Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Will Braylon start Playin'?

New York Jets land Braylon Edwards

In the wee hours of the morning (read: anything before 10 a.m. is wee for the Foul Weather Fan) on October 7th, 2009 the New York Football Jets pulled off one of the most rare occurrences in professional football. The Midseason Trade. “Oohs” and “Aahhs” abound, the reaction a little muted due to the long-awaited 49ers signing of the final first round holdout Michael Crabtree, but sure enough a collective air of excitement, anticipation, and uneasiness swept through Jets Nation on an already breezy New York City autumn day.

Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, and a pick in the 3rd and 5th round are the pieces that enticed the Browns to part with one-time Pro-bowler Braylon Edwards. The 3rd round pick is conditional and if Braylon reaches a set number of catches the pick has the potential to become a 2nd.  Also expected should be contract discussions and an extension, potentially in the coming weeks. Braylon Edwards is in the final year of his contract and it would be both a surprise and disappointment if the Jets did not intend to lock him up for the next few years. Brett Favre aside, organizations usually do not mortgage their future for one year of gain.

Even though the Jets split ties with four (two this year and two in 2010) total players, you have to believe they saw this as a great time to “buy low”. A disappointing follow-up to his rousing 2007 campaign (80 catches, 1200+ yds, 16 TDs) Braylon has garnered more attention for his off-field escapades than his on-field accolades (65 receptions and 3 TDs in his last 20 games).  Edwards, as recently as this Sunday, the 4th of October, was involved in an altercation with a friend of NBA star LeBron James where he allegedly struck the man and in the process reiterated disparaging comments he’s made previously about LeBron not being a “hometown guy.” Those remarks in reference to Lebron wearing a New York Yankees hat during the Cleveland Indians 2007 playoff run.  During this 2008 off-season Braylon was seen partying with Donte Stallworth the same night where later that morning Stallworth hit and killed a pedestrian while driving intoxicated in the Miami Beach area. The NFL has been heavy-handed in the fines and suspensions levied in the Roger Goodell era and you have to assume the Jets have assessed the risk in partnering with Edwards.

In more football specific news, according to ESPN, Braylon Edwards shares the league lead for “on-target drops” with Denver Broncos wideout Brandon Marshall with 30 since 2007. This week also marked the first time Edwards did not haul in a single pass in 62 games.

But on the positive side for Jets fan, Edwards career is only 62 games long. So this is the first time in the entirety of Braylon Edwards career that he has gone reception-less in a game.  At 26 years old and after averaging more than 15 yards a reception in his last 2 seasons, it may just be a little too premature to say that his best years are behind him. The legs and breakaway speed still seem to be there. At 6’3 his height won’t be leaving him either. It is also safe to say that his production may have been stifled due to the ineptitude of the Browns offense and coaching staff (in fact that is REALLY safe to say).

Is Big Play Braylon back? Who knows, but at least he's got style...

The Jets will pair Braylon Edwards with budding star receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who has gone over 70 yards receiving in each of the Jets first 4 games this season. The tandem will give the Jets an opportunity to coalesce the possession receiver skills of Cotchery with the big play burst of Edwards to devastating effect. The clear idea behind this is to provide Mark Sanchez with proven threats and playmakers. Cotchery, TE Dustin Keller, and now Edwards will serve to open up the passing game as well as stretch the defense and pull 8 men out of the box so the running game can rekindle the successes they had last year (4th in the AFC with 125.2 yards per game).

The Browns in the deal have an exciting young speed burner in Chansi Stuckey, 3 years in the league out of Clemson, as well as Special Teams Player of the Week in the NFL for Week 3, Jason Trusnik. This is the second trade the Mangini-manned Browns have orchestrated with Mangini’s former employer this year. In April, the Browns traded the 5th overall pick in the draft, which net the Jets Mark Sanchez.

