The Magic Carpet

By Matthew Storey

Did you ever love a person who was really, really HOT. You couldn't take your eyes off them, and the more you looked, the more you liked. Right away, without even realizing what is happening...you start assigning desirable traits to them, and fit them into your favorite fantasies and life scenarios... sigh...

Franchise QuarterBacks can be a lot like that for a fan. Ask a Cowboy fan the best thing about life in the 1970's, the list won't hit many spots before, #12, Roger Staubach, comes into the conversation...accompanied by a glassy look back and a smile.

Roger and the Cowboys were the best team for a few years, but they were also the team who 'couldnt win the big one', but on January 16, 1972, that all changed, the Heisman winning, square jawed scrambler with the big arm and big will stopped being the 'crush' and became 'The Man'. Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3, Super Bowl VI to the star and Roger on his way to immortality and an eternal spot in your heart.

There was another Super Bowl, two 4 point losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers juggernaut who laid claim to the Decade, and then the concussions took Roger the Dodger away from us, too soon.

But there was hope, a younger QB with a rocket arm of his own. Danny White was going to be 'The Man' now and the Championships would continue to flow between the Red River and the Rio Grande. White threw Touchdowns, threw for big yardage and Cowboys chewed up NFC rivals each Regular Season like the '70s squads had.

NFC Championship Game in 1980 versus the Eagles? Cowboys and White favored, Eagles win.

NFC Championship Game in 1981 versus the 49ers? Cowboys and White favored, 49ers and 'The Catch'.

NFC Championship Game in 1982 versus the Redskins? Cowboys and White favored, Redskins win.

There were other games for White, Pro-Bowls, passing records, lost playoff games.

No Cowboy fan thinks of White. A crush that faded when it became apparent there wasn't any there, there.

Then, the Dark time...

A new owner, a new coach, a 1st Round QB arrived.

Learning pains. Progression. Three Super Bowls in Four years with his best play in the one year they did NOT win.

Troy Aikman was the crush who went to 'The Man', never wavered, never failed to come through.

Ask a Cowboy fan who met the love of their life and had two kids in the '90s what they remember about that time?

Troy, Emmitt, Michael. Oh, and...them.

Once again, the concussions took The Man prematurely, the rules got changed, the team got weaker, a decade passed...

The Cowboys got a new crush, and he hasn't yet finished three full seasons on the job.

But he's got it goin' on, for sure. Passes fly around to waiting receivers, pass rushers fly by, unable to get a hand on him, the defense parts like hot butter when he is in charge. Speaks well, throws big, wins late.

He took the job, wowed the league, went to the Playoffs, had a win right in his fingers...

..and dropped the ball, the kick wasn't to be, the Cowboys lost a Playoff game they dominated.

It's cool, we said. He isn't a HOLDER, he's a QB!

And so he is, the next season was a revelation, 13-3, #1 seed, domination of the Giants for a half of the playoff game...complete collapse in the 2nd half, a loss to a team they'd beaten twice.

Wags talked about Blondes and Cabo. Nobody talked about 'choke'...

Last year was THE year with THE man. He got hurt, they struggled late, they MISSED the playoffs after being the consensus #1 coming into the season. In the final game, with everything on the line, the QB and team were dominated by a team they'd dominated months earlier, by a Defense they knew and Romo looked lost...

He said the right things afterward...

And then, yesterday, Sunday night against the Giants, the new Cowboys stadium debut, the only true test in the early part of their schedule, a chance to open a season 5-0 and have a stranglehold on the NFC East going into the bye, week six.

Tony Romo was the focus of the offense in previous years, Running Backs were the contrast, Running Backs were hurt. Tony threw it and if he could avoid turning it over, we won.

But yesterday, with a running game that can only be dreamed about and a Defense that could not be run against, Tony Romo finally had a chance to be a QB who didn't have to be heroic, only to manage the game, limit mistakes and let his team roll.

He couldn't do it. He threw the ball over his Running Backs and into the hands of a bystander Defender for a INT/TD, he threw the ball behind his Tight End, off his foot, into the hands of a bystander Defender for a INT/FG, he threw the ball so far over the head of a wide receiver and into the hands of a bystander Defender for an INT/FG, so FAR over his head it was described as a 'punt'. With Marion Barber running over people, Felix Jones running around them and Tashard Choice running through them and receivers all over the field, Tony Romo just could not manage himself. In a big game, the big talent was a liability instead of a winner.

Again.

And, as with Danny White, after awhile it stops hurting. High expectations built on reasonable probability are the ones that get fans off, the ones that make being a fan such a glorious expectation. Once a player has repeatedly performed at a lower level than the worst you could have imagined, those expectations evaporate and are replaced with 'faith' - which is a code word for 'no idea how this guy is ever going to come through, but we are stuck with him and have to believe or go crazy!'

