Santana

Position reports — Offensive linemen

Michigan’s Long heads athletic group of tackles

By Nolan Nawrocki
Nov. 22, 2007

Editor’s note: This is the fifth article in a series previewing the top NFL prospects by position for the 2008 draft.

To the welcome ears of NFL decision-makers who could never have enough good offensive linemen, this year’s OT class could be as rich as there has been in the past decade with the support of some talented underclassmen. However, the pickings are much more slim inside, and the senior class provides very little quality or depth inside.

At the top of this year’s offensive line class sits Michigan OLT Jake Long. At first glance, he looks like more of a throwback right tackle than a left tackle — he’s huge, very tough, nasty and will try to bury his man in the ground in the run game. But he has shed weight and made a concerted effort to improve his quickness the past two years, making strides in pass protection and proving more than capable of holding down the OLT spot in the pros.

He could do a better job using his arms and will need to lock out better at the next level to widen the circle pass rushers must take and harden the edge in pass protection. But it is to his advantage to get his hands on defenders because as soon as he engages, he engulfs and swallows defenders. Scouts say he could be a good left tackle and a great right tackle. As a senior, he did not allow a sack on the left side until the Ohio State game, and he will work out and test better than expected. He has shown the ability to dominate games and would have been a top-10 cinch in last year’s draft had he declared.

Nawrocki's top 10 O-linemen
Player School HT* WT SP

OLT Jake Long


Michigan


6064e


310e


5.1e

OLT Jeff Otah


Pittsburgh


6062


339


5.2e

ORT Gosder Cherilus


Boston College


6065


313


5.14

OLT Sam Baker


USC


6052


314


5.2e

OLT Chris Williams


Vanderbilt


6057


317


5.1e

OLT Oniel Cousins


UTEP


6040


300


5.04

C Steve Justice


Wake Forest


6034


283


5.13

OG Roy Schuening


Oregon State


6034


316


5.3e

OLT Tony Hills


Texas


6054e


305e


5.25e

OLT Carl Nicks


Nebraska


6050e


345e


5.2e

(Underclassmen are not included)
*For player’s height, first digit signifies feet, the second and third inches and the fourth, eighths of an inch, i.e., 6033 means 6-3 3/8.
e — estimated.

Pittsburgh OLT Jeff Otah may have as much upside as any player in the draft. Having come from Nigeria when he was seven and not playing organized football until his senior year in high school, he is still learning how to use angles and take advantage of his immensely talented skill set. He has terrific size with long arms and great foot quickness. Despite being relatively raw and only starting two years, he has shown he could handle his own, having given Virginia DE Chris Long his most challenging matchup the past two years, getting the better of him this season and not giving up a sack or allowing any penetration deep in the backfield.

He flashes the ability to jack defenders off the ground with his strong punch, but he could stand to get stronger and play more physical. Nonetheless, he still works to the whistle, stays with his man, finishes his blocks and does not let anyone get away from him. He has recovery speed and natural movement skills that cannot be taught. The question that will have to be answered with him is how hard he is willing to work and whether he wants to be great.

Boston College OLT Gosder Cherilus has regressed as a senior since moving from the right side to the left to replace Dallas Cowboys 2007 third-round pick (No. 67 overall) James Marten. He plays as if he is thinking too much, has been slow to slide and anticipate what is coming at him and does not consistently finish. He was exposed vs. Virginia Tech DE Chris Ellis and has consistently struggled to handle speed inside and outside — not because he is not capable of it — but because he just has not been able to adjust very well to new terminology at a new position in a new zone-blocking scheme. He can play physical and drive defenders off the ball in the run game — very clearly evident on junior tape on the right side — but he is the type of blocker who will need to be designated as a right tackle only and not be asked to flip sides or reprogram his feet.

USC OLT Sam Baker is a four-year starter in a big-time program. The son of Arena Football League commissioner David Baker, he has received a lot of hype early in his career. He is athletic, plays on his feet and can run the field. However, questions about his toughness need to be answered. He plays a passive, finesse game, lacks pop and power and does not play with great leverage. He has missed three of the last four games with a strained hamstring that he suffered vs. Arizona and could use more glass in his diet. Still, he will not last very long in the draft. He could fit into the first round for a predominantly zone-blocking team, but it would not be a surprise if he falls to the second or even early third.

