Thursday, August 28, 2008

Long Island Ducks Good Family Fun

I went to City Bank Park in Central Islip to see the Long Island Ducks play the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and I was pleasantly surprised by competitive Baseball played in a beautiful intimate ballpark. It helped that I was in a private skybox, compliments of my brother-in-law, right behind home plate, but even if not it would have been fine. It's a very enjoyable atmosphere that's clean, friendly, and reasonably priced (food,souvenirs,tickets). Nice to see some familiar faces in Coach First Base Coach and part Owner Bud Harrelson, previously Manager of the Mets. As well as Pete Rose's son P..J Rose in the infield. All in all a nice place to see a Baseball game. I'd definitely go again. The Ducks won the game 4 to 1 also. Hey, it beats watching the Mets try to lose a 6 or 7 point lead in the closing innings from the side of my couch at home. There's grass on the infield, Play Ball!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Giants Lose Much More Than Game To Jets

The loss of Osi Umenyiora in an exhibition game against the NY Jets is a big blow to the NY Giants Defense. In a Preseason game that received much New York media focus on the Brett Favre Craze, Giants DE Omenyiora went down with a torn lateral meniscus in the second quarter while pursuing Favre, leaving the Giants with a monumental hole to fill on the Defensive Line for the season. Michael Strahan, retired and settled into his Fox television job, most likely will not come back. So the Giants are forced to cover for Omenyiora from within right now, with the most likely scenario of replacing him with Dave Tollefson or moving LB Mathias Kiwanuka back to his natural DE position. The second of which could be done easily due to the Giants depth at the Linebacker position. Only time will tell (of which they have little of) what the Giants will do to replace Omenyiora for the season. I say they shouldn't bother with Strahan, who might not be interested anyway. It's a chance to see if Tollefson can step up and play a bigger role than planned in this talented Giants defense. If Tollefson doesn't work out there, then go to Kiwanuka. In the meantime you still have Justin Tuck on the line to provide pressure on opposing QB's. I think Tom Coughlin will rise to the occasion and find a good solution to filling the gaping hole left by the loss of a key Pro Bowl player on Defense.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

New York Jets Leaving Hofstra

I'm pretty bummed that the New York Jets are not gonna practice any more at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY just a short ride up Hempstead Turnpike for me. I've been spoiled with the NFL New York Jets practicing a few miles away most of my life. I've taken the opportunity to attend practice a few times every year for as long as I can remember. I took my daughter, five years old at the time, to practice two years ago and we were steps away from Curtis Martin, a living legend. There was nothing but a little fence seperating us. It absolutely left a lasting impression on my now seven year old. She still says to me "I miss Curtis, Daddy". I was there when Bill Parcells brought Vinny Testeverde back to New York. I watched the ageless Testeverde toss passes to Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet while Parcells barked sarcastically at them. I went this year in the rain to the annual Green vs White Game before they released Pennington. I would have gone to see Brett Favre practice with his new team over the last two weeks but it's been too much of a zoo over there for me to deal with the hysteria.

It's kind of sad, though, that the NY Jets will be severing their last ties to New York. I mean they now practice and play in New Jersey. Why not just change their name to the New Jersey Jets. We could call them the Joisey Jets. Ehhh! What-a-ya-gonna-do? I'll still be a Jets fan. I'm smitten for life. I guess if I want to see the Jets practice next year I'll have to spend my $5.00 a Gallon on gas and head over the George Washington Bridge in bumper to bumper traffic just to get a peek. I don't think I'll be doing that too often. Oh well, thanks for allot of great memories Jets. I hope you like your new facility in Jersey.

Jets Practice at Hofstra July o7

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

NY Giants and Hixon Look Like Champs

In the New York Giants second preseason game Monday night at The Meadowlands against the Cleveland Browns WR Domenik Hixon and the Giants looked like the Champs they are. Hixon, in the absence of Plaxico Buress and Amani Toomer, hooked up with Eli Manning for two Touchdown catches and returned a Free Kick for another, all in the first half! Andre Ware was the highlight of the second half, rushing for 97 Yards on 10 Carries, and had 117 Yards on 3 Kickoff Returns.

But the good news for the Giants is that Eli Manning actually looked sharp in the preseason when he usually looks wishy washy. He's got a new confidence and swagger about him, finally starting his season off as a proven success in the NFL. Maybe he'll carry it in to the regular season and have a landmark year. You can only hope as a New York fan that he plays consistantly at that level for the whole year. If he does I can easily see the Giants going all the way again. And thats coming from a New York Jets fan.


What do You think?



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Monday, August 18, 2008

Congratulations Michael Phelps Your No Mark Spitz

Congratulations Michael Phelps on winning Eight Gold Medals, one more than even Mark Spitz took home from Munich in 1972! Who thought we'd see that record broken in this lifetime? Not me. I remember watching those Summer Olympics in 72, when I was seven years old, with the rest of the world. It made such a lasting impression on me that I never forgot Spitz' name, and never will. But move over Mark Spitz, there's a new hero in town! His name is Michael Phelps. And not only did he break your record, but he's a much more personable, friendly, sportsman than you were in your day. You were almost considered arrogant by your swimming teammates and athletes in Munich in 72. But you do deserve plenty of credit for winning those seven Gold Medals and providing motivation for a generation of swimmers after you, including Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps your a class act who will not only earn the big bucks in promotions, but also be a great ambassador for the sport of Swimming. Because of you little boys and girls all across America, and all over the world, are dreamming of breaking your record of 8, as you did one day. Maybe it'll take another 36 years to do; or maybe it will never happen. Who knows? Congratulations and Thank You Michael Phelps. You've been a pleasure to watch.



Photo:Paul Newberry AP

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Brett Favre Debut's With NY Jets

So the iconic superstar Brett Favre started his first New York Jets game, and most likely the last chapter of an incredible NFL career. NY Jets fans act as though The Jets need only pick up their Superbowl rings and go home for the offseason. Although I'm a lifelong Jets fan and usually at this time of the preseason proclaim "This year we're going all the way", I'll reserve my opinion for a while. There's got to be a reason why the Green Bay Packers let him slip away for a no name quarterback like What's His Name! I do admit that along with Favre comes lots of excitement, personality, talent, armstrength, and a winning attitude which comes from....well winning!

Don't get me wrong. I've always rooted for Brett Favre. There's something magical about him. Not only that, but the Packers wear green and gold and those were my High School colors (Lynbrook,NY). So, historically, as soon as the Jet's were out of the Playoff race, which was most years, I would root for Green Bay. Last year I rooted against them in the Championship Game because I liked The NY Giants for a change. You know; that whole underdog thing, and they are from New York!

I think The New York Jets do have a good chance of going to the NFL Playoffs this year, and I think Brett Favre puts them in a better position to get there. He's not the savior though. There are ten other guys on the offense and a whole defense and special teams too. So lets not jump too fast on this bandwagon. Give The Jets a few games (regular season games) before we annoint them Superbowl winners (or Playoff worthy for that matter). And even if they do well this season; who's to say they wouldn't have done well with Chad Pennington at the helm? Or Kellen Clemens for that matter?

"This year we're going all the way"

J.E.T.S. Bretts, Bretts, Bretts!!!!

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