Tony Romo is a good guy. He said all the right things, he usually does.

'...we'll keep clawing and going forward and I'll improve and I'll fix this. We'll be better tomorrow. I'll be better. We'll go forward'.

And you still believe, because he's only in his 42nd NFL Start this week and he has all the tools....

But, somewhere in your heart, you've detached. The losses in big spots have become so commonplace that the victory, if it comes, will be more about relief than joy.

Tony Romo came to Dallas and we thought we had Roger or Troy, Sunday night, we got Danny.

But we can dream...sometimes a dream is all you have, what you don't have, as a Cowboy fan is a compelling reason to remain engaged with the 2009 Cowboys. Head Coach Wade Phillips seems earnest, for sure, and he knows what he is doing. But, after 30 years of NFL experience, he has never won, at all, and his team continues to underperform in every big spot, with big turnovers, big penalties, crucial mistakes. Maybe it ISN'T his fault, but that is what happens...Romo means us well, will thrill for weeks and put us back in position...but what then?

This is a team who can grab our interest in only one way, and that won't be here for three months.

Until then, the NFC season has become a formality, a non-event. In week two!

Posted by Matthew at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Matthew

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Welcome back, NFL fans.

And, if this is your first visit to The Magic Carpet, you will soon understand that I am talking TO certain fans and will infuriate others. Because no matter what is happening in the Country, Major League Baseball and the NBA are Democrat sports and Football is the GOP Game.

A Free Enterprise Democrat like Guru LOVES a players league where the best talents make the coin and drive the interest - that's Baseball. In Baseball, once you've proven your value - you are in line for a pile. The GOP types pull their hair out over the love for Manny, Alex and the Yankees and cannot understand why the Schillings get blasted instead of championed by other players and urban media. City people in Blue Places fill Baseball stadiums, rural folks in Red ones bitch about steroids and pine for the 'old days', but as in all of their nostalgia, those old days featured even MORE winning by the Yankees and top dollar talent flowing towards places where it got paid. Democrats LIKE strong unions, strong opinions, diversity, foreigners in on the party and wave after wave of young talent flowing in on the schedule that talent creates. Free Enterprise lovers LIKE meritocracy, businesses that thrive or fail based on productivity and a straightforward path to wealth for talent.

A Feudalist Republican PREFERS an owners league, staffed by subjugated employees who have to stay healthy to get paid, have their salaries 'capped' by men who have vast fortunes/generate massive revenues from the Sport who pool their interests so nobody loses from not winning and everybody wins as long as the TV money flows in (and Jerry has to share his apparel revenue!) In Football, the Pile is there for a select few BEFORE they've proven a thing and the established talent are taunted and gimmicked to keep their cost down. When a player moves into a higher echelon of compensation in a lot of NFL places, the implied message is 'home team discount' and, if that don't fly the whispers start about attitude and that guy will be shipped, regardless of production, rather than PAID what he's earned - that money, of course, goes instead to talent who come from only ONE source the 'system' from college Football, under league restraint. Those kids who wander off of Dominican fields or Japanese Company leagues onto MLB rosters don't exist in the NFL. Feudalist don't really dislike socialist principles, they only dislike them when they benefit the employee and they think Capitalism means what is good for Capital (meaning them), not economic dynamism that generates quality. The NFL is the auto-industry of the '60s, they want to keep things JUST THE WAY THEY ARE and, with no competition, they can keep it going.

In Baseball, the best players who ever played - play now. In Football, the parity means teams flare up and down and that is the draw, not the quality.

Jones is the NFL Steinbrenner, and like him, the players all want to wear his uniform, live like kings and be the center of attention and the other owners and fans despise him for not walking in lockstep on 'us' versus 'them' and the demonizing of minority loudmouths. Here its the Warners who get the L-O-V-E and the TO, Chad and Romo who are the 'bad guys', Tedy Bruschi is his coaches hero for being a selfless overachiever but Assante Samuel and Richard Seymour get banished for having the balls to think they should command top dollar for their HOF skill levels.

A season after the collapse of Cowboy health and leadership took the consensus NFC Champs all the way down to 9-7 and a playoff-less season with a trashing at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles and NFL fans watched in HORROR as the cretin Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals, they of no tradition, no fan base, and a 3-7 Regular Season record against the actual NFL (6-0 against the NFC Western chump change - Rams, 49ers, Seahawks)...

One thing is clear. There is only one way for things to go and that is UP.

For Guru, the NFL has been a diminished commodity since the establishment of the Salary Cap in the mid '90s and each season has generated a little less excitement. Last year, on the heels of the thrilling Giants/Patriots Super Bowl and the possibility of a truly great Cowboy team that would generate the sorts of interest only the Cowboys can...the excitement crept back in. But Brady was hurt in week one. Romo was hurt in week 4. Teams nobody cares about like the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons rose from nowhere behind rookie QBs and Arizona made the case against salary cap sports emphatically.

