BLATANT ERRORS OR IS THERE SOME TRICKERY AFOOT?

Although you may be thinking so, I am not talking about the New England Patriots this time (sorry). Instead I am going to rant about the multiple poorly called plays the referees have been calling lately. There have been some games lately where it seems like very bad, blatant calls against a team (which usually ends up being the underdog) are occurring more frequently.

Example: Titans/Texans game, MNF, November 21st, 2009

Last Monday, I begrudgingly turned on the Houston game; because I'm not a fan of either team, I figured I wouldn't be very involved. However, I stuck with it, rooting for Houston because many Buffalo Bills players have stopped there on their way towards retirement, as well as Andre Davis, who is my favorite special teams player (and Niskayunian, aside from myself, family, and close friends). The game was very close and actually exciting, which division games should be. Here is the call that was a very bad call; when the MNF announcers are saying the refs are making bad calls, then you know that there actually are really bad calls being made.

"The Titans started the go-ahead drive at the 6-yard line, but the Texans were called for a 15-yard horse collar penalty on a tackle on Chris Johnson. A 22-yard run by Johnson two plays later put the Titans on their 41 just before the two-minute warning."

Anyone who watched that play knew that it was a terrible call. Did it cost the game? Most likely, but we will never know.

There have been multiple bad calls over the years, but it seems to me that they have become more prevalent. Watching the Oakland/Dallas game, there were many small holdings that weren't called on the Cowboys. Although, with the new big screen tv they have, I'm surprised they didn't notice. I think that these poor calls, especially those that might be game changers should be taken seriously. Is it because these guys are too old? Do they need glasses or do they need to retire? Should teams have the option of being able to stop the game to have the refs review their call to see if they were in fact correct or not, as they can do in tennis? No matter what happens, I think that something should be set in place so that the refs aren't the ones who are giving the (favored) teams more points. And maybe there should be some checking into bribery if the calls are that ridiculously wrong.

Jaclyn Kahn

BELICHICK AND THE PATRIOTS... MERE COINCIDENCE OR FURTHER CHEATING?

We all know by now (unless you are a very ignorant person, or a die hard Patriots fan) that Bill Belichick has been known to have some extra tricks up his sleeve, and not all of them have been fair nor legal.

To give you some backstory, a couple of years ago, the Jets (and by the Jets I mean their former coach Eric Mangini) blew Belichick and the Patriots in for cheating. According to Mangini, who had worked with Belichick for a few years in Foxboro, knew that he was videotaping other teams in order to get the advantage. So when Mangini became a head coach for a team that was rival's with Belichick, Mangini wasted no time catching Belichick and his videotaping buddies.

After all of the hooplah, and the $500,000 fine that the NFL imposed on Belichick (I think to get rid of cheating you have to get rid of the man but the NFL sucks up to him too much to do something THAT incredulous), came other reports that the Patriots not only taped teams during the regular season, but that they taped the Rams before they met for the Super Bowl all those years ago, which became the beginning of the end.

So now that you know that Belichick has a history of cheating, both alleged and fact, another story has developed between the Patriots and the Jets. Last Sunday, the Patriots found their mojo and pleasantly pounded the New York Jets, 31-14. However, there have been other reports that came out after the beating that some trickery was afoot in Foxboro.

According to the Shutdown Corner on Yahoo! Sports, The Jets had a very unwanted wake up call at one o'clock in the morning during their stay at a hotel the night before Sunday's game. Some players seemed to take it in stride, and even made fun of the situation, and others were flat out pissed off. Now, I am not a fan of either team, but I would be fuming if I was a Jet's player and that I wasn't given the same amount of ample rest I needed before a AFC east division game. Especially since the team to beat is the Patriots.

Now, I would blow it off and say some hard core Patriots fans were being ***holes and wanted to play a funny prank on the Jets. I mean, if I lived in Buffalo, and the Jets came to play in Ralph Wilson stadium (which they aren't this year, sadly) and I either worked the hotel or knew where they were staying, I would think it would be a great prank to pull. Of course, I probably wouldn't attempt it seeing as though all of the members of the Jets are far bigger than me and many football players have anger management issues, which would result in myself most likely earning a near-life-ending beat down. But I digress, the reason this smells fishy is because the same exact thing happened to the Buffalo Bills when they stayed at the same hotel in Foxboro, the night before they ALMOST beat the Patriots back in week one. Am I saying this too early wake up call was the reason the Bills lost? Not at all. But the fact that this keeps happening to the visiting team in Foxboro is disconcerting. I wonder if Mangini had stayed with the Jets, would he have outed Belichick for this too?

