your end of season Top 5

The regular season is over, going out with a big bang in a very exciting Week 17. As the smoke settles on the season with the playoffs starting this week, here are your Top 5 headlines for the weekend.

1. All Day. Adrian Peterson and the Vikings won in the best game of the season. AP (or AD, if you prefer) scored two touchdowns and ran for 199 yards, including a 27 yard run with 30 seconds left that set up the game-winning chip-shot field goal that sent Minnesota into the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers led his team back time after time, scoring on 7 of their last 8 drives, but it was the Vikings that had the ball last. Vikings went from 6-6 to 10-6. Adrian Peterson finished the season with 2,097 yards, including an astonishing 1,013 yards after contact, and should be named league MVP.

2. Taking care of business. Every team that needed to win to secure a playoff berth won. In the games with two playoff teams, the one going for the Wild Card always won. The Giants, Bears, Vikings, Redskins, Seahawks, Bengals, and Colts all did their job. The 49ers, Patriots and Broncos won their easy matchups to secure their week off.

3. Rookies leading the way. The playoffs include an incredible group of rookie quarterbacks: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson. (You could also include Washington’s Kirk Cousins, who helped lead the Redskins to two wins in RG3’s absence.) The Redskins were also led by rookie sixth-round-draft-pick running back Alfred Morris, who set the franchise single-season rushing record, including 200 yards in Sunday Night’s game where RG3 passed for only 100 yards.

4. Black Monday. The end of the season isn't all good news. The following coaches and general managers are being fired today: Bears’ Lovie Smith, Eagles’ Andy Reid, Chiefs’ Romeo Crennel, Bills’ Chan Gailey, Browns’ coach and GM Pat Shurmur and Tom Heckert, Chargers’ coach and GM Norv Turner and AJ Smith, Cardinals' coach and GM Ken Wisenhunt and Rod Graves, Jaguars’ GM Gene Smith, and Jets’ GM Mike Tannenbaum. That is nine front offices. Along with those head coaches, most of their staffs will likely be out of a job, too. Rough day. How Jim Schwartz and Rex Ryan can survive their debacles I have no idea.

5. Nose diving out of it. The Bears started the season 7-1, the Giants got out to a 6-2 start, and the Steelers were at a comfortable 6-3, and none of the above made the playoffs. Both the Bears’ and Steelers’ swoons coincided with their quarterbacks getting knocked out, but while both Jay Cutler and Big Ben were able to finish the season neither was effective in their returns. As for the Giants, they have no excuses at all. At least their rings are still shiny.

(honorable mention headlines: Romo chokes again, Hail to the Redskins, Peyton's good season, Calvin Johnson sets the receiving record, Texans and Ravens limping in)

a Nets fan happy with the coaching change

After another ugly loss to Milwaukee, the Nets' tenth loss of December, Avery Johnson was finally "relieved of his coaching duties." Most of the attention and blame has been directed at Deron Williams. I don't agree. In fact, I thought this coaching change came late enough.

Avery Johnson is not a great coach and he was underachieving with the Nets. His record with New Jersey/Brooklyn was 60-116. You want to point at his record in Dallas? Then remember that he lost three straight playoff series, including 2007 when a 67-win Mavs team got blown out by the Golden State Warriors. He was fired because he couldn't get his team to play to their best potential. And this season he was given a lot of talent but he doesn’t get the most out of his players. It was not working.

Deron Williams did not force Avery out. This was an ownership move. Deron Williams has certainly played poorly and is having a bad season. But so are Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries. They are all having the worst seasons of their careers. I like the guys on the bench, but C.J. Watson, Keith Bogans, and MarShon Brooks are not being used effectively or playing effectively, either. So what is the coach doing? All Deron Williams said was that he was having a hard time adjusting to the current system. Is that so heinous? Everybody on the team can say the same thing!

Gerald Wallace has called out his teammates, saying “guys are content with the situation that we are in, and I’m **** pissed off about losing, especially losing the way we are losing.” Kris Humphries was benched and didn't even get off the bench, even before he got hurt. Yet D-Will is the reason Avery Johnson was fired. Gimme a break.

The Nets have been the slowest-paced team in the league. The majority of their offense is isolations. That's fine if you have LeBron, Durant or Kobe. But that doesn't fit the players on the Nets. It shouldn't be a surprise that D-Will enjoyed and thrived in a "system offense" like Jerry Sloan's Jazz. So what is Avery Johnson doing about that? The defense has been bad, especially in December. And two things that surprise Nets fans the most is how they have lost. They get outplayed in the third quarter every single game. Isn't halftime when coaching adjustments are supposed to happen? Johnson gets outcoached every night. And on top of that, not unrelated, the Nets have lost four straight games in which they had a double digit lead. That is pathetic.

