maker capable of beating anyone when he is on.

Murray doesn't have an overly impressive résumé on clay, but his speed and tennis IQ can get him through. His side of the draw is the easiest, with Davydenko and Soderling on that side.

Juan Martin Del Potro has a great chance to get to the semis if he can get past Tsonga. The No. 5 seed has really come on the last year and is a major factor in every tournament he enters.

If Federer wants to cement his legacy and finally grab the French Open, he won't have a better opportunity. On his side of the draw, Monfils, Tsonga, Del Potro, and the veteran, Tommy Robredo, figure to be his main roadblocks to the final.

No one ever thought that Nadal would lose at the French, much less this early. No one thought Federer would be presented with this opportunity. It will be interesting to see how he responds.

I, for one, think he will. He has to. There may not be another opportunity after this.

Atlanta Falcons Favorite Plays: Running Game Is The Key

Andrew Tonge — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:41:09 -0400

It is no secret that the success the Falcons found on offense last season centered around Michael Turner and the running game.

Everything they do is based on that. Their zone blocking schemes and running packages give their backs the opportunity to read blocks and hit different holes.

This is what they like to do, and who they are on offense.

I-formation with fullback lead

This is a main staple in their running game. They have different variations, but it is basically the same play.

It is run up the middle, off-tackle, and off the edge. When they run it off the edge (tight end) they will pull two lineman to help Turner and Norwood get around the corner.

Close to the goal line, they like to run it straight ahead.

Offset I-formation with fullback lead

Turner made a lot of yards running out of the offset I, sometimes running inside, and sometimes following his fullback.

Single back (no fullback)

This formation yielded a ton of yards for Turner in 2008 and was extremely productive. Turner has time to read the blocks, and frequently finds cutback lanes because of over-pursuit.

Atlanta will run this to the weak side, away from the tight end, as well as to the strong side, off-tackle.

One of their favorite plays is the counter play out of this formation. One step in one direction to get the flow of the defense going that way, and then take the hand off going in the other direction.

This is very effective, especially against teams that are quick off the ball.

They run this single back formation with two H-backs on both sides of the line, and they run it off-tackle. Because of the various packages they have with this formation, it keeps defenses off balance.

Play-action off the I, fly pattern

This play is made possible by the success and the respect their running game garners. Matt Ryan and Roddy White have good chemistry on this.

Play-action, comeback pattern to wide receiver

Roddy White's speed made this an attractive and safe pass for a rookie quarterback. The play-action holds the linebackers in place long enough to get White down the sideline in space.

This is also effective in getting their wide receivers in the seam behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties. This works well against defenses that like to play a lot of "Tampa 2," or two deep zones.

The Falcons like to run. That is their personality, so their favorite plays are based on that. They have great run packages and a back that runs downhill and makes excellent reads.

The play-action is a quarterbacks' best friend when the running game is successful because, as a defense, you have to commit the necessary personnel to stop the run and leave someone with one-on-one coverage.

Kevin Garnett: How the 2009 NBA Playoffs Have Further Proven His Worth

Andrew Tonge — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:09:03 -0400

We are finding out a lot about different players in these 2009 NBA playoffs—who is stepping up, who is taking it to the next level, who is going to be the next hero, and who is going to be the next goat?

One player that no one is talking about is Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics. His absence has probably had the biggest impact on these playoffs, more so than any other player.

For Boston, the impact was devastating.

They went from being the favorite in the East to a middle to lower-tier playoff team. That drop is significant because the Celtics have two other all-stars on their roster, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

They struggled against the seventh-seeded Chicago Bulls who were minus Luol Deng—arguably their most complete player—and they eventually succumbed to Orlando in a great series that went seven games.

KG makes everything the Celtics do come together on the court defensively as well as offensively. He guards the basket on defense and allows everyone else to be aggressive because they know he is the last line of defense.

Garnett has a way of intimidating his opponents also, and gets into their heads. He often has his counterpart beat before the game is done because they know he is intense, relentless, and willing to get in your face if necessary.

Chicago continually went to the basket with no fear because of a lack of presence inside by the Celtics. This isn’t an indictment of Kendrick Perkins, but he is just not the player KG is.

Last season we saw how Garnett totally frustrated Laker Pau Gasol and played a big role in controlling Kobe Bryant in the championship series. Physically, the Lakers' front court was no match.

Over the course of his career, KG averages 11 rebounds per game. That means less opportunities for the opposition to get second-chance points. If it took Orlando seven games to beat Boston without Garnett, I can’t help but believe the Magic wouldn’t have had a shot to win that series if KG was healthy.

Orlando would not have been able to double Pierce, and KG would have kept Dwight Howard occupied on both ends of the court.

Boston runs a lot of their offense through Garnett because he is an excellent passer from the post and recognizes how and when to get rid of the ball when double-teamed.

The Celtics struggled mightily in the playoffs because they didn’t have a low post presence on offense. KG would have been able to score in the low post, and set up his teammates for easier shots.

He can also step out and consistently hit the 15-foot jump shot, which would have brought Howard and any other centers defending him away from the basket. KG is the ultimate team player that does everything for his team.

Unfortunately, many fans don’t realize his true worth until he is not in the lineup.

The regular season is one thing, but you cannot make up for an MVP-type player of KG’s ability, even if you have two other all-stars on the team.

If you look at the big picture, KG has had more of an effect on this series than anyone else. The Lakers are considered by most to be the favorite. But when you see them get pushed around by teams that are more physical (Houston and Denver), I can’t help but think Boston would have the advantage with a healthy team.

Orlando is on the cusp of making to the NBA finals because Garnett is hurt, and Cleveland is affected because they have had problems defending Orlando’s superior wing men each time they have played in the regular season (and now in the playoffs).

KG is always close to the top of my list when it comes to MVPs because of what he does for his team, not just for where his team finishes.

He is not appreciated yet he should be because he is not selfish and plays the game the way it should be played.

His imprint is all over these playoffs, even though he was sidelined.

Curtis Lofton Insights: How Good Can the Atlanta Falcons' Defense Be?

Andrew Tonge — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:40:54 -0400

Much of the Falcons' fortunes for the 2009 season will depend on how their defense performs.

Many feel the Falcons are poised to win their division and make a Super Bowl run, but that won't happen if Atlanta doesn't get better play from a unit that yielded 348 yards per game last year.

If I had a chance to sit down and talk with one of their players, that player would be second-year MLB Curtis Lofton.

Question: After a successful rookie campaign, what are your individual goals for 2009, and for this defense as a whole?

Question: Brian VanGorder and Head Coach Mike Smith would like to have more of an attacking-style defense. How do you see yourself fitting in to the new packages that might be employed?

Question: How important was the addition of veteran LB Mike Peterson from Jacksonville to the team?

Question: Given that Peterson has played under Mike Smith and VanGorder at Jacksonville, and has been successful in this league, how much of a mentor and resource do you see him being for you?

Question: What would you share with the rookies coming into camp this year that would help them with the adjustment process? What was the biggest hurdle for you coming into the league?

Question: Currently, with so much uncertainty in the secondary, with Lawyer Milloy gone and the amount of young players being brought in on defense, how long do you think it will take for the defense to come together as a unit?

Question: Which professional linebacker was your favorite growing up, and when you were playing in college?

The Falcons don't get many breaks in their schedule this year, so it is important that they gel on defense quickly.

Lofton's ability to take his game to the next level will go a long way toward them being better against the run, and for Atlanta being better on that side of the ball as a whole.

All-Time Favorite Team: 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers

Andrew Tonge — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:16:07 -0400

We are all well aware of the success the Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed for 30-plus years now. It is really a testament to their management and unchanging philosophy, even in the times we are in.

The Falcons would do well to emulate their model of success, because there are no substitutes for it, or shortcuts.

The Steelers of 1979 didn't dominate like their teams earlier in the 1970's, but with many of their Pro Bowlers on the other side of 30, they served notice that they would not relinquish their title without a fight.

Their coach, Chuck Noll, was a no-nonsense man who played for the Browns and began coaching the Steelers in 1969.

He never wanted or desired attention for himself, and as good as his teams were we always told them they could be better, even after Super Bowl victories.

His first year they finished 1-13 in 1969, but the Rooneys stuck with him and knew they had the right man to coach their team all along. Noll was a disciplinarian who had the full attention of his team.

The Falcons did well when they hired Mike Smith as their coach. He seems to know exactly the type of team he wants, and if management allows him to put things together and get his type of players, Atlanta could be special for years to come.

Noll and the Rooneys built the Steelers into a hard-nosed, physical, run oriented team that took on the personality of the city they represented. Their defense, littered with hall of farmers, was all home grown.

The drafting of their talent shows that without a good front office that can evaluate talent, an organization will still be lost and spinning their wheels. Their front office is the main reason they have been as successful as they have.

They drafted Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, and Lynn Swann in 1974. They got Mel Blount and Terry Bradshaw in 1970. Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood were drafted in 1969, Greenwood being a 10th-round pick.

Jack Ham and Dwight White were brought into the fold in 1971. You don't get lucky this many times. The Steelers front office never gets into the hype. They are looking for their type of player, and that is what they focus on.

All you have to do is look at the other front offices around the league to realize how important is to know what you need, evaluate the talent, and make it happen through the draft, and or free agency.

Detroit, Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland, and San Francisco to name a few, are some of the franchises that have suffered recently because of some of the decisions their front offices have made.

What made the 1979 team special in my eyes is that they were coming off of a Super Bowl year, and many of their key personnel were aging. They could have packed it in but didn't. Noll wouldn't let them.

They won early in the 70's with a dominating defense and a powerful running game. By 1979 they were not quite as dominant, but still finished No. 1 in scoring defense. Their offense became very prolific in the passing game, and they had become a big play offense.

Their personnel didn't change a whole lot, but the way they won games did. Pittsburgh didn't need Bradshaw to come up big for their first two Super Bowl wins, but they needed him to come up big in 1978 and 1979.

Their system and tendencies didn't change, but they raised their level of play to hold on to their Super Bowl championship they won the previous year, even with the bull's eye on their back. That team was versatile enough to win any way they had to.

If they had to outscore you they did, if they had to grind you into the ground using their trap-blocking running scheme, they would do that.

As the Steelers showed in the Super Bowl versus the Rams, when they needed a big play on defense, they had the players on that side of the ball to get the job done.

Lambert's interception was the biggest defensive play of that game.

It was the second time they won back to back Super Bowls, and we may never see that repeated again. The commitment to excellence was there from the front office, to the head coach, to the stars and leaders of team, and to the other players.

Another reason those Steelers were my favorite (and some other players in previous years). They had the best nick-names. Mean Joe Greene, Earnie (Fats) Holmes, L.C. (Bags) Greenwood, Dwight (Mad Dog) White, Dennis (Dirt) Winston, Donnie (Torpedo) Shell.

Holmes wasn't on the roster in 1979, but his nick-name is worthy of mention. Glen Edwards, a defensive back on their teams teams earlier in the decade was known as the head hunter as well (for good reason).

Pittsburgh traditionally plays a physical style of football, which is the way the game is meant to be played. The Falcons would be well served to do the same, and to build their franchise the way the Steelers have built theirs.

Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett Proves his Worth While Injured

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:40:10 -0400

One player that no one is talking about is Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics. His absence has probably had the biggest impact on these playoffs, more so than any other player.

For Boston, the impact was devastating. They went from being the favorite in the East to a middle to lower-tier playoff team. That drop is significant because the Celtics have two other All-Stars on their roster, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

They struggled against the seventh seeded Chicago Bulls who were minus Luol Deng—arguably their most complete player—and they eventually succumbed to Orlando in a great series that went seven games.

Chicago continually went to the basket with no fear because of a lack of presence inside by the Celtics. This isn't an indictment of Kendrick Perkins, but he is just not the player that KG is.

Last season, we saw how Garnett totally frustrated Gasol of the Lakers and played a big role in controlling Kobe Bryant in the championship series. Physically, the Laker front court was no match.