On the final note: "It sounds like there's a fan (or fans) who still like to pull middle school pranks to help support the team. Or maybe it's not a fan at all. Judging by his past history, I wonder if Bill Belichick has an alibi for last night? "

Jaclyn Kahn

TO BE CONTINUED...

Due to the lack of interesting things happening in the National Football League (and no one here really pays attention to basketball or hockey), we apologize for the dearth of posts.

Keep posted if the Jets or Bills can make it to the playoffs.... time to go Eagles!

WORLD SERIES BREAKDOWN: A METS FAN'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Tonight the most anticipated World Series in years will begin in the Bronx as the New York Yankees host the defending champion, Philadelphia Phillies. It isn't often that the World Series includes the two best teams in baseball, but that is the case this year. The Phillies feature an even better team that won the whole thing last year, and the Yankees showcase a team led by Alex Rodriguez who has finally put his postseason demons aside.

Here is my breakdown and prediction for the 105th edition of the Fall Classic:

Offense- Not many teams can say they have an offense on the level of the Yankees, but the Phillies can say just that. Of course you've heard of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollings, but their "role" players feature individuals who would be stars on other teams like Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino. Even catcher, Carlos Ruiz, has been a clutch performer in the last two postseasons. With that said, the Yankees have the hottest player on the planet in A-Rod. A-Rod should have been the ALCS MVP and has started to get Barry Bonds treatment. Mark Teixeira has been ice cold, but showed signs of heating up toward the end of the Angels series. He will play an impact in the World Series. And did I forget to mention Jeter, Damon, Matsui, Posada and Cano? Edge: Even

Bench- The Phillies don't have much on the pine, and in the AL park they'll insert either Ben Francisco or Matt Stairs into the lineup. The Yankees have added Eric Hinske back to the roster to go with Brett Gardner for speed, Jerry Hairston, and then they'll have Matsui on the pine when the series goes back to Philly. Edge: Yankees

Defense- You've heard about the Yankees powerful infield, but they are just as good with the glove. Everyone has seen the plays Jeter has made in the playoffs, but how about the glove of Teixeira? He didn't hit in the AL playoffs, but his glove may have won the Yankees a couple of games. He seems to have a gravitational pull in any inning where the opposition is threatening. Cano has tremendous range, and outside catching popups, A-Rod is as good as they get at third base. Their outfield is suspect and expect Girardi to use defensive replacements should the Yankees lead late. The Phillies boast a pretty good defense as well, and they might be better in the outfield than the Yankees. However, they have a couple of flaws. Utley has had trouble throwing the ball to first base, and even though Howard has improved big time at first, he is no Mark Teixeira. Edge: Yankees

Starting Pitching- The CC Sabathia/Cliff Lee matchup in Game 1 is perhaps one of the best matchups in recent World Series memories. They have both performed like top flight aces as they certainly are. I would say in normal situations that the Phillies have the next best starter in Cole Hamels, but he is having a big-time off year. Therefore, the next best pitcher is Andy Pettitte. He has been huge this postseason. Then it is anyone's guess with A.J. Burnett and Hamels. I'm worried about Pedro Martinez in Game 2 for the Phillies. I know Charlie Manuel is banking on his experience, but I would have started lefty J.A. Happ. The Yankees rotation is clearly deeper and they have the one starter who has proven he can pitch well on short rest in Sabathia. Edge: Yankees

Relief Pitching- Mariano... enough said? Everyone else in both pens are major wildcards. Edge: Yankees

Manager- I have never been a fan of Charlie Manuel, but give him credit for creating an atmosphere that has allowed his Phillies to be successful. Other than that, I have always scratched my head at some of the moves he's made. Joe Girardi on the other hand has had a questionable postseason. I think critics have been too tough on him as most of his moves have worked. I was puzzled by Alfredo Aveces in Game 2 vs. the Angels, and his pinch-running of A-Rod in Game 5. I think Girardi is the better manager, but I think Manuel has a better feel for his team at the moment. Edge: Even

Intangibles- Now, I've given all the edges to the Yankees, but other than in the bullpen they are slight, slight edges. The Phillies are a damn good team that has found ways to win this entire postseason. Whether it was Game 4 vs. Colorado or Game 4 vs. Los Angeles, this team is NEVER out of a game. On the other hand, the Yankees have an extra home game and have already developed some magic in their new park. They simply don't lose there. However, I think since this Phillies team has won and is such a cohesive group, I will give them the edge here. Edge: Phillies

Pick- Phillies in 7; It is hard to see the Yankees losing a clinching game in their building, but if any team can do it it is Philadelphia. I will pick the champs to repeat!