Perhaps the worst year in NFL history.

BUT...there was some good news, The Pittsburgh Steelers, behind terrific young coach, Mike Tomlin, are compelling squad of stars on both sides of the ball, who play for energetic fans and stress team and players, not 'system'. Like Chuck Noll, the legendary Steeler Coach who created the dynasty of the '70s, Tomlin avoids the sideline/interview spectacle of Bill Cowher and keeps the focus on the FIELD. With Big Ben Roethlisberger at QB and holding 2 Rings in his pocket, Polamalu and Harrison leading a dynamic defense and Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward and Heath Miller catching flies - the Steelers are as compelling a Champion as Arizona is disheartening.

The good and bad of the NFL.

Over the winter the bad boys got a lot of ink, Pacman lost his Cowboy gig and may or may not wind up in Canadian football, a Tennessee prison or a Reality TV Series on VH1, Terrell Owens lost HIS Star and ended up in the frozen wasteland of Buffalo (enjoy!), Michael Vick is free and ready to spread his Eagle wings and restore his place as a fan thrilling attraction ON the field, Shawn Merriman celebrated his Steroid use with a choke-hold on his 4'11" girlfriend, who is ALREADY a Reality TV star - so no need for a development effort, its all readymade. In the Meadowlands, Plaxico got 2 years of Jail for waving a gun around and plugging himself in the thigh, but wingman Antonio Pierce the anchor of the Defense avoided time and stud DE Osi Umenyiora went AWOL but returned in time to play his heart out for the openly despised Tom Coughlin, who vies annually with Parcells in Miami, and his various proteges - Bellichick in New England, Mangini in Cleveland and Josh McDaniels in Denver for the title of NFL's biggest JERK (McDaniels has had such a strong start, this category may be the easiest to predict in 2010!).

Brett Favre, who collapsed physically and mentally and sabotaged an 8-3 Division Leading J-E-T-S in the stretch drive of '08, got the call and the cash to lead the Minnesota Vikings to....where exactly? Perhaps the Vikings took note of those OTHER veteran QB's who looked useless and washed up in the Meadowlands, before resurrecting their careers (to the chagrin of people of taste) at the expense of exciting young QB talent in Arizona (Warner, with his James Dobson politics and sickening spouse over Matt Leinart the charismatic SoCal stud) and Tennessee (Kerry Collins, bigot pickup guy over Vince Young, who might have been the most exciting rookie to lead a team when he arrived but has had some growing-up pains since). There is nothing worse than watching retreads with terrible histories in place of compelling kids with bright futures, its a league killer and Favre is the latest example of the trend. Like Bellichick/Parcells and the top-down 'system' of faceless role players ascendant and the punishment of captivating personalities (Chad OchoCinco was AWESOME chewing up the bigot moron Joe Buck on HBO) the No-Fun league seemingly never loses a chance to market itself to the lowest common denominator in American society and push what was once the greatest player league into Reality TV every Sunday afternoon.

So, you get it. A 40 year NFL fan who is down, down, down on the NFL product and has spent less time with the league since the Super Bowl than in any off-season since the Era of the St. Louis Rams (and Warner!) first turned off the joy a decade ago. Accordingly, the in-depth previews of past seasons just isn't possible this year, but Guru WILL look at each division and pose questions for fans to answer.

And as for Jerry Jones, who pours himself into his team, his brand and his league and is adored by players and Cowboy fans for it and despised by all those who think everything would be 'perfect' if those players did not care so much about Money, if the high talent skilled minority athletes would be the faux humble, Tio Tom routine perfected by Albert Pujols in Baseball instead of being who they are, unapologetically. These folks think that America is the land of FREEDOM, of course, as long as everyone acts like a suburban, Megachurch attending, caucasian, heterosexual who doesn't carry a library card but proudly carries the NRA card. Jerry doesn't care who you fuck, what you do to party, or that you want to make as much money as possible - SO DOES HE, and he knows that players want owners to WANT them to make coin and grab attention, that his fans expect top dollar talent, high exposure regardless of the results on the field - the point is to leave no stone unturned to make everything the best it can be for the player and the fan - the product and the customer. Meanwhile Woody Johnson, who inherited billions of dollars and owns the Jets sticks his fans with a tenant status in 'Giants' stadium and plays hardball with the union while bragging at the GOP Convention that he is against 'limits' on wealth, that is he is against limiting HIS Wealth!

