Devils-Blue Jackets Recap

So another game and another frustrating loss for #JerseysTeam as they fall to 12-14-6. (Side note: anyone else notice how much the Devils are really pushing this whole "#JerseysTeam" thing since the Nets fled to Brooklyn? We know it's NJ, it's in the damn team name.. but I digress)  Yet another outing in which the Devils deserved to win and should have won, but for one reason or another lost.  This time you have to assign the lion's share of blame to the Hall-of-Famer-to-be in net.  Yeah, he got a few bad bounces (Atkinson's goal off his calf after Brodeur stopped Dubinksy's throw on net), but any time you allow 5 goals on 23 shots, it's probably not going to be a good day.

Anyone who follows the Devils knows that anytime the offense shows up and puts four on the board, it's a game where the boys in red should come away with two points, end of story.  The team is built on defense and it just wasn't there on Tuesday.  Anton Volchenkov was playing like some sort of Space Jam-like aliens stole his talents for a sequel hockey game against the Tune Squad (although it's not like any of them would target Volchenkov in the first place).  Yeah, he got hurt and came back into the game, but it's not like he was playing like Scott Stevens before he left.

Frustrating game from the Devils, as I can assure you Schneider wouldn't have needed four goals for a win Tuesday, guy has been winning with barely any offense in front of him and at this point he's clearly the number one.

There were a couple bright spots surprisingly enough as Damien Brunner finally snapped out of his zombie-like slump with two goals, which will hopefully give him the confidence he needs to jumpstart his play.  Michael Ryder stayed hot with another goal and now has four goals in his last five games, but perhaps the biggest help is the progress being made by two players that have missed significant time due to injury in Ryane Clowe and the captain Bryce Salvador.

Ryane Clowe, the walking concussion who I'm sure most people forgot was a Devil at this point (get used to it, he's signed for five years), should be back by the weekend or early next week.  Salvador began skating with the team this week on his way back and should stabilize the defense, which has played well in his absence for the most part, taking some pressure off of the rookies, Merrill and Big Gelly (friggin love Eric Gelinas).

Anyways, the Devils are back in action Friday in Pittsburgh.  On paper it's scary due to their record, but the Devils have won 4 of the last 6 against those assholes.  Either way, Let's Go Devils.

This needs to come back...

Super Bowl XLVII: 5 Reasons Why Each Team Will Win

Well here we are on the eve of the most hyped-up and celebrated television program of the year: the Super Bowl.  As Rent-A-Centers everywhere are buzzing with big screen TV rentals and corporations are desperately throwing millions at CBS for advertising slots, the Ravens and 49ers are wrapping up their preparations for the Big Game.  Here are five reasons why each time will win tomorrow in New Orleans and take the coveted Lombardi Trophy back home (Prediction at the end).

San Francisco 49ers

1. Colin Kaepernick.  I'll be the first to admit that I thought the Niners were making a mistake by replacing Alex Smith with the unproven Kaepernick in the midst of a season in which they were clearly contenders, and after a year where Smith dazzled in the playoffs, especially against the New Orleans Saints in a memorable divisional round matchup.  I'll also, however, be the first to admit that I was wrong.  Kaepernick has given San Francisco an added dimension on offense that Smith couldn't provide.  His legs, combined with his rocket of an arm, provide a deadly combination that certainly keep opposing defenses up late at night.  He has resurrected a seemingly-lost Michael Crabtree since he became the starting signal-caller in November.  Kaepernick will cause the Ravens' defense fits with his read-option and may also be able to get loose for a few big runs against a weaker Raven run defense than we're used to seeing.

Will Colin K. be flexin down in Nawlins?

2. The Front Seven.  You show me a better front seven in football, and I'll show you a liar.  The pass rush led by the Smith brothers, Aldon and Justin (no, they're not really brothers), paired with a linebacking corp featuring Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis are a matchup nightmare for any blocking scheme.  They rush the passer better than anyone in the league and they tackle better than anyone in the league.  They are as sure of a thing as sure things come.  However, don't sell their secondary short either as Carlos Rogers, Dashon Goldson, and even Chris Culliver (who has made the press this week for all the wrong reasons) are nothing to scoff at either.