The impact of this trade remains to be seen. The Jets are dealing and playing to win now and the Browns are in the midst of a disappointing season that most would not be hard-pressed to label “a rebuilding year” at this point.  One thing to keep an eye on is the development of QB Brett Ratliff (acquired by the Browns in the Sanchez draft pick trade from the Jets) and Chansi Stuckey in the years to come for the Browns. Ratliff is behind both Derrick Anderson and Brady Quinn but has the tools that may lead to future success in the League.

Jets fans can be assured that their organization is doing their best to win and win now. The only real issue now; When LeBron comes to the Knicks in 2010 will Braylon still knock him for wearing a Yankees cap?  The Foul Weather Fan is waiting with baited breath…

Monday, October 5, 2009

Hello Mark Sanchez, Meet Earth

Jets Arrival at Cloud Nine Nixed by Turbulence

No worries ladies, he's still cute, even when dumbfounded

It had to happen at some point.  And wouldn’t you want it to anyway? Sure 16 - 0 sounds nice but when was the last time that won a Super Bowl for anybody? The New York Planes ran out of fuel during their flight towards perfection and the Foul Weather Fan has run out of shame with these ubiquitous fixed wing references. You might just get a “red-eye” from ‘em…ha.

But really, let’s get off the Jet jokes and stick to the flight plan, Er, agenda.

Both the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints came into the day at 3-0. Both firing on all cylinders. Both excelling at what they’re supposed to excel at. For the Jets the defense had done a remarkable job with overload blitzes to complement the overloaded smack-talk they’re so deft at.  Only surrendering 2 offensive touchdowns in 3 games. The Saints on the other hand have been stuffing the scorecards with Drew Brees spearheading the NFL’s most prolific offense, leading the league in points and yards per game.

An added bonus for both teams has been the performance on the other side of the ball. Mark Sanchez, although far from careful with his ball handling, hadn’t cost the Jets a game and in fact his play has routinely put them in place to win a few (3 to be exact).  As for the Saints` their defense had done enough to keep opposing offenses at bay and in fact a Brian Moorman TD pass is all that light the Jumbotron for the, albeit lethargic, Bills in week 3.

But as that Sir Isaac Newton guy said, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and there just ain’t no way both teams can leave 4-0!” That’s pretty much verbatim, I believe. He wasn’t quite a master of the double negatives…

In the eerie fluorescent luminescence of the Big Dome Down by The Bayou the Jets sent the opening kickoff tumbling towards Courtney Roby and with that, the tale of two-half’s began. This may destroy any hopes readers had of light foreshadowing, but the Saints won both, sorry.

As any avid sports fans will know, there are a whole host of pre/post-game “Dos and Don’ts” slogans that are preached by Coaches, ESPN personalities, and self-indulgent bloggers. “Defense wins championships,” “Establish the run,” “Blogging about your sports team makes said team better!” In this game though, a combination of two reared their ugly heads. “You can’t commit turnovers” and “You must manage the clock.”

If you had told the Foul Weather Fan that the Jets could hold Drew Brees to under 200 yards through the air and 0 TD’s through the first half, he would be thrilled, but to do it for an entire game? Chalk up the win and let’s scheme to stuff the Wildcat under the Monday Night lights next week. But to no avail. To use another cliché that is so popular amongst the analysts and so despised amongst anyone who fashions him or herself a wordsmith, “The best defense is a good offense.” And yessir when your defense is quite literally putting up points like a high-powered offense, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in a position to win more. Darren Sharper stepped in front of a TD earmarked for Dustin Keller to pick-6 Mark Sanchez for a 99-yard return. (Note: Mark Sanchez is now 2-for-2 on INTs for TDs and 15-yard personal fouls for hitting defensive players low during the return. At least he’s…consistent?) Later in the 1st half, after an inspiring Jets goalline stand, on the first play from scrimmage Mark mistook the ringing in his ears that was his “internal ‘GET RID OF THE BALL!’ clock” for a little birdie saying “Continue to hold onto the ball in your own endzone, this feels like a good idea, let’s ride this wave out.” Needless to say, a strip-sack and fumble recovery paved the way to a 17 - 0 start for New Orleans.  Ball control: absent in the first half. Check.