Brooklyn is starting new; new home, new logo, new players. They have plenty of talent on the team and an owner who is anxious to spend money to make his team better. Avery Johnson has done nothing to impress during his time with the Nets, and while the season hasn't even made it to New Years, it’s as good a time as ever to make a change.

And you know what, it’s not just about this season. I’m thinking about next season and the year after that. That’s been my stance ever since they moved to Brooklyn and got all these players. In a conference with the Miami Heat, the Nets won’t the Finals this year anyway. So they might as well finish putting the pieces together now to make a serious run for the next several years. That includes bringing in a head coach that can bring them up a level.

I thought this was the right move. The season is still salvageable. The Nets have enough talent to be a #3-5 seed in a weak Eastern Conference. They have been underachieving. But getting the right guy in can also prepare them for the upcoming seasons. Look at the difference in the Knicks with Mike Woodson instead of Mike D'Antoni. But unlike the Knicks who with all the age on their roster are built for now now now, the Nets have potential to contend for several more years.

I expect them to even win a playoff series this year. I know I've said a lot about "talent" and "potential." Of course, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson will have to play better than they have. Let's hope a new sheriff in town can make it work.

changing of the guard

On Saturday night I was glancing at the NBA standings. It was pretty shocking. Lakers, Mavericks and Suns are all on the bottom half of the conference while the typical punching bags of my youth (Clippers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Warriors) are suddenly powers of the West. Seems like the league has turned upside down. So I dug a little deeper.

I know it's still relatively early in the season. We haven't even hit the new year. But the comparison is remarkable, and especially not just in the West.

(Click the picture, open in a new tab/window for a reference)

Of the seven teams outside the playoffs in the East five years ago, six find themselves on the right side now. And in the West, five of the seven would be playing postseason basketball. When I was thinking about this on Saturday night, Portland was 13-12 (.520) and Denver was 15-14 (.517), so that would tip the Blazers up and even things at six for both conferences. Only the Kings and Bobcats are left out of the fun.

And not only that. The Sonics-turned-Thunder and the Heat have gone from bottom to top in their respective conferences, and the Knicks have gone from second-worst to second-best. Of course, the Spurs continue to be the epitome of consistency in all of sports, staying in the #3 hole. In fact, San Antonio has missed the playoffs only one time since 1989, and that one year off year gave them Tim Duncan.

It is hard to believe that the Miami Heat only won 15 games in 2007-08. Dwayne Wade missed much of the season. And the following NBA draft they chose Michael Beasley. Imagine how they would be had they selected Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, or Brook Lopez.

So that's your daily NBA fun fact. Sports are usually cyclical. Especially in the NBA, where the superstars start with terrible teams. The recent new bargaining agreement changes also played a big role. Luck in the draft certainly helps. But seriously, twelve of fourteen teams outside of the playoffs find themselves firmly in the picture five years later! In the sport that is rumored to have the least amount of parity, it may just have the most!

Following up in the NFL

A couple days ago I wrote a spot addressing the five most important players to keep an eye on this Sunday: Peterson, Romo, Roethlisberger, the Giants d-line, and Russell Wilson. Here's how it all played out.

Adrian Peterson may not have set the rushing record, but he did do a lot of damage and took all the defensive attention, allowing Christian Ponder to have his first effective game since November 11 as the Vikings went into Houston and destroyed the 12-2 Texans. All Day had three 20+ yard carries in the game, putting the Vikings on the brink of a surprising playoff berth. One more game to go and Peterson should still be the favorite to win MVP. Grade = A-

Tony Romo’s numbers were impressive, 416 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions. He threw a game-tying touchdown pass on fourth down with fifteen seconds left to send the game into overtime. Romo had a great game. But the defense did not, yielding 562 yards and 11 third down conversions. DeMarco Murray fumbled at the Cowboys five yard line. One way that Romo could have helped his team out more was on third down. After halftime Romo was 1 for 7 passing on third down with a sack. For the whole game the team was 2-10. But still, he did his job to help his team win but everyone else let him down. Grade = A-

Ben Roethlisberger’s first interception was returned for the Bengals’ only touchdown, and for the second game in a row, Big Ben got picked off late which set up the game-winning kick. Steelers only scored ten points in a must-win game. Maybe he should have sat out a few more games; the Steelers lost three in a row since he came back. Grade = F

Giants defensive line: Justin Tuck didn’t even dress, Chris Canty spent the second half on the sideline, Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora were non-factors, and Mathias Kiwanuka’s team-leading one sack happened in the fourth quarter of a 30-7 game. The Ravens offensive line dominated the game, giving Joe Flacco his best game in seven weeks and getting practically no pressure. The Ravens also rushed for 173 yards and at one point had outgained the Giants 531-121. This area that is supposed to be the G-Men’s strongest point is exposing the entire defense. Grade = F

Russell Wilson, what can you say? Wilson tore up one of the league’s best defenses. Just look at the numbers: 15 of 21 passing for 171 yards, four touchdowns, six effective carries, and 42 points. He converted 11 of 12 third down opportunities against the best third down defense. That is a mind-boggling number. And like Foxborough for Colin Kaepernick last week, it was pouring rain in Seattle. This was one of the most impressive performances of the year, and if I had a vote for Offensive Rookie of the Year, it would go to Wilson. Grade = A+

5 players to watch out for on Sunday

With five playoff spots still up for grabs there is still so much on the line. Along with teams battling, people playing for their jobs, and with records in sight, these are the five individual players that are under the most pressure and deserve the most attention this weekend.