3. Vernon Davis is a matchup nightmare.  Vernon Davis' numbers were down this year, mostly thanks to a disappearing act at the end of the season, back he has seemingly resurrected himself and become the force that we know him to be.  The Ravens will likely be forced to bring a nickel back onto the field for much of the game to cover Davis, but there will be times throughout the game where he'll be staring across the line at a linebacker, a matchup that Colin Kaepernick must exploit.  Few tight ends deserve the attention that Davis warrants, but then again, there aren't exactly too many 250 lb tight ends that run a 4.38 (40-yard dash).

4. Jim Harbaugh is the better coach.  No disrespect to John here, and this "Harbowl" is clearly something to commemorate because we may never see anything like it again, but Jim has the upper hand.  Sure, John is the longer tenured coach, but he inherited a fearless defense with surefire Hall of Famers in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and all-pro caliber players like Haloti Ngata.  Granted Jim was handed most of his team as well, but the players he was given never demonstrated any sort of success prior to his arrival.  Hell, San Francisco hasn't been this relevant since the Jerry Rice and Steve Young days (even with T.O. and Jeff Garcia, who somehow has a smokeshow of a wife).  All in all, I contend that Jim utilizes his team's strengths better and owns a better overall gameplan on a week-to-week basis.

5. The football gods owe them.  We all remember (or at least should) Kyle Williams' devastating fumble that, for all intents and purposes, fumbled the game away last year in the NFC Championship Game against the eventual champion New York Giants.  If Williams fields a relatively routine punt cleanly, Eli Manning is still sitting on one championship.  However, Williams muffed the punt, which was recovered by the G-Men, sending the Niners home sooner than it seemed they would.  When a break goes so far toward the other team in professional sports, things tend to go your way the next time; everything has a way of evening out, a level playing field, if you will.  The signs would indicate that the Niners are due, and due for something big like, dare I say it, a Lombardi Trophy.

Baltimore Ravens

1. Joe Flacco. I started off San Francisco's list with Kaepernick, so it only seems fair to go Flacco here, but all-in-all he is a difference maker.  I really think Flacco's play alone will dictate this contest; I think he is the biggest variable.  He's been nothing short of spectacular this postseason, as he boasts an 8-0 touchdown-to-interception differential.  He received an awful lot of criticism when he claimed that he believes he's the best quarterback in the NFL last year, and by criticism I mean a lot of laughs.  However, why shouldn't he be confident? He's backed it up with two consecutive AFC Championship game appearances and now a Super Bowl berth.  If Flacco continues his stellar play, I think it's Baltimore's game to lose, but if he falters, they'll be in a world of trouble.  This is his chance to prove that he is, in fact, an elite quarterback, and I definitely think he is capable of answering that call.

Joe Flacco is about to get paid if he wins one more game.

2. Ray Lewis' last hurrah. Will Ray Lewis be as big of a factor as he was in the Super Bowl XXXV victory in which he was named MVP? Absolutely not.  However, he will be extra motivated to go out on top, and I think his teammates want to help him do that (if for no reason other than to usher him out the door).  Big name players have seemed to go out on top recently, so why can't he be the next one to retire after winning "The Big One" with the likes of John Elway, Jerome Bettis, and Michael Strahan?  Say what you want about his character, his past, or his sudden devotion to his faith, but the guy can play some ball.  Besides, how could I call myself a (quasi)sports writer without mentioning Ray Lewis in a Super Bowl column?

3. Torrey Smith.  I'm a big fan of Torrey Smith's.  I skyped with the man last year (no, but really, I did) and he's a genuinely nice human being, however that doesn't even begin to describe how good this guy is.  He may not get the press that other high-level receivers get, but Torrey Smith has quietly (a nice chance of pace for a team with Ray Lewis) become arguably the best deep threat in the NFL.  With Joe Flacco having what is most likely the strongest arm in the league, Torrey Smith can just put a move on the DB and turn on the jets because Flacco will get him the pigskin.  Smith will play a major role in this game, as no team has had an answer for him thus far in the playoffs.

4. They're the underdogs.  There's just something to be said about an underdog.  While they may only be a small underdog in Vegas (+3.5 last I looked), most are predicting a Niner victory.  Well, tell that to Baltimore.  They weren't supposed to beat Denver.  They did it.  They weren't supposed to beat New England.  They did that too.  Why not San Francisco?  Tell me. Why not?