AFC East

New England Patriots
New York Jets
Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills

New England Patriots

New England is a mystery as well. Their consistent excellence leads all to expect great things upon Brady's return and there is little doubt they will be the better prepared, better constructed squad in games against their AFC East opponents, who are all in various states of flux. But a look at the Patriot roster and questionable moves of recent years (letting 25 year old stud CB Assante Samuel walk and trading DE Richard Seymour) make it hard to determine how they are going to effectively run the football (underachiever Maroney, aging Fred Taylor, doing it with mirrors Kevin Faulk) or Defend elite teams (after Mayo and Thomas, which Patriot defender impresses?).What IS worth loving is watching the incomparable Brady and Moss do their thang, if it comes along with Bellichick and Faulk, well nothing is perfect!

New York Jets

Jets are on the come, Eric Mangini wore out his welcome with that crusty Parcells act and his former players are jumping through hoops to have the engaging Rex Ryan in town (who seems to have none of his father Buddy's jerkiness). Ryan has brought along stud ILB Bart Scott to join a group of dynamic young defenders in a scheme that will allow more athleticism and energy. On Offense, the kid QB from USC, Mark Sanchez, gives the Jets exactly what those fans in Arizona, Tennessee and Minnesota do NOT have - a chance at a future with a young QB worthy of development (sure worked in Atlanta and Baltimore), Jets have Cotchery to catch it but a list of suspects behind him and unsettled roster situation at RB, but they will be on the right road in '09.

Miami Dolphins

In Miami, the 1st Place schedule, Jet improvement and return of Brady in New England will usher them out of the playoffs this season. Parcells organizational skill and Tony Sparano's quality coaching gave them a pop in year one, just as the Tuna popped in Dallas on arrival, but you can only go so far with that and it will take time for the young talent to emerge - a step back for Phins.

Buffalo Bills

I have no idea. At one point last year, I thought the Bills were becoming the Cowboys of the AFC (or Chargers of the East) with an exciting bunch of athletes whose penalties and turnovers sabotaged them weekly. They have pieces on Defense, a young QB of quality (Trent Edwards) and a stud RB (Marshawn Lynch) but injuries and disarray have dominated so far in preseason and its tough to know what they have going on.

Accordingly, The Magic Carpet sees no Playoff wins for the Patriots, who are the Eastern champions by default and a possible Wild Card tease from the young Jets falling short this season.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Speaking of Tio Tom! The ultimate phony uncle, Tony Dungy (sliming his pious arm around Michael Vick the way fellow homophobe, GOP, uncle-tom Reggie White used to 'adapt' troubled players made Guru puke!) is gone and while he may be faux as a man, he was one hell of an NFL coach. Colts are past the Championship window in terms of their core talent, but with Peyton and some key Defenders at full health, they can still pop if more talented teams crumble in on themselves (San Diego, Pittsburgh).

Tennessee Titans

I like Jeff Fisher, but I loathe Kerry Collins. Titans play tough on both sides of the ball, but lack the sort of game changers who win titles. Solid, candidate for Wild Card, but not a Ring.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Two years ago, I thought Jacksonville was RIGHT there under coach Jack Del Rio, but they had a suite of injuries to their top defenders and Byron Lefwich hurt his foot and was replaced by backup, David Gerrard, who is 'just a guy' and now, the Jaguars? They are 'just a team'. Yawn.

Houston Texans

Hate their city. Hate their owner. Hate the way the slimed the Oilers out and got this team as a 'reward'. LOVE their defensive kids and think they can jump up and make something happen, but who cares?

Colts rule, Titans and Texans might flip in the second half, neither can win a playoff game.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens
Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin looks like he is settling in for a decades long Steeler coaching career, they got the right guy - again. Big Ben has two in the pocket and only a bike crash and internal surgery has stopped him as a pro, the Defense is young, gifted, relentless. The Offensive line remains a concern, opening holes for the run-heavy offense and protecting Ben, the franchise being so critical and that keeps the Steelers from bring presumptive choices for a repeat.

Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco freaked on arrival and the Defense held up despite age concerns, but Rex Ryan and Bart Scott depart, signaling a team moving from a Defense rich/QB poor version to a QB dependent/average Defense group. The change in stylistics doesn't change the fact that they are simply not in the Steelers class.

Cleveland Browns

Eric Mangini is a decent guy, I think. I thought he was growing up and improving with the Jets, but Favre's collapse killed him there and subsequent comments from players indicate he was not moving away from the Parcells script after all. All of which has been proven in a paranoid circus Pre Season in his debut with the Browns. Brady Quinn is terrific and young, he should be the guy. The problem in Cleveland is Defense. 3rd place.

Cincinnati Bengals

Marvin Lewis has failed year after year and still has a job. Carson Palmer looked all-world for awhile, but is settling into Bledsoe avenue...Chad is a big market guy in a small minded whole. Bengals DEFINE last place.

