NFL: My focus for this week is on Eli Manning and the New York Football Giants. Not only am I concerned about the offensive production as a whole, but Eli Manning has posted some dismal performances in recent games. Eli has not thrown a TD in two weeks, and his leading target in Victor Cruz only has only 7 catches for 90 yards in the previous two games combined. Granted, they are 6-3 and look like they have the NFC East division by their grip. But, history tells us that this Giants team will disappoint in November. Eli Manning is 13-18 in November in his eight-and-a-half year career, and the Giants are 27-38 in the second half of seasons with Tom Coughlin. Yes, the Giants SHOULD be able to beat a reeling Cincinnati Bengals team, and I am sure Coach Coughlin was ripping into these guys the second the buzzer went off against the Steelers last Sunday. “I’m trying not to talk about it,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said about a possible second half collapse for Big Blue, “But you just can’t hide it. It’s been there.”
MLB: Mets fans…REJOICE! The Jason Bay era has ended in New York for the Mets, bringing an conclusion to disappointing three-year tenure. Bay signed a four-year, $66 million contractin 2010, but the Mets bought him out and made him an unconditional free agent.There is no possible way that one looks at this move by the Mets and says it isthe wrong decision by GM Sandy Alderson. Although the Mets still owe Bay around $21 million due to the buyout, this gives the Mets a lot of flexibility. Now, the Mets have more money in their pocket to try and get contracts worked out with David Wright and others. I am a Yankee fan, and I truly think we areseeing a changing of systems here with the Mets. Last year’s inadequate finish to the season shouldn’t make Mets fans remember this year necessarily, but they did have R.A. Dickey’s 20 wins and Johan Santana pitching his no-hitter along with the team starting off the year hot. But, the bottom line is that I look at this move and give itan A+ rating because it makes all the sense in the world. “Jason has atremendous work ethic. There was never any question about it,” said Metsgeneral manager Sandy Alderson in a statement. “Unfortunately, the results weren't there and we are in a results-oriented business. We thank Jason forhis efforts and wish him well.”
NBA: Well, nobody said it was going to be easy. The Brooklyn Nets were absolutely annihilated in South Beach on Wednesday in a 103-73 loss against the defending world champions Miami Heat. The Nets fall to 1-2 on the season while the Heat propel to a 4-0 startat home – a franchise record. The story line of this game was the performance by “the Big Two” in Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. Wade finished with 22 points and 10 for 14 shooting, while James recorded 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. He was two dimes short of his 33rd regular-season triple-double in his career. While the Nets did play well early, their point production was embarrassing. Deron Williams scored 14 points, but only two other players had more than 10 points on the night. While this Nets team did lose to an impressive Miami Heats quadron, there is reason for some concern in terms of putting the ball in the hoop and playing defense. Where is Joe Johnson? He scored nine points on 4 of 14 shooting – unacceptable! Kris Humphries had a double-double at halftime, but finished with only 11 points and 11 rebounds! Brook Lopez? 8 points. It was really MarShon Brooks and Deron Williams holding up the load for Brooklyn. And their defense? Without Gerald Wallace (foot injury), this team has no defensive presence to speak of. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade went wild, and even Rashard Lewis scored 13 points. Now, the Nets have to regroup as they go down to Orlando to play the Magic in the beginning of a home-and-home between the two clubs. “Wallace is improving,” Nets coach Avery Johnson said, “but not improving at a rate where he could play in games."
*** Note: ATBC is a newly published, weekly column that will be featured on Sports With 3. In the column, Jinx Grand (@JGSportsTalk) will take you around the hot topics in New York sports. This is the first edition of ATBC (Around The Big City) and hopefully not the last!
MLB: Mets fans…REJOICE! The Jason Bay era has ended in New York for the Mets, bringing an conclusion to disappointing three-year tenure. Bay signed a four-year, $66 million contractin 2010, but the Mets bought him out and made him an unconditional free agent.There is no possible way that one looks at this move by the Mets and says it isthe wrong decision by GM Sandy Alderson. Although the Mets still owe Bay around $21 million due to the buyout, this gives the Mets a lot of flexibility. Now, the Mets have more money in their pocket to try and get contracts worked out with David Wright and others. I am a Yankee fan, and I truly think we areseeing a changing of systems here with the Mets. Last year’s inadequate finish to the season shouldn’t make Mets fans remember this year necessarily, but they did have R.A. Dickey’s 20 wins and Johan Santana pitching his no-hitter along with the team starting off the year hot. But, the bottom line is that I look at this move and give itan A+ rating because it makes all the sense in the world. “Jason has atremendous work ethic. There was never any question about it,” said Metsgeneral manager Sandy Alderson in a statement. “Unfortunately, the results weren't there and we are in a results-oriented business. We thank Jason forhis efforts and wish him well.”
NBA: Well, nobody said it was going to be easy. The Brooklyn Nets were absolutely annihilated in South Beach on Wednesday in a 103-73 loss against the defending world champions Miami Heat. The Nets fall to 1-2 on the season while the Heat propel to a 4-0 startat home – a franchise record. The story line of this game was the performance by “the Big Two” in Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. Wade finished with 22 points and 10 for 14 shooting, while James recorded 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. He was two dimes short of his 33rd regular-season triple-double in his career. While the Nets did play well early, their point production was embarrassing. Deron Williams scored 14 points, but only two other players had more than 10 points on the night. While this Nets team did lose to an impressive Miami Heats quadron, there is reason for some concern in terms of putting the ball in the hoop and playing defense. Where is Joe Johnson? He scored nine points on 4 of 14 shooting – unacceptable! Kris Humphries had a double-double at halftime, but finished with only 11 points and 11 rebounds! Brook Lopez? 8 points. It was really MarShon Brooks and Deron Williams holding up the load for Brooklyn. And their defense? Without Gerald Wallace (foot injury), this team has no defensive presence to speak of. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade went wild, and even Rashard Lewis scored 13 points. Now, the Nets have to regroup as they go down to Orlando to play the Magic in the beginning of a home-and-home between the two clubs. “Wallace is improving,” Nets coach Avery Johnson said, “but not improving at a rate where he could play in games."
*** Note: ATBC is a newly published, weekly column that will be featured on Sports With 3. In the column, Jinx Grand (@JGSportsTalk) will take you around the hot topics in New York sports. This is the first edition of ATBC (Around The Big City) and hopefully not the last!
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