Yankees back in the postseason; Hughes has been a stud

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Yankees win, the Yankees win.

After blowing a five-run lead to the Angels last night, the Yankees came through with a run in the ninth inning against those pesky Angels and won, 6-5, and became the first team in MLB to clinch a berth in the postseason.

Say what you want about those Yankees -- insert joke here -- but they're fun to watch. They can beat you on the mound with CC Sabathia -- but there are question marks with A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain come playoff time -- and with a nasty offense, but what about that bullpen?

Everyone ripped the Yankees for not putting Chamberlain back in the 'pen when they started out the season like members of the Bad News Bears, but that bullpen has turned the corner and has been outstanding.

While we all know about future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, the biggest difference in this team is the emergence of youngster Phil Hughes.

Hughes was suppose to be the next Roger Clemens as a starter -- while we all agree he's not going to ever be Clemens, he could still have a very nice career as a starter in the future -- but he's becoming a lights-out reliever that every team covets in the crucial 7th and 8th innings.

Hughes has found his form, pumping it a 95-plus mph fastball with a cutter and downright filthy slider.

When he's called upon, he's done the job. And he's not pitching in garbage time, either. When he's toeing the rubber, it's an important spot in the game. It's hard not to be confident in this kid -- 3.04 ERA, 83 IP, 65 H, 28 BB, 90 K. He's been a much different pitcher, confidence included, since making the move into the bullpen after some bad early-season outings as a starter.

If Hughes didn't emerge as a late-inning stud, where would the Yankees be? Who knows, but he's been the main reason why nobody is questioning the bullpen anymore.

But can he do it in the playoffs? That's the next question to ask.

MLB: Pennant Races ho hum in 2009

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

This has got to be the most boring Pennant Race season in a long time. If you're a huge baseball fan, like myself, you're rooting hard for the Minnesota Twins to make the final week and a half of the baseball season exciting. Realistically, that is the only race that is left. The Yankees and Dodgers lead their division by 5 games, The Phillis by 8, Angels by 7.5 games, and the Cardinals by the widest margin of 10 games. Even the Wild Card race is pretty much over. The Red Sox lead the Rangers by 7 games and the Rockies are starting to pull away from the Giants with a 4 game lead.

What does this all mean? Well, it means that most playoff teams will be well rested. It will mean their starting rotations will be set up. It should mean the best team will win, but you never know. You still have to play the games. The Red Sox could have made the AL East race interesting if they didn't blow a huge lead against the lowly Royals last night. The Yanks lost, once again, to the Angels. A BoSox win would have brought them within 3 games in the loss column a few days before they head into the Bronx for a 3 game series. Of course, a Red Sox sweep this weekend would certainly make things interesting, but I just don't see that happening. Even if they take 2 of 3, they would still only game a game with one full week on the schedule remaining.

Personally, I can't wait to get to the playoffs. As a die hard Dodgers fan, I've been waiting for quite some time to start the postseason. I will, however, be watching the Twins & Tigers battle it out over the next week and a half.

I'm rooting for the Twinkies. What about you?

What's the matter with Tom Brady?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Who really thought that New England Patriots all-everything quarterback Tom Brady would be scuffling like he currently is?

Not me, that's for sure.

But no matter how much you love and respect what he's done in a Patriots uniform -- this is killing me to blog about this because Brady's by far my favorite current player in the NFL -- Brady hasn't been vintage Brady at all. He's not even near where he's been in previous seasons.

I'm hoping it's just that he's still trying to get his feel for the game down pat and timing with his receivers. Plus, coming off reconstructive knee surgery and only playing a portion of one game last year doesn't help, either, I know. But I really didn't think he'd be having such issues under center.

Realistically, the Patriots should be 0-2 and you can honestly point to Brady as a reason why they've struggled. Yes, even Tom Brady is human. 

Brady and the offense were sleeping -- bad passes, too many dropped balls, total slow motion on the offense's part -- for three quarters against Buffalo, but the Football Gods helped out the Patriots in the fourth quarter and they pulled off an incredible win. Brady was the reason for that win. In the second half, he was outstanding, firing two late TD strikes to tight end Ben Watson.

But Brady and that offense got right back into that funk against the trash-talking Jets. Boy, did coach Rex Ryan and his talking heads really shut the Pats up. The defense dialed up blitz after blitz. The Jets didn't get to Brady, but they hurried his throws all day and made him uncomfortable in the pocket. The rust of not playing much in the last year even showed when Brady was called for two delay of game penalties in the second half. That stuff just can't happen. I know he wants to audible into a new play and that's fine because I trust his decision-making more than my wife's driving, but get the snap off in time and save a 5-yard penalty. That's just a rookie mistake from a veteran QB. 

Look inside the numbers: 62-0f-100 passing for 594 yards and two TDs and two INTs with a QB rating of 76.8. 

That's not Tom Brady. Who is this, Shaun Hill? 