NFL draft five-year breakdown
Round-by-round recap of where OLs were drafted





Rd 1


Rd 2


Rd 3


Rd 4


Rd 5


Rd 6


Rd 7


Total

2007


4


5


5


7


5


8


7


41

2006


3


8


5


7


7


8


12


50

2005


4


5


6


10


10


9


5


49

2004


3


4


5


5


5


9


12


43

2003


4


4


7


5


7


8


9


44

AVG.


3.6


5.2


5.6


6.8


6.8


8.4


9.0


45.4

Vanderbilt OLT Chris Williams is not as big as Otah, but scouts say he is more naturally athletic and some believe he too will fit into the first round after he finishes working out. However, he plays too lazy, too often appears to just be going through the motions and will let his man run around him and come free. He will need to be more disciplined to handle NFL pass rushers.

One of the fastest-rising offensive linemen in the draft is UTEP ORT Oniel Cousins. He struggled as a junior and was even benched at one point. He needs to get stronger, but he is playing out of position and will have the most value on the left side in the pros. He is very naturally athletic, possesses a lot of upside and could ascend into the first day of the draft after scouts get to see him up close at all-star game competition.

Texas OLT Tony Hills is billed to be a great athlete within the program, but he does not play with any explosion or have great mobility for the left side, and as a right tackle, he will always have a leverage and power deficiency. He has overcome a dropfoot condition suffered as a senior in high school, but team medical staffs will have to evaluate the injury closely, as do scouts watching him, and it could have a considerable effect on his draft value. The season-ending broken left fibula he suffered Nov. 10 also will not help his cause.

Nebraska OLT Carl Nicks, a junior-college transfer in his first season as a full-time starter, has shown the ability to dominate with his physical prowess. He has good feet, moves well and can reach the second level effortlessly for as big as he is. However, he will have to answer questions about his work ethic, passion for the game and stamina. He also will need to refine his technique and learn not to open his hips out of the gate.

Three OLT prospects — Newberry’s Heath Benedict, Auburn’s King Dunlap and Clemson’s Barry Richardson — will have to overcome the label of pretenders. Benedict is a self-made, manufactured player who struggles vs. average competition and lacks the toughness desired in the pros. Dunlap looks the part and will excite scouts with his sheer size, but the more he is studied, the less he will be liked. He does not play to his size and was benched this season for playing too soft. He is big and square-cut, however, and may have a chance inside. At a position where teams seek warriors, Richardson quite simply plays like a chardonnay-drinker.

Virginia Tech OLT Duane Brown is a finesse developmental prospect who plays soft, struggles to redirect and shows little pop, power or strength. He could warrant interest in the middle rounds after he tests well, but he will require a lot of coaching and may struggle to ever develop.

California OLT Mike Gibson and Oregon ORT Geoff Schwartz both lack athletic ability and foot quickness and are tightly wound. Their best chance may come inside in the pros, but they may be able to stick on the right side. They flash some nastiness and may develop in time despite athletic limitations.

Interior linemen

Wake Forest’s Steve Justice has emerged as the top center in the country. He is not for every team. His lack of girth could make it difficult for him to handle massive space-eaters. However, for a team like the Colts or Broncos, he could bring tremendous value, getting to the second level and using his quickness to zone off areas. He figures to be the first senior center drafted.

Oregon State OG Roy Schuening is big-bodied, wide-based and strong in the upper body to punch. He does a good job controlling his space inside and can maul and smother defenders. However, the further he has to go, the more he struggles. One thing that cannot be questioned is his toughness. He stepped into the starting lineup from the time he arrived and has started every game, including the Stanford and Washington games with a case of walking pneumonia, the latter of which he lined up at right tackle and held his own. He is smart, can bring some versatility and has the mental makeup of a warrior. He may never be great, but he should be a consistent NFL starter for a long time.

Rutgers OLT Pedro Sosa and ORT Jeremy Zuttah both project inside. Sosa has a language barrier that could be difficult to overcome. Zuttah struggles to hold weight, does not play stout and will be best at center.