1. Adrian Peterson (Vikings at Texans)

Duh. All Day is having one of the greatest seasons ever for a running back.

a) Right now he has rushed for 1,812 yards, 294 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s NFL record with two games to go. But that’s not even close to the whole story.
b) He has a 433 yard lead over the NFL’s second leading rusher.
c) AP is doing it on a team with a bad quarterback and no other help on offense. He is the complete focal point of the opposing defenses, which stack eight or nine guys in the box to stop him. And they can’t!
d) This is in a league where passing has become king. Consider this: last season there were three 5,000 yards passers. There was one in the entire history of the NFL before that. And this is the time that he may break the record. He is beating the system.
e) Over the last 8 games, AP has rushed for 300 yards more than his quarterback has passed for. Consider that Arian Foster (fourth in rushing with over 1300 yards) has been outgained by his quarterback by over 2,200 yards.
f) Calvin Johnson will likely break the receiving record, but unlike Megatron’s Lions, the Vikings are actually winning games! They currently stand at 8-6 and hold the last Wild Card spot.
g) All this is coming after Christmas Eve 2011 where he tore his ACL and MCL, an injury that typically takes a running back a couple years to come back from effectively, if at all. He came back in 9 months.

AP must continue to be insanely productive to break the record or for Minnesota to make the playoffs. They have a tough schedule ahead, especially facing a Texans team with a very strong defense led by fellow MVP candidate J.J. Watt. He has certainly been reading the news and knows that AP is coming to town. He would like nothing better than to shut him down. The Texans are playing for home field advantage throughout the playoffs, so this is an important game for them, too. If AP has another big game in Houston, he could lock up the MVP.

2. Tony Romo (Cowboys vs. Saints)

Did you know that Tony Romo is third, only 7 yards behind Tom Brady for second most passing yards in the NFL? The Cowboys traditionally have their annual collapse in December, but Romo has led them to a 3-0 month, including big come-from-behind wins over the Bengals and Steelers. Dallas is 8-6, tied with the Giants and Redskins for first in the East, so this is obviously a crucial game for Big D. They are hosting a Saints defense that is ranked 31st in passing and two games under .500, yet they shut out the Buccaneers a week ago. This is Romo’s chance to win when it counts, with a game in Washington to follow.

3. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers vs. Bengals)

Big Ben has been to three Super Bowls, winning two, and a better pressure-beating quarterback there may not be. Right now his Steelers are in a must-win game against the rival Bengals for the last playoff spot in the AFC. Big Ben is still recovering from a dangerous rib injury along with an injury to his throwing shoulder, and fortunately his offensive line has given him lots of time the last couple weeks to complete passes. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh lost both of those games. Especially with an unpredictable running game, the Steelers success rests on Roethlisberger and this is a game they must win.

4. Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Canty (Giants at Ravens)

The Giants won a championship last year because of their historically dominant pass rush. This year the team has really struggled, mainly because the defensive line has not done their job. JPP and Tuck have been hampered by injuries but at this point in the season, nobody cares. Even the Buffalo Bills have more sacks than the Giants, who are 16th. On the flip side, the Ravens have struggled to protect Joe Flacco and their offensive line is really hurting so this is an opportunity to right the ship in time for the playoffs. After meltdowns against the Falcons, Bengals and Redskins, the Giants must win now if they expect to defend their Super Bowl.

5. Russell Wilson (Seahawks vs. 49ers)

Since the 49ers host the terrible Cardinals next week, this game probably won’t determine the NFC West title. But this is still a game that will make or break Russell Wilson’s Offensive Rookie of the Year aspirations. He has largely been overshadowed by RG3 and Andrew Luck, but Wilson’s season has been no less outstanding. The Seahawks have stayed in every game, never losing by more than 7 points, and Russell Wilson plays pretty mistake-free. Wilson’s worst game came against the 49ers in October. Since then he has thrown 13 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions and the ‘Hawks have won five of their last six. The Seahawks look like a very complete team, capable of make a Super Bowl run. The only question is this young quarterback. A big game against the 49ers will alleviate doubts, avenge that loss in San Francisco, establish the Seahawks as a legitimate title contender, and launch Wilson to the spotlight. Or expose him as a rookie third round quarterback yet to win a big game. Colin Kaepernick also has a lot to prove, but he shined against the Patriots; this time the Sunday Night Football spotlight is on Wilson.