With the second half though, came great hope for the Gang Green faithful.  A rare hitting-of-the-hole and a glimmer of 2008’s running abilities later and Thomas Jones (much to the surprise of the Foul Weather Fan and probably to Thomas, himself) found himself in the endzone.  But as with any great hope looms the opportunity for dashed expectations, and the latter the Jets held in great supply this Sunday.

In short, the Saints tacked on another 7 and the score for the day was settled at 24-10. But more fully the Jets crashed and burned on the next 5 series (3 offensive possessions for NO and 2 offensive possessions for NYJ) following the Thomas Jones TD.  The 5 series proceeded as such:

NO: 7-play drive. Time of Possession: 3:56

NYJ: 3-and-out. T.O.P.: 1:22

NO: 5-play drive. T.O.P. 2:15

NYJ: 3-and-out. T.O.P.: 1:43

NO: 11-play drive. T.O.P.: 6:49. Capped with a Pierre Thomas TD

The Jets inability to snag a first down late in the 3rd quarter and early in the 4th ultimately was their undoing.  Rex Ryan’s D was stuck on the field for a total of 13 minutes during a16 minute stretch and this put them in a position to finally be broken. After stuffing the Saints on 2 previous 4th Down attempts the 3rd time proved the charm as a Kris Jenkins penalty on 4th and 1 gave the Saints a fresh set of downs and the opening they needed.  Soon after, New Orleans completed the 74-yard drive with a score from Pierre Thomas. Clock management: absent in the second half. Check.

All in all the New York Jets had a rough day but with the trials and tribulations comes an opportunity to learn about the team and their makeup.  Mark Sanchez’s 4 turnovers (3 INTs, 1 Fumble Lost) proves he’s human and Rex can’t sack every quarterback game-in and game-out (0 Sacks, I’m sure you guessed that though), but those withstanding, the Jets still have some fight in ‘em. Even with the two major “Don’ts” faux pas and a small sampling of errs along the way the Planes still found themselves with an opportunity to win a ball game and that’s an encouraging sign for any supporter.  It seems as though the Jets may be poised to strike next Monday Night against the Dolphins.

Hopefully it’s not a bird strike though, I hear that’s not too good for Jets…or really the birds for that matter.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

On The Record

Or on the Internet if you prefer…

Now I’m notorious, at least in my own mind, for calling out players that are on the brink of being the next big thing. Freshmen call outs for players such as U of F alums and current stars, Joakim Noah and Tim Tebow in their rookie seasons. Picking up Tim Lincecum for his first big league start May 6th in ’07. Drafting Josh Hamilton far earlier than anyone thought he should be picked up before the mammoth break out that was the 1st half of the ’08 season. My irrational love for Erik Bedard and his subsequent ’07 strikeout king title. As well as my prediction that Deangelo Williams would be the best RB of his draft class. The latter has been nearly on point, though my favorite little bowling ball (Maurice Jones-Drew) continues to impress.

Yes, the list goes on and yes all, this fine young (and becoming oldish) gentlemen were highly touted prospects as they pushed their way towards stardom in their respective professions. But the point is, they all made me feel better about myself and my scouting abilities and they have become big successes, at least for their college tenures and a couple prominent fantasy seasons.

So now is the time for me to go out and make some big(ish) claims about who exactly the budding stars in queue are. Both those players finding their way onto my fantasy teams and climbing the depth chart on their assorted rosters. I can only assume this will come back to bite me and thus cause a massive sense of distrust and distaste amongst my followers. But hell, all of my article/blog writing/ranting lunatic idols are wrong with an alarming consistency, but it still works for them (here’s looking at you Matthew Berry!).

This is the first installment of my many “Ups and Downs” projections and I’ll keep it to Football this time around. I’ll give you a handful of my favorite potential breakouts and a little blurb offering some “factual support” as to why I believe they are the stars of tomorrow and/or why they'll beat their projected production.

