Defensive coordinator steve spagnuolo has been indispensible to the Giants defense and would be an invaluable addition as head coach to the Jets however as a Giants fan I wish he would concentrate more on the playoff games ahead than going on job interviews for next season

Defensive coordinator steve spagnuolo has been indispensible to the Giants defense and would be an invaluable addition as head coach to the Jets however as a Giants fan I wish he would concentrate more on the playoff games ahead than going on job interviews for next season

The Hooters girls, posing as Charlies Angels, support the Detroit Lions as they prepare to improve.

Nisa showing her Heisman Trophy pose.

Lets remember Arizona and her version of the Heisman pose.

From left to right: Arizona, Mark Rogers and Nisa. They were kind enough to model the Stooltime Counseling ball caps, which are for sale on my website:

http://stooltimecounseling.blogspot.com

From left to right: Ina, Rebecca, April and Rachelle. They're acknowledging that the Detroit Lions are celebrating their 75th anniversary. Go Lions!

Speaking of anniversaries, Happy 25th Anniversary to Hooters!

Whatever it takes for a successful reconstruction.

The Hooters girls do their best to champion support for the Detroit Lions. Thanks to all the Hooters girls who are showing their support for a positive purging and resurging process.

A nice Heisman, Ina. Thank you!

The Detroit Lions: Purge And Resurge!

           The Jets win at home was important because not only did it keep them in first place but it ended their two game losing streak. The 31 to 27 victory was not made off of a strong offensive possession by any means as the defensive sack Jets safety Abram Elam forced a fumble return for a touch down. The Jets may have gotten away with murder on this game but will the luck continue with two weeks left in the season? Also to note Thomas Jones has the single season touch down record for the Jets and The Bills with the loss are officially eliminated from playoff contention.

(Leon Washington Running For Touchdown)

         The Knicks improve their record to 11 - 12 after a 114 to 90 blow out win at Sacramento. The Knicks are now showing signs of being a possible threat this season to make the playoffs and not just be a sitting duck waiting for free agency and Lebron James. Players such as Chris Duhon and newly acquired Al Harington have served as great high energy players that may be in the fold for the knicks future. It will be very interesting to see if Donnie Walsh is just showing off their value to be put on the market for draft picks or not?

           The recent death of Washington Redskin’s safety Sean Taylor at the age of 24 was a grim reminder to the many the dangers of celebrity. Taylor was shot in his home by suspected burglars of the Florida estate and passed away while in the hospital on December 3rd  2007. The violent death was a shock to the National Football League community as Taylor was in the pro bowl last season after changing his young wild ways for the better. The troubles of Taylor’s past is what many critics say led to his violent death but there is currently no evidence of that being true.                    

           The lives of many athletes in every sport have been less than honorable compared to their on the field performances. The past years have seen several players have run ins with the law including being convicted of murder charges. It is interesting because these players often looked at as role models are notoriously also involved in actions that receive national attention. A classic example of this is with Hall Of Fame running back O.J. Simpson who even though completed a great career still is best known for being acquitted of murder of his wife Anna Nicole Simpson. The court trial made Simpson a household name for something other than football and forever scarred his legacy to the media.                      

             Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis was also convicted of murder several years ago but was found not guilty. He shockingly has been able to rebound from his conviction and heal his image to become one football’s greatest linebackers ever. It is interesting to note that even though he was acquitted like Simpson Lewis still has received praise in the media even gracing the cover of the video game Madden 2005. The lives of both Lewis and Simpson have take very interesting turns and continue to however be known as convicted murderers.                           

             The fortune of being acquitted of murder however did not work for former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rae Carruth. Carruth was convicted and proven guilty for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend in 1998 and is currently serving time in prison. The actions of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick were consider murder as he led a dog fighting organization at one of his estates. The incident has left the once multimillion dollar image of Vick in Shambles as he is now forced to serve 23 months in prison for the crime. In the case of Vick when he gets out of prison there is no guarantee he will be let back in the league by commissioner Roger Goodell because of his lying to league authorities.  

                           The tragic deaths of players like former Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman who lost his life at war in Afghanistan due to friendly fire are shocking and surprising to many fans. Tillman lost his life for a noble cause while protecting the country at war and many people still look to him as a hero and inspiration. Tragic deaths such as the loss of former National Basketball Association player Bobby Phills in a car accident a few years ago for racing leaves many people wondering how and Why?                                 