Yankees miss out; looking like last guests to the party

There is a report that catcher A.J. Pierzynski has agreed Thursday on a one-year deal to join the Texas Rangers.

There has been only one free agent (from another team) that I've been adamant about the Yankees going after this winter--this guy. A few weeks ago, Brian Cashman said that the Yankees would not pursue Pierzynski and they were preparing to play with Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart fighting for the starting catcher position. As if that makes any sense.

What's Cashman thinking? The Yankees couldn't offer A.J. a one or two year deal for $6 or 7 million? Even though they do sign a declining Kevin Youkilis for a ridiculous $12? In fact, among any of the significant players they did sign (Pettitte, Rivera, Kuroda, Ichiro, Youk) all of them were signed for over $10M, much more than A.J. was asking. And it's not like A.J. was dying to go to Texas. He felt slighted that Rangers' skipper Ron Washington left him off the All Star team during a well-deserved season. The Yankees could have gotten him easy.

They lost Swisher. Pierzynski is another fiery, energetic guy that could fill that void. He's durable, playing at least 128 games eleven straight seasons. He has hit at least .270 for five straight years with the White Sox. (Jorge Posada never had three in a row.) He's a career .300 hitter in the postseason (not Swisher). A.J. also hit 27 home runs in 2012, one less than most in the majors among catchers. He's no Mike Piazza, but he is a helluva lot better than Stewart and Cervelli.

Not only did the Yankees miss out on him, but he is going to Texas, one of the Yankees' toughest opponents. That's a double whammy for New York. I don't like the strategy of signing a player just to keep him away from a rival, but when you and the team that has beat you to the World Series two of the last three years are both in need of a catcher, and there is just one legitimate catcher available, and the asking price is reasonable, what are you waiting for?

The Rangers have been losing key players (Napoli, Hamilton, Young) so there was a chance this was one less team the Bronx Bombers would have to worry about. But after losing the top hitting free agent catcher they are able to sign the number two. Not too bad.

A.J. is not my favorite human being. He is probably most well known for being punched in the face. And maybe Cashman just doesn't want to deal with another A.J. after Burnett. However, catcher is one of the toughest positions to fill and there are so few that provide anything on offense. This offseason the Yankees have let loose Russell Martin and watched as the Red Sox reeled in Mike Napoli and the Rangers grabbed Pierzynski.

Cervelli and Stewart offer nothing offensively or defensively. They should be contending for the backup job. It won't take long for the Yankees to realize that in a season where competition in the AL East is a lot tougher, lacking a legitimate catcher is costing them wins. And it's a shame because this guy would have given them a good boost.

2012 = not the year of the Jets

In case you missed it (you probably didn't): the Jets have finally been eliminated from postseason contention. Thus ends one of the most poorly-run calendar years in professional sports. It has really been amusing to follow because you could see it coming a mile away. Following is a time line of events for the 2012 New York Jets.

January 1
Despite rampant bravado about a Super Bowl, Jets finish the regular season losing their final three games, including one to the local rival Giants and the final to the division rival Dolphins. A single win from any of those would have been a playoff birth. “Team Captain” Santonio Holmes quit on the team, and Rex Ryan admitted he had lost the pulse of the locker room.

January 10-11
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is essentially fired, becoming the scapegoat for the team’s offensive woes. Tony Sparano replaces him.

In 2011 compared with the other NFL quarterbacks, Sanchez ranked 22 in yards per game, 23 in passer rating, 27 in yards per attempt, 28 in completion percentage, 30 in Total QBR, and #1 in most turnovers.

March 9
Yet after a year of regression, the Jets give Mark Sanchez a three-year contract extension, including $20 million in guarantees, instead of pursuing the available Peyton Manning.

March 21
Less than two weeks later, the Jets trade for Tim Tebow.

April 26
Jets trade up to draft Stephen Hill to make up for losing Plaxico Burress.

July
Jets say they are implementing a two-quarterback system, with 15-20 plays a game specifically designed for Tim Tebow.

July 31
Antonio Cromartie says he ranks himself as the second-best wide receiver on the team. (He’s a defensive cornerback and has never even played receiver.)

August 7
Jets players break out in fights during practice for the second day in a row.

August 13
Jets have top-secret practice to work on plays for the Tim Tebow offense.

August 30
Jets finish preseason 0-4, go their first three preseason games without scoring a touchdown, becoming the first team in 35 years to do so. In the fourth game, Greg McElroy and the third stringers finally get them one.

Regular Season
Week 1
Jets “silence the critics” by dropping 48 points on the Bills. Taking advantage of 4 turnovers and torching a defense that would have a record four games allowing 45+ points, Jets give illusion that they are actually competent on offense.

