The Past Weeks Top Sports Issues

NFL

The NFL is now in the "meat and potatoes" part of the schedule.  During this time of the season the games seem to have more of an edge because of playoff implications and players either step up or step aside and let the real contenders get it done.  There was some big games on the slate this weekend.  Falcons vs. Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore, and the Monday night match up New England vs. NY (Jets), these were my top 3 games this weekend.  The Falcons seem to be the best team in the NFC at the moment.  This team has moxy.  The 2011 Falcons have the innate ability to get the job done at the end of games.  The past two weeks have been amazing to watch.  The last minute heroics against the Packers and then coming back in the 4th against the Bucs this week proves that this team has an innate ability to win games.
The best game of the week in my humble opinion was Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore.  Recently this rivalry has been nothing short of a defensive slug fest.  This one was much of the same.  Big Ben started the game in a special shoe because of a foot issue, and on the first drive got his nose broke on a sack by Ngata.  Let me say something here, you can say what you want about Roethlisberger, but the man handled his business Sunday night.  He persevered and stood in the pocket with a blue-collar attitude that has made the Steelers legendary over the years.  In other news from this game, Terrell Suggs is a complete ANIMAL.  For a long time this team has been anchored by Ray Lewis, i mean when you thought about the Ravens defense, you thought about Ray Lewis.  The trend is changing in Baltimore.  Suggs is poised to take over the team and continue the hard hitting ways of the Ravens for years to come.  Pittsburgh in the end made two more plays than Baltimore did and this thriller went to the Steelers.
I really don't even have to comment about the Monday night game do i?  The Patriots and Tom Brady are without question the BEST team in the league right now and they proved it.  The Jets really laid an egg in this game.  They got beat in every facet of the game last night and it was embarrassing.  The Patriots punter was even clearly better.  This was terrible to watch.
Finally Albert Haynesworth.  Ah Albert!  This guy maybe the worst thing that has ever happened to football.  OK i understand you don't like your coach or coaching staff, but Albert, C'MON.  This guy is absolutely worthless.  He wouldn't talk to Shanahan at all, he wouldn't play on first or second down nickel packages.  He wouldn't play on base packages.  He has expressed his distaste with the 3-4 all year long, he whines, he pouts, hes a liability to the whole league.  Do us all a favor Albert, charter a jet and fly to Minnesota, pick up Brett Favre, and both of you fly to Brett's secluded ranch in Mississippi and never make a sound that the media can hear again so long as you both shall live.  Kudos to the Washington coaching staff for suspending this MORON!

MLB

The winter meetings are getting down right HOT!  Huge signings this year include Adrian Gonzalez going to the Red Sox, the Yankees re-sign Jeter, the Nationals sign Jason Werth, and Victor Martinez is now a Detroit Tiger.  My big winners in all of this is the Red Sox and the Tigers.  I think that signing Gonzalez opens up many options for the Red Sox.  This addition solidifies the Red Sox infield, pending a healthy Pedroia and Youkilis next year and puts alot more pop in their line-up.  This move could be followed up by a Carl Crawford signing, which in my opinion would make the Red Sox the front-runner in the AL East in my opinion.  My overall big winner in the off season so far is the Tigers.  The Tigers had 2 major issues from last year and they addressed them both with one signing.  Its no secret that the catchers in Detroit last year were awful.  Avila and Laird were defensively mediocre, but provided virtually no offense all year.  By signing Martinez the Tigers addressed both their need for a solid catcher and put a bat in their line-up to deflect some of the pressure off of Miguel Cabrera.  I like the Tigers moving into 2011, i think they need to pick up maybe a number 2 or 3 pitcher and if they can do that i really believe they can be competitive in the Central next year.  Although I'm not a Yankee fan, I must say I'm glad that they re-signed Jeter.  I don't think it would be good for anyone if he finishes his career with another team. Jeter is a Yankee.  The same as Ryne Sandberg will always be a Cub, and Cal Ripken will always be an Oriole.
My loser in the off season so far is the Nationals.  I DO NOT like this move!!  The deal with Werth is too much money and too many years in my opinion.  I think that next year the Nationals will finish the year with best team in the NL East (on paper).  By that i mean that we already know that Strasburg and Werth are injury prone.  I say the Braves win the NL East next year.  The addition of Uggla at second and Derek Lee at first makes this line-up pretty strong.

Let me know what you think!

I will be posting a basketball edition on Thursdays so look for that this Thursday in the afternoon!