But I'm not counting him out for one second. While it might take a little more time than expected to get this offense clicking like it should be going -- not like two years ago because that type of season is a once-in-a-lifetime season -- I'm banking on this offense turning it around. 

The weapons they have makes that statement pretty easy to type. Even if Wes Welker misses more time -- boy was he rusty in that Buffalo game after missing training camp -- Brady has enough threats to carve defenses. Just think if the Patriots actually committed to the running game a little more. If they do, then the passing game with be pretty darn potent. 

So stay tuned. 

Brady doesn't like being average, so expect continued improvement from himself and the offense. 

The Pats will fix this problem. If not, coach Bill Belichick will make some changes.

If I hear the Pats shouldn't have traded Matt Cassel one more time, I think I'm going to puke. Brady is still the best QB in the NFL, are you doubting him?

Big mistake.

Jahvid Best is for real,but is the rest of the Pac-10?

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Let the Heisman talk begin.

Jahvid Best is the real deal. But is the rest of his team, or any other in the Pac-10?

To this point, California has to be considered the best looking team in the conference. With a 3-0 record, Cal has been a machine offensively. While it all starts with Best and his eight touchdowns, Kevin Reily has led an extremely efficient passing game for the Golden Bears, who have scored 20 touchdowns to start the season. Defensively, Cal has been as strong as they come, allowing just 13.7 points per game. But let's remember that these numbers have been put up against Maryland, Eastern Michigan and Minnesota.

Cal's next opponent, Oregon, was supposed to be a solid Top-25 team, but a Week 1 loss to Boise State and the resulting absence of LaGarrett Blount has been a major blow to the Ducks. They have won their next two, including knocking Utah out of the rankings, but when they take on the Golden Bears and win, you have to wonder whether or not the Ducks really are that good or if Cal rode their success against bad teams to a No. 6 ranking they don't deserve.

But perhaps the biggest team in this conversation has to be USC. Coming into this week, they were ranked as the No. 3 team in the nation. After this weekend and a monumental collapse against a Washington team that didn't win a game last year, they are ranked 12th and suddenly find themselves being doubted as able to win their own conference. Looking back at it, it marks the second week in a row the Trojans have sputtered offensively. You can blame Aaron Corp if you want, but even with Matt Barkley in, USC has played the most conservative offense seen by Pete Carroll in years. Perhaps he knows he doesn't have the talent level he's had in the past? Defensively, the Trojans still are tough to beat, but scoring 31 points over its last two games has to be alarming to Southern Cal.

That's not to say Washington hasn't been a quality team this season. They put up over 400 yards of offense against LSU, but lost, then manhandled Idaho before taking on USC. The real strength for this team has been the offense, led by Jake Locker. Against a team that has had trouble stopping teams on defense in Notre Dame next week, the Huskies could solidify themselves as a truly surprising Top-25 team.

But are any of these teams really a group that could be considered a serious contender for the national championship? At this point, not one has put up a resume that is gleaming by any stretch of the imagination. It's quite possible that the mediocrety of the conference will cause all of these teams to beat up on each other and kill their shots.

No defense, no Bruins jersey for Kessel

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

There goes a great young player and scorer.

Phil Kessel, 21, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two first-round picks (2010, 2011) and a second-rounder in 2010.

Kessel then immediately signed a 5-year, $27 million dollar contract with the Leafs.

So who got the better deal?

Well, obviously, right now, the Leafs. They got a proven scorer that potted 36 goals with 24 assists last season. Plus he's so young at 21 with tremendous upside.

But you know the Bruins weren't going to pay him over $5 million a season. Can you really blame them?

Granted, I love Kessel's speed and scoring ability, but the one knock on him is he doesn't play very big, he's not real physical and he doesn't like to play defense. You could say he's all offense and no defense. 

Well, in coach Claude Julien's system, you must play defense and Kessel didn't buy into that philosophy.

So, in the end, he had to go. 

Can't argue with getting two first-rounders, but who knows what the Bruins will get with those picks. Plus, the Bruins didn't handcuff themselves financially, and that's not always a bad thing. Kessel will have a tremendous career, but it won't be for the Boston Bruins.

Hockey Season is Here!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It absolutely amazes me that hockey season has already arrived. The Bruins have already started camp, and pre-season games, and the college hockey season starts in just a few weeks. I, for one, am really looking forward to it. It's still a bit early to start focusing on the college scene, but I do want to touch on a few things about the Bruins.

1. What are the B's going to do with Phil Kessel? If you believe the rumors, it looks like he's headed to Toronto for 2 first round picks and a third rounder. As much as I'd like to keep Kessel in Boston, I seriously doubt it'll happen. Kessel wants too much money, and the Bruins don't have the room under the cap. Kessel, 21, should have taken the deal the Bruins offered him that was similar to the one David Kreiji signed. According to reports, Kessel was insulted by the offer. I would hate to lose a proven goal scorer like Kessel, especially since he's so young, but if he maintains his current position, the Bruins need to deal him and get the most they can. While Kessel is a better pure scorer than Kreiji, he's not nearly the total package of Kreiji. David Kreiji is a good scorer, a better play maker, and actually plays two-way hockey.