Week 2
Jets follow up win in opener with an embarrassing 27-10 loss in Pittsburgh, where they go scoreless in their final 9 possessions.

Week 3
Jets beat the Dolphins in overtime. In OT, the Dolphins missed a field goal (second of the game) and blocked a Jets field goal, but the Jets got another try because a timeout was called. Darrelle Revis gets hurt and is out for the year.

Week 4
49ers shut out the Jets 34-0. Sanchez goes 13-29 for 103 yards and Santonio Holmes gets hurt and is out for the rest of the year.

Week 5
Jets lose to Texans 23-17. Mark Sanchez throws an interception in the red zone with 20 seconds left in the first half, and then throws another after the two minute warning in the fourth quarter with the Jets down by 6 points. Sanchez finishes 14-31, his fourth straight game completing less than half his passes.

Week 6
Jets blast the Colts 35-9. Sanchez passes for 82 yards with two touchdowns while Shonn Greene runs for a career-best 161 yards and three touchdowns. Rex Ryan says, “We want to be a team no one wants to play, and we’re on our way.”

Week 7
Jets lose in overtime to the Patriots 29-26. The Jets kick a field goal with 2:06 left to tie the game, and on the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots fumble and Jets recover at the 18 yard line. The Jets are only able to run 24 seconds off the clock and after Sanchez is sacked on third down, they kick a 43-yard field goal. Tom Brady leads the Patriots down field for a game-tying field goal. In overtime, after the Patriots kick another field goal, the game ends when Mark Sanchez is sacked and fumbles.

Week 8
Jets lose to the Dolphins 30-9, despite Miami losing their starting quarterback early in the first quarter. Dolphins led 20-0 at halftime.

Week 10
Coming off a bye week, the Jets fail to score a touchdown on offense, losing 28-7 to the Seahawks. Sanchez passes for 9 of 22 for 124 yards and two turnovers.

Week 11
Jets have an impressive and efficient win over the Rams 27-13. Says Sanchez: “We can become a team that just doesn’t turn the ball over. That could be our identity, if you want it and if you work at it.”

Week 12
On Thanksgiving night with the whole world watching, the Jets put on one of the most embarrassing performances in NFL history as the Patriots go up 35-0 in the second quarter, en route to a 49-19 win. The Patriots scored three touchdowns in 53 seconds. Included in that, coming off a timeout, is the play where Mark Sanchez and the running back botch a hand off, Sanchez runs into his own offensive lineman, drops the ball and the Patriots run it in. What they were talking about during the timeout I have no idea. Jets finish with 5 turnovers, and Mark Sanchez played the whole game.

Week 13
Playing a Cardinals team that had lost 8 in a row, went 0-15 on third downs and gained only 137 yards of offense, Mark Sanchez throws 3 interceptions before getting benched in the second half with the Cardinals winning 3-0. Greg McElroy came in and led the Jets on a touchdown drive that won the game 7-6.

Week 14
Mark Sanchez remains the starter, Greg McElroy is deactivated for the game, and the Jets defeat the 2-10 (now 2-11) Jaguars 17-10. Relying on the ground game with Bilal Powell and Shonn Greene, Sanchez threw for 111 yards. The win moved the Jets to 6-7 and mathematically still have a shot for the playoffs as long as they win their remaining games against weak opponents.

Week 15, December 17 (Monday)
Mark Sanchez remains the starter in the must-win game against the 4-9 Titans, one of the worst defenses in the NFL, on Monday Night Football. Greg McElroy wasn’t in uniform. Rex Ryan said that they planned to use Tim Tebow for the third offensive drive, “no matter what.” And they did, even though Sanchez was 3-3 the previous drive. Trailing 14-10 with 47 seconds to go, the Jets got the ball at the Titans 25 yard line after a 19 yard punt. On the first play, Mark Sanchez fumbles the snap, the Titans recover and the game over. The fumble was the 5th turnover of the game for Sanchez, including one on each of the final three possessions of the game. Hard to believe, but the actual game film is worse than this description.

December 19 (Wednesday)
Rex Ryan announces that Greg McElroy will be the starting quarterback in their next game.

December 20 (Thursday)
Jets reveal that they will explore trading both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow after the season.

In 2012, Mark Sanchez is ranked 30 in yards per game, 30 in yards per attempt, 32 in completion percentage, 33 in passer rating, 36 in Total QBR, and #1 in most turnovers.

Come on, Tim Tebow couldn’t even play that poorly.