5. The leg of Justin Tucker.  There's something special about the leg of this young man.  He's been virtually automatic on the year, missing only 3 FGs all season long as a rookie.  He's made four from 50+ and has already drilled a 47-yard game winning FG in double OT in Denver (how's that for clutch?).  I think this is a close game, and Baltimore has the better, more consistent kicker right now in Tucker, whereas David Akers has been a mini disaster this season for San Francisco.  This game has all the makings of a dogfight and if it comes down to the wire, I like the foot of the youngster.

Prediction

It's going to be close, and I think anyone who believes otherwise is kidding themselves.  (Of course when it's a blowout I'll have the taste of foot in my mouth for a week).  As with my last point made, I think it's Justin Tucker hoisted on the shoulders of his Raven teammates as the clock expires, bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore, sending Ray Lewis off into the sunset (thank God).

Baltimore, 27-24.

-TA

Hockey Is Back: One Week In

So after what I'd like to call a lengthy sabbatical, I need to return to one of my favorite pastimes: sports writing.  Now I know everyone who has visited my blog has been waiting with baited breath for my return, well here it is.  I had a lot running through my mind during this horrific excuse for a class (thank God I took it pass/fail), so I went to the old reliable pen and paper (or I guess laptop, but it doesn't sound as cool).  So here we go with some hockey...

Eastern Conference

First impressions after a week or so:

The Bruins seem to be the team to beat- Boston is one of the most physical teams in the league, and they have shown it.  Milan Lucic is a man-beast on the ice with an unparalleled balance of physicality and skill, and with guys like Shawn Thornton, Nathan Horton, Zdeno Chara, and even the 19-year-old Dougie Hamilton added to the mix, the Bruins have the size to not only match up with any team, but outmatch them.  Even their smallest guys like Brad Marchand fearlessly throw their weight around.  Their size and skill in front of underrated goaltender Tuukka Rask make them the frontrunner, in my mind, to recapture the East.

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly be jumping at this chance to stare Lucic down.

The Devils don't seem to be missing Zach Parise too much- My beloved Devils are off to a 3-0-1 start and their defense, paired with the tremendous play of ageless wonder Marty Brodeur in net, is their biggest strength.  The Devils return their entire defensive unit from last year's Stanley Cup Final team, something that Brodeur has said he feels greatly comforted by.  The team should have last year's rookie sensation and playoff hero Adam Henrique back by the end of the week, adding to a group of forwards that have already featured strong play from David Clarkson, Patrik Elias, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Travis Zajac.  While the Devils are in a nice position 4 games in, they need to address their slow first period starts if they want to keep it that way.  Right now they look like a contender, but they clearly can't relax in what is probably the best division in hockey.

The old man's still got it.

Tampa Bay's offense is a force to be reckoned with- You already know what Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, and Vinny Lecavalier bring to the table (although the latter two may be a bit of surprise with their high levels of play as they continue to age), but there has also been a surprise with the addition of the AHL's reigning MVP in Cory Conacher.  Conacher looks to be a potential Calder Cup frontrunner as the league's top rookie, as he has contributed 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points in the club's first 5 games.  The smaller rookie (listed at 5'8" 179 lbs) has seemed to have no trouble transitioning to the next level.  They'll need goalie Anders Lindback to step up at times to balance out the attack, but the Lighning have struck early.

The Rangers and Flyers need to pick it up- These two division foes handed in quite an entertaining affair in their first meeting, a game the Flyers won 2-1, but their slow starts have them looking up within the division (even behind the Islanders, bleh).  While the Rangers' 2-3 and the Flyers' 2-4 starts may have produced a little bit of panic amongst fans, these teams are built well enough to make the playoffs, which is all a team needs to do in a shortened season.  The Rangers have arguably the best goalie in the NHL in Henrik Lundqvist and one of the best top lines in the league with Rick Nash, Brad Richards, and Marian Gaborik.  The Flyers took a hit with the loss of Scott Hartnell for a month, but the return of Danny Briere helps along with one of the best young players in the game in Claude Giroux.  Philadelphia's defense remains suspect and they'll ask more out of Ilya Bryzgalov in net this season, but I think they're a good enough team to make the playoffs.

Hartnell is a big loss, although I'm not convinced this isn't Hagrid.