2. How much playing time should Tuuka Rask get this season? It's pretty apparent Rask will be the backup to Tim Thomas. If you've read any of my Bruins coverage, you know I'm not the biggest Tim Thomas fan. While he proved he can be a #1 goalie, I still think he needs enough rest throughout the season. That's why I think Tuuka Rask should play a minimum of 20 games this season. Despite signing Thomas for a 4 year extension last year, Rask is still the goalie of the future for this team.

That's it for right now. More to come as the pre-season moves on.

What to watch for this week in college football

Two weeks into the college football season and the drama is already building. A pair of true freshmen quarterbacks played the hero last week for their respective teams as USC survived an ugly showing against Ohio State with a last-minute drive led by Matt Barkley, while Michigan knocked Notre Dame out of the Top-25 and jumped in with a touchdown pass from Tate Forcier with 11 seconds remaining. Houston out-gunned Oklahoma State, 45-35. North Carolina got help from Connecticut, winning a 12-10 decision, thanks to a holding call on the Huskies in their own end zone.

So what are the things to look for as we head into Week 3 action tomorrow night?


Miami defense vs. Georgia Tech
Miami's offense will put up points if it gets the football, so the question is how often will they get it. Miami has two ailing starters in their defensive backfield that aren't expected to play, but if there's ever a time for that, this is it. Georgia Tech likely won't pass nearly enough to make that a big factor. The Yellow Jackets have averaged just under 50 rushes per game this season, ranking them ninth in that category. Miami was a middle of the road team in terms of stopping the run last year, but were also playing a boatload of young players. The defense, which has returned eight of those players from last year, held Florida state to 3.7 yards per carry. If Georgia Tech finds holes, works the clock and keeps the ball out of Jacory Harris' hands, they should be fine. However, if the offense fails to do so, the Hurricanes' explosive offense could exploit a defense that is vulnerable to the big play. Three of the five touchdowns GT has allowed this season have been for 20 yards or more.

Matt Barkley's status
After his late-game heroics against Ohio State, Barkley could likely be headed for the sidelines. Barkley suffered a bone bruise in his shoulder and as a result, Aaron Corp has been working with the first-team offense. Corp lost his starting job to Barkley, thanks to an injury of his own during the preseason, but has been dubbed "95 percent healthy." While Corp is a more than capable quarterback, who should handle Washington easily, don't expect a quarterback controversy to start brewing unless Barkley missed another week (unlikely) and even then, he's probably still the better option going into a game that could decide the Pac-10 vs. Cal in Week 5.

Michigan State secondary vs. Notre Dame receivers
Michigan State is certainly not looking incredibly strong in the secondary this season. After a solid game, which you would expect against Montana State, the Spartans gave up 352 yards and three touchdowns through the air as Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour posted a 104.3 passer rating. Notre Dame has a much more talented group. Jimmy Clausen has made it a habit of vicitmizing weak secondaries and so far has passed for 654 yards and seven touchdowns, while not getting picked off once for a passer rating of 196.31. Michael Floyd, who suffered a gash on his knee after landing on the track beyond the end zone at Michigan last week, will be back and at full speed. Notre Dame needs to win this week if it wants any shot at returning to the Top-25.

Fresno State offense vs. Boise State defense
Fresno State has had pretty much as balanced an attack as you could possibly have this season, averaging 255.5 yards through the air and 244.5 yards on the ground. Granted, those numbers have been put up against UC-Davis and Wisconsin, but they're still pretty impressive numbers. On the other side, the Broncos have looked pretty incredible, stopping one of the Pac-10's best runners for negative yardage in their season opener, then holding Miami of Ohio to just 1.5 yards on the ground. Oh, they're not giving up much through the air, either. This is by far the toughest test of the season for the Bulldogs and if they can't do anything against the Boise State defense, you can pretty much guarantee the Broncos the WAC championship and a spot at a BCS bowl.

Urban Meyer vs. Lane Kiffin
There really is no contest here as Meyer has proven himself to be one of - if not THE - the most talented coaches in college football and he's got far more firepower than Kiffin. Tennessee has a whole host of problems, not the least of which is the offense averaged just a mere three yards per play against UCLA. More interesting than anything will be the way the media plays this up after an offseason that included Kiffin accusing Meyer of shady recruiting practices.

Sam Bradford's recovery
Not much has been said this week about his status - in fact, nothing has been said at all - but Oklahoma is almost definitely going to sit Bradford again this week. The Sooners probably feel more comfortable about that decision after Landry Jones tossed three touchdowns against Idaho State last week. Week 4 is a bye, so it only makes sence to give Bradford more time to recover before taking on Miami, which could be a crucial game when it comes down to Oklahoma's hopes for a BCS game. As of Saturday, Bradford said he could not throw without pain in his shoulder, though he could throw if he wanted to.