The entire year has been like witnessing a terrible car accident unfold; watching a wreckless driver heading full steam off the side of a cliff. Not one move the Jets made this year made sense. In the offseason they threw more money at a below-average starting quarterback, immediately traded for a controversial backup and pledged a significant share of the snaps. When the starter struggled mightily in game, Rex Ryan replaced him with a third quarterback, who actually had success. The next two games that third quarterback didn’t even dress. Despite the fact that Sanchez was the worst starting quarterback in the whole league, Ryan stuck with him for 14 games. And now when their season is officially failed, he doesn’t even give the ball to the backup, Tebow, he goes with the #3 guy McElroy. Why they got Tim Tebow in the first place I have no idea.

And it’s not just the decisions that are backfiring. New York is struggling at the fundamentals of the game—hiking the football, handing off, protecting the ball on kick returns, punt block protection, and a litany of bad throws that are thrown off the back foot off line into double and triple coverage. Says Trent Dilfer: “This is dysfunction at its highest level in the National Football League.”

why trading Dickey was the right move for the Mets

Trading your ace right after he won 20 games and the Cy Young award is never a popular move. But for the Mets, this was a great trade. Below are 5 reasons why, as well as why this was good for the Jays and Dickey himself.

1. First off, the Mets are rebuilding. They are not contending in 2013, with Dickey or without him. With him, best case scenario they win 83 games. They are in rebuild mode. Do you rebuild with a 38-year old knuckleballer? The Mets are preparing for 2014 (more accurately 2015) and beyond, and Dickey doesn't fit in that plan.

2. The said 38-year old knuckleballer wants and deserves a new contract extension with a big raise. The Mets have been trying to shed payroll for a couple years now. Should a rebuilding team trying to shed payroll extend and raise a 38-year old pitcher?

3. If the Mets didn’t do anything with Dickey now then he would be gone after 2013 anyway with nothing in return. Right now his trade value is the highest it will ever be.

4. The Mets hate Josh Thole but don’t have any other catcher to use. Now they have a solid starting catcher AND the best catching prospect in the league. They also landed a 20-year old pitching prospect with (according to ESPN’s Buster Olney) potential to be a future front-line starter. For a team like the Mets, you couldn’t have asked for more.

5. This trade is a way for the Mets to reward R.A. Dickey for an incredible season (really, three outstanding seasons) and do so in a way that doesn’t cripple the team or skew its direction. (Joe Mauer and the Twins, anyone?)

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays gave up an extra catcher to get another front of the rotation starter. They already have J.P. Arencibia, a young catcher with great power. Might as well get an actual backup (Thole) and uprade pitching. Besides, John Buck played a total of 0 games for Toronto.

The Jays are looking to win now. In a season where the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays will likely be vulnerable, Toronto sees the one great chance to compete they haven’t had in two decades. They have five excellent starting pitchers (Dickey, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero) with an excellent hitting team to support them. They gave up a lot, but they are a better team than they were a week ago. There should be no doubt that the Jays have the best team in the division.

And obviously, the trade is great for R.A. Dickey. The 38-year old is obviously just a few years away from the end of his career. And now a season after he picked up the hardware, he gets paid ($30 million the next three seasons) and he is on a team that has a legitimate shot at a championship.

This won’t be a popular move for the local New York fans and attendance at Citi Field will likely slump again. But it is a great trade for all parties involved: the Mets get a starting catcher, great hitting catcher prospect, pitching prospect, and financial flexibility. The Jays get a great veteran pitcher who can help them win now. And R.A. Dickey gets money and a chance to win. The only group that should be disappointed is the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles and Rays, as already-stiff competition just got a little tougher.

what did they work on in practice?

While the Knicks were destroying the Lakers Thursday night, some of you may not have realized there was a football game going on between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Phumbles.

It was not a pretty game. There’s no way to even pretend it was. I hope you didn’t watch it. Especially if you were an Eagles fan.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Eagles actually had the lead, 13-10. Here is the chronological sequence of their offensive plays, starting from a 2nd and 2 inside Bengals’ territory with 9:46 left in the third until 11:32 left in the fourth.

- Eagles 10 yard penalty
- Completed pass for 4 yard loss
- Eagles 5 yard penalty
- Handoff for 2 yard loss
- Punt

(next possession)
- Interception returned 44 yards (first play)

(next possession)
- Competed pass for 8 yards
- Nick Foles (Eagles QB) fumbles. Bengals returned it 25 yards for a touchdown

(next possession)
- Eagles penalty on kickoff, 1st down at the 9
- Completed pass, receiver fumbles to the Bengals

(next possession)
- Eagles fumble the kickoff, Bengals get it back

(next possession)
- Eagles penalty on kickoff, 1st down at the 9
- Nick Foles sacked
- Handoff for 1 yard gain
- Incomplete pass
- Punt

That translates to two positive plays (half of those being a one yard handoff) and 14 negative plays, including 4 turnovers within 6 plays. And by then the Bengals had quickly scored 24 points without breaking a sweat. Tough to get much uglier than that.

All this was after this great play from the first quarter.

