Too easy, but I'll take it

The Penn State men's basketball team lost their main arena for a week in February so that the band Bon Jovi could practice. I don't think any amount of rehearsal could help Bon Jovi sound better.

Trent Dilfer is a champion

Any argument that plays to an exception, rather than a rule, annoys me. In sports, I don't hear any example more than when someone says that any lousy quarterback can win a Super Bowl, and point to Trent Dilfer. I have no choice but to veto its use in any discussion.

Dilfer played with perhaps the best defense ever assembled. But was he really that bad? Let's compare him to the man generally known as the best QB never to win a Super Bowl, Dan Marino...

Dilfer 2000-01 playoff stats (fun with small sample sizes): 3 TD, 1 INT, 83.7 Rating.

Marino career playoff stats: 32 TD, 24 INT, 77.1 Rating. (8-10 career playoff record)

For comparison, Marino's career regular season record was 147-93, with 420 TDs to 252 INTs, and an 86.4 QB rating.

Dilfer had an okay career, but this speaks to the importance of playing your best in the postseason, and especially the Super Bowl.

And even if you still consider him a scrub, using the Dilfer argument just affirms that you realize 43 of the other 44 Super Bowls were won with a good-to-great QB. Take any other QB who won even one ring in his career, and I have respect for him as a champion. Doug Williams, Len Dawson, Ken Stabler, anyone...except Tom Brady who was cheating.

Yes, this is the kind of worthless sports drivel I occupy my mind with while the NFL is locked out. Next week, helmet power rankings! Wait, never mind, that's already been done. Uuuggghhhh.

The unease of dealing with aging stars

Things are getting ugly with two Yankee legends, Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter. Posada is hitting .183 (with a .672 OPS) as of today, and Jeter is hitting .257 (.636 OPS). These two are the last remaining parts of the Yankee dynasty - along with Mariano Rivera of course - but Mo is as good as ever so doesn’t belong in this discussion.

So, what to do about Posada and Jeter? In a way, the Yanks are in danger of becoming victims of their own success. You can’t just boot a legend out the door, can you? To what point do you let them dictate their final years? As South Park's Funnybot said..."Awkward."

Posada and Jeter gave the Yankees many great seasons that will never be forgotten. But no one owes anybody here - they were paid handsomely for those years, and no one is above the team. I forgot who I first heard say it, but I'll repeat it here: If a legend, rather than a team, was the one to choose when it's time to go, Reggie Jackson would still be playing left field for the Yankees.

I’ve almost accepted the fate that the Yankees are going to miss the playoffs this year, thanks largely in part to Jeter and Posada being so subpar that they’re going to cost the Yankees several wins this season that “league average” players would not have lost in their place. And if these two suddenly go on a tear and play like it’s 1998 again, I’ll be happy to be wrong. But if they don’t recapture their career averages or anything close to them by the end of the season, I hope they’ll do the right thing and retire.

Thanks for the memories guys. But it’s almost time to go.

Side note: Whenever I hear the term “Core Four” used in reference to Rivera, Jeter, Posada, and Andy Pettitte, even now that Pettitte is retired, I always feel like they’re overlooking Bernie Williams. Williams also came up through the Yankees minor league system, was present for all four championships between 1996 and 2000, and played as big a part in winning them as anybody. But unlike Pettitte, Williams didn’t run off to Houston for 3 years with his buddy Roger Clemens (who was totally NAWT a true Yankee).

Tired

No, this post isn't about the Foo Fighters' 2002 song "Tired Of You" featuring a guitar track contribution from Brian May. (By the way, their new album is terrific if you haven't heard it yet.) Rather, I wonder which is a more tired joke at this point: Charlie Sheen, or Donald Trump? In fact, if someone was to combine the two subjects, he'd have one unstoppable, worn out super-joke! I'm looking in your direction, Jay Leno. "Ehhh, Charlie Sheen in the news again, have you heard about this, have you seen this? He said Obama's birth certificate is WINNING!" {Audience cheers mindlessly}

Also, if I can get on the record on Trump, I believe his "birther" angle was a work. He's actually on President Obama's side, and wants him re-elected. What better way than to portray Obama's opponents as stupid as possible? He played right into the exact stereotype of that tiny minority of conservatives that make the vast majority of conservatives shake their heads in embarrassment. (If you even want to count the birther movement as "conservative" in nature - I don't, but whatever.) See, if I want to make Cowboys fans look bad (as if they needed help), I don't just wear a Giants jersey and list logical reasons why Cowboys fans are not good...I wear a Cowboys jersey, and do the most idiotic thing I can, like kick a bunch of kittens or something.

In sports, age is just a number

I've played sports quite a bit in my life. And I can chalk up a few nagging injuries along the way - a pulled hamstring here, a minor ankle sprain there, a bothersome hip flexor or two. But for the most part I've been durable (and lucky) when it comes to avoiding significant injury.