Since I’ll have my predictive juices flowing on full tilt I’ll also provide you with some busts for thought and the things I’m down on. So without further adieu (and plenty more further adon’t) here are my ups and downs.

Up on:

1. Tate Forcier, QB, Michigan – Ok, so I’m a little late with this one. It was a projection of mine 2 weeks ago, but of course with his dissection of Notre Dame just a week and a half ago, he became a household name to most any casual CFB fan. But Tate still deserves to make this list because I believe he’ll continue to rise over the next 4 years of his career and has a shot to bring Michigan back to prominence.

2. Chansi Stuckey, WR, New York Jets – In his 3rd year with the Jets, Chansi has his opportunity to be a breakout receiver and a stud in any Points Per Reception fantasy league. Chansi will be asked, amongst others, to fill the receptions gap that’s opened up thanks to the departure of Laverneus Coles. A clear #3 option behind Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller, Stuckey will still get his fair share of targets particularly as a safety valve and slot receiver. My prediction, this year’s Wes Welker candidate, plus he’s had more targets in the end zone than one would expect after the first 2 weeks.

3. Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – He’s already turned in 2 above average fantasy games, which is beyond most fantasy experts projections. But he’s been stowed away on my fantasy rosters because not only is he one of only a handful of running backs who wont split carries but he’s in the best shape he’s been in since his rookie year and has a coach that believes in him. And, to make an odd connection that Cedric Benson himself probably wouldn’t even find suitable, as John Mayer says, “Belief is a beautiful armor, it makes for the heaviest sword” and with Marvin Lewis’ belief, it’s my thought that Benson is starting to sharpen up and shape himself into a productive NFL RB.

4. Madden NFL ’10, XBOX 360 – The game is just downright good. Highly polished as well as fun and plenty challenging to play. Of course the Jets aren’t so stellar, and Leon Washington is only a 79 (What!?!) but the gameplay is much improved. A nice touch is the USAF fly-overs before big games…especially when you’re playing in a dome and they still fly over. Eh, glitch? I think so.

5. The Wildcat/Seminole/Dirty Bird offensive schemes – Whatever you call ‘em, (and the more creative the better) I like ‘em. Although I fashion myself quite the purist when it comes to just about any sport, I like my defensive struggles, pitchers duels, and zone defenses more than anybody I know. But there is something about this new wrinkle I just can’t kick. Give me some more! That is, until Mark Sanchez and Chad Pennington go out with concussions for diving headfirst into some nameless D-linemen’s knee.

6. Jozy Altidore, ST, on loan to Hull City – Hey, Futbol is Football! Jozy is also a clear-cut and well-developed prospect at this point, but the Foul Weather Fan operates under the belief that sports are sports and Futbol is a damn good one. Altidore’s size and striking ability just may be the difference in bringing U.S.A. soccer deep into the World Cup tourney. Besides, his name is “Jozy” and he’s still a beast!


Down on:

1. Marion Barber – Now to clarify, by no means is Marion Barber not a standout player and one of the better performers in the league. But it’s my personal belief that his hard running, “refuse to go down” days are starting to wear thin. I think this year we may see the introductory version of “Marion Barber: Touchdown Vulture, Vol. I” as Felix Jones slips into the more active and yard-eater role for the Boys.

2. Larry Fitzgerald – Now to Uber clarify, this by no means is my declaration that Larry Fitzgerald isn’t a freakishly good athlete and one of the best hands and spectacular catch guys around, but you have to respect the numbers. I agree he’s one of the top receivers in the league, but as far as fantasy goes, taking him in the first round? I just can’t be on board. Anquan Boldin is a #1a starter if Larry Fitz is your #1 and to think of Anquan as not being on the same plane as Larry just because he had some words with Todd Haley? That’s a touch ridiculous. This is more a declaration of my Adoration for Anquan than a Lament of Larry but either way, both will be stunning and both will be prolific AND both will have similar numbers.