Bowling Green C Kory Lichtensteiger is undersized, short-armed and does not power off the line, but he plays with a great base and leverage, gets very good positioning, shows some strength to lock on and enough foot quickness to scoop and wall off defenders. He plays with natural knee bend and balance and is a solid technician. He could fit into the middle rounds.

Arizona State C Mike Pollak has been a very consistent, functional college starter. He knows how to work angles, get positioning and seal off, but he does not play with much power and would be best as a zone blocker.

Buffalo C Jamey Richard is tough, smart and can pull and play in space. His technique is flawed — he staggers his feet and struggles to shuffle laterally in pass protection as a result — but it is correctable.

Georgia C Fernando Velasco is big and strong and has a terrific work ethic. He has shown a lot of promise in his first year at center and brings versatility at guard or center.

Notre Dame’s John Sullivan has been very disappointing on a bad team. He spends more time on the ground than he should, falls off blocks and does not finish.

Texas A&M’s Cody Wallace has size and strength and is functional in short areas, but he has been handled too easily this fall.

Tennessee OLT Eric Young does not have the foot quickness to survive on an island, nor does he have the strength and power needed to play effectively inside. He does move well enough — if recovered from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in late October — to be functional as a zone-blocking guard.

Appalachian State OG Kerry Brown really stands out vs. lesser competition and could develop into a solid pro if he can stay focused.

Three junior left tackles — Oklahoma’s Phil Loadholt, Boise State’s Ryan Clady and Mississippi’s Michael Oher — could strengthen the OT class considerably.

Loadholt, at 6-8, 350 pounds, comes in a similar mold as Minnesota Vikings 2002 seventh overall draft pick Bryant McKinnie. He is a junior-college transfer and has started only one season, but he’s very naturally athletic with good footwork and shows the ability to collapse defenders in the run game.

Clady looks every bit the part with a big frame and long arms. The game appears to come easy for him — he’s a natural 300-pounder who can bend and adjust — and he is loaded with upside.

Oher has everything you want in a premier left tackle — he’s big, naturally athletic, quick-footed and flashes strength and power. He has had to overcome a lot in his life, as has been detailed in Michael Lewis’ best-selling book, “The Blind Side,” soon set to become a movie. However, communication and trust issues still remain from a very rough upbringing, when he bounced from home to home, and the coach given the task of developing him will have his work cut out for him.

Related Articles:

More positional reports

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2007/positionrptOL.htm

Oregon State OG Roy Schuening is big-bodied, wide-based and strong in the upper body to punch. He does a good job controlling his space inside and can maul and smother defenders. However, the further he has to go, the more he struggles. One thing that cannot be questioned is his toughness. He stepped into the starting lineup from the time he arrived and has started every game, including the Stanford and Washington games with a case of walking pneumonia, the latter of which he lined up at right tackle and held his own. He is smart, can bring some versatility and has the mental makeup of a warrior. He may never be great, but he should be a consistent NFL starter for a long time.


http://www.osubeavers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4700&ATCLID=129927


2007: Schuening (shoe-ning) possesses a strong work ethic that has enabled him to be one of the best guards in the country...team-high 37 consecutive starts...a certain postseason honors candidate. 2006: Pac-10 Conference Honorable Mention selection – the entire starting offensive line earned postseason honors...part of a unit that returned all five starters...rated the 12th best guard in the country by Sporting News...was the lead blocker on Yvenson Bernard’s two-point conversion run in the Sun Bowl. 2005: Roy was a 2005 Pac-10 Honorable Mention selection, one of three Beaver returning offensive linemen to earn postseason honors...started all 11 games. 2004: Roy started all 12 games as a redshirt-freshman...named to the Sporting News All-Freshman team...helped Oregon State rank seventh in the nation for pass offense at 308.8 yards per game. 2003: Redshirt.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/363753.html

Quote:
But Kiper said Miami first should try to trade down. And if the Dolphins cannot find an attractive trade offer, Kiper said they should take LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey because it fills a need, and because the Dolphins already have running back Ronnie Brown, who will be returning from a serious knee injury.

''It's a hard call,'' Kiper said by phone. But ''Dorsey is a great defensive tackle, has great character and has a Ray Lewis mentality.'' And Kiper said Dorsey's knee problems this season aren't a concern.


The question then is...how many would be willing to trade up in order to get McFadden...and what would they have to give up to move up to the #1 spot?