                       The true answer to why these things happen can never be understood or judged. There is one thing however that can be determined and that is that athletes no matter what sport are still people and should be looked on as such. We should not feel that they will always be perfect like they are playing because everyone knows sooner or later the whistle has to blow.

The New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians consumated an "old fashion" baseball trade.  In these days of high priced free-agents, it is refreshing to be able to discuss the benefits and potential negatives of a baseball trade.

The New York Mets solidified the ninth inning by signing Francisco Rodriguez to a reasonable three (3) year $37M deal, with a vesting option for an addition $14M based on innings pitched.  The trade for Joseph Jason (J.J.) Putz will provide a quality eighth inning pitcher.  Thus, the Mets now have one of the top 1-2 punches in the eighth and ninth innings.  Two pitchers who were among the very best closers in the American League.

J.J. Putz had hip and elbow injuries that curtailed his 2008 season.  He saved 40 of 42 in 2007 and was one of the American League's finest closers.  Sean Green has an upside.  He is a prospect whose luster has been tarnished recently.  He may flourish in Flushing.  Jeremy Reed may serve as a fifth outfielder or outfield insurance at Triple-A Buffalo.

Aaron Heilman may at last get an opportunity to start in Seattle.  Aaron was a class act in New York and we should all wish him the best in the great northwest.   Endy Chavez will always have legendary status because of the signature leaping catch in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series when he robbed Scott Rolen of St. Louis.  Joe Smith was a serviceable right-handed specialist.  Mike Carp had good power numbers in Double-A Binghamton, but from many reports is not considered a big Major League prospect.

Omar Minaya has certainly utilized his time wisely this week at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.  Encouraging days for the suffering fans of the New York Mets.     

The New York Metropolitans negotiation with Francisco Rodriguez and his agent Paul Kinzer was masterful.  Omar Minaya was criticized for going to a fourth year for Billy Wagner prior to the 2006 baseball season.  No other team was willing to go beyond three years, and Omar without hesitation went to a fourth year.  That demonstrated desperation by the Mets General Manager.  With Billy Wagner having undergone Tommy John surgery and out for most, if not all of 2009 (a friend of Billy has indicated he may be back as early as September 2009), the fourth year is costing the Mets an additional $10M against their 2009 payroll..

In contrast, Jeff Wilpon, Omar Minaya anmd Tony Bernard displayed patience and let the market come to them.  In this economy, baseball free-agents are finding the long term big money contracts a little more difficult to come by.  The signings have been slow and methodical.

The New York Mets were the lone big market team looking for a closer, and knew that they could trump offers from smaller market suitors such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. Their initial offer to Francisco Rodriguez was for two (2) years and $24M.  They realized this would not be accepted.  They then elevated it to three (3) years and $37M, with a fourth year vested option for an additional $14M if K-Rod reaches easily attainable innings pitched incentives , if he stays healthy.

Mike Scioscia labbled Francisco Rodriguez as, "the most mentally tough pitcher he has been around."  Mike noted that Rodriguez never threw 97-98 miles per hour (mph).  Therefore, the loss in velocity to 92 mph may not be as big a concern as some have professed.  He has mastered a change-up, which makes the 92 mph seem faster in velocity.  He also has two types of curve balls that diversify his repertoire.

The Mets now have their closer.  Now comes an even more difficult proposition.  Get the eighth inning guy and restructure the beleaguered bullpen.  The Mets must fortify the starting rotation, as they look for someone beyond ace Johan Santana, John Maine and Mike Pelfrey.  There is a thought that maybe they could resign Oliver Perez for three (3) years and $39M.  The Mets look like they are content to have Jonathan Niese as their fifth starter, unless he pitches poorly in spring training. 

There are also whispers that the Mets are exploring the possibility of signing Raul Ibanez. to play left-field  They looked into trading for his last season, but the asking price related to Mets prospects was too great.,  At this time, they are committed to a platoon of young Daniel Murphy and Major League Baseball's Comeback Player of the Year Fernando Tatis.

The beat goes on out at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  The Hot Stove has suddenly heated up over the past two days in Sin City. 

When Will The Light Go On In The Lighthouse?