Washington fans should be panicking- Something is wrong in the nation's capital.  The Caps don't look quite right; Alexander Ovechkin doesn't look quite right.  Ovechkin seems to be missing something.  He has moved from left wing to right wind, but that can't be what's wrong.  Whether it's that he's trying to do too much or whatever, the Caps can't contend with their star performing like he has.  Their goalie play has struggled as well, although their defense isn't helping.  Last year's playoff surprise, Braden Holtby has struggled mightily allowing 10 goals in his two games.  Michael Neurvirth has been slightly better for Washington, but the goalie play in total needs to be better and that begins with the defense, which has allowed the two goaltenders to be peppered with shots, something that can't continue.  Unless the team turns it around quick, they're in trouble with each game that much more important in a shortened season.

Western Conference

Chicago has regained its Stanley Cup swagger- There hasn't been a better team in the early going so far than the Chicago Blackhawks.  Their offensive attack, led by Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews has been stellar, and goaltender Corey Crawford, who struggled at times last season, has been tremendous.  Chicago is 6-0-0 and is showing no signs of slowing down.  The best way to put it is simply: the 'Hawks are back, back to their ways that brought the Stanley Cup back to Chicago in 2010.

Patty Kane, ladies and gents.

The Kings are off to a "slow start"- There has been a bit of a hubbub about Los Angeles' "slow start", but I'm not one of those worriers.  The team is 2-2-1 and currently sitting in what is now 8th place in the West, which is a playoff spot in case you needed reminding.  This is a team that won the Stanley Cup last year from the 8 seed.  Anze Kopitar is just getting his sea-legs back after suffering an injury while playing overseas, and while the injury to Matt Greene puts a damper on the defense, they still have a tremendous goaltender in the reigning Conn Smythe winner, Jonathan Quick in net and most of the same team that won Lord Stanley's Cup a mere 7 months ago.

This could be Edmonton's breakthrough year- The Oilers have now been bad for what seems like decades. However, after amassing top pick after top pick in the draft, Edmonton has started 3-2 and while it is respectable, it's a vast improvement from where the team has been, which is in the basement. Their young talent is starting to come together with guys like this year's top pick Nail Yakupov, with former top picks Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  The Oilers have gotten solid goaltending from Devan Dubnyk and the early signs point to Edmonton perhaps being a playoff team as early as this year.


For many other teams it's been business as usual, which can be good (in the cases of San Jose and St. Louis) or bad (in the cases of Calgary and Toronto).  While we've all been deprived of our hockey for the better part of 4 months, it is back and as strong as ever.  Record ticket sales and viewership have been reported in the opening week, meaning the boost the NHL received last year through the playoffs has not only not receded, but has continued to grow.  We have less hockey now in our 48-game season, but we have more meaningful hockey and more hockey in a typical week.  The NHL knew we'd be back and we knew it too, regardless of how much apathy we pretended to have through the whole lockout.  However you felt and whoever you blamed is not deemed irrelevant and the indignant nature and feelings have calmed.  Hockey is back and beginning to regain its glory days of the 1980s and 1990s when Gretzky and Lemieux ruled the ice.

 It's an exciting year for the NHL, even if it will carry an asterisk in the record books.  We have a jam-packed season on our hands and I, for one, am beyond excited.  So hockey fans, and those who are just reading this because they like me (even though I'd have no idea how you made it this far), enjoy it, because it will be a hell of a ride.

-TA

Taking the Temperature of the Miami Dolphins

As promised Al, here ya go...

The Miami Dolphins are coming off a somewhat disappointing 2011 campaign in which they finished 6-10.  The reason I say that it is only somewhat disappointing is because they finished off the season 6-3 in their last nine games after an 0-7 start.  The team looked much stronger at the tail end of the season and showed some promised, even after the firing of Head Coach Tony Sparano following Week 14.

The Dolphins faced some adversity this season when they lost starting QB Chad Henne during a Week 4 matchup with the San Diego Chargers.  Rookie RB Daniel Thomas was hobbled with a hamstring injury that lingered for most of the season, forcing the team to rely on Reggie Bush.

Bush, however, proved to be a rare bright spot on offense for Miami.  Bush, who was brought over from New Orleans in a trade before the season, was expected to split carries with Thomas, but was forced to shoulder the brunt of the carries.  Bush showed that he could handle it though as he finished with over 1,000 yards rushing for the first time as a pro.