Jeter was the beneficiary of a great line up of veterans that took all the pressure of him being a kid in NY and a Golden Child, and let him run with it.

It's so funny that they used to say the same thing about Phil Rizzuto, the other great Yankee shortstop. Yet they compare Lugo favorably to him? You gotta be kidding me!

2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 75 | Key
Alert: None

Comment: Mankins is coming off a solid season after his second year in the league. He has good size and strength and just above average athleticism. He is very tough, competitive and finishes often. He has good initial punch and controls defenders with hand strength, leg drive and intensity. He can pull and search light on the second level but is average once off track. He is very effective in a limited area but has average recovery agility, and quickness in space. Mankins can slide and mirror effectively as a pass protector and can bend and anchor well versus power bull rushers. Logan has a good feel for leverage and body positioning but is inconsistent with his foot work (will cross over some) and technique. Mankins is smart and reacts well on his feet. He is very good to slam and chip helping on combination blocks. He is instinctive using his hands, body and strength to gain leverage. Mankins is a good football player that is a steady performer and brings great intensity to the Patriots offensive line.

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As a team ,The Yankees had the best homerun ratio per ab last year in the majors??

First off this isn't a Red Sox thing of saying, well look how calm we are... it's more of a rolling your eyes thing. Seriously though, is anyone completely sick of Hank Steinbrenner yet? Seriously, I've seen him quoted in more articles than I've seen the names of all other front office guys of all other teams put together. Come on, even yankee fans probably want to tell this guy to shut up and let Cashman do the talking or rather lack of talking.

Videos of Roy Scheuning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUTe_8BC4s4

Boras and Cashman at Hot Stove Cool Music
Posted by Jeff Horrigan at 6:40 pm

Peter Gammons has confirmed that New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman and super-agent Scott Boras will be taking part in Saturday’s Hot Stove Cool Music Baseball Roundtable at Fenway Park’s State Street Pavilion. They will join Gammons, Sox GM Theo Epstein and Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi as part of a lively, two-hour Q&A session with fans. Celtics owner Steve Pagliuca and Bruins VP Cam Neely will also be on hand to join Epstein and Gammons in a State Of Boston Sports forum, which precedes the Inside Baseball session.
Only a few tickets remain for the benefit event for Theo and Paul Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later, which supports numerous local non-profit charities and programs dealing with at-risk children. Tickets are $100 and can be obtained at www.hotstovecoolmusic.org.
The roundtable discussion is the first of three Hot Stove Cool Music events this weekend. It will be followed Saturday night (8 p.m, $15) with a concert featuring Spookie Daly Pride, Eli “Paperboy” Reed and deSol at the Paradise rock club on Commonwealth Ave.
The main Hot Stove Cool Music concert will be Sunday night (7 p.m., $40), featuring Kay Hanley, Bronson Arroyo, Dear Leader, Lori McKenna, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, Elan Trotman, Murder Capital of the World, French Lick (featuring Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck) and the Hot Stove All-Stars, led by Peter Gammons and featuring Epstein, Bill Janovitz, Ed Valauskas, Pete Caldes, Mighty Mighty Bosstones singer Dicky Barrett, Little Feat’s Paul Barrere and others. Local legend Mike O’Malley will emcee the concerts, which feature silent and live auctions for priceless sports and entertainment packages and memorabilia.
Tickets for the concerts can be obtained at www.hotstovecoolmusic.org or by calling 1-800-594-TIXX.

Last year there was a lot of talk about the Dodgers filing a tampering charge against the Sox for the Drew case. There was speculation that the Sox somehow indicated to Boras that they needed a rf and were prepared to pay a lot. How is that not as obvious as what Hank said? The only difference that I can see is that there was no proof that the Sox sent such a signal, while Hank's comments are published in the newspaper.

I suspect that MN would prefer to keep Santana. Comments like Hank's (twice now) torpedo this effort. Maybe the Yankees could afford a fine, but maybe MN gets pissed and trades Santana to the Sox or Mets for a bit lesser package

Howard.Bryant@espn3.com.