Over the course of his career, KG averages 11 rebounds per game. That means less opportunities for the opposition to get second-chance points. If it took Orlando seven games to beat Boston without Garnett, I can't help but believe that the Magic wouldn't have had a shot to win that series if KG was healthy.

Orlando would not have been able to double Pierce, and KG would have kept Dwight Howard occupied on both ends of the court.

Boston runs a lot of their offense through Garnett because he is an excellent passer from the post and recognizes how and when to get rid of the ball when double-teamed.

The Celtics struggled mightily in the playoffs because they didn't have a low-post presence on offense. KG would have been able to score in the low post, and set up his teammates for easier shots.

He can also step out and consistently hit the f15-foot jump shot, which would have brought Howard and any other centers defending him away from the basket. KG is the ultimate team player that does everything for his team.

Unfortunately, many fans don't realize his true worth untill he is not in the line-up. The regular season is one thing, but you cannot make up for an MVP type player of KG's ability, even if you have two other all-stars on the team.

If you look at the big picture, KG has had more of an effect on this series than anyone else. The Lakers are considered by most to be the favorite, but when you see them get pushed around by teams that are more physical (Houston and Denver), I can't help but think that Boston would have the advantage with a healthy team.

Orlando is on the cusp of making to the NBA finals because Garnett is hurt, and Cleveland is affected because they have had problems defending Orlando's superior wingmen each time they have played in the regular season (and now in the playoffs).

KG is always close to the top of my list when it comes to MVPs because of what he does for his team, not just for where his team finishes. He is not appreciated as he should be because he is not selfish and plays the game the way it should be played.

His imprint is all over these playoffs, even though he was sidelined.

Atlanta Falcons Coaching Staff Up to The Challenges 2009 Will Bring

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 23 May 2009 01:32:06 -0400

Now that the bar has been raised by the Falcons based on their performance last year, it's up to the coaching staff to keep the players motivated and hungry. Last year is gone.

The 2009 season is full of promise, but with all the hype, the coaching staff not only has to coach the players, but come up with innovative ways to cover up weaknesses, get the young players on the field, and get the team closer to the Super Bowl.

It's a tall task, but this staff is up to it, especially their key assistants.

Brian VanGorder is the defensive coordinator and has the task of improving their performance against the run, as well as making them more attack-oriented. VanGorder has the pedigree to make this unit special.

He's got 25 years coaching experience, and from 2001-2004 he was the defensive coordinator for the the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC. In 2003, he received the Frank Broyles "Assistant Coach of the Year" award.

In his last season with Georgia, they finished 10-2 and had the eighth-ranked defense in the country. In 2003 VanGorder's unit finished 4th in total defense. This was not easy to do in arguably the best conference in the country.

In 2005, VanGorderwas the linebackersers coach at Jacksonville under Mike Smith, and the Jaguar defense was ranked sixth in total defense that year. He knows what Smith wants from his defense, and they have worked well together in the past.

That's important, because if your coaches have different philosophies on how to get things done, that could lead to friction on the staff, and the players pick up on that.

VanGorder joined the Falcons in 2007 as the linebackers coach, and prior to that he was the head coach at Georgia Southern in 2006.

His success with a revamped defense will go a long way toward how the Falcons do as a whole. It doesn't matter if you have a prolific offense if you can't get your defense off the field.

Mike Mularkey is the offensive coordinator and is a highly respected coach in the NFL. He has been the offensive coordinator with the Steelers (2001-2003) and the Dolphins (2006).

He was the head coach for the Bills for two years as well. Mularkey was a player for the Vikings and the Steelers in his career, and, as a coach, most of his time was spent with the Steelers.

Under Mulakey's tutelage, Kordel Stewart had a career year and made the Pro Bowl. In his first two years as offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh's offensive finished in the top five.

He even turned a journeyman quarterback who hadn't played in five years, Tommy Maddox, into an efficient and dangerous signal caller, as he threw for almost 3,000 yards in 2002.

If Mularkey can turn Stewart and Maddox into successful quarterbacks, there is no doubt he can help Matt Ryan get to the next level. Mularkey's work as a tight ends coach is well chronicled as well.

He helped Mark Bruener of the Steelers become one of the best run-blocking tight-ends in the league, and he helped Jackie Harris of the 49ers lead the team in receptions (62) in 1995.

It is scary when you put one of the best coordinators in the league with a gifted quarterback, a hall of fame tight-end, and a Pro Bowl running back. The Falcon offense should be good enough to make up for any defensive short-comings and be very special in 2009.

Much of the success the Falcons will have on offensive hinges on how their line performs. The offensive line coach, Paul Boudreau, has 21 years of coaching experience and has coached lines that have led the way for four 10,000-yard rushers.

From 2006-2007, Boudreau was the offensive line coach for the Rams, and previous to that he was the line coach for Jacksonville. In 2003, the Jaguars set a franchise record for fewest sacks allowed.

He has spent two years as the line coach for Carolina and New England (1997-1998). He got his start in the league with the New Orleans Saints (1987-1993), and his group placed in the top three in fewest sacks allowed on four occasions.

Atlanta's offensive line had a banner year in 2008 under Boudreau's leadership. If they can protect Ryan and continue to open holes for Michael Turner, the sky's the limit.

Mike Smith's choice for special teams coach was 14-year veteran Keith Armstrong. He came over from Miami in 2008 after helping Ted Ginn finish fourth in the AFC in punt returns.

From 2001-2006, the Dolphins finished in the top eight in punt return defense all but one year, and in 2001, they led the league in that category.

This is Armstrong's second stint with Atlanta. He was the safety's coach back in 1994. He also coached in college at Temple, where he played, and coached defensive backs and special teams at Miami. Oklahoma State and Notre Dame are on his coaching resume as well.

Atlanta's special teams are in good hands with Keith Armstrong.

Emmit Thomas is the assistant head coach and the secondary coach. His wealth of knowledge from his playing days and coaching knowledge make him an extremely important part of the staff.

He has worked with the secondary and shined, even when they were banged up and he had to be innovative because of injuries in 2006, when the Falcon defense was ranked fifth in the NFC.

Thomas first started guiding the secondary in 2002 for Atlanta, when they finished tied for third with 24 interceptions.

In his 42 years of playing and coaching, he has a total of three Super Bowl rings—two as an assistant coach, and one as a player. Prior to his coming to Atlanta, Thomas was the defensive coordinator at Minnesota (2000-2001).

He also coached at Green Bay, and Philadelphia on the defensive side of the ball. Thomas has his work cut out for him, as he deals with uncertainty and an infusion of youth in the secondary.

If the front seven can control things up front, they should be fine. Right now, the defensive backfield is the weakest part of the defense, as there is turnover, and almost every position is up for grabs.

The Falcons have the right man to get the defensive backs coached up and ready to surpass expectations.

Mike Smith has a top-flight coaching staff that he is working with, and they are all a perfect fit. That is why I believe they are on the right track to being good for a long time. If the previously mentioned coaches do what they have shown they can do already, all will be well in Falcon land.

Position Battles on Defense Will Be Key to Atlanta Falcons Success in 2009

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:51:32 -0400

The success of the Falcons in 2009 will largely depend on how they piece together their defense. There are spots available for the taking and the competition will be intense in camp.

On the defensive front John Abraham is locked in at one defensive end. The question is how many chances will Jaamal Anderson get to be an effective, every down, defensive end? Twenty-seven tackles and two sacks last year is just not going to cut it.

Chaunsey Davis could challenge for that spot, and I can't help but think that the coaches are hoping that fourth round draft pick Lawrence Sidbury makes a case for playing time as well.

At minimum Sidbury should make the rotation. Anderson is clearly on the hot-seat because they need someone opposite Abraham that can bring pressure and not be a liability against the run.

The Falcons didn't draft Peria Jerry in the first round for him to be a back-up. Jerry fits what Mike Smith wants from his defensive tackles. He is a workman like one gap penetrator capable of blowing up running plays.

Jerry's style is perfect for what they need.

Jonathan Babineaux figures, at least for now, to be the other starting defensive tackle, unless he gets beat out by Trey Lewis. Lewis is coming off of knee surgery so it will be interesting to see how he responds. At minimum he will be in the rotation.

Atlanta is really counting on their first round draft pick panning out to make their 4-3 more effective.

The Falcons are pretty set at middle linebacker with Curtis Lofton. Taken in the second round in 2008, Lofton made 108 tackles, which was second among all rookies in the NFL.

He is the only starter returning at linebacker, and he looks primed to be more of a difference maker and a leader. Mike Peterson comes over with his eleven years experience to line up on the weak side with Lofton.

Peterson was coached by Mike Smith in this system when he was with Jacksonville, so he is ready to play and should be able to help any of the other linebackers with the scheme.

The third year linebacker from South Florida, Stephen Nicholas should win the strong side position, but will be pushed by Coy Wire. With Peterson in the fold this should be a good group and will have to be the strength of the defense, at least starting out.

The defensive backfield is the biggest question mark. Layer Malloy is gone and Domonique Foxworth signed with Baltimore so there will be some new blood in the secondary.

Defense coordinator Brian VanGorder will have his work cut out for him here. Chris Houston will be one starting corner-back, but after that it is anyone's guess. There will be plenty of competition which is what VanGorder wants, but there is no clear cut favorite.

Von Hutchins and Chevis Jackson are potential candidates for the job. Hutchins speed may decide things here. William Middleton was drafted in the fifth round and if he performs well will be in line for a back-up/nickel or dime back.

This will be the most important battle because teams will pick on whoever they put out there because of the lack of starting experience. Mike Smith and his staff will have to find creative ways to get to the quarterback so as not to expose their corners, especially when they are in man-to-man coverage.

At free safety, the job is Eric Coleman's to lose. He has the experience and the ability to lead the secondary. Thomas DeCoud will compete with second round pick William Moore at strong safety. Antoine Harris will add depth, but doesn't figure to start.

There will be a good infusion of youth in the secondary, which is good, but the growing pains will be there as well. Overall I believe they will get better as the season goes on.

Atlanta Falcons 2009: Three Things I Like, Three Things I Don't Like

Andrew Tonge — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:26:55 -0400

Expectations are high for the Falcons and their fans after a season that was thought to be all about rebuilding, but instead netted them a playoff berth. In his first season as head coach, Mike Smith has stamped this team with his personality, and his toughness.

The players all bought in to it, and believe they can take it to another level this year. That being said, we know that, in the NFL, success in one season doesn't guarantee future prosperity.

As a matter of fact, many times teams that surprise one season end up taking a step back the next. That is what the Falcons have to guard against, and that will be the challenge for Mike Smith.

What I Like

Atlanta's offense, plain and simple. We know about Matt Ryan, but the offense is not built around what he can do. It is built around a physical, run oriented unit that wants to pound their opponent into submission.

The Falcons averaged 152 yards per game rushing, which is a tribute to their offensive line. They had no Pro-Bowlers at those positions, but their play as a group enabled Michael Turner to have a career year and make his first Pro Bowl, gaining 1,699 yards in the process.

Todd McClure, the center, is the signal caller and anchors the group that paved the way for Turner. This offensive line could be better this year which is scary.

When Atlanta is not running the ball, they can be equally as dangerous throwing it. Matt Ryan has proved he is a franchise quarterback and will get better, which is bad news for opposing defenses.

Roddy White went from draft bust to a dangerous wide-out, which is unheard of. Michael Jenkins is steady on the other side, and Jerious Norwood is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.

Add Tony Gonzalez from the Chiefs to this offense and now you open up the middle of the field for Matt Ryan. Lost in this signing is the fact that Gonzalez is a good run blocker as well.

I like the swagger Mike Smith has brought to the team. His insistence on playing a physical brand of football has invigorated the team, and made them more about playing basic football as opposed to an over-emphasis on schemes, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

I also like the division they play in. Tampa Bay has a rookie coach, quarterback issues and collapsed at the end of last year. Carolina's defense played matador defense at times last year and is no longer the force it once was.