Next year should be brighter on offense for Miami as they should have a healthy Thomas in his second year to complement Bush in the backfield for a balanced attack.  They will have Henne back if they choose to stick with him as the starter, a decision that will likely be saved for the future head coach.

The defense was solid again this year, finishing sixth in points allowed per game (19.6) and third in rushing yards allowed per game (95.6).  The defense should be stout again next year, led by breakout defensive end Cameron Wake who accounted for 8.5 sacks in 2011, as well as 14 in 2010.

The position of head coach remains vacant at the moment, but it is no secret that they highly covet former Titans' head coach Jeff Fisher, who they chartered a private helicopter for late last week.  However, the Rams are hot on Fisher as well and he may be more interested in that job.

If the 'Fins do not land Fisher, let's take a look at some other coaches that I think they could consider bringing in:

Bengals' Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer:  Zimmer has made the Bengals' defense strong again and helped them clinch a birth in the playoffs.  Behind a rookie QB, they Bengals had to rely a lot on their defense, and Zimmer got his boys ready to play.  The Dolphins have always been a strong defensive-minded team, and Zimmer could provide that focus.  Many think that Zimmer should have gotten a chance at a head coaching job way before now, but he is still out there and could be a viable candidate for the Miami job.  Owner Stephen Ross was thought to have desired a coach with previous NFL head coaching experience, but if Fisher chooses St. Louis and Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden stay in the broadcast booth, they may have no choice than to turn to an assistant.

Interim Head Coach/ Secondary coach Todd Bowles:  Sometimes the best place to look for a coach is within the organization.  Bowles took over as the interim head coach after the firing of Tony Sparano prior to Week 15.  The team finished 2-1 under Bowles' tenure, during which the team played some of its better ball.  There is talk of Bowles possibly heading to Tampa, but they are also keen on Marty Schottenheimer, so if they do not bring Bowles in, and Miami wants someone familiar with the system, they could do much worse than keeping Todd Bowles.

My Prediction:  Fisher decides to coach the team with a franchise QB in place, that being the Rams with Sam Bradford.  With Fisher off the board, I think the Dolphins ultimately go with Cincinnati's Zimmer, a guy who just seems like a head coach.  Also, it could help his cause that he and GM Jeff Ireland worked together during their stints in Dallas.

So as we near Fisher's decision, we shall wait and see which direction the Dolphins choose to go.  Will they get Jeff Fisher?  Will they get Zimmer and prove me right?  Or will they go Bowles or an entirely different unforeseen direction?  That's the beauty of the NFL coaching carousel, we won't know until the first report comes in, and even then we must wait for confirmation.

Until next time, take care all and enjoy the playoffs.

-TA

Quick Thought: Possible Schottenheimer Reunion?

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been on here as I've been working with Bleacher Report a bit and will embark on a sports writing internship coming up in two weeks, but I will never forget my roots, those being this blog where it all started.  Thanks again to all who have read it means the world to me and has helped fuel my dream.  So to my thought...

On Tuesday, Jets' Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer informed the team that he will not be back next season.  This move comes after there was a lot of talk of uneasiness and unrest within the locker room.  Third-string QB Greg McElroy went on to say that there were a lot of huge egos on the team and that many players did not care about winning or losing, but rather personal statistics.  

It may make sense that Schottenheimer has jumped ship now to part ways with the cancerous players in his unit (Santonio Holmes in particular), but could there be an ulterior motive?

News broke earlier this week that the Tampa Bay Bucs were bringing in former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer to interview for the vacant head coaching job left vacant by Raheem Morris' firing.  Marty Schottenheimer, who most recently coached in the UFL, is the father of Brian Schottenheimer.  

So while it may seem as though Brian just tried to get away from a sinking ship in New York, could he just be freeing himself up to join his father Marty just in time for his return to the NFL?  This would not be the first time we've seen this.  Brian was the quarterbacks coach under Marty when he was the head coach in Kansas City, Washington, and San Diego, so he is no stranger to his father's staff.

To further illustrate this, look at Lane Kiffin and his father Monty.  When Lane became the head coach at Tennessee in 2009, he brought his father, Monty, along to be the defensive coordinator, and went on to bring him along to USC where both held the same positions.

Only time will tell where the two wind up, but it seems rather coincidental that this move comes at this time.  This is pure speculation by me at this time, but don't be surprised if you see the two on the same staff in 2012.