Investigate Journalists can work with evidence without a sub-poena power? How can Mitchell can't do it? I would give Senator Mitchell report an incomplete and grade D-

Peter Gammons: "I hate Rob Neyer."

http://nomaas.org/

Peter Gammons in a Boston.com chat on Thursday, Jan 3:

jonas__Guest: Will Jim Rice finally make it into the Hall of Fame?

Peter_Gammons: I don't think so. I voted for him, but it's been interesting that there have been people like Rob Neyer who are so obsessed with degrading Rice's career. The fact that he retired as early as he did clearly has cost him because of the 382 home runs. But for him to be in the top 5 in MVP balloting 6 times in 12 years, to me, speaks more about his career than the fact that his career OPS is the same as Ellis Burks.

Wow. Just wow. What an amazingly unprofessional and immature comment from Gammons. Not only does he believe that stats should be ignored when evaluating Jim Rice's career, but he also takes a cheap shot at Rob Neyer and irrationally accuses him of having a personal vendetta against the former Boston player. Get a life, Peter.

Rafael Palmero also claimed B12

And of course, we know now it was roids.

yea, and oddly enough..now i believe palmeiro...

wasn't it a "b-12 shot from tejada" ?

we saw in the mitchell report that tejada was buying juice from rodomsky

It's just a rumor. I went to www.philly.com the web site that covers the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News newpapers. Both papers regular Phillies coverage mentions nothing about the deal. In fact the Phils just sent an OF over to the Orioles this weekend. They have now, Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Geoff Jenkins and Taguchi on their 40 man roster as outfielders.

Payroll Is at Heart of Santana Debate


By TYLER KEPNER
Published: January 4, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/sports/baseball/04yankees.html?_r=2&ref=sports&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Perhaps the most significant story in a busy Yankees off-season has been the emergence of Hank Steinbrenner at the top of the team’s hierarchy. Steinbrenner, the senior vice president, has been outspoken on potential player moves, but he cannot and has not acted unilaterally.

Hank’s brother, Hal Steinbrenner, is just as powerful as a successor to their father, the principal owner George Steinbrenner, who is essentially retired. Hal Steinbrenner’s primary responsibility is to oversee the Yankees’ finances, and he is reluctant to add another huge contract.

According to several people who have spoken to the brothers recently, that is the crux of the debate in the organization over whether to trade for Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins. Both Steinbrenners want the team to keep winning. Hal Steinbrenner would try to do it with the existing payroll of roughly $200 million. Hank is more inclined to add Santana, largely to keep him away from the rival Boston Red Sox.

Hank Steinbrenner did not return a telephone message Thursday, and Hal rarely grants interviews. But the result of the internal debate is that nothing has changed since the Yankees pulled their offer at the winter meetings in Nashville a month ago.

There is no standing offer, but from earlier trade talks, the Yankees know they would have to deal starter Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera, the minor league pitcher Jeff Marquez and another prospect for Santana.

If the teams agreed on players, the Yankees would have to negotiate a contract extension with Santana, who would probably ask for seven years and $140 million.

For the Yankees, the $140 million figure would be compounded by an additional $56 million they would owe in luxury taxes, because they are still charged an extra 40 cents for every dollar they spend. Investing almost $200 million in Santana for seven years — and the prospects — is clearly too steep a price for General Manager Brian Cashman.

Cashman wrested autonomy over baseball decisions from George Steinbrenner when he signed a three-year contract extension in October 2005. But Steinbrenner had already begun moving to the background, and his sons did not take an active role until last season.

So far, Hank Steinbrenner has listened to Cashman, endorsing his strategy of investing in amateur talent and developing and keeping homegrown pitching.

But the tempting factor for the Yankees is their seemingly bottomless resources. They have a thriving cable network, a new stadium on the way, and the highest attendance in baseball. They can afford to pay Santana what he wants, and if he were a free agent, they almost surely would make the highest bid.

A year away from free agency, though, Santana can come to the Yankees only through trade. With the Red Sox and perhaps the Mets also involved, trading Hughes would be mandatory for the Yankees, and that would cut at the heart of Cashman’s plan.

Hughes offered the Yankees two delicious glimpses into his future last season: his first major league victory, on May 1, when he fired six and a third no-hit innings until leaving with a strained hamstring; and his showing in September, when he went 3-0 with a 2.73 earned run average before earning a victory in relief in the playoffs.