A week after ending an 8-game losing streak, this? Fans were restless after Michael Vick turned the ball over a lot earlier in the season but that was nothing like Nick Foles’ group lately. Maybe Vick wasn’t so bad after all. Coach Andy Reid should be wearing a bag on his head. For a team that threw around the words “Dream Team” and “Dynasty,” this is the most embarrassing team I’ve seen in a while.

Well… a while being less than a week ago when the Cardinals were shut out 58-0.

Or… three weeks ago in the second quarter of the Jets debacle on Thanksgiving.

Gosh, there has sure been some bad football lately.

7 remaining games with huge playoff implications

Week 14 just finished and I know you are anxious for more football. There are just three weeks left in the NFL regular season and 11 teams are jockeying for 5 spots. The good news is there is too much uncertainty to guess right now. Here are the games that will shape the playoff picture that you will want to keep an eye on.

Week 15
- Vikings vs. Rams. Did you know that the Rams still have a shot at the playoffs, as do the Vikings? One of these teams will be out after this game.

- Giants vs. Falcons. Look, the Giants (8-5) have to beat either the Falcons or Ravens (Week 16) on the road. If all three teams (G-Men, Skins, Boys) finish 9-7, the Redskins win the division and the Giants miss out.

Week 16
- Bengals vs. Steelers. The two teams are tied for the last playoff spot. ‘Nuff said.

- 49ers vs. Seahawks. Seattle doesn’t lose at home. And if they can win this one, they win the division. And after that Golden simultaneous possession win over the Packers, they would even have a shot at a bye. On the flip side, 49ers could clinch a bye themselves.

Week 17
- Ravens vs. Bengals. Here’s the scenario for the Jets. New York should be able to handle the Titans, Chargers and Bills. If the Cowboys beat the Steelers next week, Bengals beat the Steelers in Week 16, and then the Ravens win this game (all very possible), the Jets are a Wild Card.

- Bears vs. Lions. In all likelihood, the Bears have to win to get in.

- Cowboys vs. Redskins. The winner has a good shot at either the division or wild card spot. And if the Redskins win, it will also virtually eliminate the Bears.

the eyes see more than W/L

A week ago all the voters on ESPN, CBS, Yahoo!, etc. most everywhere else put the Texans at #1 in their Power Rankings. They were 11-1, what choice did they have?

Look at their team. They seem so balanced; so strong in every position. Arian Foster = top level running back. Andre Johnson = top level receiver. J.J. Watt = pass rush specialist. Jonathan Joseph = top level cover man.

Watch the tape. The Texans got blown out at home on Sunday Night Football to the Packers, giving up 6 A-Rod touchdown passes. They were terrible in a win over the Bears. They gave up 37 points and got dragged to OT by the terrible Jaguars. They should have lost to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, had Jim Schwartz not made two bonehead coaching mistakes. And now on Monday Night Football, they got carved up by Tom Brady’s Patriots.

This is not a Super Bowl contending team. They are fools gold.

People point to injuries--Brian Cushing was obviously a crucial loss--but everybody’s dealing with injuries. Tom Brady was missing Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Who cares? Donte Stallworth, Shane Vareen, Brandon Lloyd, welcome to the show.

Gary Kubiak is a bad coach. He should have been fired years ago. Matt Schaub puts up tons of numbers compliments of one of the NFL’s best receivers and running backs, but he’s not a winner. And in the biggest moments and biggest games, they crumble.

The way the NFL is going, there is no doubt that it takes a great quarterback with a good coach to win a Super Bowl; smart leaders that come up big in the biggest moments. That would be Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, of course (they’ve won previously). I would add Philip Rivers (with a different coach), Tony Romo (with a different team), Matthew Stafford (with a different coach), Josh Freeman, and soon Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck. The 49ers with Alex Smith could probably win a Super Bowl. I do not include Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Jay Cutler, or Matt Schaub.

The Texans are still likely to get a bye and home field advantage in the playoffs. That can probably be viewed as a successful season. But they’ve been more lucky than good. They play their worst when the whole country is watching. They will still get beat in their first playoff game. And that is unfortunate for a team with so many great players.

Bears, Bucs, Bengals, and others leave fans scratching their heads

The college football cliché is “every game is a playoff game.” That’s not exactly true in the NFL. Things happen. Atlanta lost to the Saints and Panthers and will still get the #1 seed. Patriots lost to the Cardinals (who have now lost 9 in a row) and followed that up losing to the Ravens, but should still get a playoff bye. But if you blow too many chances, especially at this point in the season, you will end up watching the playoffs at home on TV.

Some teams came into the week and took care of business. Peyton Manning and the Broncos handled the Raiders with ease. The Giants dropped 52 on the Saints. Seattle put on a show for the home crowd with a 58-point victory, solidifying their playoff hopes. But it was crazy how many teams that needed a win simply wasted a soft spot in their schedule, blew a lead, and missed an opportunity to improve their postseason chances.