3. Pre-game pyrotechnics – No, just don’t do it. Everyone loves the 4th of July, but there’s a reason why they are done on barges. "Smoke on the Water" is cool, just ask Deep Purple. But smoke on the field for the entirety of the first half is just never a good look (hmm…maybe Madden ’10 should have included a “Firework Residue” option). I tune in to see an epic battle not a Mini KISS extravaganza. And yes, at this point Mini KISS has more stage presence and more of a leg to stand on than appropriately sized KISS. Even if their hands aren’t big enough to actually play the guitars.

4. Santonio Holmes – Suffering (maybe relishing is the right word) from the Eli Manning complex, not-so-good for an entire season and very-so-good for the final 4 games that really count in the playoffs. In fact, Santonio wasn’t really that great in the Super Bowl until 2 fantastic plays and 4 catches on the final drive (which I can’t and wouldn’t dare to understate the “clutchness” of). Heroics withstanding, there’s no way Holmes should be drafted in the 4th or 5th round in any fantasy league. But also, Santonio, please act like you’ve been there before when it comes to getting first downs or touchdowns in the ’09 season. Not every first down scamper is quite as dramatic as your 6-yard XLIII thriller…

Which brings me to:

5. Guys who act like they haven’t been there before – I’d like to point out more specific individuals, and I have, (See: 4. Santonio Holmes) but it seems that, this year especially, few players have ever actually made a tackle, run for a touchdown, snagged a first down, or even jogged down the field at a brisk pace. I’m noticing that nearly every play made needs to be celebrated by at least one individual. No matter the time or the situation, football players seem to be eager to commemorate each individual accolade with a classy “shaking of their tail feather”, enigmatic “ballin’ dance move” or downright brazen “double first pump twirl to ground punch.” Excuse me, but I must have been conned into the belief that making that play…is your job! My favorite most recent example, a big hit by (I believe) #52 of the USC Trojans on one of the final plays of the USC vs. WASH game. His brute strength was on display both during and after the play, while he demonstrated his muscle flexing ability after demonstrating his prowess to plug the A-gap. Oh, did I mention the hit he made was on his own 10-yard line and just a few plays later Washington (winless in 2008) kicked the game-winning upset field goal with only a few seconds to spare? Oh yeah, that part probably wasn’t as profound to the player as his own tackle.

So there you go, a little bit of predicting, a little more nitpicking and plenty of ranting and raving. My first “Ups and Downs” prediction batch in all it’s uncertain glory. Talk amongst yourselves and then come on and talk to me when these all shake out. You at least have to argue the “Mini Kiss having more of a leg to stand on” bit, right?

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Diamonds in the Rough

Baseball? But I don’t wanna!

It’s that time of year again. The time when you wish you had more than one respectable sweater to wear out or, with fingers crossed, you delve into your closet in search of the one decent hoodie you have, in the hopes it hasn’t incurred some damage of the nocturnal heterocera variety (that’s moth for any layman out there…or for just about anybody who’s heard the word “moth” before). To accompany your snazzy couture, the crisp autumn air and all those beautiful leaves that put on one final show before they take flight and fill your Saturdays with thankless chore work.

As sports fans we all know what that means…Fantasy Baseball! Wait, wait, wait, just give me a second. Stop the pillaging; put down your pitchforks, I can explain myself! But hold on, why do you even have a pitchfork and is that hay you’re burning on a stick for light? Take it easy and find a flashlight, it’s the 21st century.

Alright, so of course Football reigns supreme this time of year. The Jets are quite inexplicably (and probably for the last time) tied for first in the AFC East. The Chargers door continues to close as they struggle to even surmount the Cable Guy and his Raiders. And your sleeper picks, James Davis of the Browns and Anthony Gonzalez of the Colts appear destined to struggle for a starting chance rather than breakout.  But honestly, this is the time for Baseball people!

