Sunday, January 27, 2008

Pardon The Interruption

NY Post hockey beat writer Larry Brooks manages to be the one writer at that publication who raises my ire the most (more then Mushnick would ever hope to get from me). Why? Because he's a partisan NY Rangers, anti-NJ Devils fan and he writes like one. I can't believe the NY Post keeps this guy on payroll, because not one nice thing is ever said about the Devils, he overanalyzes line shifts by current Rangers head coach Tom Renney and every chance he gets he lobs a fastball at the Devils.
This happened again this Sunday, when he wined about the state of parity in the NHL in advance of tonight's all-star game. How teams now play to get to overtime to get that one point that the NHL awards even if you lose. And then he says, how else do you explain the Devils. Well, Larry..the standings today, show the Rangers have 6 OT losses and the Devils 3. Also, you take a swipe at the state of affairs on the Devils.
Well, having lost many key free agents in recent years, my favorite hockey team is still in first place and its because Martin Brodeur is once again the finest goaltender in the game. Absent a first rate defense, it looks like he is on his way to getting his most saves ever. (he has made 1166 saves so far this year and last year his 2,182 saves was the most in his career), is averaging 2.16 GAA and .919 save percentage. All amongst his best marks. Also, we've seen the rising of some news stars this year in Zach Parise and Travis Zajac and a fiery head coach in Brent Sutter. Whether this combination works in the end, we'll know more in April. For now, Mr. Brooks, your boring, boarish behavior and 1600 word columns need to go the way of Stephane Matteau, who's heartbreaking OT goal against the Devils in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals stands as the last great highlight that your Rangers will ever see (okay, I'll concede that um Stanley Cup win too).
Signed, this snobbish Devils fan.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Final Showdown at the Frozen Tundra

Am I getting caught up in the hype?
You bet I am. My fun-loving giants, who seem to lose players to injuries every week. Are back at at it again. With a Super Bowl shot on the line. In Lambeau Field vs. The Last Gunslinger. (and this is not Stephen King's gunslinger Roland, the protagonist of the Dark Tower anthology). Brett Favre has had his own tragedies and triumphs to fill a couple of novels in his 15 + years in the league.
But what's stood out is that he has done it in one place and united by one nation. The Green Bay Packers ties with their hometown go back to 1921. They play in the same stadium and are a true standardbearer for this league. Their road to redemption (two years after a 3-13 season and Brett's "certain retirement) are also an inspiring story.
Like I said last week kids, I've written way too much on my Giants these past few weeks. Its time to let the story unfold on the field.
I promise like I said last week, more on politics, entertainment and prose in the coming weeks.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Thanks Frr The Memories

Well unlike Fall Out Boy's not-so-memorable to one night stands, the Giants atleast have stuck around thru now 17 nights this season. Teasing us with the extraordinary and more often then not breaking our hearts with dropped passes and misreads. But in the last two games, this team has proven that its ready to rise above the muck and make a name for itself. BTW, PTI..while Brett Favre said yesterday on multiple occassions that he was ready for Dallas, he forgot that they hadn't played yet. Or was Brett, rather, subconscioulsy SCARED to face the Giants..Well anyways, getting back to the task at hand. The G-Men have a shot today and I think its because we drafted Ahmad Bradshaw in the seventh round. Honestly, the kid never saw a pass or rush thrown in his direction until the 11th week of the season. He has fresh legs, and he's actually pretty darn fast. I know the NFL will punish you for crimes and misdismeanors in College in the NFL draft, but I'm rather shocked no team took this kid as a fourth round draft choice. The Cowboys know everyone else on the Giants, except this kid. So I have a feeling like the Giants can win this game if they stick to a classic 1-2 rushing attack w/Jacobs and Ward and get Eli 20-25 passing attempts in play action.
This brings us back full circle to game 1 of the season. The Giants must still find a way to stop the passing attack of Romo, Owens, Witten and crew. But you know what, I think we'll have another ole fashioned shootout in D-Town and the Giants will not go down thrice to Dallas. As a backup though I did buy free tickets for Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, plus Carrie Underwood to attend the game. Not sure why that might be noteworthy here.
I assure you loyal readers, I will delve more into politics and prose next week or the week after, but I gotta see this through.