-- Buccaneers gave up a last-second touchdown from Nick Foles to end the Eagles 8-game losing streak. As the Seahawks, Redskins, Cowboys, and Vikings all won, the Bucs season is over. And it happened in a home game against one of the worst teams in the NFL.

-- Facing a slumping Christian Ponder and Percy Harvin-less Vikings, the Bears loaded the box but still couldn’t contain Adrian Peterson as they stumble again. After looking like a playoff lock they are now hanging on the verge of missing out after losing 4 of their last 5 games with a game against the Packers due next.

-- The first place Falcons got blown out by Cam Newton and the last place Panthers. However, since clinching the division last week, they still have a 2-game pad on home field advantage in the playoffs so they could afford a loss here.

-- The Steelers got Big Ben back but still got their butt kicked by a bad Chargers team. Despite stunning the Ravens with third-string quarterback Charlie Batch last week, four of Pittsburgh’s losses are to the Raiders, Titans, Browns and Chargers. And suddenly the terrible Jets emerge as a playoff possibility.

-- The Ravens knocked RG3 out of the game only to let Kirk Cousins lead a Redskins comeback.

-- Moments after seeing Pittsburgh and Baltimore go down, the Bengals blew a great opportunity at challenging for the division when they gave up a 9 point lead in the final 7 minutes at home to the Cowboys. Emotional or not, with the playoffs on the line you have to beat the Cowboys at home. They are now are back to the outside of the Wild Card picture looking in.

this is what Yankees fans have been afraid of for years

Time to panic.

It is still early December and Spring Training is months away. The Yankees are coming off a 95-win season in which they won the division. But there is no doubt that Yankee fans everywhere are getting more nervous every day.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” That’s not something you expect to hear from Brian Cashman, the GM of the New York Yankees, no matter the circumstances. But Hal Steinbrenner’s new wallet pinching strategy is coming at the worst possible time.

We have seen what Baltimore can do. After winning a wild card and defeating the Texas Rangers in the playoffs, they will be formidable again. The Blue Jays just reloaded and have put together the most talented roster in the division. And the Rays always contend.

So far the Yankees have signed three free agents, Hiroki Kuroda ($15M), Pettitte ($12M), and Rivera ($10M). That is $37M for three pitchers with a combined age of 121. They don’t have a catcher, third baseman, or right fielder. Actually, they don’t even have a designated hitter, either.

Cashman did not pursue an A-Rod trade with the Marlins, and now that opportunity is dead after Miami made their mega-deal. Now he is even more damaged goods and creates a massive hole.

With eyes set on resigning Eric Chavez or Jeff Kepinger, they got neither, as both signed with other teams on Wednesday. The front office has said there is no chance Nunez plays third base. That leaves… Bueller, Bueller?

Russell Martin is gone and that’s fine. But they are not going after A.J. Pierzynski, who would be the best fit for the team. Instead, Cashman says he is comfortable with Chris Stewart and Francisco Cervelli battling for the starting catcher. Not backup; Stewart or Cervelli for starting catcher for the New York Yankees. Jesus Montero would look really good in pinstripes right about now.

They made no effort at bringing back Nick Swisher and I don’t blame them. But now they missed out on Nate Schierholtz (signed Wednesday), and Ichiro is pissed off at the Yankees lack of attention.

Raul Ibanez is a Bronx Bomber hero, but for a guy turning 41 next summer, he can go back to Seattle.

So that means that the Yankees are losing Swisher, Chavez, Martin, and Ibanez, and Ichiro is probably gone, too. Alex Rodriguez, if he ever comes back, will probably not even play third base, and Derek Jeter (38) is coming off a broken ankle and the Daily News reports he is getting fat.

The most troubling aspect is the lack of effort to fill those gaps! I haven’t even heard of a deal offer made for any replacement. And players are flying off the shelves to other teams as we speak.

Update: I read now that the Yankees made an offer to Kevin Youkilis for $12M. Great, $12M for an older player with a bad back with diminishing numbers for three consecutive years. That sounds like par for the current course.

The bullpen is depending on a 43-year-old Rivera while the rotation depends on 40-year-old Andy Pettitte, 38-year-old Kuroda, and a 32-year-old, 300 pound Sabathia, who is averaging (including postseason) 250 innings pitched for the last six years and is coming off offseason arthroscopic elbow surgery.

Isn’t that enough fodder for panic?

And oh, by the way, there will be no new contract for Robinson Cano, the Yankees best player, who is headed for free agency after next season. Have fun bidding for that while trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold.

This is the dark area that the Yankees and their fans have been dreading yet building towards for the last five or six years, when their entire roster is old and mostly injured, the farm system is empty, and the front office is finally hesitant to spend money. While even the reference of the Yankees as “beggars” is laughable, it is also an indication of the precarious situation the team is in.