5: Brandon Jacobs
All hail the new Brandozer in New York. At 6'4'' 260 pounds, Jacobs is learger than most linebackers and defensive ends. How are they to stop Jacobs once he starts barrelling into the line at full speed? According to Wikipedia, Jacobs has garnered several nicknames such as "The Beast", "The Monster", "Little Peanut", "The Bulldozer", "The Semi", "J-Truck", "J-Train", "Mr. Hightower", "The Juggernaut" and is often referred to as the "Biggest Running Back in Captivity". With nickname in hand, all Jacobs needs now are the results. Although the G-Men have an average offensive line in 2007, Jacobs is likely to make a huge impact. After his success in 2007, look for other teams to draft larger running backs like than Brandozer.
4: Team USA
The faux Dream Team just won first place in the FIBA qualifyer and seems pretty please with itself. Why not? Afterall, the team comprised of a starting five of Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, and Dwight Howard demolished its competition by an average of over 20 points a game. They must have felt like Billy Madison destoying the 3rd grade kids in dodgeball! But, it will take a lot more than this effort to compete in the Olympics. The USA team is still lacking in shooters and lacks the fundamentals to break down the international zone defense. The team does not fight for rebounds and plays more like an All-Star team than as a championship team.
Rather than this collection of All-Stars, the NBA would be better off sending the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. The players that make championship teams are composed of the likes of Bruce Bowen, Tayshawn Prince, and Chauncy Billups. These are players that play within a team concept and focus on defense. Yet, none of these players are likely to make the team. Unless Team USA starts embracing this idea and learn there is no "me" in Krzyzewski, it will be another embarrassing Olympics for the Americans.
3: Joba Chamberlain
This just in via smoke signal, "Chief" Chamberlain is the new Mariano Rivera. The Native American hurler with a 100 mph fastball has arrived in NYC and is a fan-favorite. Like Rivera, Chamberlain worked as a starter in the minors and began working the 8th inning for the 1996 World Championship team. Similarly, Chamberlain has taken over 8th inning duties for the Yankees in 2007 with the same fanfare. Although Chamberlain's workload is restricted by the "Joba Rules" where he is permitted to throw only every other day, his impact on the club has been immense.
Chamberlain is the new bridge to Mariano Rivera and thereby shortens the game to only 7 innings against Yankee opponents. Although the Yankee front office insists that Chamberlain will return as a starter in 2008, no one can deny that Rivera is 38 years young and will be a free agent after this season. Much like how Rivera took over for John Wettland, the "Chief" may be the next heir to closing duties in New York.
2: Byron Leftwich
In an incredible end to the journey of this former first round draft pick out of Marshall, Lord Byron has been given his walking papers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In an era where offensive lineman do not use proper technique and teams value quarterback mobility more than ever before, Leftwich became the statuesque black Drew Bledsoe.
Leftwich, although claiming to have fully recovered from the leg problems that plagued him ever since his famous injury at Marshall, still could not move in the pocket. And now, after an entire offseason and preseason, where Leftwich was the annointed starter, he has now been treated as if his value is less than the prize in a crackerjack box. In a stunning move, the Jaguars released Leftwich and received absolutely nothing in return other than wasted years and a confused franchise...
Why would Jack Del Rio announce that an injured Leftwich would be the starter in 2008 without a competition? Why would he waste giving Leftwich all the first-team reps in practice? Well, we don't have time to wait for rational explanations especially considering that Del Rio is the same genius who asked his players to literally "chop wood" in the locker room and then learned that one of his players was injured by a stray ax. Nevermind the fact that the closest thing the Jags had to a proven receiver for Leftwich to work with is named Dennis Northcutt, a cast-off from the 5-11 Cleveland Browns. Frankly, Lord Byron was in a no-win situation and he promptly did just that. My bet: Garrard takes over and is an average QB. The Jags go 8-8, again, miss the playoffs, and, after the season, Del Rio joins Leftwich in the trash heap...
1: Alex Rodriguez
As of September 1, 2007, there is exactly one player in major league baseball with over 40 homeruns. His name is Alex Rodriguez. In an era of rampant steriod allegations, his name has managed to remain clean. While other sluggers have demonstrated clearly reduced levels of production since full steroid testing went into effect in 2006 (See Adrian Beltre, Aramis Ramirez, Travis Hafner), A-Rod has improved.
Not surprisingly, Rodriguez has an "out clause" in his contract that permit him to walk away from the remaining $75 million on his deal with Texas and the Yankees, and become a Free Agent. Will he cash in? Well, he's not hitting 40 homeruns and stealing 20 bases for nothing, folks! As soon as this season ends, he'll be out like a fat kid in dodgeball. The man is extremely motivated and looking to receive a contract from the highest bidder. Potential suiters include: LA Angels, LA Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, and even the Boston Red Sox. A-Rod can play 3B and can even return to SS. If Barry Zito and Alfonso Soriano are getting $120 to $140 million, A-rod should break the bank at $250 million (again).
Even if the Yanks decide to put up the money, A-Rod's not coming back. Would you want to return to a place where the media watches you like a hawk, and, in their spare time, comes up with nicknames for you that derive off your name?? (Although, I have to admit, calling Rodriguez "Stray-Rod" after a picture of him with another woman landed on the front page of the Post was pretty funny). As much as Yankee fans hated A-rod during his tenure in NY, he's the best player in baseball and the fans will miss him incredibly next year when the Yanks have to turn to the likes of Wilson Betemit to replace the future Hall of Famer. In the meantime, watch him with amazement and laugh at those who actually passed over him during their fantasy drafts in April.
0 comments:
Post a Comment