grounded and pounded

No team likes to talk more than the New York Jets. No team gets more attention the New York Jets. And no team reaches the end zone less than the New York Jets.

There have been three preseason games played so far. The fourth game is traditionally without the starters and is primarily for determining which bench players won't get cut. So really, the preseason is done. This preseason, the Jets managed to kick 7 field goals and 0 touchdowns. Zero!! In fact, opposing defenses have scored more touchdowns than the Jets offense has.

This is kind of a big deal. Coming into the season, the question mark for the Jets was the offense. It was not looking good. They may have only really lost aged LaDamien Tomlinson and Plaxico Burress, but they only acquired a "backup quarterback" in Tim Tebow and a rookie receiver Stephen Hill. The offensive line is dreadful.

Ask anybody on the Jets and they'll tell you, "It's only preseason." "We'll fine." "We're improving." "We're not worried." "We'll turn it on in the regular season."
How's this: the 2012 Jets are the only team in the last 35 years to not score a touchdown in the first three preseason games.

I really, really try to give them a little teenie-weenie benefit of the doubt. We haven't seen Tebowmania. Well, we have seen him complete 13 of 36 passes (36%) and throw two interceptions, but we haven't witnessed the Tim Tebow Wildcat Experience. We didn't see Santonio Holmes in the first two games, although he came back strong this weekend with passes going through his hands and bouncing off his chest. And we haven't seen receivers Chaz Schilens and Jeremy Kerley who are injured right now. Yeah, that's right; they are hurt and we haven't seen them (wake me up when we do). Antonio Cromartie says he can play wide receiver. Never has before...

Rex Ryan declared that they are "going back to the ground and pound." Rex has said some pretty dumb things, but that statement is about as ridiculous as it gets. Is Rex aware that this league is a passing league? Your last 10 Super Bowl teams were led by Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Kurt Warner. Nearly every passing record was broken last year, and will likely be challenged again in 2012. Not only that, but the team with the worst (or second worst) rushing game has been in the Super Bowl four years in a row. Ground and Pound doesn't seem like a very good choice for success.

Let's pretend that it could be productive. While they don't win championships, strong ground teams like the Ravens and Broncos have been successful in the regular season. The problem is, the Jets don't have the personnel fit that mold! Where is the power back?! Where is the workhorse? Or even, where is the double back tandem? In 45 career regular season games, Shonn Greene has reached 100 yards in 4. Your other running backs are Joe McKnight and Bilal Powell (Who?). The offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. The Jets had one of the worst rushing teams last year and did not get better this offseason. Now you are going to flip the switch and be a dominant ground game?

If they decide to change their minds and make it a more pass-driven team, they will still struggle. It's a little late for that. Santonio Holmes is a nice receiver but he is not a legit #1. And he's a head case. Dustin Keller gives you something from the tight ends. And there is NOTHING else! Toss in a porous o-line and Mark Sanchez is destined to fail.

I guess there's the Tim Tebow factor. He will come in and do some super-top-secret magical packages, the oh-so-popular-and-successful "Wildcat" offense, some goal line and short yardage opportunities, et cetra, et cetra.

This is what we've seen: Nothing. "We'll be ready for Buffalo." Don't they realize that everyone else is getting better, too? And other teams are actually starting from further up?

The whole Jets team reminds me of a Fast-and-Furious-style road race. Everyone else has their shiny, top-of-the-line speedsters with big engines and slick tires and the Jets are rolling in with their rusty 1987 Ford Taurus station wagon that just lost a couple hub caps. "Just wait, we'll turn on the Nos boosters halfway through and we'll shoot ahead." Well by the way, the other drivers are all using Nos, and by the time your boosters are on the race will be over.

The Jets defense is good, I am on board with that. But come on, the Jets got the ball at the Carolina Panthers 12 yard line after a turnover and settled for a field goal. They had two drives against the Giants that started in the Giants territory and couldn't score at all. Come on, give me something to look forward to!

A tumultuous offseason followed by the worst preseason on 35 years. Your only playmaker is a backup quarterback. Ground and pound is an admission by your head coach that you have no chance throwing the ball and you are looking for bright way to twist that sad reality. And in a league dominated by passing, that is a sure-fire way to fail.

preseason Power Report

It's been a lot of baseball baseball baseball for the last 5 months. This starts the string of a whole lot of football posts. With some baseball sprinkled in.

As the preseason is winding down and it's almost time for Opening Kickoff, what better time to measure how each team stacks up. This Power Report is my straight-up ranking of all 32 NFL teams. It is independent of schedule and is not a direct prognostication of how they will end up.

The Top
1. Patriots
2. Packers
3. Giants
4. 49ers

Solid
5. Texans
6. Saints
7. Eagles
8. Falcons
9. Broncos
10. Bears
11. Lions

AFC North
12. Ravens
13. Steelers
14. Bengals

Middle of the Pack
15. Cowboys
16. Bills
17. Titans

AFC West
18. Chiefs
19. Raiders
20. Chargers

Hoping to Catch a Break
21. Buccaneers
22. Jets
23. Redskins
24. Seahawks

Wins at a Premium
25. Panthers
26. Cardinals
27. Colts
28. Rams
29. Vikings
30. Jaguars
31. Dolphins
32. Browns

Hey Skip, just shut up!