Julius Peppers seems to want a out of Carolina and to start over elsewhere. The Falcons main competition for the division title should come from the Saints. Gregg Williams comes in to take over a porous defense, and probably transition them to a 4-3.

If the Saints get better on defense, and Drew Brees does what he normally does, they could win the division.

What I Don't Like

I don't like Atlanta's defense. Keith Brooking and Michael Boley are gone via free agency. Brooking is no longer an impact player, and Boley never lived up to what they thought he would bring after signing him as a free agent, so those were good decisions.

Overall, the Falcons ranked 25th against the rush and 21st against the pass. If you can't stop the run in this league you can't win championships, and, as of now, Atlanta has some gaping holes in the middle of their defense that need addressing.

Grady Jackson is also gone via free agency to Detroit, and while I believe it is a good thing to get younger up front, the pay off doesn't normally come right away. Hence the strategy to focus on defense in the draft and make strategic signings to piece together their defense.

They will look for contributions from their first round draft pick Peira Jerry on the defense line right away, and they also need an upgrade to Lawyer Malloy at the safety spot. Atlanta hopes William Moore, their second round pick out of Missouri can fit in and be the answer at safety.

Seven out of eight draft picks were on defense. They have huge question marks going into this season on the defensive side of the ball, and I believe that will hold them back from doing as well as they did last season.

Mike Peterson was signed to bolster the line-backing core and he should help, but he is not a permanent solution.

I don't like their schedule. It is tougher than last year, and now teams have enough film on Matt Ryan and will be more prepared to defend him in 2009. They play the AFC East, which includes New England, Miami, Buffalo, and the Jets. They have dates with Philadelphia, Dallas, and the Giants as well.

Chicago will not be easy now that they have Jay Cutler either. The Falcons will be tested week in and week out. With this kind of schedule, and their defense as it is, it will be tough for them to repeat what they did last year.

I don't like the perception that the Falcons will automatically do even better in 2009. It is good to be confident and have high aspirations, but the optimism should be guarded.

They are no lock to make the playoff's. Many times things do not fall right in place from year to year. John Abraham was healthy in 2008. That may not be the case in 2009. Other teams have made changes as well.

The Falcons will be competitive, and will depend on Matt Ryan and the offense to lead the way. The coaching is solid. Mike Smith and his staff know what they are doing. Nine wins is what what I see for them. Hopefully they exceed that and make the playoffs.

National League East Preview: Hard to Pick Against Phils

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:03:17 -0400

As we begin another baseball season, the National League East promises to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball.

The World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies look to repeat while the New York Mets try to shake off two years of frustration from folding in the last week of play.

The Atlanta Braves feel they are much improved from last year, and the Florida Marlins just may have the best starting pitching in the division. Let’s see how they break down.

Philadelphia Phillies

If the Phils are going to get it done again this year, it will have to be on the backs of their pitching. Hamels is their ace, and Brett Myers along with Jamie Moyer are their most consistent starters.

The question is the back end of their rotation. Joe Blanton did well as a late-season pick-up last season, and Chan-Ho Park, whom they picked up for the back of their rotation, is a better option than Adam Eaton.

If they get better production on the back side of their starting rotation, they could run away with the division. Their bullpen is solid, but you have to wonder if Brad Lidge will be 41-41 in save situations again this year.

J.C. Romero, a key lefty coming out the bullpen will be unavailable until June because of a substance abuse violation, so they will have to hold it down without him until then.

Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin performed well especially in the second half of 2008, so on the whole their pen is solid.

The line-up is solid, but it will be interesting to see how Chase Utley performs after his hip injury last year. Ryan Howard is in good shape and poised to have a monster season.

Raul Ibanez replaces Pat Burrell in left field, and even though Ibanez is a better all around hitter than Burrell, it makes their line-up very left handed.

Jimmy Rollins is the key to their line-up. It seems that if he is going well, then Philadelphia goes well.

Their line-up will produce as they have been. Their bullpen repeating what they did last year and the back end of their rotation will go along way in determining whether they win the division again.

Projected Finish: First Place

New York Mets

New York got busy this off-season, wiping away any evidence of a bullpen that cost them the playoffs two straight years. Exit Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, and Joe Smith, and enter the saves leader from last year, Francisco Rodriguez, and J.J. Putz.

The Mets will need depth in their pen if they want to overcome all the ills they have suffered. They are depending on Sean Green and the lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano to provide it. They shouldn’t have any issues in the eighth and ninth inning that they have had, which should result in more wins.

One of New York’s main problems from last year was they didn’t play well enough in the division. Good teams don’t struggle against the bad teams in the division as they did.

A lot of that was because of the bullpen, but there were times they just didn’t score enough runs, especially coming down the stretch.

The starting pitching should be good enough with Johan Santana leading the way. The keys will be how John Maine is after his injury problems from last year, and how Livan Hernandez does as the fifth starter.

Their starting pitching could either be good, or very good, baring injury. Once again, if the Carlos Delgardo from the second half of the season is the one that plays in 2009, then they will produce enough runs.

Ryan Church is a question mark in right, but with Gary Sheffield in the fold they have insurance. Young Daniel Murphy will get a lot of time in left and he performed well in spot duty last year. If Reyes, Beltran, and Wright perform up to standards, they should right there in the end.

I can’t pick them to finish first though. They have proven the last two years they didn’t have what it takes to get over the hump.

Projected Finish: Second Place

Florida Marlins

The Marlins fortunes will live and die with their starters. We know Ricky Nolasco is their proven ace, but Josh Johnson may be better, and has shown after coming back from Tommy John surgery that he can be dominant.

He lost only one of 14 starts last year after returning to the rotation, and showed no ill effects of his injury. Chris Volstad is only 22 but finished 6-4 with a 2.88 earned run average, and he just figures to get better.

They could be the best one two three starters in the division easily if everything falls right. Their fifth starter, Andrew Miller (another young arm) didn’t pitch well last year, and probably could have used the time in the minors, but that being said he should improve.

Florida has young and talented starters that should keep them in a lot of games. The bullpen is suspect, and it remains to be seen who will be their permanent closer, but Matt Lindstrom will get the chance to be that guy.

Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla will anchor an offense that has question marks. Their outfield lacks power (Cameron Maybin and Emilio Bonifacio), and unless they excel at small ball, they will have problems scoring runs.

As usual the Marlins will go with their youth, and they have been competitive using that formula. If their bullpen holds up, and that is a big if, they will be tough to beat. Their starting pitching is that good.

Projected Finish: Third Place

Atlanta Braves

The Braves made some changes in the off-season that they believe will put them back in contention for the division crown. The biggest acquisition was Derek Lowe, who will assume the role of staff ace until Tim Hudson gets back from the disabled list.

Javier Vasquez comes over from the White Sox, and they imported Kenshin Kawakami from Japan to further bolster the pitching staff. Rafael Soriano can be good out of the bullpen if he can dodge injury, and Mike Gonzalez is a capable closer.

The Braves also brought in Garret Anderson from the Angels to play left field along with Matt Diaz. The moves on paper look good, but a lot of things have to fall right for Atlanta to be competitive in this division.

Chipper Jones has to stay healthy, and we know that won’t happen over the course of the season. Javier Vasquez’s earned run average was 4.67 last year, and he didn’t show he can be a dominant starter with Chicago.

They are banking of Jeff Francoeur being a 30-home run, 100-RBI man, when he has shown the last two years he is not. Jeff believes his swing problems have been worked out and he is ready to break out, but I have doubts.

Garret Anderson is a good player, and hits for average, but at this stage in his career he is not going to hit 20 home-runs, and his on base percentage was only .325 last year.

Casey Kotchman is a gap hitter and not a power threat, and they are counting on Jordan Schaefer, a rookie, making major contributions in his first season in center field.

Brian McCann and Chipper will have to supply most of the power. If not, they will have to manufacture a lot of runs to be competetive.

There are too many things that have to break the Braves way in order for them to be in contention. When you add everything up it doesn’t come out to a playoff berth, especially in this division.

Projected Finish: Fourth Place

Washington Nationals

It looks like the Nats will have to endure another season at the bottom of the division, or at least close to it.

They will start the season with five talented but inexperienced starters, and are willing to go through the ups and downs that come with the territory. John Lannan will get the opening day start, with Scott Olsen and Daniel Cabrera to follow.

As the season goes on they should get better. Their bullpen, surprisingly enough, is quite capable. Their closer is Joel Hanrahan, and he showed he can get the job done late last year, even with control problems. If he does the job, they will have a good pen.

Adam Dunn will add some beef to a line-up that was pretty anemic for most of last year. If Ryan Zimmerman excels and Lastings Milledge starts to fulfill some of his potential, they will score runs.

It will take time for their starters to gel. Long-term, Washington may have some young gems on their staff, but until then they will go through more pain.

Projected Finish: Fifth Place

NCAA Basketball: Who's In And Who's Out From the Power Conferences?

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:54:57 -0400

Just like a college grad presenting his resume to get a new job, all of the college basketball teams are presenting their resumes to the selection committee hoping they will be chosen. In the end it will all come down to perception.

If the committee’s objective is to get the best teams in and they use the same criteria, then you may be able to disagree with one or two, but not many. In order to get the best teams you have to look at the conference strength, as well as how they performed against the best teams in their conference and the country.

Conference strength is a tricky thing, but it has to be part of the equation, especially when dealing with the power conferences. Let’s look at how they break down.

Big Ten Conference

No one denies that Michigan State is the class of this conference, and that they are probably a two seed in the tournament. Illinois, Purdue, and Ohio State are in the tournament as well, but if you look at the conference as a whole it looks mediocre at best.

Penn State has 22 wins, but no signature wins. The best thing you can say about them is that they beat Illinois twice. The same with Wisconsin. There isn’t a real big win on their resume that sets them apart.

Minnesota and Michigan finished with identical 9 - 9 conference records in the conference. Even though they have 22 wins, Minnesota has lost 9 of their last 15 games overall, all to conference foes. That is not worthy of an at large bid.

Michigan has a win over UCLA early in the year, but they have lost 10 of their last 17 games, so they have limped to the finish line as well and are not in a position to get an at large bid.

Penn State is firmly on the bubble. Losses to Temple at home, and to Rhode Island early in the year at a neutral site don’t help, as well as a loss to Iowa on the road to Iowa that they needed, but they should be able to sneak in.

The conference is evenly balanced and pretty competitive but that can be deceiving. Is it because there are a lot of good teams that keep knocking each other off, or is it because they are all mediocre? I will go with mediocre, and only slot five teams from this conference for the tournament.

South Eastern Conference

The SEC is the weakest it has been in recent history. Florida was the class of the conference, but they are no longer championship material. When you see Vanderbilt and Kentucky close to the bottom of the conference standings, you know they have fallen on hard times.

Florida is out. No signature wins, and they played a weak schedule, so their 23 wins are without merit. Vanderbilt and Kentucky are also out.

Auburn has been playing better of late, even though they lost to Tennessee in the conference semi-finals. They are firmly on the bubble, and probably will be rooting for Tennessee to beat Mississippi State in the championship game so State doesn’t eliminate another at large bid.

It would be a nice story if MSU wins and qualifies for the tournament, but at this point the SEC would be fortunate to get three teams in. LSU is in, and the winner of Tennessee and MSU is in, but after that it doesn’t look good.

The conference is too weak this year to take a chance on another team. Tennessee possibly, but you would be better off taking a bubble team from a better conference because of the level of competition.

Big East

Arguably the best conference in college basketball. Two of their teams will be one seeds. Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut are the cream of the crop. Villanova, Marquette and Syracuse are not far behind and will have a chance to strut their stuff in the tournament.

West Virginia is on the bubble, but they had a good showing at the Big East tournament beating Pitt. Other than beating Villanova their resume might be a little wanting, but 23 wins in this conference will be enough.

Providence has a victory over Pitt as well, but early losses to Northwestern and Saint Mary’s don’t look good, so they are pretty much out of the mix.