Now nearing age 30, I can't help but be more aware of my overall health. And I have to say, I feel better now than I did at 20. I'm not Jared from Subway or anything - I didn't drastically change my lifestyle or lose 200 pounds. For the most part, my workout regimen is the same as it was 10 years ago. The only thing that's changed, is that I'm not playing basketball or jogging anymore. Avid supporters of both these activities surely won't enjoy reading this, but I believe that's been the difference. All other things equal (fitness level, weight, prior injury history), it's not so much your age as it is the amount of abuse you've put your body through.

So how does this relate to the sports world, you didn't ask? Well, I'll tell you. (I'll put jogging aside as I don't know any pro joggers, and the negative long term effects of jogging are well documented.)

You don't have to look too hard for examples in the NBA. Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal of the Celtics have missed a combined 131 games over the past 3 seasons, and look to be in the twilight of their careers. Yet they are only 34, and 32, respectively. They both came to the NBA straight from high school, meaning it would be more accurate to look at their combined 29 seasons in a league with a grueling 82-game schedule, playing a sport that consists of so much jumping, pivoting, stomping, and other unnatural human motions, that you really can't blame these guys for being 34/32 going on 50.

It's not just the jump from high school straight to the NBA that makes one age faster. Tim Duncan's Spurs routinely make trips deep into the playoffs. So many in fact, that Duncan has played in 170 playoff games. That's over two extra seasons of basketball! Not to mention all the summers he played on Olympic or national teams. Like Garnett, Duncan is only 34 but he's really starting to show his basketball age, having just set career lows in points, rebounds, and minutes per game.

Of course you'll still have your Andrew Bynums and Greg Odens who can't steer clear of injuries no matter what their age, but that isn't the point here. Again, all things equal, your joints can only take so much pounding until they start screaming.

We also see this type of real-life mileage aging in the NFL, especially among running backs. The bodies of Shaun Alexander and Marshall Faulk were basically finished at 31 because of the pounding they took from the start...while Thomas Jones is an example of a player who has lasted a little longer, because he didn't take as heavy a beating earlier in his career.

It's not your age that counts, it's your odometer. So stay healthy out there, and spend the tread left on your tires wisely.

Best wishes, Steve

Sad news from the weekend, as NFL Films president Steve Sabol was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

I've talked about my adoration for NFL Films in this space before, and the work that Sabol, and his father Ed, have done has given so many people so much joy over the years. And I'm sure that the longer the NFL lockout goes on, the more people will look back and rely on the treasures they have captured.

Thoughts and prayers are with Steve, and the Sabol family.

State of the Giants Offseason

I believe it's about as likely that we have a full NFL season in 2011, as it is that Godsmack will sing about a man desiring someone to come closer in proximity to him. But just for giggles, here is my assessment of the Giants coming into whatever the next season is.

Quarterbacks:

Obviously set with Eli Manning for another 5-7 years. He must cut down on the turnovers, but that will come with a more experienced group of receivers than he had in 2010. Eli has been super durable, with 110 consecutive starts trailing only his brother for the longest active streak. And if he gets injured for any prolonged period of time, the Giants are finished anyway. Still, I like Sage Rosenfels as a backup.

Running Backs:

They can squeeze one more good year out of the Jacobs and Bradshaw combo, but it's definitely time to start layering in new backs. I look for them to draft one in the middle to late rounds. This Giants team, as well as great Giants teams of the past, were all running teams first. And when it comes to running backs, you have to stay ahead of that inevitable sudden drop-off in their production.

Receivers/Tight Ends:

Just by getting healthy and a year older, they'll be better here. I don't think reinforcements are needed - and no, I don't think Burress will be back.

Offensive Line:

Whoever said a player shouldn't lose his job to injury, didn't watch this unit in 2010. Shaun O'Hara, who has had an excellent career, missed several games in the middle of the season. When Kevin Boothe or William Beatty took his place, and Rich Seubert was moved from guard to center, the line was flat out dominant. When O'Hara returned, they struggled. I don't know what to make of this, but it's a fact that this line is aging and is in dire need of young talent. I'd like to see at least two picks, one preferably a 1st or 2nd rounder, used on a lineman. The average age of the Giants' (non-injury altered) line in 2010 - McKenzie, Snee, O'Hara, Seubert, Diehl - was 30.8.

Defensive Line:

They're pretty set here. There is no reason Tuck and Umenyiora can't continue to dominate. Jason Pierre-Paul showed flashes, more and more as the season went on. Mathias Kiwanuka, if re-signed, would be gravy, but I wouldn't consider him a huge priority given he's coming off a major back injury. It would also be nice to see someone emerge from the tackle position, though I admit this is the most difficult position to evaluate from my couch.

Linebackers:

The position most sorely in need of difference-makers, and this has been the case for 3 years now. No one on the current roster interests me, nor scares any opposing offenses I assume.

Secondary:

I was impressed with the growth of Terrell Thomas in 2010. Corey Webster at the other corner spot is fine, and the safety triumvirate of Phillips, Grant, and Rolle are adequate.