Guest Blog: Jose Reyes: A Mets' Fan's Perspective

The following is a guest blog from a longtime friend and fellow Met fan, Nick Cantatore.  Enjoy.

_______

Amidst all of the commotion surrounding the recent signing of Jose Reyes to the Miami Marlins, Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson is making a statement. A statement that says he is here for the long haul. A statement that says this is not a “give him the sixth year and let it be the next GM’s problem” kind of situation this organization has had in the past. A statement that says he is committed to making this team the way he wants. A statement that says he is not afraid to do things his way. And finally, a statement that says he wants to build the foundation of this team around promising young talent for the future.

Regardless of whether you happen to agree or disagree with the decision, it’s final. I, on one hand, am not thrilled that he went to a divisional opponent, but I can understand why Alderson had to make this decision. So while everyone is busy ripping him and making assumptions as to why the Mets couldn’t keep Reyes, I have decided to take Alderson’s point of view. I will take a look into his thought process, along with the once crowned “superstar” front office, which now seems to have fans in an uproar:

1.  Reyes is Injury Prone.

Reyes receiving attention after an injury

Reading the blogs and everything Mets fans are thinking about the Reyes signing, there is one thought that I keep running into: “What will Wright do without Reyes? He has never played beside someone else!” The fact of the matter is, over the past three seasons Wright has played next to someone not named Reyes. In fact, nearly 40% of the time the person playing shortstop was someone NOT named Jose Reyes. This alarming statistic is exactly the reason the Mets were reluctant to give Reyes that coveted sixth year.

In case you have never taken anatomy, let me break it down for you as simply as I can: When you age, your body deteriorates. At age 28, Jose Reyes is no longer that young explosive talent he once was. Okay, maybe the explosive part still applies, but with his medical history, who knows how long he will hold up. By giving Reyes an enormous contract with a guaranteed five years and option for a sixth means you are committing a bulk of your payroll to a player who has been injury prone since he stepped foot on the diamond in 2003. Believe me, when healthy Reyes is one of the most exciting players in baseball. He brings elements to the game that few other players have ever possessed. But that key phrase is “when healthy.” The Mets cannot afford to lock up a player with the much publicized budget cuts and hope he can stay healthy, for 6 years no less. As dynamic and explosive as Reyes is, he is getting older with each passing season. His hamstrings are as tender as I like my steak, and his body will only continue to deteriorate. This type of contract guarantees nothing more than a large sum of guaranteed money to a player who is anything but guaranteed to play.

2.  With or Without Reyes, The Mets Won’t Win.

Frustrated Mets fans (WITH REYES STILL ON THE TEAM)

I love the Mets, always have, and always will. I find no fans to be as ignorant as Philadelphia fans, in any sport for that matter. However, some of the posts from Mets fans regarding Reyes have made me think we may not be far behind. Any true and logical Mets fan would know that with or without Reyes in 2012, this team will not win. We will not win the division, and will certainly not win the World Series. In fact, any baseball fan will tell you that a combination of Philadelphia’s pitching staff and the Braves combination of young talent and solid veterans will hold up for the next five years easy in that division. That’s not even considering Washington or Miami, who have both shown a desire to bring in free agents to have a shot to compete. So what sense does it make to invest a bulk of your remaining payroll into an aging player that can’t put you over the top? By not signing Reyes to an astronomical contract that would eat up a bulk of their miniscule payroll (in comparison to past years, not the Pirates), the Mets afford themselves some room to add pieces. These pieces go to a bigger puzzle called a team. A team is a lot of pieces, not just one. Yes, you always have those pieces that you build around, but what good is that one piece if you have nothing to put around it? As far as I see it, although Alderson is reluctant to fully admit it, the Mets are in a rebuilding stage.

Much to my dismay, they look up and see the pitching staff of the Phillies, which should make ANY line-up quiver. They look up at the Braves and the promising young talent they have in place to compete for the division year in and year out. They look up at the Nationals and see two of the brightest young stars in Strasburg and Harper, mixed with a front office willing to spend the money to compete. They look up at the Marlins and see an organization who apparently thinks they have money equivalent to that of the Yankees (which I don’t know where it’s coming from, they have no fans. They had Jews run the field night to attract some fans last year for goodness sake). And then there sits the Mets, at the bottom looking up. Mind you, there they sit, with or without Reyes. Ultimately deciding to build this puzzle called a team around new pieces, pieces that will allow this team to compete when the other teams need to do exactly what the Mets are doing now, rebuild.

