How Far Can The Islanders Go?

                      

The 2014-15 season has been a revelation for the Islanders, they sit atop the Metropolitan Division and have played some of the best hockey anyone has seen in years. It has rejuvenated a once dormant fan base and filled them with anticipation of what this team can accomplish this season and beyond.

Already sporting 38 wins (Their most since 2008) with plenty of hockey to go, the Isles are poised to reach the 50 win mark for the first time since 1983-84, a season in which they reached the Stanley Cup Finals. The prospect of that itself should give fans plenty of reason to be optimistic as to what these Islanders are capable of.  Strong leadership and even stronger team play has them primed for a playoff push that will make many loyal Long Islanders proud

The team will make certain that this season is not remembered as a mere Cinderella story, but as the start of a new era of success and excellence.

Giants Must Add Depth to Fleeting Roster

             

With the Scouting Combine fast approaching and the draft on the horizon, the Giants must make vast improvements to fill gaps and add depth to their roster.  Though there are plenty of NFL hopefuls to choose from, it will be important to pick out the players whom are most capable of helping the team for both the present and foreseeable future.  Here are some of the positions that I feel are top priority and the prospects they could look to go after.

Offensive Lineman - The constant shuffling the offensive line has gone through makes a clear need to add a durable and adept lineman that can fit into a starter’s role immediately.  With the word being that Justin Pugh will be moved inside to guard, this leaves an open tackle spot that is undoubtedly important to the success of the offense.

Potential Targets; Ereck Flowers OT (Miami), Brandon Scherff OT (Iowa), Cameron Erving OT (Florida State)

Saftey - Antrelle Rolle is an impending free agent and the Giants should not wait to see if he chooses to return.  It is best to look for a suitable replacement right now to avoid getting jammed up in the waiting game.  They could find good value in a safety that possess the physical tools and intelligence like Rolle should they choose to go that way.

Potential Target:  Landon Collins (Alabama), Anthony Harris (Virginia), Clayton Geathers (UCF), Jaquiski Tartt (Samford)

Linebacker - Though Jon Beason is currently under contract, he still could be released if the team deems it financially necessary, especially given his injury history.  That would leave a hole in the middle of the defense, but it would also give the flexibility to move a young stud into the role much like the Panthers did to Beason with Luke Keuchly.  It's been a long time since the Giants drafted a power line defensive player, they could decide to end that drought this this year.

Potential Targets:  Eric Kendricks (UCLA), Vic Beasly (Clemson), Benadrick McKinney (Miss State)

Defensive Line - Jason Pierre-Paul seems to be safe with the franchise tag expected to be placed on him, but were does that leave the rest of the line?  It's been 4 years since the Giants have been able to sport a fearsome front line that every team was afraid of.  Filling in open slots with smaller signings is nice, but it has gotten them nowhere, so a shakeup could be in order.  Giving Steve Spagnuolo good young lineman to work with will be a very nice perk to have given his success with players like Tuck and Umeniyora, both of whom were Pro Bowlers under his watch.

Potential Targets; Danny Shelton DT (Washington), Mario Edwards Jr. DT/DE (Florida State), Malcom Brown DT (Texas), Randy Gregory DE (Nebraska), Markus Golden (Missouri)

Finding the ones who fit is never easy since there is risk/reward with almost every player.  However, the need to add the best possible talent to the roster is essential to any chances of the Giants being a consistent contender for years to come.  

Knicks Buy Out Stoudemire

                            

As All Star weekend came to a close the Knicks officially bought out and release Amare Stoudemire, ending his tenure in New York.  Though things did not go as hoped, no one will forget how he helped re-invigorate and lift a team out of a decade long stupor.  Stoudemire took a chance that no other free agent would and the Knicks and their fans will be ever thankful for it.

However, the fact that he missed so much time during his contract had to be frustrating to him and the front office.  To sign for such a large sum only to miss a majority of the next 4 years made for a harsh reality that both the Knicks and Stoudemire had to came to grips with.  With the rebuilding process in full effect, Amare's yearning to play for a contender, and Carmelo Anthony now the centerpiece, a parting of ways was the best way to go.  Stoudemire is now free to go wherever he pleases. Now alleviated of his cap strangling salary, teams that were once too shy will be more than welcome to bring him aboard.  He may not be the payer he once was, but his game is still effective enough to provide a spark off of any bench.  Hopefully he can find the fulfillment he could not achieve in his unfortunately disappointing Knicks career.

Carmelo Anthony Must Shut It Down

                                 

Carmelo Anthony has battled both a bad knee and less than stellar (to put it mildly) Knick team this season.  Given these circumstances I don't think anyone will blame him for taking an extended vacation.  It was very clear that the team would not compete for anything but a lottery pick this year.  However, not even Anthony could predict just how lousy it would actually get.

As the team stumbles into the All Star break and onward, all eyes will be aimed at free agency and a desperately needed roster turnover. Though his loyalty and competitive spirit are truly commendable, Anthony has no reason to jeopardize health for a lost cause.  It's best to let this deplorable season blow over and wait for the actual reinforcements to arrive.