AFC West

San Diego Chargers
Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos

San Diego Chargers

Great talent. Merriman, Rivers, Tomlinson HEALTHY would make things hum. Norv Turner makes one believe that no matter how much talent, however, they will run into a well coached obstacle in the AFC Playoffs and head home.

Oakland Raiders

More talent. Raiders have drafted early and well in recent years and made a key trade to reel in stud DE Richard Seymour from NE, but the coaching carousel and non-stop Front office intrigue always seem to undo this squad and Seymour is holding to get paid, understandably, before risking his health unprotected on an Oakland squad with high-school level coaching, since no coach with resume would deal with Davis. Davis will pay Seymour and the talent will lead to .500.

Kansas City Chiefs

Ugh. Matt Cassel, all of one season in a stacked deck gets the big deal (see preamble) and then gets hurt. Thigpen was actually playing OK later in '08 and Edwards left some Defenders in his time. KC is rebuilding for next two years.

Denver Broncos

If there is one team, other than the NY Mets, whose fans must want to slice the old wrists over - its the Broncos. They fired Mike Shanahan, a control freak who choked players so tight they played tight and hired Josh McDaniels, a third generation control freak who instantly alienated the most important person in any American males life - a franchise QB with a big arm in his 20's. I cannot imagine how it felt to watch Jay Cutler walk away and Kyle Orton walk in, it can't be a good feeling for sure and Brandon Marshall is only being logical in trying ANYTHING to get the hell out of this place. The AFC version of the Arizona Cardinals, an instant root-against.

San Diego should win and be deep in the AFC Championship against the Steelers, but Norv has failed before and until the talent shows up when it counts, they seem like paper chargers.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Rams

Arizona Cardinals

I like the coaches, from the Steelers. I like the talent they have on both lines and at WR. I dislike the QB and can't be objective, easily the best team in the West.

San Francisco 49ers

I like Mike Singetary.

Seattle Seahawks

I dislike all Hasselbecks. I dislike all Moras. I dislike this team (but I love Julius Jones!).

St. Louis Rams

Good new coach, but same old Bulger.

Nada from this crew.

NFC North

Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears

Bears look good to me. I think they will have some similarities with the Ravens in moving from a Defense team to a QB team, but I think the Defense will be better than expected and the talented wing guys will finally LOVE their QB. I like the Bears to challenge in the NFC.

Green Bay Packers

Cheeseheads have good young talent on both sides of the ball and Aaron Rogers is terrific and improving, they will push the Bears all year in a classic 'Norris' division tussle that could go either way or end with both in the Playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings

Favre was brought in for ticket sales, not on-field success. That is like Roger Clemens coming back to the Yankees in 1997 with nothing left - its called 'wish theory' and those wishes aint gonna be answered.

Detroit Lions

Got a new Coach and a new QB and hope for better in the future, the future is not now, however.

Bears, Packers NFC elite. Vikes to underachieve, Lions take first steps back.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons

Everything fell horribly wrong for the birds in '07, the franchise QB went to jail for something out of left field, the hot college coach bailed during his opening act and they looked dead. Enter new coach, new QB and new hope, now add another year of Defensive shoring and Tony Gonzalez from the Chiefs and the Falcons look best here.

New Orleans Saints

I think Drew Brees is a stat guy who will never be a winner and will change my mind when he proves me wrong. This is a scoring machine but not a scary opponent physically, and while they will challenge for the division and the wild card, I see them short on both scores.

Carolina Panthers

I love John Fox and despite the fact his roster show no reason to believe, he has always found a way and has enough running game to stabilize if things break badly up above for more talented Falcons and Saints. Can finish anywhere on the board in the South.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Changing everything all at once, too old is out, too young is in. Good in spurts but not competitive in '09.

No NFC Playoff wins from this crew.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas has the best roster in the NFL, top to bottom. They have a Defense which blew away the rest of the NFL in sacks and has added more weapons, they have the fastest starting CB duo in the NFL, both healthy and a terrific depth they've lacked in secondary previous years when they were shallow and slow. They have a great inside LB in Bradie James and the best Defender in the NFL outside in Ware. Romo is only 39 starts into his NFL career, free of TO and Jessica distractions and has the running game all QB's dream of with Marion Barber back from his toe problems, Felix Jones, the NFL's fastest offensive player and Tashard Choice grinding yards through and over defenders. They lack names at WR, but Miles Austin is a blur with gifts and Roy WIlliams should handle things mid range, Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett are an embarrassment of TE riches. Offensive line is suspect against elite coached Defenses, but Romo is quick and elusive and the RB Game unstoppable, so they should be OK there.The main problem is the Head Coach, Wade Phillips, like Norv with the Chargers, has never won or had a team play crisply - Dallas leads all NFL in penalties, turnovers and finding ways to lose games they control and to get blown out when they face a well prepared unit. NFL football depends upon coaching and precision, and this team is built more for highlight reels than Rings. Enjoy them, then watch them crash again late.