Last Wednesday on ESPN’s First Take, talking head Skip Bayless insinuated that he suspects Derek Jeter is using performance enhancing drugs.

“I am shocked by what I’m seeing from Derek Jeter right now… All of a sudden this man has turned 38… and he has more hits than he had last year. Already he’s doubled his home run total from last year, six to twelve. I’m seeing a whole new guy this year from last year… Are you kidding me? You would have to have your head in the sand or your head somewhere else not to at least wonder, ‘How is he doing this?’ Just recently [BALCO founder] Victor Conte said that many of the top players in baseball have come to him and said there is rampant use of synthetic testosterone today in the sport of baseball. How could I not wonder is he using something? If you are Derek Jeter, would you think about using HGH right now? How would you not?”

Skip likes to open his mouth. He’s paid to do it. He sparks controversy. He’s been banging on LeBron his whole career. He tends to hate everybody. He’s mildly entertaining. If you watch, much of the time he is actually right. But this time he goes way out.

Derek Jeter is the ambassador of the sport. He really is the face of baseball. He is the most professional professional athlete in America. He is squeaky clean. He is respectful of everyone. He plays the game right, hustling every play. He’s filthy rich. He started great as a skinny young guy and he isn’t any bigger now. 13 time All Star, 5 time gold glove winner, 5 time champion, future first ballot hall of famer; he really has nothing left to prove. He has years left on his contract. He never gets in trouble. He has never had to apologize. There really has never been a question before about any foul play. He’s not a power hitter and he’s still not a power hitter. And someone actually has the gumption to suggest that he’s on something?

Look at his numbers, starting with his hits and average. He’s only the second player ever to have 150 hits in 17 consecutive seasons. He hit over .290 14 straight seasons. He is a career .313 batter. He hit .334 in 2009. The next year was his worst, but he bounced back from that last year hitting close to .300. He has been a model of consistency throughout his career. And that model is the anti-cheater. As for his power numbers, which is most likely to be affected by PEDs: he has 13 homers right now. Not 53, but 13. He hit 18 in 2009, and hit at least 19 five other times. Improving by 7 over last season is hardly a gross spike. This season isn’t really an aberration. He’s not bigger, faster, or stronger. But he is adjusting in his old age and making better contact.

Suggesting, accusing, or questioning Derek Jeter about using performance enhancing drugs is laughable and insulting, as you can see in Stephen A. Smith’s response to Skip (starting around 1:40). Just because a very successful, bright player is contributing at a late age is not enough to accuse him of cheating. It is more reasonable to look at 2010 and say “oh, that was just a down year.”

There is a big difference between “many of the top players in baseball” and Derek Jeter.

This is America, home of “innocent until proven guilty.” Can’t somebody do something good without being questioned? If you are suspicious, then quietly do some investigating and find some real evidence BEFORE spewing garbage into the airways.

I like Jeter’s response. “Maybe Skip should be tested.” Actually, I would prefer: “Hey Skip, shut up!”

I will close with this: if Derek Jeter ever admits to, is tied to evidence against, or is found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs, that will be the last day I watch or follow baseball.

I am confident that I will be watching baseball a long, long time.

it's NOT all about the money

It is really a unique time for baseball.

As a Yankees fan, my whole life I've been ridiculed that "oh, the Yankees only win because they spend so much money." "Yankees play by a different set of rules." "Yankees buy their championships."

For a while, it was hard to argue. Yankees were in the World Series 5 times in 6 years, 7 times in 9, with the highest payroll. And there was a long stretch where 7 of the 8 playoff teams had the 7 highest payrolls in baseball.After 2001 the Yanks continued to sign stars to huge contracts, stealing them from other teams, outbidding everyone, just because they could. And they wouldn't win the World Series, and they became a laughingstock. It was not fun to be a part of. In 2007 I considered renouncing my fandom because I did not agree with how they do business and I did not like their direction. Didn't quite seem right.

Things have changed. Okay, not everything. Yankees still have the highest payroll. And they are in first place. But let's look at the real picture. Check the standings.

- As of this writing, here are the top 10 teams in baseball by record:
1. Nationals
2. Reds
3. Yankees
4. Braves
5. Rangers
6. White Sox
7. Pirates
8. Dodgers
9. Rays
10. Giants

- Compare that to the 10 highest payrolls (division standing in parentheses):
1. Yankees (1)
2. Phillies (4)
3. Angels (3)
4. Red Sox (4)
5. Rangers (1)
6. Tigers (2)
7. Giants (2)
8. Marlins (5)
9. Cardinals (3)
10. Brewers (4)

- Of the six divisions in baseball, only two of the top ten highest payrolls are leading their respective divisions (and the Rangers aren't the highest payroll in their division).

- The Phillies, Marlins and Brewers have 3 teams with lower payrolls above them in the standings. Angels, Red Sox and Cardinals both have 2 above them.