Long Islanders have been asking this question for a few years now.  As we travel along Hempstead Turnpike, we look over to the venerable Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  It conjures up those magnificent memories of the years from 1980-1983 when the New York Islanders ruled the hockey world by winning four consecutive Stanley Cups.  That barn has a special place for all Islander fans that experienced this glorious time in team history. 

Although memories are great, we must move on.  That is why Long Islanders must get behind the "The Lighthouse At Long Island."  The bureaucracy that makes Long Island an exasperating place to live, at times, has held this ambitious project sponsored by Islanders Owner Charles Wang, hostage.  

To update the status of this project, the application for the re-zoning of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Site was submitted to the Town Of Hempstead on November 13, 2007.  Two Public Scoping Sessions were held on May 22 and 27,  2008.  The Lighthouse Development  Group is in the process of filing the Environmental Impact Statement in compliance with the State Environmental Quality  Review Act (SEQRA).  The review will be completed in the fall of 2008.

The Lighthouse project will generate $80 in new incremental tax revenues.  The current Coliseum operations cost Nassau County approximately $1.5 million.  There is no money in the counties budget toimprove the Coliseum or the surrounding area.

"The Lighthouse At Long Island" will create a destination on Long Island, and provide opportunites for Long Island residents in many different ways.

Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League has extolled the virtues of this project and how valuable it would be to the New York Islanders in particular, and the NHL in general.  

Charles Wang is committed to Long Island.  He has provided jobs and national exposure to Long Island.  It is time for our elected officials and the fine citizens of our Island to show the same committment.

Not so fast. I can see an eerily familiar phantom rear his unsure, unproductive head again. This phantasmic phonon is inconsistent, risky and just plain bad. He was a member of the Giants before we won the Super Bowl. Do you know of whom I speak. Yes, It’s the “Old  Ely Manning”. He has resurfaced and he will derail any thoughts of a second run at the Super Bowl this year. I am as big a Giants fan as any, but I also am a realist and I must call it like I see it. Okay, maybe I have taken it a little too far for one poor game. Maybe I have negatively over hyperbolized a 13 for 27 effort for 123 yards, at 48.1 per cent. 70 of those yards came on one drive, after the game was out of hand. Old habits are easily repeated and get easier and easier if they are not confronted.

I believe we have the propensity to repeat, the talent to repeat and the coaching to repeat. The question that lingers like flatulence in a closed room is do we have the right “ELY” to repeat. Take off your rose colored glasses and lets address some tough facts. The pass he threw where he turned his back and launched a lame duck into the secondary was vintage “Old ELY”. Didn’t you cringe; wasn’t it uncomfortable; didn’t it feel like old times were horrifically haunting your flat screen. I hope we are not revisiting “PolterELY”, but it looks like…He’s Baaaack!

That's right, folks!

Colt McCoy, Texas QB, was named 2d Team All-Big 12 QB this week. The 1st Team QB was Sam Bradford from Oklahoma. Both players have had excellent statistical seasons, however, playing in a conference where playing "defense" is apparently a dirty word. Big 12 games this season routinely see scores totalling 80, 90 & 100+ points, on a weekly basis.

The interesting twist to this bit of news is that McCoy was actually named conference Offensive Player of the Year, and is a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy(along with Bradford). In fact, a recent amount of groundswell suport for McCoy arose, when it was perceived that Texas was unjustly snubbed for the Big 12 Championship Game, despite having beaten Oklahoma in the regular season.

Can you imagine this type of political payback nonsense, interfering with awarding the most prestigious individual award in college sports?

Has any Heisman winner ever not been a 1st Team All Conference selection? I tend to bet "no"! 

It's time for voters to stop looking, or gawking, at some of the ridiculous offensive numbers put up in the Big 12, and look at the reigning Heisman winner, who happens to be the best(& most important) player on the best team, in the best conference,  in college football. Yes...Tim Tebow still plays & dominates college football, like no other player in recent memory. Without Tebow, Florida may have lost another game or 2. His passing numbers are ridiculous this year(only 2 INT), only paling in comparison to last year's unrealistic standard set. He's the best runner on the team & has already broken the school record for rushing touchdowns in a career set by Emmit Smith, a pretty decent runner, himself. If Tebow stays for his senior year(which he should), this guy may leave with 3 National Championships & 3 Heismans(if the voters wake up form their Big 12 daze)! Let's keep the hardware away from 2d Team All Conference players, & recognize greatness, when its before us!