September Call-ups and no I’m not talking about your Ex that you really, really think will give you the time of day this semester if you just reach out and try.  I’m talking about Buster Posey, Jason Heyward, and Julio Borbon.  All the guys you’ve never heard of and don’t really care exist because, hey! It’s football season!  And you’ve officially made your switch from watching grown men slap one another on the tuchus in a sport where a simple pat on the back would suffice to a sport where it actually makes sense (you know the pads and stuff, also apparently football players don’t understand, “Nice job diving into that guy and then picking up that oblong thing your jarred from him!” yeah, it just doesn’t carry the same weight I suppose).

Now I can’t deny, nor hold it against any person with a pulse to forget that anything besides a pigskin exists once the leaves fall, but this is your chance people! The advantage and the edge everyone looks for in Fantasy, it’s in your hands right now. The stars of tomorrow are getting their time on the diamond today.  The list of September call-up stars, just in recent memory, is long with names like Joba, Pablo and David needsalastname Price, topping the list. All were September call-ups over the last few years and have made significant impact in the fantasy realm as well as, slightly more importantly, with their Pro clubs.

Now I would never dare to request that you care less about your football teams, pro or fantasy, but just consider the potential of dedicating 2 nights every week to watching a few innings of baseball, even the struggling teams (because chances are they have more call-ups they’re seriously considering for the future). Think of if!  You could start sharpening those mental pitchforks, your so fond of, for foes more deserving than I. I.e. the “friends” in your fantasy league next year.  And that’s good for both of us, because I’m honestly this close to pressing charges.  Also the Foul Weather Fan does not condone pillaging.  Football season, I mean Fantasy baseball season, is neither the time nor the place for off-field violence.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Here, You Throw This Out

Fan “Appreciation” Days

By all accounts Yankees fans are at the top of the pecking order when it comes to fan satisfaction. 26 World Championships, Murderers row, the genius that is Yogi Berra, Mr. October and even Mr. November. The shortcomings of the new millennium are quickly becoming an after thought as the Bronx-kateers plow through the AL East and sit pretty with the best record in baseball. Thoughts of the late 90’s dynasty suddenly don’t seem so distant. As the dog days of summer start to dull to a whimper, the Yankees continue to coast, taking 10-out-of-15 in September. Yet, for all the praise and accolades that adorn the group of superstars becoming a devastating team right before our eyes, the fans this month are batting a benign 0-for-3.

“Yes, that is in fact a plush whistle doll. And of course there are plenty of things you can do with it”

On Tuesday the 8th, Saturday the 12th, and tonight, Wednesday the 16th, New York Yankees fans will be appreciated (maybe mocked is the right word) for their patronage by basking in the glory that is Soup Bowl Night, Luggage Tag Day, and Plush Whistle / Doll / IsItReallyAWhistleDoll? Night, respectively.

Now we here at Foul Weather Fan (Read: Me) are all for Giveaway days. We even appreciate when lowly college community outreach groups hand us fliers. “Hell yeah I’d love to doodle on that, and make a hot pink paper airplane, and uh…support Jane Smith for Vice Secretary Treasurer, count me in!” But are the Giveaway glove days, bat days, and non-velcro hat days, really that far gone? Yes, you could pass this off as an economic downtime and giving away the gloves isn’t all that cost effective. But wouldn’t the warm fuzzy feeling of being able to think, “Geez, fans will have this glove for years to come and always remember this day” feel a lot better than forcing fans to grab hold of a fuzzy feeling whistle and ask of their hero, “Mr. Jeter, please sign my soup bowl, and could you mention something about you passing Lou Gehrig or whatevs?”


Of course there is always a positive side. Soup bowls definitely work for catching foul balls and, with any luck, a few A-Bombs.


But maybe I’m too quick to judge. Fans of the interlocking NY may be batting just above the Mendoza line with a 1 for 4 performance this month. September 7th was Hand Sanitizer Key Chain Giveaway Day. Swine Flu is certainly something none of the Yankee faithful appreciate…