Seven teams should make it from the Big East. Anything less than that would be a surprise.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Along with the Big East, the ACC can also lay claim to being the best conference. The usual suspects will qualify for the NCAA’s. North Carolina (probably a one seed), Duke, and Wake Forest are the cream.

Florida State has had a very good season and is a lock, along with Clemson and Boston College. Maryland is a question mark in peoples mind, but they do have wins over Wake Forest and North Carolina.

What we have here is another strength of conference issue. I think Maryland should get the benefit of the doubt here. Even though they have bad blow-out losses early on to Georgetown, and Gonzaga, and have a recent loss to a bad Virginia team, it might not matter in the end.

I think the ACC should get seven teams in, along with the Big East.

Pacific 10 Conference

The USC Trojans are in as a result of upsetting Arizona State in the conference championship game. That is bad news for Arizona, and I don’t think they have a prayer. Losing five of your last six games won’t impress anyone.

Washington, UCLA, Arizona State, and California are also in. This has been somewhat of a down year for the PAC 10, as some of the names we are used to seeing at the top of the conference standings are having down years.

Stanford and Arizona will miss the NCAA’s this year, but look to rebound next year. Arizona State has improved and is a lock after being wrongfully snubbed last year.

Big Twelve Conference

This conference may have turned out to be the most competitive of them all. Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri are all ranked in the top twenty, so they are locks.

What we are not used to seeing is Texas having to scramble just to get an at large bid. They beat Oklahoma the last time they played, but had to go to overtime to beat the worst team in the conference (Colorado) last month, and lost to Baylor in their conference tournament.

The problem is that Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Texas A&M have the same conference record as Texas (9-7). What do you do? Do you put them all in the tournament, or leave a couple of them out? There is not much between the four teams.

I think they will get six, but one will be left out. My guess is that it might be Kansas State, but you never know.

Selection Sunday will be interesting, and there will be surprises and hurt feelings for sure, but at least in the end we will have a worthy national champion.

Selection Sunday: Who Is In, And Who Is Out from the Power Conferences?

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:45:55 -0400

Just like a college grad presenting his resume to get a new job, all of the college basketball teams are presenting their resume’ to the selection committee, hoping they will be chosen. In the end, it will all come down to perception.

If the commity’s objective is to get the best teams in and they use the same criteria, then you may be able to disagree with one or two, but not many.

In order to get the best teams you have to look at the conference strength, as well as how they performed against the best teams in their conference and the country.

Conference strength is a tricky thing, but it has to be part of the equation, especially when dealing with the power conferences. Let’s look at how they break down.

Big Ten Conference

No one denies that Michigan State is the class of this conference, and that they are probably a No. 2 seed in the tournament. Illinois, Purdue, and Ohio State are in the tournament as well, but if you look at the conference as a whole it looks mediocre at best.

Minnesota and Michigan finished with identical 9-9 conference records. Even though they have 22 wins, Minnesota has lost nine of their last 15 games overall, all to conference foes. That is not worthy of an at-large bid.

Michigan has a win over UCLA early in the year, but they have lost 10 of their last 17 games, so they have limped to the finish line as well and are not in a position to get an at-large bid.

South Eastern Conference

Florida is out. No signature wins, and they played a weak schedule, so their 23 wins are without merit. Vanderbilt and Kentucky are also out.

Auburn has been playing better of late, even though they lost to Tennessee in the conference semi-finals.

They are firmly on the bubble, and probably will be rooting for Tennessee to beat Mississippi State in the championship game so State doesn’t eliminate another at large bid.

It would be a nice story if MSU wins and qualifies for the tournament, but at this point, the SEC would be fortunate to get three teams in. LSU is in, and the winner of Tennessee and MSU is in, but after that, it doesn’t look good.

Big East

Arguably the best conference in college basketball. Two of their teams will be one seeds. Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut are the cream of the crop. Villanova, Marquette, and Syracuse are not far behind and will have a chance to strut their stuff in the tournament.

Providence has a victory over Pitt as well, but early losses to Northwestern and Saint Mary’s don’t look good, so they are pretty much out of the mix.

Seven teams should make it from the Big East. Anything less than that would be a surprise.

Atlantic Coast Conference

Florida State has had a very good season and is a lock, along with Clemson and Boston College. Maryland is a question mark in peoples mind, but they do have wins over Wake Forest and North Carolina.

I think the ACC should get seven teams in, along with the Big East.

Pacific 10 Conference

Stanford and Arizona will miss the NCAA’s this year, but look to rebound next year. Arizona State has improved and is a lock after being wrongfully snubbed last year.

Big Twelve Conference

This conference may have turned out to be the most competitive of them all. Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri are all ranked in the top twenty, so they are locks.

I think they will get six, but one will be left out. My guess is that it might be Kansas State, but you never know.

Selection Sunday will be interesting, and there will be surprises and hurt feelings for sure, but at least in the end we will have a worthy national champion.

Alex Rodriguez: Poster Boy for the Steroid's Era Or Scapegoat?

Andrew Tonge — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:56:23 -0500

Steroid use in major league baseball gets more news and attention than anything else these days. It even overshadows what is going on with the teams ,and the preparations they are making for the upcoming season.

Alex Rodriguez has now become one of the poster boys of the steroid era (rightfully or wrongfully so) along with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Bonds and Clemens may actually do jail time for lying to the feds, but A-Rod does not have that problem.

My question is, if major league baseball was interested in policing the players and enforcing any type of standard, why did it take so long for this to come out?

Why were there no clear cut rules and punishments that said if you test positive for X, then the punishment is Y and if you have subsequent violations, you could and should be banned for life. Where was Bud Selig then?

If players know that they can use performance enhancing drugs without anything coming of it, they will continue to use them, even if they know it is wrong to do so. There is a lot of money at stake, and if they can get an edge on the competition, they will do so. That is human nature.

It is not right, but with so much money at stake, you can’t ask the players to police themselves. That is why we have bosses on our jobs. They have to make sure we are getting our work done, and they have to enforce the mandates of the company.

Bud Selig has failed in that regard. The players involved are taking most of the heat in the public eye—and they deserve a lot of it—but by no means should Selig, and even team management, be devoid of blame.

You have got to know that something is wrong (or may be wrong) when a player who normally hits 10 to 15 home runs comes in looking like the Hulk and proceeds to hit 25 to 30 home runs in consecutive years. Take a guy like Lenny Dykstra who was on those great Met teams in the ’80’s and later played with the Phillies.

After hitting 10 home runs just once in his first nine years in the majors, Dykstra proceeded to hit 19 in his 10th year, looking much bigger and more visibly cut than in previous years. Am I accusing him of juicing? No. But I am saying that when the signs are there, you at least have to question it and test as necessary.

Brady Anderson went from 16 home runs in 1995 to 50 in 1996. Mark McGwire won’t come out and say for sure whether he did or didn’t.

If we took a hard look at the home run statistics of many major leaguers over the years, we could compile a pretty good list of probable suspects. But this issue goes deeper than just the players.

In 2002, the owners and the players union were in negotiations for a banned substance policy that had some teeth to it. It was done as part of the collective bargaining agreement, which was mistake No. 1.

The players union fought and negotiated for a plan that was weaker than what the owners originally wanted. Because the owners didn’t want a strike, they caved. If they would have stood up for what was right for the game, the public would have sided with them, strike or no strike.

As usual, a business decision was made based on how much money was wrapped up in their franchises and the losses that a strike would cause. The players union was generally opposed to drug testing in it’s entirety, and that attitude didn’t help matters either.

The owners’ first proposal included a plan for in-season drug testing, instead of all year-round, as well as a policy in which first-time offenders would receive counseling instead of suspensions (again not tough enough). The players accepted that, but the union then succeeded in reducing the number of random drug tests and the severity of penalties for repeat offenders.

While that proposal was not accepted, the owners and players reached a compromise in which punitive testing would end if less than 2.5 percent of all players tested positive in consecutive seasons.

What we have today is the fruit of both parties not doing the right thing for the game. They chose instead to do the right thing for their pocketbooks. Looking at the facts, all parties are to blame. Not just the players. Now everyone wants to change records, ban players for life, and brand them as the worse people on earth.

That is the wrong way to look at this. What is done is done. All the parties involved did what was good for their own purse strings, or just turned a blind eye to everything.

In other words, they did what most people in our society would do, and therein lies the problem. All over our society, companies, management, and our government are selfishly doing what is in their own best interests. Financially, and for their own careers.

Why do we hold these baseball players to a higher standard and make more noise about their indiscretions than we do about other indiscretions that affect our lives more? Are the players that are guilty of cheating wrong? Without question. Did baseball and team management enable them? Without question.

Unfortunately, cheating in one degree or another has permeated our society. If we take a hard look at ourselves, we find that we have failed somewhere down the line in the integrity department.

We see on a regular basis that when significant sums of money are involved, it causes people to make the wrong choices and do things that they might not ordinarily do.

It’s not a good idea to make these men out to be monsters because they have taken banned substances, as we really don’t know them outside of the baseball diamond. We have to be careful about adjusting records, putting an asterisk next to everyone’s name, and keeping people out of the Hall of Fame because of this.

If you do that, how far do you go to correct cheating and wrongs that were done? If you try to do it with the steroid era, then you need to do it for all eras, and then you are on a slippery slope. How then do you correct the era where African Americans were not allowed to play in the major leagues?

A zero tolerance policy with loss of wages for the year and stiff suspensions would take care of this issue once and for all. It would allow us to move forward and focus on what happens between the lines.

Alex Rodriguez: Poster Boy for the Steroid Era, or Scapegoat?

Andrew Tonge — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:43:45 -0500

More than anything else these days, steroid use in major league baseball gets more news and attention than what is going on with the teams and the preparations they are making for the upcoming season.

What is actually going on here though? A-Rod is on a list of a little over a hundred players that tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. He has said he did it over a three year period that ended in 2003. My question is, if major league baseball was interested in policing the players and enforcing any type of standard, why did it take so long for this to come out?

Why were there no clear cut rules and punishment in black and white that said if you test positive for X, then the punishment is Y, and if you have subsequent violations, you could and should be banned for life. Where was Bud Selig then?

If players know that they can use performance enhancing drugs and nothing come of it, they will continue to use them, even if they know it is wrong to do so. There is a lot of money at stake, and if they can get an edge on the competition they will do so. That is human nature.

It is not right, but with so much money at stake you can’t ask the players to police themselves. That is why we have bosses on our jobs. They have to make sure we we are getting our work done and enforcing the mandates of the company.

Bud Selig has failed in that regard. The players involved are taking most of the heat in the public eye and they deserve a lot of it, but by no means should Selig, and even the individual teams management be devoid of blame.

You have got to know that something is wrong (or may be wrong) when a player who normally hits 10 to 15 home runs comes in looking like the Hulk and proceeds to hit twenty five to thirty home runs in consecutive years. Take a guy like Lenny Dykstra who was on those great Met teams in the '80s, and later played with the Phillies.

He hit 10 home runs once in his first nine years in the majors, then proceeded to hit nineteen the next year and came into that year much bigger and visibly cut than in previous years. Am I accusing him of juicing? No. I am saying when the signs are there you at least have to question it and test as necessary.

Brady Anderson went from 16 home runs in 1995 to 50 in 1996. Mark McGwire won’t come out and say for sure whether he did or didn’t. If we took a hard look at the home run statistics of many major leaguers over the years we could compile a pretty good list of probable suspects, but this issue goes deeper than just the players.

In 2002 the owners and the players union were in negotiations for a banned substance policy that had some teeth to it. It was done as part of the collective bargaining agreement, which was mistake number one.

The players union fought and negotiated for a plan that was weaker than what the owners originally wanted, and because the owners didn’t want a strike, they caved. If they would have stood up for what was right for the game, the public would have sided with them strike or no strike.

As usual a business decision was made based on how much money was wrapped up in their franchises and the losses that a strike would cause. The players union was generally opposed to drug testing in it’s entirety, and that attitude didn’t help matters either.