- If the playoffs started today, the Nationals, Reds, Braves, Pirates, Rays and Orioles would be playing. Those teams have payrolls ranked 18 or higher.

- The largest markets in the country are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Philadelphia. The Mets, Angels, Cubs, Astros and Phillies are not in the playoff picture (the Angels are close).

For the first time in my lifetime, the playing field has evened out. It appears that it is possible for smaller-market teams to win and compete and they are doing so at remarkable rates. It takes more than just buckets of money to build a winning team. Coaching and wise front office decisions have become the hot new trend. And the Yankees can get credit for actually being an anomaly by spending money and still having a winning team. But hey, even they are making more shrewd decisions.

the most disappointing team in baseball

Say it ain't Scioscia.

Meet the Angels. Formerly known as team California, then Anaheim, now they have the ridiculous full name of The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Why stop there? They haven't left California. It is simply more fun to think of them as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of The United States of America.

Anyway.

The aforementioned Angels have a player running away with the rookie of the year and MVP vote, the sensational Mike Trout. They signed Albert Pujols, one of the best sluggers of our generation to a huge contract. They didn't only sign a good pitcher, they STOLE division rival Texas Rangers' ace pitcher C.J. Wilson. They picked up the best player available at the trade deadline, grabbing Zach Greinke. And both of them play second fiddle to Cy Young frontrunner Jered Weaver. And their #4 pitcher is Dan Haren, another outstanding pitcher. Back to the batting lineup, they also have the most underrated slugger in the American League, Mark Trumbo (maybe second most underrated after Adam Jones). And at the All Star break, the Angels top two bullpen arms (Frieri and Downs) had yielded a combined 1 run in over 56 innings.

Phew.

And on August 13th this team is eighth in the American League. Behind the Athletics (only All Star was a middle reliever), Rays, Orioles, White Sox and Tigers.

65-60. Outside of a six-game streak against the A's and Mariners one week in May, the Angels are playing sub-.500 baseball the rest of the season.

Maybe I'm just bitter because they were my World Series prediction. But not only is that looking bleak, but the Angels are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third season in a row. This is the most disappointing and under-performing team in baseball.

Side note about the Yankees: as everyone knows, New York celebrated amazing success under Joe Torre, making the playoffs like 13 seasons in a row. But towards the end of that run, as a fan I was growing weary of Joe Torre, despite his legendary success from 1996 to 2001. From 2004-2007 the Yankees lost 4 straight playoff series. And it was clear that it was time to move in a new direction. Despite being one of history's greatest coaches, and making the playoffs for 13 straight years, Joe Torre was fired. Two years later, the Yankees were champions.

I esteem Mike Scioscia as, not only the coach with the toughest name to spell, but one of the best managers in baseball over the last 20 years. He's won a World Series. His Angels have the best record against the Yankees during his tenure. But how is this guy still in town? How come nobody has questioned his job security? Three disappointing, under-performing seasons in a row in the second biggest market in America for a team loaded with talent.

It is time to move on, show Mike Scioscia the door, and find someone who can turn this team overflowing with star players into a regular visitor to the World Series.

the Grandyman can (do a lot of stuff), but...

Last night the Yankees were facing Justin Verlander and the Tigers. Verlander, the reigning MVP and leader in strikeouts.

Joe Girardi decided to lead off with Curtis Granderson.

He's done this for several games. He's doing it again tonight. I just don't get it.

In Saturday's disappearing act vs. King Felix, Granderson also led off, that sure didn't spark the offense. Granderson leads the team in home runs and strikeouts, batting .240. Do you want a power hitter with a low average leading off?

Anyway, against Verlander, Curtis struck out his first two at bats, three times overall, and it certainly was no surprise. And the Yankees offense did nothing.

The real knock here isn't Granderson, he's doing the best he can. It's the coach Joe Girardi. He has got to keep what is working, and then make adjustments according to what gives his team the best chance to win. But let's be real: the Yankees were the best team in baseball with Derek Jeter leading off. In fact, the last game he was at the top of the order The Captain had 3 hits and 3 RBI and the Bombers scored 12 runs, even without Tex or A-Rod. If you want to spark something and make some moves, move Granderson OUT of the 1 or 2 spot and bat him 5th or 6th where his skill set is better suited. It makes no sense to have a strikeout machine with a low batting average at the top of the lineup. The change certainly isn't sparking Grandy; he's batting .143 as the leadoff hitter. Meanwhile, you have probably the best leadoff hitter over the last decade on your team in Ichiro. Put him in the 1 hole, or if you are concerned with Jeter grounding into a lot of double plays, go Jeter 1, Ichiro 2.

Ichiro did also strike out 3 times in this particular game, but he hadn't at all his first 12 games in pinstripes. If you try Ichiro and it doesn't work, well, you tip your cap at the Verlander and the Tigers for doing a good job. I still would have used Jeter there.

But using Granderson to lead off is a mistake, and while it may not have ultimately cost the game, it certainly contriubted and it was the wrong move.