Some Yankees officials believe Hughes could eventually be as good as Santana at a fraction of the cost. But Santana, despite an ordinary second half, is a two-time Cy Young award winner who would make the Yankees much more imposing to the champion Red Sox.

Trading Cabrera would also weaken the Yankees on defense, because Johnny Damon would return to center field and Hideki Matsui to left. The Yankees could sign Mike Cameron — a player Alex Rodriguez has been privately endorsing — to play center, but Cameron will miss the first 25 games after twice testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Mike Cameron?

Manny Ramirez-OF-Red Sox Jan. 3 - 11:21 pm et
http://rotoworld.com/content/home_MLB.aspx
According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, Manny Ramirez rented a house in the Phoenix area and has become a "maniacal workout warrior" at the Athletes' Performance Institute.
"From what I've heard from people at API, Manny is getting himself into phenomenal shape," Gammons wrote. Ramirez has additional incentive to put up a big year as he enters the final guaranteed season of his eight-year, $160 million contract. The Red Sox hold $20 million options on him for 2009 and 2010.
Source: Boston.com

If this joker is going to continue playing Malik, he needs to go. How can he justify playing Malik. He may possibly be the worst defender in the league. What does he do good? How frusturating is too watch him on the ice continually getting skated around, giving the puck away, and taking penalty after penalty. AHHHHHHH

Yankees keeping eyes on Santana
Rob Bradford By Rob Bradford

http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1064546

Friday, January 4, 2008 - Added 5h ago
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Boston Herald Sports Reporter
Have been around the Red Sox since interning for New England Sports Network during the Butch Hobson managerial years, stopping at such media outlets as The Salem News, The Gloucester Daily Times, The Lowell Sun, and, most recently, The Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co. Along the way wrote the book Chasing Steinbrenner, which focuses on the front offices of the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays throughout the 2003 season.
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While news regarding the Red Sox [team stats]’ pursuit of Johan Santana continues to be virtually nonexistent, Hank Steinbrenner is making sure the rumor mill doesn’t get too stale.

On Wednesday, Steinbrenner told the New York Daily News, “We’re not desperate, so we’re not going to chase anything,” but later added, “In the next two weeks, we’re going to have to get everything done.”

The Yankees senior vice president also said, “The Twins realize our offer is the best one.”

It is believed that the Yankees’ proposal for Santana includes outfielder Melky Cabrera, along with pitching prospects Phil Hughes and Jeff Marquez, and another minor leaguer.

The Red Sox have stood firm with an offer believed to be pitchers Jon Lester [stats] and Justin Masterson, along with outfielder Coco Crisp [stats] and minor league infielder Jed Lowrie.

There have also been rumblings of late that the Mets could be gaining some momentum in talks for Santana, even without giving up star shortstop Jose Reyes.

“I either have to do (the Santana deal) or don’t do it, same thing for the Red Sox, I guess,” Steinbrenner told the Daily News. “I think the Twins would like to keep him, so I don’t think there’s any hurry on anyone’s part. It all depends on what he asks for in an extension.”

In other baseball news that could affect the Red Sox, the Chicago White Sox traded for Oakland outfielder Nick Swisher, who figures to be the White Sox’ everyday center fielder. It was believed Chicago had shown some interest in acquiring Crisp from the Red Sox.

Will Leitch hates Yankee Stadium for very obvious reasons


http://riveraveblues.com/


Posted by: Ben K. in New Yankee Stadium, Rants, Yankee Stadium

Last night, Gelf Magazine hosted its monthly Varsity Letters reading series. With Will Leitch’s reading from his new book and Dan Shanoff and David Zirin on the roster, I ventured down to Happy Endings in Chinatown for the readings.

Good times were had, but that’s besides the point. The point is that Will Leitch does not like Yankee Stadium, and I have to wonder if, despite the history of the stadium, he’s tapped into something about the whole experience that speaks to everyone. In the new book, one of the chapters is a running diary surrounding a trip up to Yankee Stadium. It’s a narrative familiar to many.

In a nutshell: Ride the overstuffed subways up to Yankee Stadium after buying tickets at way above face value; find a sketchy place to check your bag for too much money; spend 20 minutes waiting in a pointless security line; shell out the most money at any MLB ballpark for food and beer; get inundated with loud between-innings promos; get serenaded yet again with “God Bless America”; hear Cotton-Eyed Joe for the one billionth time; inch down the ramps after the game; retrieve your checked bag; get home.