The players’ union also fought to have testing eliminated completely if less than five percent of tests returned positive results, meaning that even if as many as 59 players tested positive in a single season, the program would be discontinued, per the officials involved in the process.

While that proposal was not accepted, the owners and players reached a compromise in which punitive testing would end if less than 2.5 percent of all players tested positive in consecutive seasons.

That is the wrong way to look at this. What is done is done. All the parties involved did what was good for their own purse strings, or just turned a blind eye to everything. In other words they did what most people in our society would do, and there-in lies the problem.

All over our society companies, management, and our government are selfishly doing what is in their own best interests. Financially, and for their own careers.

Unfortunately cheating in one degree or another has permeated our society and if we take a hard look at ourselves we can find that we have failed somewhere down the line in the integrity department. We see on a regular basis that when significant sums of money are involved, it causes people to make the wrong choices and do things that they might not ordinarily do.

It’s not a good idea to make these men out to be monsters because they have taken banned substances, because we really don’t know them outside of the baseball diamond. We have to be careful as well about adjusting records, and putting an asterisk next to everyone’s name, and keeping people out of the Hall of Fame because of this.

A no tolerance policy with loss of wages for the year and stiff suspensions would take care of this issue once and for all and allow us to move forward and focus on what happens between the lines.

Pittsburgh Steelers Prove Defense Still Wins Championships

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:39:02 -0500

We are now in the part of the football season where teams are re-tooling and making changes to their rosters and coaching staffs in an effort to win a championship. If they are going to copy a successful team (and this is a copy cat league), they would be well served by copying the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In an age of high-flying offenses, when it comes to winning championships, and winning in general in the NFL, the teams with the better defenses come out on top more. If you're trying to build a winner, it makes sense to focus on your defense rather than the other way around.

Many will point to the Rams Super Bowl teams, last years Patriots, and the Colts as teams that were better on offense than defense and were successful. Keep in mind these teams had all-world hall of fame quarterbacks to lead them and there are not enough of those to go around.

You do need a good or great quarterback to get to the top of the NFL, but if you can't stop anyone it may not matter.

The Patriots saw an undefeated season go down the tubes because they could not over-come the Giants relentless defensive line. New England's defense has gotten old the last couple of years, and no matter how good their offense was they have not been able to squeeze a championship out of it the last couple of years.

The Colts did get their championship, but their high-octane offense has been shut down in key playoff games, especially on the road in previous years. Even though they have been consistent winners, they are more dangerous when their defense is playing at a high level.

The Rams also had their day in the sun but haven't been heard from since their Super Bowl defeat to the Patriots.

The easiest road to a championship in the NFL is having a stout defense, and an offense that can make plays every now and then and not turn the ball over, as well as having a good quarterback. The Super Bowl champion Steelers are a good example.

Their success is built around their defense, and it always has been. They feed off of what Dick LeBeau does on his side of the ball. Playoff football is more times than not about the weather conditions in the winter, and many a good offense has come to a screeching halt under less than perfect conditions.

A good defense and a little bad weather is a recipe for disaster for a team built on a flashy offense. Pittsburgh's opponents fizzled under the pressure of their defense, and the frosty weather conditions in Steel City.

First they stop the run and make you one dimensional, then they pressure you into making mistakes that make it easy for their offense to score.

Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith, and Brett Keisel do an excellent job of occupying the offensive linemen while the linebackers clean up and make plays. You don't hear their names often, but if you are building a defense you have to have defensive lineman that don't get blown off the ball.

It is very rare that a team runs effectively on Pittsburgh.

Some may point to the number of yards the Cardinals racked up against them, but you have to look a little deeper. Pittsburgh's strategy was to give up yards via the pass underneath, but prevent the big plays down the field Arizona has been living on in the playoffs.

The Steelers hoped that the more Warner threw, the more chances there would be for mistakes and turnovers. The strategy worked to perfection in the first half, and it was Dick LeBeau's ability to disguise what they were doing on defense that resulted in James Harrison's game changing play at the end of the second quarter.

The Steelers made a couple of lapses on defensive in the second half when Larry Fitzgerald got loose, but you just had the feeling that if the game went to over-time Pittsburgh's defense would have stepped up if they had to.

Pittsburgh relies on their linebackers most of all. Dominating defenses have to have playmakers at that position. They have to be able to cover, pursue effectively all over the field, pressure the quarterback, and basically disrupt everything the offense is trying to do.

It is no secret that the AFC Championship came down to the teams with the two best defenses. The Ravens defense is just as mean and nasty as Pittsburgh's and they boast play-makers at linebacker and in the secondary. The defenses are mirror images of each other.

The biggest difference in the two teams is the quarterbacks and the offenses. The Steelers have a seasoned Super Bowl quarterback, while the Raven have a rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco) that they don't trust to win a game for them.

In the secondary, any great defense will have a safety that can make plays in coverage, step up and stop the run, and read where the quarterback is going with the ball. Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed instantly come to mind, but most of your good defensive teams boast a play making, hard hitting safety.

Polamalu is all over the field at times and has excellent instincts in terms of reading where the quarterback is going with the ball. He may be the most important player in terms of what they do on defense.

There are times he plays center field and helps the corners in coverage, and times he is one on one with the tight end, as well as singled up on a slot receiver.

He also blitzes and is tough on the run. The Steelers don't have a shut down corner, and theirs are average, but the fact that Polamalu is back there it makes them that much better.

A general manager would be well served to look at what Pittsburgh has done, predominately through the draft and an occasional free agent signing. It almost doesn't matter what kind of offense they have because they will be competitive because their defense will keep them in games.

It is still an amazing feat that the Steelers had the most difficult schedule in the league, went through the playoffs, and won a Super Bowl, and had one of the most ineffective offensive lines in the league.

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked more than anyone else and their running game was definitely not Steeler-like this year, but they still won. That tells me a lot about their defense, and that you can win without a top-notch offense, but you better be able to get stops when you need to.

There is one thing you can say about Big Ben and the Steeler offense this year. They were clutch. When they needed to make a drive with the game on the line, they did. They didn't light up the scoreboard, but they performed when they had to. Just as Baltimore and Arizona.

The quickest and surest way to a build championship team? Start with your defense, then groom a franchise quarterback.

Steelers Look to Play Mistake Free, Eagles Aim to Ground Cardinal Air Attack

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:49:48 -0500

The Baltimore Ravens have specialized in forcing their opponents into mistakes that give them a clear path to victory. That has been accentuated in their two playoff games versus the Dolphins and Titans. That has been their recipe for success.

Pittsburgh knows they cannot turn the ball over and hope to beat them. The Steelers trailed in both of the games they played against Baltimore, and that forces you to take chances, which is exactly where the Ravens want you.

The Steelers came out on top barely in both games, but you can’t count on doing that every time against defense as good as Baltimore’s.

It will be bitter cold in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, and this will really be a throwback game that is what the NFL is all about. There is no doubt that a mistake in a crucial situation will decide this game as points will be difficult to come by.

The Ravens don’t ask Joe Flacco to do a lot. They rely on their running game, their defense giving them field position, and creating turnovers.

Ben Roethlisberger will have to be mindful of where Ed Reed is at all times when he drops back, and he has to get rid of the ball to eliminate the chance of a fumble.

Baltimore has some injury issues to deal with at key positions that may be a factor. Terrell Suggs, the Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker may play, but is not at 100 percent, and their starting cornerback, Samari Rolle, probably won’t play. If Suggs can’t play or is ineffective, that will be huge in this game.

Suggs is a great athlete that makes plays all over the field and helps disrupt everything that the opposing offences want to do.

He gets after the quarterback, plays the screens about as well as you can, has cover skills, and is a perfect compliment for Ray Lewis. It will be easier for the Steelers to run the ball if Suggs is not in the game.

Le’Ron McClain is dinged up as well, but will play. The Steelers are pretty healthy, so they have the edge in that area.

What will probably decide this game is the performance of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. That is the one area of their team that has been weak this year. If they can’t give Big Ben a little time to get the ball downfield, it will be a long day for Steeler fans.

If they don’t show up, that means sacks, interceptions, and points for the Ravens. If they play like they have been over the last month, Pittsburgh should win.

The Steelers need to do what they do best on defense: Stuff the Ravens running attack and force Flacco to beat them with his arm. Flacco is good, and a budding star, but he is still a rookie.

Pittsburgh has proven that they can get to him and cause turnovers in their previous meetings, so it will be just as important for him not to turn the ball over either.

The Steelers have shown they can come back from a double-digit lead against Baltimore. The Ravens can’t say that, and they are not equiped to be able to do it.

This will be a close, physical dog-fight, but unless the Ravens defense scores points, The Steelers will win. They are the better team.

Steelers 17, Ravens 10

The Arizona Cardinals have found their defense this post-season and look like a completely different team. Playoff football is all about getting stops and being opportunistic on defense, and that is what Arizona has done.

They will have their hands full with Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. He is not a rookie, and he is not Jake Delhomme. McNab has come up big against two of the best defenses in the NFC, and that leads me to believe he will not shrink in this game.

He has made the right plays at the right time this post season and he has a defense that has been styfling opposing offenses.

The Cardinals have done it on both sides of the ball as well, and Kurt Warner is playing the kind of football that is reminding everyone why he was a winning Super Bowl quarterback.

It helps that he has Larry Fitzgerald and company to throw to, and they have lit it up this post-season. How the Eagles choose to defend the Cardinals' passing game will go a long way towards deciding this game.

The Eagles are good at pressuring quarterbacks, and Warner is not very mobile. I don’t anticipate Warner having a lot of time to get the ball deep down-field often.

I expect the Cardinals to put in a game plan that tries to take advantage of Philadelphia’s aggressiveness on defense. If they are successful, then they have a good chance to win.

Arizona’s defense has really been one of the big surprises of this post-season. They have done a great job stopping the run, and pressuring their opponents into making errors in the passing game after under-achieving badly in the regular season.

Stopping an Eagles running game that is mostly absent anyway should not be much of a problem.

Shutting down the Eagles air attack is a different matter. McNabb spreads the ball around very well, and if his offensive line gives him time he is capable of carving up Arizona’s secondary. Arizona is a different team than when they played Philadelphia earlier in the year, but I still think the Eagles will prevail.

Eagles 28, Cardinals 20

NFL Wild Card Weekend: Will Home Underdogs Prevail, or Will Road Favorites Rule?

Andrew Tonge — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:25:53 -0500

We have finally arrived at the most exciting weekend of the NFL season. Single elimination games on Saturday and Sunday mean that Wild Card weekend is finally here.

Interestingly enough, three of the visiting teams are favored. Given the parity in the league, that is not surprising, and it makes for some intriguing match-ups.

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

If you look at the way Arizona has played all year, it would seem like this game sets up perfectly for them. They were horrible on the road and looked unstoppable at home. They have an experienced quarterback that has won a Super Bowl and stud receivers.

They are playing against a rookie quarterback in his first playoff game. With all this, Arizona has glaring issues that can't be ignored. They can't stop the run, and few teams run it as well as the Falcons.

The Cardinals have feasted on the poor teams in their division. When they have played good teams, they have faltered badly.

In the last six weeks, they have lost at home to the Giants and Vikings, and were totally destroyed on the road by New England and Philadelphia.

The Falcons, on the other hand, played in a better division and had better results against the better teams. They pound the ball with Michael Turner, and Matt Ryan has been clutch at quarterback making plays time and time again.

They are a physical football team, and that is where I believe they will beat the Cardinals.

Atlanta's rushing stats have been better at home but I think they have enough to beat Arizona. Matt Ryan is no ordinary rookie, and will not make critical mistakes.

Falcons 27, Cardinals 23

Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have played thrilling and inspired football to squeak their way into the playoffs and have momentum. Phillip Rivers has been nothing short of spectacular, and it is not surprising to see him putting the team on his back and getting them to the post-season.

The Colts somehow have flown under the radar. They have been the best team in the AFC the last eight weeks, and no one can remember the last time they lost.