Dolan Shows His Colors...Again

                                

New York Knicks principal owner James Dolan did not take kindly to the words of a long time fan who criticized his ownership of the team.  The fan, Irving Bierman spoke critically of the way he has handled the organization, citing his terrible business moves.  Mr. Bierman also exclaimed how he should sell the team and make things easier on the fan base.  Dolan, whom never seems to back down even when it suits his best interests, fired back in a style Knick fans have become all to familiar with. In his response he called the nearly 60 year fan 'sad' and 'hateful', telling him to go root for the Nets. This abhorrent exchange is yet another chapter in the ill-fated reign of James Dolan that has placed him in the doldrums of sports ownership.

Here is the exchange:

Mr. Bierman's email:

At one stage I thought that you did a wonderful thing when you acquired EVERYTHING from your dad. However, since then it has been ALL DOWN HILL. Your working with Isaiah Thomas & everything else regarding the Knicks. Bringing on Phil Jackson was a positive beginning, but lowballing Steve Kerr was a DISGRACE to the knicks. The bottom line is that you merely continued to interfere with the franchise.

As a knicks fan for in excess of 60 years, I am utterly embarrassed by your dealings with the Knicks. Sell them so their fans can at least look forward to growing them in a positive direction Obviously, money IS NOT THE ONLY THING. You have done a lot of utterly STUPID business things with the franchise. Please NO MORE.

James Dolan's response:

You are a sad person. Why would anybody write such a hateful letter. I am.just guessing but ill bet your life is a mess and you are a hateful mess. What have you done that anyone would consider positive or nice. I am betting nothing. In fact ill bet you are negative force in everyone who comes in contact with you. You most likely have made your family miserable. Alcoholic maybe. I just celebrated my 21 year anniversary of sobriety. You should try it. Maybe it will help you become a person that folks would like to have around. In the mean while start rooting.for the Nets because the Knicks don't want you.

James Shields, Will They? or Won't They?

                                    

Heading into 2015 the Yankees face a daunting task of fielding a more formidable contender than in the two previous seasons.  One of the best ways they can improve is by building a strong and capable pitching staff. With C.C. Sabathia's struggles and Ivan Nova coming off of recent Tommy John surgery, there is a need to solidify the starting rotation with a big arm.  Enter James Shields.  Along with his tenacity and durability, the former Ray and Royal possesses a stellar attitude that will bring him easy success and quickly endear him the Yankee faithful. However one question remains, are the Yankees willing to spend the money to bring the righthander on board?

Brian Cashman has made it well known that the team is not going to shell out outrageous amounts of money in order to fill talent gaps.  Though signing Shields makes the most baseball sense, it is very clear that the edict passed down by ownership is to refrain from potentially regretful long term commitments. As many loyal fans know, recent history has suggested that even the best the big leagues has to offer can suddenly falter in the bright lights of Yankee Stadium.

Will the Yankees take the chance and bring him into the fold? or will they elect to look elsewhere? It's the million dollar question the Yankees are asking themselves with each passing day James Shields remains available.

Super Bowl Leaves Us With One Big Question

                                

Super Bowl XLIX ended on a disastrous call at the goal line that will surely haunt the Seahawks and their fans for years to come.  Many will wonder why Pete Carroll elected to throw the ball at the 1 yard line with three downs to spare and Marshawn Lynch in the backfield.  It goes to show us how such a small detail can determine the entirety of a game.

In life we are constantly asking ourselves "what if?" What if I had made that turn?, What if I would have made that phone call?, What If I had not put that there? They constantly replay in our minds like a bad nightmare that we cannot undo.  It is no different in Sports, every time a team makes a crucial, game altering mistake there is always questions as to why it was done and what could or should have been done differently. Unfortunately for the Seahawks like all the rest there is nothing that can be done but ask "What if?".

Looking at recent sports history we can come by many scenarios that caused us to question what was done.  What if Joe Torre had elected to start Mike Mussina instead of Kevin Brown in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS?,  What if Greg Popovich had not taken out Tim Duncan in final seconds of Game 6 of the 2013 Finals?  These are decision that, like Carroll's were made with the best of hope but ultimately created moments that will live in infamy.

If the Super Bowl has taught us nothing else, it is that you must be certain the decision you make is worth the potential consequences that could come.  Second guessing when those consequences do arrive will do nothing more that create that wall of "What if" that lingers for the rest of time.

Super Bowl Sunday Is Here

                               

With all of the story lines like (Roger Goodell's state of the NFL, Marshawn Lynch's press conference, and Deflagate) out of the way it's now time for the thing we all have been waiting for...the game.  It's the time for two teams to put up or shut up.  The Seahawks and Patriots look to place their names in history and reign supreme over the NFL.  Seattle will bring the swagger and confidence of a defending champion, eyeing a repeat performance of last year's dominance.  New England on the other hand seeks redemption after suffering two Super Bowl defeats at the hands of Eli Manning and the Giants; as well as two treacherous controversies that have cast a dark shadow over their decade long success.

All of the betting lines have given this game a pick'em scenario, very fitting for a contest that many are considering to be one of the biggest of the decade.  To the winner goes the spoils is what they say, and with both old and recent history on each teams side, Super Bowl XLIX should give all the entertainment we are looking for.