As Leitch puts it, that doesn’t sound like fun. From the money to the crowds to the incessant noise emanating from the scoreboard, Leitch doesn’t understand why Yankee fans are so attached to the House that Ruth Built. And I’m not even mentioning his critique of our inexplicable love for Paul O’Neill because, hey, that’s just a New York thing. My answer to that question: We love Paul O’Neill because he’s Paul O’Neill. You just had to be there.

But on a lot of the other points, I found myself laughing in agreement with Leicht. I know you’re shocked; me, the most outspoken blogger on the new stadium thinking bad thoughts about Yankee Stadium.

Well, in my opinion, going to Yankee Stadium has become something of a burden when you break it down like that because the Yankees have not tried to make the stadium more welcome and because of an odd sense of short-term tradition that no one really likes. How many people fly into a murderous rage whenever the grounds crew come out to the YMCA? How many people dread hearing John Sterling scream “Theeeee Yankees win” at the end of the game? We came to the game to escape John Sterling! And really, does anyone like Cotton Eyed Joe or the other music clips thrown at us at maximum value?

Inside the stadium, the Yankees haven’t made the concession stands easy to negotiate. Serpentining lines could have solved this problem years ago. Admittedly, “God Bless America” is a sensitive subject and one I’d rather not get into here, but the security lines outside have gotten ridiculous. Sometimes, the guards check cellphones; sometimes, they don’t. Sometimes, they check cameras; sometimes, they don’t. It’s very easy to fold up a backup and take it into the stadium in a clear plastic bag, and it’s incredibly easy to take a camera in without anyone noticing. Considering that the Yankees seem more concerned with opaque plastic bags rather than true security measures, can we really just ditch the charade already?

At the end of his segment, Leitch said he won’t miss Yankee Stadium when it’s gone, and that’s where he and I differ. To me, Yankee Stadium is where I grew up. Some of my earliest memories are night games in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Yankees just weren’t that good and the team drew about 26,000 to night games. I remember ditching high school to get to the 1 p.m. mid-week day games and just buying Tier Reserve tickets at the game for $14, the cost of a 2008 bleacher ticket. I remember watching Game 6 of the 2000 ALCS from the Upper Deck, and I remember the crowd’s energy during Game 3 of the 2001 World Series.

After this year, nothing will be left but memories. I can forgive the high prices and obnoxious music because it’s still Yankee Stadium. What I learned from Leitch is that fans of other teams just don’t get it. Maybe that’s why I find Fenway Park to be an insufferably small stadium with poor sight lines, no leg room and rather disgusting facilities. It’s all about your team’s memories, and that’s what fills up Yankee Stadium every night.

Tecmo-izing The Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend
by Davis21wylie

http://www.armchairgm.com/Article:Tecmo-izing_The_Playoffs:_Wild_Card_Weekend


Playoff time is finally here, and as promised, I'm going to run a COM-vs-COM sim of every matchup using Tecmo Super Bowl and the rosters found here (with some tweaks to reflect current depth charts). But first, there's some business to attend to...

I just did the article last week for a larf, but it was picked up by Deadspin and Football Outsiders, among others. And, like the idiot I can be sometimes, I forgot to give proper credit where it was due. So, special shout-outs go to:

* Greg the Ex-'Burgher, for originally doing something like this two years ago, and for pointing me to...
* Knobbe.org, the makers of the incredible 32-team ROM I'm using, and your one-stop destination for all things Tecmo.
* The Sportscenter Altar, for providing the super-dope NFL Primetime music you hear over the highlights.
* And, last but not least, Tecmo, for making such a timelessly classic game that still holds its own 17 years after it was released.

Thanks again, guys, and sorry for not mentioning you last week!

Now, to the games. Tecmo was abysmal at picking last week, selecting the winner only once (Chicago over New Orleans) in five tries! Hopefully, the game will do better this time around. For each game, I'll tell you what Tecmo's simulated score was, as well as what I think the outcome will be -- you should take each with a grain of salt. At Alex H.'s suggestion, I uploaded the entire games to Youtube, so you can watch them and pretend Chris Berman is narrating the action (that goes double for you, Corey). Oh, and the new "Matchup Breakdown" charts are based on a percentile ranking of each team using Football Outsiders' DVOA metric. Enjoy!