Peyton Manning is the best quarterback left in the playoffs, and when he is clicking on all cylinders like he is now, there is no stopping them.

The Colts don't have much of a running game to speak of, but that shouldn't be much of a problem in sunny San Diego.

Manning and crew are one of the only good teams in the league that don't need balance on offense to be successful. It would hurt them in a bad weather game, but not this week.

The key match-up here is the Charger defense versus the Colts offense. In their game earlier in the year Indianapolis rushed for 93 yards and beat San Diego.

The Chargers must stuff the run and make the Colts one-dimensional. There also needs to be a LaDainian Tomlinson sighting.

Rivers will need to be Superman again along with LT, and their defense will have to be better than it was in their first game if they are to win. I believe another home team will go down here.

Colts 31, Chargers 20

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins

Much has been written about the resurgence of the Dolphins and the MVP-caliber season that Chad Pennington has enjoyed. Their offense is imaginative and diverse. Their play-calling and coaching is excellent, and they can beat you with the run or the pass.

The big question for them is how will they fare against one of the most physical and intimidating defenses in the league. Pennington is not very mobile and could be a sitting duck against Ray Lewis and the boys.

Miami will have to stay out of third-and-long situations so they are not at the mercy of the Ravens defense.

The Dolphins will have to use their entire offensive arsenal to keep Baltimore off balance. They will have to find something that works, whether it is the Wildcat formation or something else. This will be a tough game for them to win.

Fortunately for the Ravens they have not had to depend on their rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco, to make plays for them all the time for them to be effective.

Their suffocating defense keeps them in the game and they make plays off of their ground attack and play action.

Their defense is very proficient at scoring on opponent interceptions and fumbles as well.

I don't see Ronnie Brown and Rickie Williams having a lot of success on the ground, and the Ravens will not let Pennington sit back and pick them apart.

The Dolphins will have to force Flacco to make critical mistakes for them to have a chance. As a rookie, he may be susceptible to the pressure.

Ravens 23, Dolphins 10

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

The Eagles are on a roll right now. Donovan McNabb is playing with newfound confidence and the defense is playing lights out. Their third-ranked defense is shutting down the run, sacking quarterbacks and suffocating receivers.

This means that McNabb doesn't have to be spectacular, just efficient. They will have to be good this week to stop Adrian Peterson.

Everything begins and ends for the Vikings with the threat of Peterson running the ball. If Philadelphia can't corral him, it will be a long day for them. Over the last seven games, they have only given up 3.1 yards per carry.

The Vikings are not slouches on defense, either. They can line up and stop anyone. They have impressive wins this year over Carolina, Arizona, and the Giants (New York didn't have much to play for at that point). They lost to Atlanta, but committed a ton of turnovers to help them.

The X-factor for the Vikings will be how Tarvaris Jackson plays. He will not be a sitting duck for the Eagle defense.

If Philadelphia applies the pressure, he can make plays with his legs. That could be a problem for the Eagles. Jackson also has the propensity to make turnovers when pressured as well, so a lot hinges on how well he plays.

Philadelphia'a running game has to at least be average. It has to be good enough so the Vikings can't tee off on McNabb. They can't be one-dimensional, or their season will be over.

Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter will have to be good running and catching the ball.

The Vikings played their way into the playoffs, but the Eagles have the momentum and have been playing better. I'm going with the Eagles' playoff experience and defense to get them over the top.

Eagles 23 , Vikings 20

Key Games Mark Week 17 in the NFL: Who Will Shine, Who Will Go Home?

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:22:34 -0500

This is exactly what the NFL envisioned when they expanded the playoff format, realigned the divisions, and made it easier for players to change teams. Playoff spots are still there to be had on the last week of the season, parity abounds, and there are great story lines. This is what separates the NFL brand from the other major sports. Every game is immensely important because the season is short, and division games count twice as much.

Let’s take a look at some of the key games this weekend:

Dolphins at Jets

Miami has all the momentum coming into this game knowing that if they win, they are in the playoffs, and would tie them with the 1999 Colts for the biggest two season turnaround in NFL history.

Chad Pennington was jettisoned out of New York and thrown on the scrap heap when the Jets signed Brett Favre. Now Pennington has a chance to put drive the stake in the Jet’s heart by eliminating them from the playoffs and getting his team in.

Pennington has been more clutch than Brett Favre, as he has been making more plays in the last four games. We would have thought that Favre would be the one to will the Jets across the finish line, but that hasn’t happened.

To be fair, the Jet defense has been bad the last four games against sub par competition. They haven’t put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and can’t consistently stop the run.

Pennington has managed the games well and hasn’t made the big mistakes. The Dolphin defense was victimized by the Chiefs last week for almost 500 yards, and they have a couple of injury issues as well, but they have been the better team the last month.

With all the money the Jets spent in the off-season expectations were high. You can’t help but feel that this game has the same feel as the New York Met’s final games the last two years. That choking feeling. If they don’t at least win this last game at home, in all probability someone (players, coaches) will pay the price.

New York will have to run the ball effectively using Thomas Jones and Favre will have to make a couple of plays off of that. It is obvious they can’t depend on Favre to win the game by himself. He is not that quarterback anymore. Miami should be able to run the ball, and they need to force Favre into making critical errors. The obvious choice here would be to think Pennington gets his revenge and Miami makes the playoffs, right?

Jets 24 - Miami 23

Jaguars at Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens may be in the best spot of any team trying to get to the playoffs. All they have to do is beat a disappointing and demoralized Jacksonville team that hasn’t met expectations this year.

Jacksonville will try to run the ball against a Ravens defense that won’t let you run it effectively, and Gerrard won’t be good enough in the passing game to overcome a group that is hungry for a playoff spot. Flacco and the Ravens should be able to secure this game relatively easily, as long as they don’t get sloppy and turn the ball over.

Jacksonville has been so0 disappointing, they may have to start over again and gut the team after the season.

Ravens 20 - Jaguars 9

Cowboys at Eagles

Both of these teams had lofty aspirations at the beginning of the season, especially the Cowboys. They were supposed to contend for the Super Bowl, but it is possible for both teams to miss the playoffs if Philadelphia wins.

Dallas just has to win to get in, but they have been so inconsistent the last four games you don’t know which team will show up. Tony Romo has struggled and made bad throws under pressure against the Steelers and Ravens. He has a history of playing his worst football in December, and hasn’t done enough this year to dispel that notion.

The Cowboy defense has played well for the most part lately, with the exception of the last quarter of the Ravens game. They will need to make the Eagles into a one dimensional team by taking away their running game and then attack Donovan McNabb. The Eagles chances of getting in are slim, and they will know by the time they play if they have a chance or not.

They need for Tampa Bay to lose and either Minnesota or Chicago to lose for them to have a shot. They could have controlled their own destiny by beating the Redskins, but their offense struggled and they lost.

If the Eagles don’t make it, speculation begins immediately concerning Andy Reid’s and McNabb’s future with the team. Even if Philadelphia knows they're going home for the new year, they will have enough motivation knowing they can send the Cowboys home as well, so they won’t roll over.

I believe Romo’s December swoons will continue.

Eagles 27 - Cowboys 24

Giants at Vikings

The Vikings will try again to clinch a playoff spot after they stumbled against the Falcons at home in their last game. The big advantage they have is that New York has wrapped up home field field advantage throughout the playoffs, so the question is how long will they go with their starters?

The Vikings need to have the right answer to their own question. How many times will Adrian Peterson fumble on Sunday. The answer better be none if they want to play the following week. Minnesota has had four chances at play-in games in recent history and have failed each time.

Even without Brandon Jacobs, the Giants still have a potent running game, and they will need it against the stingy Viking run defense. I wouln’t put my faith in Minnesota in anything called a play in game.

Giants 24 - Vikings 17

Broncos at Chargers

This game will be heated and hotly contested. The two young gun quarterbacks don’t like each other, the teams don’t like each other, and the Broncos are on the verge of completing one of the worst collapses in NFL history. No one would have thought the Chargers would be in a position to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win over Denver this week, but Denver has helped make it possible for them.

The Broncos led by three games with just three to go and have not been able to close the deal, while the Chargers continue to play inspired football and defy the odds by coming from behind, fighting, and clawing their way to victories. San Diego is playing now like many anticipated they would play all year.

Phillip Rivers has been clutch as he has led his team on this run. He leads the NFL in passer rating and touchdown passes. Jay Cutler has been impressive this year as well, but the Bronco defense has been sub-par all season and can’t be relied on the get consistent stops.

I look for the Chargers to pressure Cutler and force a couple of mistakes. San Diego is hoping for vintage performances from L.T., Rivers, and Antonio Gates. They will be at home, they have the momentum, and they have the will. I don’t think they will be denied. It will take a herculean effort from Cutler to get this win on the road. Denver will have to put up a lot of points and get some turnovers to avert disaster in this game.

The Chargers will win this one and be a very dangerous team in the tournament.

Chargers 31 - Broncos 21

Lions at Green Bay

This game will be watched because of its historical significance. The Lions will mercifully end their season on Sunday, and will end it without a win. Green Bay, who hasn’t had much to cheer about this year, doesn’t want to be the only team to lose to Detroit, so they will play hard and try to finish on a good note.

Their defense has been non existent, and even though Aaron Rodgers has been OK, they can’t seem to put everything together for a whole game. At least they are better then Detroit, who has no quarterback, an ineffective running attack, a defense that scares no one, and a front office that should have been broken up years ago. Move over Tampa Bay, you will have company after Sunday.

Packers 28 - Lions 17

Key Games Mark Week 17 in the NFL: Who Will Shine? Who Will Go Home?

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:50:16 -0500

This is exactly what the NFL envisioned when they expanded the playoff format, realigned the divisions, and made it easier for players to change teams.

Playoff spots are still there to be had on the last week of the season, parity abounds, and there are great story lines. This is what separates the NFL brand from the other major sports. Every game is immensely important because the season is short, and division games count twice as much.

Let’s take a look at some of the key games this weekend.

Dolphins at Jets

Miami has all the momentum coming into this game knowing that if they win, they are in the playoffs, and would tie them with the 1999 Colts for the biggest turnaround in NFL history.

To be fair, the Jets' defense has been bad the last four games against sub par competition. They haven’t put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and can’t consistently stop the run.

Pennington has managed the games well and hasn’t made the big mistakes. The Dolphin s' defense was victimized by the Chiefs last week for almost 500 yards, and they have a couple of injury issues as well, but they have been the better team the last month.

With all the money the Jets spent in the offseason expectations were high. You can’t help but feel that this game has the same feel as the New York Mets’ final games the last two years—that choking feeling. If they don’t at least win this last game at home, in all probability someone (players, coaches) will pay the price.

Miami should be able to run the ball, and they need to force Favre into making critical errors. The obvious choice here would be to think Pennington gets his revenge and Miami makes the playoffs, right?

Jets 24 - Miami 23

Jaguars at Ravens

Flacco and the Ravens should be able to secure this game relatively easily, as long as they don’t get sloppy and turn the ball over.

Jacksonville has been so disappointing that they may have to start over again and gut the team after the season.

Ravens 20 - Jaguars 9

Cowboys at Eagles

The Cowboys' defense has played well for the most part lately, with the exception of the last quarter of the Ravens game. They will need to make the Eagles into a one dimensional team by taking away their running game and then attack Donovan McNabb. The Eagles chances of getting in are slim, and they will know by the time they play if they have a chance or not.

If the Eagles don’t make it, speculation begins immediately concerning Andy Reid’s and McNabb’s future with the team. Even if Philladelphia knows they are going home for the new year, they will have enough motivation knowing they can send the Cowboys home as well, so they won’t roll over.

I believe Romo’s December swoons will continue.

Eagles 27 - Cowboys 24

Giants at Vikings

The Vikings will try again to clinch a playoff spot after they stumbled against the Falcons at home in their last game. The big advantage they have is that New York has wrapped up home field field advantage through out the playoffs, so the question is how long will they go with their starters?