MVP- Jayson Werth

Pat Morgan

ANOTHER POST ABOUT TERRELL OWENS

Well, since we have some whiners on the issue of the Jets, I might as well start my mini comeback with a post that is most relevant to myself. And there is no where better than to start with T.O. and the Buffalo Bills.

As of this second, the top story on Yahoo! Sports (NFL) is how terrible T.O. has been on the Bills. You can check that out right here because I don't think I really want to go into that dialogue right now. Instead, I'd like to discuss the idea behind the article on the Shutdown Corner. Instead of bashing T.O., which is so easy to do, it actually talks about how T.O. is finally being the bigger man. Has anyone heard him mouthing off about his horrible situation in Buffalo? I haven't heard anything, but then again, I don't watch his show either.

Anyway, the point is, is that maybe T.O. isn't the nightmare everyone made him out to be. I mean, I wouldn't be bragging either about being on the Bills, and I'm a loyal fan. However, he hasn't said anything bad about the team either, which apparently is unlike his usual self. The Bills suck, and T.O. is basically going down with a sinking ship.

So can you really blame a above average athlete for this? I honestly think, watching the past 6 games, that T.O. can't prove himself because the rest of the team has to perform on his level. I'm sorry to say this, but even Romo and the younger Manning can throw a mean football. Yes, wide receivers tend to make their QBs look good. But it can be the other way around as well. If Edwards could throw good passes to T.O., I think that his numbers would be higher. Yes, T.O. has dropped many balls, and that makes him look bad. But if we look at his stats from last season on Dallas, with this season on Buffalo, I am going to venture that he probably dropped as many footballs with Dallas. It just seems like a ridiculous amount because he isn't catching as many balls as he's used to, or we the fans are used to. I think T.O. is starting to give up because he is not thrown to as much as he would like (or fans would like), and he is on a losing team.

When T.O. signed up to be a part of the Buffalo franchise, there were mixed reactions. One of the reactions was how T.O. was going to turn the Bills around. That's a fine hope, but now matter what, there is no way one player on an entire football team is going to be able to change the course of the team. Sorry Brady fans, but that is a fact. You need multiple high performing players to be able to win games. The reason the 90's Bills (and I mean the early nineties) were so good was because they had multiple high performing players: Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, etc etc. So yes, T.O. could help with the performance of the team, but it's more for morale, and more for the fan morale. If the Buffalo Bills were able to sign a high performing QB who was not fickle in his throwing ability, and add some more really good players to help Schobel and McGee with defense, maybe there could be some signs of improvement. But until then, the Bills and their fans are going to have to live with the fact that T.O. is not a god and can't change the outcomes without some help.

Jaclyn Kahn

WHY SHOULD WE EVEN BELIEVE?

Has there been a team in the NFL that has taken their fans on more in season roller coaster rides than the Jets? Anytime they give their fans the belief they've risen toward the top of the league they come crashing down and lose to the dregs of the NFL. They are physically incapible of handling any kind of prosperity! Whenever they look like they have a shot to do something special they find ways to choke it up. This year, last year, Al Groh's year, Parcells's first year, Carroll's year, and even a couple of those Herman Edwards's teams had no business getting in the playoffs after fast starts. At least I didn't have to deal with the 1986 team that went 10-1 and then crumbled to the earth. The roller coaster ride within the 1998 AFC Championship is symbolic of this team over the last couple decades. They were up 10-0 playing stellar ball early in the 3rd quarter when the wheels came off. They turned it over 6 times and allowed the Broncos to storm up and down the field to a 23-10 win.

Can't we have one year where when we think we're good, we are actually good and do something with our season? One year?

