I have a handful of things I'd like to touch on and, well, I don't feel like any of them require their own, personal post. And away we go...
1. Todd Haley's Firing
Am I the only one who gets really frustrated when head football coaches get canned amidst hopeless circumstances?
I mean seriously, what the hell is Todd Haley supposed to do with Tyler Palko under center and Jamaal Charles out for the season?
He has a quarterback who would be lucky to be considered average in the Arena Football League (does it even exist anymore?), and two of his best players -- Charles and S Eric Berry -- didn't even get a chance to make an impact this season. Charles played in one full game and Berry missed them all.
It's funny because I actually thought Haley was having one of the better coaching seasons in the league. After Kansas City fell to 0-3 in ugly fashion, I thought they'd be lucky to win two games the entire year. But Haley eventually led them to the .500 mark (albeit briefly) and their current 5-8 record is hardly embarrassing given their devastating injuries.
Haley's a good football coach. He was considered an offensive genius during his tenure as OC in Arizona; he's fiery and sticks up for his players. He shouldn't have any problem latching on elsewhere as an assistant.
2. Jim Leonhard's Season-Ending Injury
C'mon, enough with the rah-rah crap. There was a two-page spread about the "impact" of Leonhard's injury in Monday's Daily News.
Really, two pages for a laughably undersized safety who has made two or three explosive plays the entire season?
I'd rather have a long, athletic safety who is a legitimate playmaker than a "leader" who gets toasted and run over by bigger and stronger opponents. Leonhard's greatest asset to the Jets is actually his ability to catch punts. Joe McKnight, Antonio Cromartie and Jeremy Kerley don't seem to be able to do that.
Leonhard is a good "team guy" but his replacement Brodney Pool is actually a better football player. Gang Green won't be missing much here...I'm sorry.
3. Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner
At least a few people have to be thinking..."who the hell are these two guys?"
I know, I can't believe it either -- I'm writing about hockey again.
Well I've been watching the Islanders because the Knicks and Nets haven't been around, and I'm getting awfully frustrated with both Nielsen and Grabner. The Islanders "A" line of John Tavares, Matt Moulson and P.A. Parenteau has been outstanding and basically carries the team on a nightly basis, but the "B" line featuring Nielsen and Grabner has been a complete and utter disappointment.
Nielsen was a "Fro Guy" last season, showcasing superb stick-handling and nifty moves in the offensive zone. This year he's been good on the penalty kill but sub-par in every other aspect of the game. Grabner was the Islanders best goal scorer a season ago, and this year he's nowhere to be found. Not only is he failing to cash in plays, he's also failing to distribute the puck and successfully assist his teammates.
If the "B" line doesn't get it going (that includes Kyle Okposo even though he's been okay of late), Jack Capuano's squad has no chance to reach the postseason in the Eastern Conference. Another season, another disappointment?
4. Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats
So I was looking over the current rosters in the NBA's Eastern Conference and I got nauseous while examining the Bobcats. Rotoworld says PG D.J. Augustin, SG Gerald Henderson, SF Corey Maggette, PF Derrick Brown and C DeSagana Diop are Charlotte's starters. Yikes. Yeesh.
Kemba Walker, a rookie and UConn family member of mine, could end up being Charlotte's best player this year. Henderson and Maggette are both injury-prone, and Boris Diaw and Diop...well...you know...they both have four-letter last names beginning with "D" and enjoy Taco Bell as an offseason workout.
If Silas knows what's good for him, he'll make Kemba the focal point of the team from the outset. Nothing to lose -- I don't think anyone's expecting this team to win more than 20 games.
I also wanted to touch on Tony Sparano's firing, but I need to sleep. Peace!
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