GAME OF THE WEEK: NY Giants vs. Tampa Bay

First Half

Second Half

Game Summary: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the opening toss and it was off to the races, as Jeff Garcia and Earnest Graham moved the Bucs down the field on an 82-yard drive that ended with Garcia finding Ike Hilliard for a 14-yard TD strike. After the kickoff, Eli Manning was immediately intercepted, and Tampa quickly turned the turnover into points when Graham raced in for a 6-yard TD to end the first quarter. On the following drive, Manning finally started making plays, scrambling for a big gain and then firing a 23-yard TD to Plaxico Burress in the back of the end zone. But after a Tampa punt, Manning was back to his old ways, throwing a bad interception to Ronde Barber. Tampa would use the field position to make a field goal, and the teams went to the half with the Bucs leading 17-7.

After a New York punt to start the 3rd, Tampa maneuvered into field goal range and had a chance to go up 20-7, but Matt Bryant missed a 47-yarder. The G-Men would make TB pay for this missed opportunity when Manning heaved a 55-yard bomb to Burress to make the score 17-14 as the 3rd quarter came to a close. When Tampa sputtered on offense to start the 4th, Manning stepped onto the field with 3:01 remaining in the game and a chance to pilot NY to their first playoff win since Kerry Collins took them to the Super Bowl in 2000-01. Despite his miscues earlier in the game, Manning was calm and decisive on the final drive, and his arm combined with the legs of Brandon Jacobs to move the Giants down the field for the go-ahead score. Tampa would take the ball with just under a minute to play, but their final drive stalled at New York's 15 yard line, and the game ended with Osi Umenyiora batting down Garcia's pass with 0:00 on the clock. 21-17 Giants, final score

Investigate Journalists who can work with a evidence without a sub-poena power? How can Mitchell can't do it? I would give Senator Mitchell report an incomplete and grade D-



Senator Mitchell is a Redsox Director. Why Everyone is ignoring the fact that He still has ties with Boston? He's friends with Henry and Lucchino? He's still being paid by Redsox. Even though Clemens won two championships with Yankees, He will be a Redsox in my mind. Don't Forget that Clemens grow up and and came up threw Redsox Farm system. I hate it when Media and Fans are always pointing fingers at The Yankees and not The Boston Redsox. The Yankees are ruining baseball and they're Evil. Blah Blah. Where is the double standard? I'm sick of it really. The Redsox always be portray by media and fans as Good but their motive is too be New Yankees meanwhile The Yankees are Bad. Lucchinno's refers to them as Evil Empire. I hope Lucchino's eat his words with his stupid comment and look in the mirror. Lucchinno's hypocrite.


Clemens Wins and Loss Record


1999 14 10 0 0 -- 4.60 era

2000 13 8 0 0 -- 3.70 era

2002 13 6 0 0 -- 4.35 era

Masterson had era in both Lancaster and Double-A of 4.00

Marquez was 12-4 with era of 3.51 in Double-A trenton

Marquez throws 93-95 . He's sinker ball pitcher like Wang . He throws sinker,changeup and developing curveball

Masterson had era in both Lancaster and Double-A of 4.00

Marquez was 12-4 with era of 3.51 in Double-A trenton

Marquez throws 93-95 . He's sinker ball pitcher like Wang . He throws sinker,changeup and developing curveball

Carlton, If you want The Mets players to be injected with Hgh/Steroids,Ex- Mets clubhouse assistant Radomski is that guy.

Carlton How do you feel about Loduca now that He's being name in Mitchell report? Loduca is the catcher for the Mets got to Alcs.

Carlton Can you Please take out Pettite,Stanton,Justice,Knoublach in your list of players you suspected that use PED's during championship 2000. Pettite,Stanton,Knoublach use Hgh after 2000 not before. Pettite's says He use Hgh twice during 2002 season only for two days and quit. According to Mitchell, Stanton's use Hgh when He join and sign with the Mets during 2003 season not 2000. Knoblauch use it after He left the Yankees and sign with the Royals. Justice denied He ever use Hgh .