Since 1986, the Jets have had several meltdowns in which if they made the playoffs they brokes our hearts there:

1986- Start 10-1, Finish 10-6; Blow 20-10 4th quarter lead and lose 23-20 in OT to Cleveland in the divisional round

1987- Start 6-5, Finish 6-9; Miss playoffs

1991- Start 7-5, Finish 8-8; Lose 17-10 to Houston in the wildcard round

1993- Start 8-5, Finish 8-8; Miss playoffs

1994- Start 6-5, Finish 6-10; Miss playoffs

1997- Start 8-4, Finish 9-7; Miss playoffs due to that heartbreaking Wk 17 loss to Detroit

1998- 12-4; Legit team that could have won it all, but lost that AFC championship heartbreaker
to Denver 23-10 after leading 10-0 in the 3rd quarter. Team didn't get a chance to respond in 1999 as Vinny Testaverde was lost for the season in Week 1.

2000- Start 9-4, Finish 9-7; Miss playoffs

2001- Start 7-3, Finish 10-6; Lose 38-24 to Oakland in wildcard round.

2004- Start 9-3, Finish 10-6; Lose 20-17 in OT to Pittsburgh in the divisional round. Doug Brien misses 2 FGs late that would have advanced the Jets to the next round.

2008- Start 8-3, Finish 9-7; Miss playoffs

2009- Start 3-0, Currently 3-3; Ugh...

Pat Morgan

LEE, PHILLIES DOMINANT IN GAME 1 WIN

Cliff Lee was acquired for this very game.

And he delivered.

The southpaw tossed a complete game, struck out five and didn't walk a batter as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-1 in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park.

Lee, the former Cleveland Indian, was traded to Philadelphia on July 29th and has been everything the Phillies could have asked for. During the regular season, Lee was 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA with the Phillies and has been an integral part of the team's sucess in the second half. The struggles of the bullpen have been a concern for the Phillies, which makes it even more important that the starters go deep into these postseason games. Lee did just that on Wednesday in the first postseason game of his career.

Colorado managed to put a run on the board in the ninth after Lee had shut them out for the first 8 2/3 innings. Troy Tulowitzki's double to right field scored Carlos Gonzalez and broke up the shutout bid.

Early on, it appeared Lee would have no room for error as Rockies' ace Ubaldo Jimenez was excellent as well for the first four innings, but was finally touched up in the fifth after struggling with his control. After walking Jayson Werth, fan favorite Raul Ibanez lined a double past Todd Helton and down the right field line. Werth scored easily and the Phillies led 1-0. After a groundout by Pedro Feliz moved Ibanez to third, Carlos Ruiz ended a long at-bat by knocking an RBI single into right. The ball bounced past the right fielder Gonzalez, allowing Ruiz to reach second base on the play. Jimenez was able to limit the damage after a 30-plus pitch inning and the Phillies led 2-0.

Jimenez didn't last much longer. He was knocked out of the game in the sixth inning after an RBI double off the right field wall by Ryan Howard, and an RBI triple off the bat of Werth made the score 4-0. Jimenez was relieved by Joe Beimel, who didn't do much better. On the second pitch Beimel delivered, Ibanez placed a single into right, scoring Werth and closing the books on Jimenez's day. The talented right-hander went 5-plus innings, giving up five earned runs on nine hits, while striking out three.

The Rockies overcame two bad calls early on in the game. The first one cut short a Colorado rally in the top of the second inning. After Yorvit Torreabla led off the second inning with a double, Brad Hawpe flied out to shallow center. Trying to make something happen, Torreabla then tagged up on a Clint Barmes flyout to right, but was gunned down at third. As soon as the play was over, Torreabla was in disagreement with the call. Replay would later show that the umpire had blown the call.

The second questionable call came on a pick off play by Jimenez in the bottom of the third. Lee, who had inexcusably stolen second base on the previous pitch, appeared to be picked off, but the umpire saw something different and called him safe. Colorado manager Jim Tracy came out to argue, obviously perturbed by the second straight call to go against his club.

The Phillies, who were swept by the Rockies in the 2007 NLDS, give the ball to Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.32ERA) for Game 2. The left-hander is the reigning World Series MVP, but hasn't had one of his better seasons. He can put that all behind him with a solid start Thursday afternoon. Colorado will counter with Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 2:37 EDT.

Shawn Marosek