New York Giants

The Giants have some terrific young Defenders and a terrific young QB, a bruising RB combo and a balanced, effective Offensive Line. They have some interesting young receivers from the draft as well. But. Manning is not Romo (check the numbers, they are not close) and Dallas has consistently handled this team when Romo and Barber are both healthy and seem to have moved ahead with the blinding DB speed and RB talent. Giant DL is still solid, but the gap between the team in Sacks is tough to see being closed, given the rosters, Giants USED to have Strahan and Umenyiora on the wing, now they don't and their depth took a hit in the preseason. They are hurt but will heal and be better in second half.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have come from nowhere the last two years to playoff, against all odds. They have Westbrook and McNabb and the best coach around the division in Andy Reid. They have great tackles on the line and DB talent as well, but they are not as gifted as Dallas and will struggle with division opponents on the road. Choosing amongst these teams is like sorting out the AL East this Spring, I saw it NY/BOS/TB and it came down, here its DAL/NY/PHIL so we'll see.

Washington Redskins

They don't defend well enough to scare their divisional opponents and Jason Campbell is inconsistent. Also, I hate the Redskins and always put them last!

Cowboys win the division, lose in the playoffs? Giants claim Wild card and win in the playoffs? That was 2007, is it that way again? We'll see.

Posted by Matthew at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

By Matthew Storey

Yesterday, the Yankees swept the Rays in The Bronx in a Labor Day Doubleheader. In so doing, they took a Nine Game Lead over the Boston Red Sox for the AL Eastern Division and a Six and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Angels for best record in the American League.

With an 89-50 record, and 23 games to play, it is time to declare victory in both races.

Congratulations to the 2009 New York Yankees, American League Eastern Division Champions for the 8th time in the Decade and first time since 2006.

Congratulation to the 2009 New York Yankees for the best record and #1 Seed in the American League, which, with the American League victory in the All-Star Game insures that every series they make will begin at Yankee Stadium and, if needed, play a deciding game there as well.

Those are the only things that can be accomplished in the Regular Season and they took care of their business.

On to the next challenges. Everything is relative. Yankees won 87 games in 2000 and notched their 3rd Straight World Series, they won 103 in 2002 and were ousted by the eventual champion Angels in the first round. Although they have lapped the rest of MLB in the regular season, Manager Joe Girardi, closer Mariano Rivera, starter Andy Pettitte, Shortstop Derek Jeter and Catcher Jorge Posada all played on the 1998 Yankees and the 2009 version would have to win out its last 23 and sweep 11 playoff games to match that team's 125-50 season.

Before we look ahead, lets look at what has transpired since our last update;

Yankees through 116 Games were 73-43 (.629) in 1st Place by 6.5 over Red Sox

Since then, in Games 117-139, they have played 16-7 (.696) and lead by 9 games with an overall record of 89-50.

As we are focusing on the future and a SUMMARY of the past, I'll abandon my usual game by game summary, which can easily and more completely be found on Yankees.com (remember, you should all be spending at LEAST an hour a day there anyway! With NFL starting, MLB playoffs, Breeders Cup, NHL and NBA on the way (and some of you College Football, which Guru doesn't follow) NOW is the time to assess your friends, family and acquaintances for those relationships that can be abandoned or sent over the edge, which will free up the time you need for sports.

Accordingly, here is a player by player look at the Season that has been and a projection forward.

Manager Joe Girardi

Joe put Derek Jeter, the definitive #2 hitter of the previous decade into the leadoff spot and Johnny Damon, on the short list of best leadoff hitters in that decade in the two hole. Both guys have turned in superior seasons and have complimented the change in roles perfectly. Joe put the CF position into the hands of Melky Cabrera, coming off the worst season of his career and Brett Gardner, an unproven pinch-runner who struggled with MLB pitching in 2008, both have played Gold Glove defense, have stolen bases, shown complementary offensive talents (Melky switch hits with some power, Gardner's speed unravels defenders). Joe had to juggle personnel to make sure Hideki Matsui's knees, Alex Rodriguez's hip, Jorge Posada's shoulder, Mariano Rivera's shoulder, Johnny Damon's wheels all held up and their numbers and vigor speak to how effectively he has done that. Joe had to adjust on the fly when Wang, Bruney, Veras, Marte, Ramirez, Melancon and now, perhaps, Joba ALL blew out body parts or performed beneath expectations and he inserted former starters into the pen, and has watched Phil Hughes (1.08 ERA as reliever), Alfredo Alceves (10-1 in relief), Phil Coke, David Robertson all strike people out, work multiple innings and keep the Yankees in ballgames. Now, with Marte, Albaladejo and Melancon up and getting a chance to show what they can do, Joe has an ideal preview for Playoff Bullpen considerations. Joe has balanced out the loss of Wang, and struggles of Joba by spotting Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin in places where they can win and do no harm to Yankee plans. Joe has found time for Eric Hinske, Jerry Hairston, Jr, Ramiro Pena, Francisco Cervelli all to play and gotten terrific play from all of them. After a tough first year with NY media, Joe has been a straight shooter and established where he will and will not go with player discussions, and peace has reigned throughout the Yankee kingdom. Alex has Kate Hudson, but no drama. Alex, Derek and Mariano periodically take over the spotlight because of some silly Hall of Famer they need to pass statistically, they do so in style, everyone claps and smiles ear to ear and they all move on. The are workmanlike, which defines Girardi, their stars, their role players and their new arrivals and that has always been a winning approach in Pinstripes.