3. The Mets Have Promising Talent in the Farm System.

Mets promising young power pitcher, Matt Harvey.

Just like Reyes and Wright, the Mets once again have managed to build a solid farm system. What was considered bleak nearly two years ago, the Mets have managed to create a bright spot of young talent under the Alderson regime. Namely going after pitching, the Mets hope they have a foundation in place to build a solid starting rotation from within. With Harvey and Wheeler being considered to have top of the rotation potential, and Familia, Mejia and Fulmer all showing promise, things suddenly don’t look so bad down the road. With first round pick Brandon Nimmo and OF Cesar Puello finally showing his power potential, the Mets definitely have some pieces to build around. Although we may not see these players for a few more years, Mets fans definitely have something to look forward to. And although he is being ripped right now, there is no better judge of young talent than Alderson. He builds from within, and has a way of finding the right pieces to fit the puzzle.

On the evening of the Reyes signing, Alderson said this statement during a press conference: “Look, I'm not conceding anything with respect to 2012. We're here [in Dallas] for the next four days to figure out how to put the best possible team on the field for 2012.” Much like the 2011 season, Terry Collins will have this team out there playing hard. They may or may not exceed expectations, but they will never stop trying. And whether or not you think the Mets could have kept Reyes, the fact of the matter is they didn’t. All Mets fans should stop dwelling on the fact that we have lost one of the most loved players in franchise history, and start preparing for life after Reyes…

And most of all, start believing in this front office.

Week 11 Power Rankings: Bears surge

1. Green Bay Packers (9-0) (Last week: 1)-  The Packers never even gave the Vikes a chance.  They pounced on them right away when Randall Cobb returned a punt for a TD before the offense had a chance to step onto the field.  This team is special.

2.  San Francisco 49ers (8-1) (LW: 2)- The Niners proved that they're an elite team in this league after holding on to defeat the Giants who had looked as strong as anyone of late.  Frank Gore looks like he'll be okay, just don't be surprised if they lighten his load going forward with Kendall Hunter lurking with fresh legs.

3.  New Orleans Saints (7-3) (LW: 6)-  The Saints held on after blowing a 10 pt 4th quarter lead against the Falcons on the road.  It was a big win for the Saints within the division on the road to give themselves a game and a half lead in the NFC South heading into their Week 11 bye.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) (LW: 7)-  The Steelers took care of the Bengals to catapult themselves into sole possession in the AFC North thanks to a Ravens loss.  The Steelers may still be the class of the AFC.

5. New York Giants (6-3) (LW: 5)-  The G-Men fell just short against the Niners on the road in Week 10.  However, it was the Niners and the Giants almost came through to tie the game on their final drive.  The Giants are a very good team, but they'll have to watch surging Dallas behind them as they have the Packers and Saints waiting for them on the other side of Philly.

6. Chicago Bears (6-3) (LW: 14)-  The Bears absolutely dominated the Lions in Week 10, plain and simple.  Their defense was exceptional, producing 2 TDs and Devin Hester took another one to the house off of a punt return.  The Bears look scary again.

7.  New England Patriots (6-3) (LW: 8)-  The Pats faced a tough divisional foe in the Jets in Week 10 and proved that it's still their division to lose.  They get the Tyler Palko-led Chiefs on Monday night this week as they try to nurse their secondary back to health.

8.  Baltimore Ravens (6-3) (LW: 3)-  Wow.  What a difference a week makes.  The Ravens looked flat and couldn't stop Marshawn Lynch even when they knew he was coming.  A loss to lowly Seattle isn't a good sign for the Ravens, having come off a huge win against Pittsburgh.

9. Houston Texans (7-3) (LW: 10)- The Texans tore apart the Bucs in Week 10, but the week was a huge loss for them as they lost Matt Schaub for the season due to a foot injury.  Here comes Matt Leinart...

10. Detroit Lions (6-3) (LW: 4)- The Lions couldn't get anything going against the Bears in Week 10, as they mustered a mere 13 points to the Bears' 37.  They'll have to get it together soon or else they could find themselves out of the playoff picture with 2 games against the Packers still to come.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) (LW: 9)- Bengals couldn't get it done against Pittsburgh, falling just short.  Tough divisional matchup looms this week in Baltimore.