Giants 24 - Vikings 17

Broncos at Chargers

It will take a herculean effort from Cutler to get this win on the road. Denver will have to put up a lot of points and get some turnovers to avert disaster in this game.

The Chargers will win this one and be a very dangerous team in the tournament.

Chargers 31 - Broncos 21

Lions at Green Bay

This game will be watched because of its historical significance. The Lions will mercifully end their season on Sunday, and will end it without a win.

Green Bay, who hasn’t had much to cheer about this year, doesn’t want to be the only team to lose to Detroit, so they will play hard and try to finish on a good note.

Their defense has been non-existent, and even though Aaron Rodgers has been OK, they can’t seem to put everything together for a whole game. At least they are better then Detroit, who has no quarterback, an ineffective running attack, a defense that scares no one, and a front office that should have been broken up years ago. Move over Tampa Bay, you will have company after Sunday.

Packers 28 - Lions 17

Raiders at Buccaneers

Tampa Bay will win this one because they have to, and they are playing a team that is ready for the season to end. The Bucs have been a hard team to figure out. Their once strong defense has been vulnerable, and they have not looked like the same team they were earlier in the season. If they do manage to get into the playoffs I don't expect them to go far.

The Raiders have been playing better of late and they won't roll over. They have some talent, but they have many front office and coaching issues.

Buccaneers 17 - Raiders 13

WTA 2009: Who Will Finish No. 1 on the Womens Tour? The Field is Wide Open

Andrew Tonge — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:05:08 -0500

There was a power vacuum left at the top of the women’s rankings when Justine Henin retired earlier this year, and we all wondered who would step up and be the next dominant No. 1 on the WTA. Truth be told, we go into 2009 with the same question. There are many suitors, but for the first time in a long time the top spot is wide open for whoever wants to step up and take it.

Jelena Jankovic finished the year as the No. 1 ranked player on the women’s player, but you can’t help but wonder whether she really believes she is the best. She is still without a Grand Slam, and it makes one wonder if she is No. 1 because of the quantity of tournaments played, as opposed to the quality of her victories.

Jankovic won in Rome on the clay for her first title of the season, and she routinely goes deep into all the draws, but the majors have been her undoing. The feeling among the tennis pundits, fans and media alike is that your No. 1 ranking should have some (at least one) Grand Slam(s) attached to it.

I am not saying she didn’t have good results or win titles.

She had nice tournament wins in Beijing, Stuggart, and Moscow, all on the hard courts, to go along with her win on clay in Rome. She has had sucess, but what is stopping her from breaking through on the big stages?

Jankovic relies on her tennis IQ, finesse, and consistency to overwhelm her opponents rather than power. The other women at the top of the rankings rely more on power, so if she is matched with a power player late in the draw and they are on their game, she will be at a disadvantage.

This being said, I believe it won’t be long before she breaks though. She has a good time when she is playing, she is never out of a match, and she plays with confidence and intelligence.

The one player who probably made the biggest strides in 2008 was Dinara Safina. She dominated the hard-court season in winning the U.S. Open series, and has consistently contended in most of the tournaments she was in.

Safina matured as the year went on and was in control of her emotions for the most part. She played with a confidence and determination, winning a number of close matches against quality competition. She is definitely a contender for the top spot in 2009.

It will be interesting to see how Maria Sharapova bounces back after missing a good portion of last year with a rotator cuff injury. She was at No. 3 when she got hurt, and opted not to have surgury. If her rehab went well and she can serve consistently she will definitely be in the mix. Some of Sharapova’s shortcomings have been exposed, though.

If she isn’t serving well the other parts of her game go south at times. She does not move as well as many of the other women on the tour and has to take control of the points early to be effective. She doesn’t play defensive tennis well. When her ground game is on, she doesn’t have to play defense. She simply overwhelms her opponents with her power and precision. Very few on the WTA can stay in a match with Sharapova when she has everything working.

I would not label her a disappointment, but many pictured Sharapova being No. 1 and dominating the game years ago. She does have three slams to her credit since 2004, and has plenty of time to get more; but she has either been over-hyped, or mentally doesn’t quite have what it takes to maintain the level of excellence needed to stay No. 1.

Sharapova needs to develop and expand her game. She needs to come forward more and become proficient at the net to get cheap points.

That will be a challenge because she is not a very good athlete as far as movement goes. If she does, then she could find herself back on top of the rankings again.

Venus and Serena Williams continue to be a threat in every slam they play in, and you can’t help but think that they are ones to beat in all the slams, with the possible exception of the French Open. They are now older than all of the other main contenders on the womens side and it is a testament to them that they are still playing at the level that they are.

They have been much criticized over the years for not playing as much as the other women on tour, for their father, Richard Williams, and for handling their careers their way. They are outspoken and dance to the beat of their own drum, but after everything that has transpired on the women’s tour in the last six years, the pundits are finally admitting that they got it right.

The wear and tear mentally and physically year after year has taken a toll on many of the players on the tour and have forced top players such as Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin to retire when they were at the top of their games. The Williams sisters never played hurt and paced themselves throughout each season which is paying dividends now as they are still winning slams and seem to be enjoying themselves.

Their outside interests also seem to be not only financially rewarding, but mentally therapeutic for them as well. They have stood the test of time. There seems to be little doubt that both of them could return to the top spot in 2009. How can we forget how a sub par and out of shape Serena Williams dismantled Sharapova in the 2007 Australian Open, and how Venus Williams seems to be invincible at Wimbledon.

They have learned to cut down on their unforced errors a little, while still being aggressive and coming forward to finish points. Serena’s serve is the key to her game. When serving well she has the best in the business and it sets up her unequalled an powerful ground strokes. She is better at serving out of more tough spots against top players than any one else.

Venus’ serve is dangerous as well, but it has been known to fail in the middle of matches. Her forehand also tends to break down during matches as well, but most of the time she gets it together in time to prevail.

If you look at the top women on the tour the Williams sisters are still the best athletes, even at this stage in their careers.

With all due respect to the other women, they are still the best all around tennis players on the tour. Henin was the only player that was consistently beating them, and she is gone. Venus and Serena, and rightfully so, may be more geared up for the majors more than anything else.

Cementing their legacy by adding to their Grand Slam totals may trump getting the number one ranking. Who can argue with them if that is the case? We tend to measure the greatness of the players by how many slams they win any way.

If Serena is serious about getting results and commits herself to being No. 1, I believe she will get there, hands down. Injuries and apathy could be the only things that slow the sisters down in 2009.

It is hard to figure out Ana Ivanovic. It is obvious she has the game and the ground strokes to play with, and defeat anyone. She has proven that, but her mental colapse after winning the French and losing the finals in Australia has to make you think.

Breaking through at a slam is one thing.

Being No. 1 and staying there when the bulls-eye is on your back is something else.

The pressure of being in the spotlight is not easy for everyone to handle. Some thrive on it and it doesn’t affect their games, but if you can’t you can easily lose your nerve and fold under the pressure of expectations.

Ivanovic is a great tennis player, has a great personality and graciously put everything in perspective after her early round defeats in the majors. Her overall game and tennis smarts during the matches give her the ability to beat the Williams’ and Sharapovas of the world, but until she proves she can get to the top and stay there, she won’t be a favorite in my book to maintain a No. 1 ranking.

Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova are solid top ten players, and should stay there because their consistent play and the fact that they play a lot, but they are not serious contenders for the top spot. Kuznetsova has had problems breaking through in key matches in the slams, and even though Dementieva is an excellent athlete, she doesn’t seem to have the goods to win the slams.

I believe four women have a chance to spend most of the year in the top spot. Keep in mind that doesn’t mean they are the best. It just means that their results were consistent enough to get the ranking. Jankovic is a good example of that.

Sharapova has a shot if she is healed, ups her game, improves her movement, and her serve dominates.

Safina has a shot if she builds on what she did this year and works hard to improve every facet of her game. All she needs to do is take the next step.

Jankovic needs to win a slam to get her confidence going and that will propel her forward.

Serena Williams just needs to put the work in and be prepared. Nothing will be handed to her so she has to prepare thinking that if she doesn’t she will be defeated by a lesser opponent. She has to have a sense of urgency if she wants to get back on top and stay there.

They only thing that is sure about 2009 is that there is no clear cut No. 1 or dominant player. Only time will tell us who is ready to step into that role.

Tennis 2009: Questions That Need Answering Atop the Men’s Tour

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:46:11 -0500

As we enter the 2009 Tennis season, the stage is set for one of the most competitive years on the tour, especially on the men’s side. As 2008 ends, it is not clear who has the momentum heading into the new year.

Roger Federer won the last major, which salvaged his year, but it was clear that Rafael Nadal was the clear No. 1, and not because Federer stumbled. Nadal took it from him with his stellar play.

Nadal has managed to do what Federer and Djokovic have not been able to do in the past year and a half: consistently get better on the hard courts and grass courts. That is a tribute to his coach, Toni Nadal (known as uncle Toni).

Instead of just dominating on clay only, he dominated on the other surfaces as well. The question is: Just how good can Nadal be?

If he is still getting better, then the rest of the field has something to worry about. I for one, didn’t think that Nadal could take Federer down on grass, and it remains to be seen if Nadal can raise his game to a level where he can win majors on the hard courts.

If he can, there is no telling how many majors he can win. We have to keep in mind that the brand of tennis Nadal plays is not easy on his body.

His strength is his speed and range, and that causes him to retrieve and hit a lot of balls that the other men on tour would not get to. The constant stopping and sliding on all the surfaces, including the hard courts, takes a heavy toll on your joints and hips.

Lleyton Hewitt played that way for most of his career, and as a result he is battling a hip injury that could hamper him the rest of his career.

It is obvious that Federer wants his No. 1 ranking back, and he wants to begin the season healthy, unlike his 2008 season. I believe this year will tell us whether he is on the decline, or if he has found a way to regroup, reinvent his game and take it to a higher level.

Truly exceptional athletes do that, ala Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. Nadal has upped his, now Federer needs to up his.

There are two other men at the top that will push Nadal and Federer. Novak Djokovic won the year-end championships and served notice that he will not stand by and watch Nadal and Federer dominate the tour.

His season got off to a good start in 2008 as he won the Australian Open, beating Federer in the process. He seemed poised to do great things, but was never able to build on it and get the results he was looking for until the season-ending championships.

He is ranked No. 3, and if Federer is not careful Djokovic will pass him and be No. 2. He is only 10 points behind, which is nothing. Andy Murray rounds out the top four and is the third of the trio that is trying to unseat Federer and bring in a new era of tennis.

Murray has matured and came into his own in 2008. He got good results at Wimbledon, and followed that up with a finals appearance at the U.S. Open. He is getting better and has proven he has the game to duke it out with Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic.

At times Murray seems to be his own worst enemy, but he has matured and is frustrating his opponents with his match strategy and deceptive speed and athleticism.

These four men, barring injury, will be at the top of the tennis world in 2009, we just don’t know in which order. Wimbledon will decide how the season goes for Roger Federer.

If he can come back and win it, and win the U.S. Open again, he will serve notice that he is not going anywhere. He also has to start the season healthy and not get knocked out so many tournaments early, which happened a lot in 2008.

If Nadal wins Wimbledon, it will solidify his claim to the No. 1 ranking and serve notice to the other young guns that the road to the top goes through him now. No one beats him on clay, and if he wins two majors no one will catch him.

Djokovic needs to successfully defend his Australian Open title to make a statement. If he does that he will jump Federer in the standings. He also needs to be injury-free, and show evidence that his game is getting better.

Murray needs to keep improving and know that he can beat anyone on the tour. As long as he doesn’t lose confidence he will be fine.

I predict that Nadal will finish No. 1, Federer will be No. 2, with Djokovic and Murray at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively.

BCS Madness: How To Change the System and Get a Real National Champion

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:39:29 -0500

One of the things that is great about college football is that every week, there are big games with national title implications, and it always stirs up more talk about how flawed the BCS system is.