Starting Pitchers

LF CC Sabathia

CC has been the Ace he has always been. He is always calm, always around on the bench in games he isn't pitching and you can see how effortlessly he leads and sets a tone. He is pure professional on a hill, in front of a microphone, in the community. He dominates about half the time, and finds a way to stay close the other half, he seems to have 4-5 tough starts early each year but Yankees haven't seen that in months.

RH AJ Burnett

AJ has been a great TEAMMATE, the aloof, sniping AJ has not been seen much in NYC. He is emotional and will continue to benefit from the company he is keeping by controlling the swings better. On the hill, he also dominates about half his outings, but has a difficult time controlling damage and remaining focused on EVERY pitch when he is not on top of his game, and that has led to some bad losses. He needs to do better and be more consistent and needs to cut the Walks WAY down. But his big arm and obvious joy at being in Pinstripes make him an easy guy to root for. He was terrific last night in 11-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

LH Andy Pettitte

Andy was pretty good for the 1st Half last season and sitting at 12-7, before things fell apart in the latter months. It took months for the team to bring him back, but he has made that decision pay off big time, with a 13-6 season and a sub 3 ERA in the 2nd Half, Andy is firmly in the Playoff rotation and has put himself in position to get a 2 year extension in the offseason if he pitches well in October. He is a Yankee, who loves being a Yankee and takes an active role with all his teammates, he can be seen with other starters, with old friends, with new arrivals, always friendly, always open, never a jerk towards opponents or teammates. Andy is a Texas Evangelical who has nothing but positive vibes for The Bronx and The Bronx for him, and that is saying a lot.

RH Joba Chamberlain

Next to the devastating loss of Chien-Ming Wang, Joba has been the Yankees biggest disappointment and a genuine concern has to exist within the organization as to whether or not he is ever going to be the sort of pitcher, physically and mentally, that he was prior to straining his shoulder August 4, 2008 against Texas. His fastball is anywhere from 5-8 MPH slower, his slider has fallen off, his control has been terrible, his ability to pitch out of jams or put hitters away goes missing for several starts. He gets chance after chance to right himself and take advantage of the flexibility the Yankees situation affords to either sit out and pull together or step up and perform, and for the last six weeks, he simply has not been able to do so. He may be tired, he might be hurt or may be dealing with things in his personal life. At only 23, it would not be surprising if all three are going on, but for the Yankees to WIN, he has to be better than he is right now.

RH Sergio Mitre

Tough call. Sergio has stuff that is similar to Chien-Ming Wang's 'B' arsenal, not the crackling mid '90s sinker but a low '90s dropper with decent control and other pitches. He is no front of the rotation type, but he has shown flashes of being a dependable #5. He is still in his first year after Tommy John surgery, so he will be better in the next couple of years and has shown enough to keep the Yankees interested. With just a few more starts this year, he needs only to show health and improvement to be a Bullpen piece in playoffs.

RH Chad Gaudin

Chad is a perfect example of a guy who is not going to be a Yankee for long. He has been on multiple teams with little success in his brief MLB career, got dumped on the Yankees from the lowly Padres and has chafed at being used in a spot starters role since arriving. He is decent in relief or starting, but is being counted on to play a supporting role and seems not to be able to play that way. He wants to be a starter somewhere and will need to go elsewhere for that chance. In the meantime, he is filler for the next 23 games.

Bullpen

LH Damaso Marte

Marte came up lame after the World Baseball Classic, took months to heal, struggled in the minors and managed to lower expectations into the underworld before being called up in late August. And then, he has pitched terrific baseball since arriving. He is throwing in mid '90s, slider is nasty, control is there. He is perfect used as a LH specialist and never in the role they put him in last year of set-up for both RH and LH and multi-inning.