12. Dallas Cowboys (5-4) (LW: 17)-  Dallas has looked very impressive of late and Tony Romo was brilliant in their Week 10 rout of Buffalo.  DeMarco Murray continues to shine as the featured back, and it looks as though he'll remain in that role with Felix Jones returning.

13. Oakland Raiders (5-4) (LW: 18)- The Raiders looked good in their Week 10 Thursday night victory, taking over first place in the AFC West.  Michael Bush has been sensational filling in for the injured Darren McFadden and Carson Palmer may have found his new favorite target in Denarius Moore.

14. Atlanta Falcons (5-4) (LW: 12)- The Falcons were so close to knocking off the Saints in Week 10 and taking over first place in the NFC South, but Mike Smith's decision to go for it on 4th and inches from their own 29 came back to haunt them as Michael Turner was swarmed by a wall of Saints, setting up an easy game-winning John Kasay field goal.  They get Tennessee at home this week.

15. New York Jets (5-4) (LW: 15)- For a team that is supposed to rely on a strong defense, it didn't get it done against New England on Sunday night.  The Pats were able to pull away and punish the Jets D.  Welker was held in check, but Gronkowski picked up the slack.

16.  Tennessee Titans (5-4) (LW: 21)- The Titans completely demolished the Panthers as their defense figured out Cam Newton and didn't allow him to do a thing.  A road trip to Atlanta will test if they can catch the Matt Schaub-less Texans in the AFC South.

17.  San Diego Chargers (4-5) (LW: 15)-  And the Chargers continue to fall.  Thankfully none of the other teams in the West are putting forth a tremendous effort.

18. Tampa Bay Bucs (4-5) (LW: 16)-  The Bucs got trounced by the Texans, and are now 2.5 games out of first.  The NFC is too strong to fall behind.

19. Buffalo Bills (5-4) (LW: 18)- The Bills may still have a winning record, but they sure haven't been playing like a winning team.  Dallas pushed them around in all facets, and don't be surprised if Miami beats them this week.  The Bills are free-falling back down to earth.

20.  Denver Broncos (4-5) (LW: 23)- Tim Tebow threw 8 passes.  He completed 2.  His team won.  Oh well, I guess the bottom line is Tim Tebow is 3-1 as a starter no matter how ugly it's looked.

21. Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) (LW: 20)-  The Chiefs were bound to fall off at some point, and now with Matt Cassel maybe out for the year, it's probably safe to write off the Chiefs.

22.  Seattle Seahawks (3-6) (LW: 28)-  So Seattle won a game.  And against a good team at that.  Who knew? Too bad they're in the same division as San Francisco.

23. Arizona Cardinals (3-6) (LW: 29)- The Cardinals have now won two in a row behind none other than John Skelton.  QB controversy maybe?

24.  Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) (LW: 19)- The Eagles have now reached a new low.  A loss to Arizona had the Eagles walking back to the locker room with their tail tucked between their legs.

25.  Cleveland Browns (3-6) (LW: 22)-  The last play of the game against St. Louis that would have won Cleveland the game says it all for this team...

26.  Washington Redskins (3-6) (LW: 25)-  And the Redskins continue their fall.  They're trying to go 3-13 the hard way.  Shanahan needs to put Helu in and pick a QB so his team can actually have some chemistry.

27.  Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) (LW: 27)- Lucky for Jacksonville they got to play Indianapolis last week to get their 3rd win.  The other good news? They get them once more this year.  Outside of that not much else.

28.  Miami Dolphins (2-7) (LW: 30)- Wow, Miami has won two games in a row and looked pretty good doing it.  Maybe Tony Sparano will get to keep his job after all.

29.  Minnesota Vikings (2-7) (LW: 24)-  The Vikings never stood a chance against Green Bay.  Christian Ponder looks like he may have a bright future, but he will need some help.  Justin Blackmon maybe?

30.  St. Louis Rams (2-7) (LW: 31)- The Rams snuck out their second win of the year against the Browns, but who are they kidding?

31. Carolina Panthers (2-7) (LW: 26)- Cam Newton may be the future, but they don't have much of a present.

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-10) (LW: 32)-  Again, why bother?

-TA