Most agree that we need a real playoff system to properly crown a national champion, but some insist that a playoff would marginalize some of the games and rivalries that mean so much now.

Others worry about the bowl games and commitments that go along with them that would be compromised as a result of a playoff as well. What we have now is the best and worst of both worlds. We are talking about the teams, the games, and the BCS rankings and how everything might play out every day, which is a good thing.

It does generate a lot of interest. On the other hand, we are also talking about how justice isn’t being done with the current system in place and everyone is clamoring for a better system. There is one major factor that will always affect getting a new system in place: money.

There are many commitments between conferences and bowl games that would be affected. Any time there is money involved, there will always be resistance to drastic change, and rightfully so. These games represent a major source of funding for these universities.

That being said, I will present a solution to this BCS system that preserves the integrity of the conferences, and would result in a more clear cut national champion than we have now.

One of the first things that would have to happen is that each major conference would have a four team playoff of their own to determine who would be the conference champion and qualify for a season ending eight team playoff.

For example, at the seasons conclusion, the SEC would rank the top four teams and they would play to determine who the conference champion is. Florida would play the fourth ranked team, Mississippi, and Alabama would play Georgia again. The winner of those games would play in the championship game. Both games would be at a neutral site.

This format would have benefited Georgia last year because they were playing their best ball at the end of the year but didn’t get a chance to compete for their conference title. Conferences that don’t have a title game would have to be realigned, but not in a way that would affect their regular season scheduling.

The Big Ten would split their conference into two divisions, and maybe add another team, such as Navy, or Notre Dame, and their four team playoff would come from that group.

The Pac 10, and the WAC are on the same side of the country, so it would be a natural fit for those two conferences to play a four team playoff featuring the top two teams from each conference. This year that would have been Oregon State, USC, Boise State, and Oregon.

The Big East and Sun Belt conferences would square off at season’s end, and the Mountain West and Independents would combine and split into two groups. Keep in mind that this alignment is only to determine who qualifies for the final playoff. These wouldn’t be permanent conference groupings.

Each division would have to be represented by one team. For example, the WAC and Pac 10 playoff would be between Oregon State, USC, and Oregon (Pac 10) and Boise State (WAC).

The three teams from the Pac 10 have better records and are ranked higher than the rest of the teams in the WAC except for Boise State. The only exception I would make to this is if the top team in any division has a losing record, then a team with a winning record in the other division would qualify for the conference tournament.

After the conference champions are determined, here is what you would have competing for a national title:

ACC-1 team, Big 12 - 1 team, Big East/Sunbelt - 1 team, WAC/PAC 10 - 1 team, SEC - 1 team, Mountain West/Independents - 1 team, Big Ten (plus one) - 1 team, Conference USA, 1 team.

Eight teams left to play for a national title, ranked from one to eight, where No. 1 would play No. 8, two would play seven, and so on. No team in the country would be able to claim they were left out of the equation.

The only question would be what do you do with the bowl games, and what happens to the teams that are bowl eligible, but are not part of the eight team playoff?

The playoff would require seven games total, so those should be tied to bowl games. The other games would have to be populated by teams that did not qualify for the tournament.

The most difficult thing with this arrangement would be getting the bowls to change their agreements with the conferences to accommodate a playoff. That is where you would get a lot of resistance. Take last year for instance.

USC played Illinois in the Rose Bowl, and Georgia played Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. The better game and the one the public wanted badly was Georgia vs. USC, but because of the commitments of both venues, we ended up with two bowl games that weren’t competitive.

For financial reasons, none of the bowl committees want to be forced to take teams where their fanbase won’t travel to the game, and there are a lot of unsold tickets. They would rather stick to the way things are now.

They will make deals with teams that financially make sense for them as opposed to trying to get the best game. The actual matchup is secondary to them. We as fans do have to understand that in the minds of the folks who put everything together, the financial aspect of this whole equation is most important.

The only other flaw with this system is that you may have two teams in a conference that are better than the rest of the teams in the country, but only one of them will get a chance at the end of season tournament.

We want an undisputed champion, but if it can’t be done where everyone is happy financially it will be difficult to get the system changed.

Their main concern is getting the best teams in the mix. There may be repeat games, but they will be in neutral sites and they may be needed, a la the three teams in the Big 12.

Everyone gets a shot in this system, and you only have one extra game to decide conference champions. Only four teams will play two extra games, and two teams will play three, and there would be very little doubt over who the national champions are at the end of the day.

BCS Madness: How To Fix The BCS and Crown a True National Champion

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:12:43 -0500

One of the things that is great about college football is that every week there are big games with national title implications, and it always stirs up more talk about how flawed the BCS system is. Most agree that we need a real playoff system to properly crown a national champion, but some insist that a playoff would marginalize some of the games and rivalries that mean so much now.

It does generate a lot of interest. On the other hand we are also talking about how justice isn’t being done with the current system in place and everyone is clamoring for a better system. There is one major factor that will always affect getting a new system in place. And that is money.

There are many commitments between conferences and bowl games that would be affected. Any time there is money involved there will always be resistance to drastic change, and rightfully so. These games represent a major source of funding for these universities.

That being said I will present a solution to this BCS system that preserves the integrity of the conferences, and would result in a more clear cut national champion than we have now. One of the first things that would have to happen is that each major conference would have a four team playoff of their own to determine who would be the conference champion, and qualify for a season ending eight team playoff.

The Big Ten would split their conference into two divisions, and maybe add another team, such as Navy, or Notre Dame, and their four team playoff would come from that group.

The PAC 10, and the WAC are on the same side of the country, so it would be a natural fit for those two conferences to play a four team playoff featuring the top two teams from each conference. This year that would have been Oregon State, USC, Boise State, and Oregon.

The Big East, and Sun Belt conferences would square off at season’s end, and the Mountain West and Independents would combine and split into two groups. Keep in mind that this alignment is only to determine who qualifies for the final playoff. These wouldn’t be permanent conference groupings.

Each division would have to be represented by one team. For example, the WAC and PAC 10 playoff would be between Oregon State, USC, and Oregon (PAC 10) and Boise State (WAC).

The three teams from the PAC 10 have better records and are ranked higher than the rest of the teams in the WAC except for Boise State. The only exception I would make to this is if the top team in any division has a losing record, then a team with a winning record in the other division would qualify for the conference tournament.

After the conference champions are determined here is what you would have competing for a national title:

ACC - one team, Big 12 - one team, Big East/Sunbelt - one team, WAC/PAC 10 - one team, SEC - one team, Mountain West/Independents - one team, Big Ten (plus one) - one team, Conference USA, one team.

Eight teams left to play for a national title, ranked from one to eight where No. 1 would play No. 8, two would play seven, and so on. No team in the country would be able to claim they were left out of the equation. The only question would be what do you do with the bowl games, and what happens to the teams that are bowl eligible, but are not part of the eight team playoff?

The playoff would require seven games total, so those should be tied to bowl games. The other games would have to be populated by teams that did not qualify for the tournament.

The most difficult thing with this arrangement would be getting the bowls to change their agreements with the conferences to accommodate a playoff. That is where you would get a lot of resistance. Take last year for instance. USC played Illinois in the Rose Bowl, and Georgia played Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl.

The better game and the one the public wanted badly was Georgia vs. USC, but because of the commitments of both venues we ended up with two bowl games that weren’t competitive.

For financial reasons, none of the bowl committee’s want to be forced to take teams where their fan base won’t travel to the game, and there are a lot of unsold tickets. They would rather stick to the way things are now. They will make deals with teams that financially make sense for them as opposed to trying to get the best game.

The actual matchup is secondary to them. We as fans do have to understand that in the minds of the folks who put everything together, the financial aspect of this whole equation is most important.

We want an undisputed champion, but if it can’t be done where everyone is happy financially it will be difficult to get the system changed.

What I have outlined is a little like the NCAA Basketball Championships. They are not as concerned with whether or not teams that have played each other during the season play again in the tournament. Their main concern is getting the best teams in the mix. There may be repeat games, but they will be in neutral sites and they may be needed, ala the three teams in the Big 12.

New York Knicks Trade Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in Salary Dump

Andrew Tonge — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:41:31 -0500

In one day, the New York Knicks managed to undo two of the major acquisitions from the Isiah Thomas era and stay on course to free up enough cap space to lure LeBron James and another All-Star caliber free agent.

Jamal Crawford went to Golden State for Al Harrington, and Zach Randolph went to the Clippers along with Mardy Collins for Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley. While this doesn’t make New York better now, Donnie Walsh is staying true to his master plan to resurrect this once proud franchise.

In order to do that he had to get rid of their highest salaried players that have contracts that run past 2010.

Many Knick fans will question this move because they are tired of the Knicks being one of the laughing stocks of the league, and they will have to endure at least one more year of losing. One has to remember that New York has been mis-managed and in bad shape for so long that they needed a complete overhaul from the front office down.

That doesn’t happen overnight.

They brought in Walsh to run the show. They brought in Mike D’Antoni, a high-profile coach that has a track record of success, and they have a plan to not only make the Knicks competitive in the short run, but to make them perennial championship contenders.

The plan is bold, but it is well calculated and better than the hit and miss strategy of Isaiah Thomas.

They hope to lure LeBron James to the Garden, and make it his home and work on his legacy. He has money and fame, but he doesn’t have championships and a legacy. Resurecting the once proud Knickerbocker franchise and bringing back the glory days in the city that never sleeps, the mecca of professional basketball, sounds better than languishing in Cleveland.

He doesn’t have enough help there and it is time for him to move on.

The beauty of this for New York is that there is a bumper crop of All Stars that are free agents aside from James. Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Steve Nash, and Amare Stoudemire will be available to name a few. Pairing James with Bosh and a good point guard and a supporting cast would ensure that you have a title contender for years to come.

Let’s say they don’t get James. There are enough studs available where they can still sign more than one of them. Keep in mind that the players know that they have a better chance at success if they are paired with another star, Ala the Boston Celtics, then they do if they go to a team by themselves.

Other teams are starting to model what Boston did in a bid to get in on free agent frenzy in 2010. Chauncey Billups was traded for Allen Iverson to get Detroit more cap flexibility and other franchises are being very careful how they spend.

The Knicks still have more work to do to completely wipe away the memory of the past regime. They have to permanently sever ties with Stephon Marbury. Many of the fans resent how Marbury has been treated, but D’Antoni as the coach has the right to play or sit whomever he chooses, and it is obvious Starbury is not in the Knick’s future plans.

It is unfortunate that he is not playing, but they don’t owe him anything except his salary.

They have to do what they feel is best for the team, and right now Marbury is basically an expiring contract. The culture is changing in New York and for the better. They weren’t going to contend for a championship with what they had anyway.

There is one more move that they need to make and it will be the toughest. Moving Eddy Curry and his huge contract will take some doing because he is out of shape and not playing right now. Getting that done gives New York the opportunity to not only bring in James plus another All Star, but they would be in a better position to re-sign David Lee and Nate Robinson.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Steve Nash takes a look at the Knicks if they snag James as well. What better way to finish his career than to be in the system he is comfortable with along with his former coach, and in position to win a championship.

If things fall right for New York, they could have three all stars playing for them in 2010. Of course, there is a chance none of this pans out, and the Knicks end up settling for second-tier All Stars, but it is worth the gamble.

The elite players in the league know that their best chance to win it all is to play with each other not against each other. Boston did it, and now New York is in position to do it.

There are probably angry Knicks fans because they want to win now and are tired of seeing an inferior product on the floor, especially since they have looked a lot better so far this year.

Be strong of heart. This is not a step backward.

They had to be torn down so they can be built up the right way, and that takes time. Don’t let impatience dim your vision. The goal is a championship, not a decent team that gets the eighth spot in the playoffs.

I think they get LeBron, and if that happens, others will follow. The Cav’s will be in New York to play the Knicks on Tuesday. Think LeBron will be asked a few questions? Nah, this is just another game against another team in another city.