One more thing on Rolle though: Shut up and play. Several times last year, having just arrived, Rolle popped off about a lack of leadership, Coughlin's coaching style, and even not having enough fun. I won't be too harsh on Rolle because I recognize the kind of organization he came from, but Tom Coughlin is a champion. Antrel Rolle is not. At least not yet. And I'm sorry you didn't have enough fun in 2010 Antrel - and here I thought the point of the NFL was to win games.

Notable free agents:

Ahmad Bradshaw, Mathias Kiwanuka, Steve Smith, Barry Cofield, Kevin Boss and Domenik Hixon.

I place the most importance on Bradshaw and Smith. Kiwanuka is expendable, as is Boss if they feel Travis Beckum is ready to assume all-around TE duties. They missed Hixon on special teams, but he'll have a hard time getting back into the WR mix. I expect Cofield will be back.

Buddy Blog Cross Promotion

My friend Drew is off to a terrific blogging start, with two great Tecmo-related items. I recommend adding him to your rolodex of "must-read" sports blogs that may not quite be updated every day...along with this one, of course.

Spring Training Quote of the Year

From an ESPN article titled, Joba Chamberlain obviously heavier - "Everybody's going to say weight, but you know what, scales are scales."

10 Worst Gut-Punching Giants Seasons

When you get right down to it, being a sports fan is a bad bet. With 30 or so teams competing with yours, even if yours is excellent your season is likely to end in disappointment. And with the past three Giants seasons ending in pretty agonizing fashion, I thought it would be interesting to rank the top 10 worst gut-punching ends to Giants seasons.

10) 1994

Regular season record: 9-7

Coach: Dan Reeves

The streakiest of Giants teams, they started 3-0, lost 7 in a row to fall to 3-7, including an awful 10-9 home loss to the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals, then reeled off 6 consecutive wins...but missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker to the Packers, Bears, and Lions, all 9-7 as well.

9) 1997

Regular season record: 10-5-1

Coach: Jim Fassel

The first Fassel season. In the wild card round, the Giants led Minnesota 16-0 in the 2nd quarter, and 19-3 at halftime. Randall Cunningham led the Vikings back, and the Giants lost 23-22.

8) 2005

Regular season record: 11-5

Coach: Tom Coughlin

A promising Giants team, shut out 23-0 at home by Carolina in the wild card round. Luckily, it would only be two more seasons until the greatest victory in the history of sports.

7) 2000

Regular season record: 12-4

Coach: Jim Fassel

Yes, it was a Super Bowl loss, but the Giants not being expected to beat the juggernaut Ravens keeps this season from being higher on list. Plus it's still overall a good memory, with Fassell's "raising the stakes" speech, and the 41-0 beating of the Vikings in the NFC Championship.

6) 2003

Regular season record: 4-12

Coach: Jim Fassel

Just ugly to watch. It became quite obvious that the team was not playing for Fassel anymore. After starting 4-4, they finished with 8 consecutive losses, outscored by 141 total points. However, this season came with a silver lining: they finished with a bad enough record to be able to trade up for Eli Manning in the 2004 draft.

5) 2009

Regular season record: 8-8

Coach: Tom Coughlin

After a disappointing end to 2008 (see below), the Giants appeared to put it all behind them and resume their winning ways, starting 5-0. But it was all downhill from there, as they went on to finish 8-8. The season finale was an embarrassing 44-7 home loss to Minnesota to close out the old Giants Stadium.

4) 2008

Regular season record: 12-4

Coach: Tom Coughlin

This team started 11-1, and looked downright unstoppable and on their way to repeating. Then Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg. After losing 3 of their final 4 games but still earning a 1st round bye, they suffered a 23-11 home loss to Philadelphia. In my opinion, the passing game still hasn't been quite the same without Burress.

3) 1989

Regular season record: 12-4

Coach: Bill Parcells

My first vague memory of watching the Giants was this game. An overtime loss to the 11-5 Rams, in which Jim Everett (bet I don't call him Chris) threw a 30 yard TD pass to Willie "Flipper" Anderson.

2) 2002

Regular season record: 10-6

Coach: Tom Coughlin

The disastrous 39-38 wild card loss to San Francisco. The Giants blew a 38-14 lead, and the game ended with an egregious no-call pass interference on a botched FG attempt.

1) 2010

Regular season record: 10-6

Coach: Tom Coughlin

Still so fresh in my mind, therefore resonating the most. In Week 15, they blew a 31-10 lead at home against the hated Eagles, losing 38-31 on a DeSean Jackson punt return TD with no time remaining. Having lost their hold on the NFC East but still controlling their playoff fate, they followed that up with a 45-17 loss in Green Bay, in which they let Aaron Rodgers do whatever he wanted.

The Giants are an interesting organization. They've won just enough championships to be rightly considered in the upper echelon of sports franchises...but as the marquee franchise in the marquee city, it seems they should win even more. I wouldn't expect Yankee-level dominance; but at least Steeler-level excellence. So, here's to hoping they live up to that pipe dream in the future...and that they provide no more seasons to land on a future list like this.