RH Jonathan Albaladejo

A role player in the Bullpen, Jonathan is not a flame thrower but he throws strikes, gets ground balls and chews innings and has avoided being fuel for big innings since his return from minor leagues.

RH David Robertson

A strikeout artist, Robertson has an impressive 61 K's in his 41 Innings (13.4 per 9 innings!) and is an ideal bridge to the set-up guys.

RH Brian Bruney

A tough two seasons for the Yankees set-up man, who has battled injury and rehab, but has pitched better of late. Brian still has stuff that take a backseat to nobody, with 97 mph heat, wicked breaking stuff and guts. He just needs to pitch more than the Yankees can give him now, and that effects his control and his mood in negative ways. With Hughes going back to the rotation in 2010, Bruney will still have his chance to be the full time set-up guy next year if he manages to keep it together through the rest of this frustrating year and contribute in the playoffs.

LH Phil Coke

Coke can pitch a ton of innings and games and be effective. He strikes people out, dominates LH hitting, throws hard, throws sliders...his hits per inning is low and his spirit is positive. But...he gives up a LOT of HR's and that is not a good long term strategy for a Yankee reliever (see Farnsworth, Kyle, Proctor, Scott). He has to get a handle on that serious flaw and will then be a long time Yankee asset.

RH Mariano Rivera

39 of 40 saves, 35 in a row, the year after 39 of 40. 63 K's and only 51 Baserunners in his 56 innings. Had a mild groin strain that cost him a few days, but was his normal self yesterday picking up the save. As long as he can strike out six times as many people as he walks, give up less than a runner per inning and save almost every game, you are covered. All of the sudden, he is going to be looking at ANOTHER contract. Amazing. Maybe the most amazing of all team sports athletes.

Infield

1B Mark Teixeira

Gold Glove Defense, all-world hustle, big power and clutch from both sides of the plate, a passion for being a Yankee and embracing his team, manager, tradition, fans and goals. A perfect signing.

2B Robinson Cano

Cano played Gold Glove defense for the first four months of the season, combining his unmatched range and cannon arm with the sure hands and concentration he sometimes lacks, but has fallen back of late as Yankees have begun to coast a bit. That said, he is still a great, great Defensive 2B who will blow an easy ball periodically (10 errors). Offensively, he is back to the player he was in '06 and '07, with 23 HR/76 RBI/.316 AVG/ .516 SLG and is second in MLB in total bases to Pujols, all at only 90%.

He is the most gifted combination of defensive and offensive skills of any 2B and has numbers, but STILL lacks the whole maturity that could make him a HOF type. He will surely be given a decade or so to find that next gear by the Yankees.

SS Derek Jeter

The great Jeter, who has merely spent his summer becoming the ALL-TIME hits leader for Shortstops and now is on the brink of becoming the ALL-TIME hits leader for the Yankees. He is Derek, at bat and in the field, on fire for two months, leading the team, making the right play, getting the big hit, saying the right thing. What he has avoided this season that has cost him in recent years is that twisted leg, pulled muscled, smashed hand that keeps his production merely mortal. Hitting .330, will have 20 HR to match is 20+ steals, outstanding defense, unmatched presence. ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

3B Alex Rodriguez

Alex has had to fight his surgical hip all season, and their were times in the Summer when he looked like it was really slowing him down, sapping his power, reducing his speed. But he is feeling great of late, has managed to steal 10 of 12 bases anyway, play strong 3B and moved his average above .280. He can reach 30 HR/100 RBI if he stays hot, despite the missed time and the reduced flexibility. He seems relaxed and happy and, on this years team, he is just a guy not a savior, which he has proven is too large a role for him. Idea situation for both parties.

UT Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Jerry doesn't really do anything better than the man he replaced, Cody Ransom, but he is a 3rd Generation MLB player whose brother is also in MLB and he is comfortable in his role and confident in his ability. Both men can run, play infield or outfield with skill, pop an occasional HR or drop a bunt, but Jerry believes in Jerry and its his job now.

UT Ramiro Pena

Some guys come up to the Yankees and play tense, overwhelmed by internal expectations and the setting. They usually need to go elsewhere to be the best they can be. Ramiro came up from Double A, played tremendous SS, hit the ball effectively from both sides of the plate, doesn't ever get rattled, runs the bases well. Ideal utility player.

Outfield

RF Nick Swisher

Really Nick has had two seasons. At home, for whatever reason, he has struggled (.206 AVG/ .311 SLG, 3HR/20 RBI) and on the road, he is an MVP candidate (21 HR/55 RBI/ .614 SLG). He plays an enthusiastic RF, with glimpsed of both excellent and porous play, but is a consistent Giambi style On-Base machine and a well liked teammate who would be even more valuable if he could match up his road work with home cooking and move himself into the star orbit of his teammates.

CF Melky Cabrera