COHEN'S CORNER SPORTS

NATIONALS 9 METS 7 If Opening Day is a microcosm of things to come, than the Mets are in store for a very long and painful season. Bobby Parnell blew the save on Opening Day. Everything was going New York's way for six innings. They held a 4-2 lead. Dillon Gee was having a brilliant outing in his first career opening day start. Andrew Brown, of all people, hit a three-run homer. The sun was shining. The fans were happy, and then the bottom fell out. What else is new in the life of the New York Mets. The culprit: the bullpen. Terry Collins tried to avoid them, he tried to push Dillon Gee past his tipping point, almost to the point he was getting out managed by Matt Williams who was managing his first game with Washington. But at the end of the day, Collins couldn't avoid the nightmare, the bullpen. Gee started to lose it in the seventh inning. He surrendered a single to Bryce Harper, walked Adam LaRoche, and gave up an RBI double Anthony Rendon to cut the Mets lea...

Two words you won't hear much of this season: Alex Rodriguez. And that is exactly what the Yankees want, to never hear or utter that name anywhere near the 2014 season as they try to return to the playoffs with a brand new look.  Sure Rodriguez's season long suspension certainly played a large role in Brian Cashman's ability to re-tool the outfield and starting rotation for this year's Yankee club, but make no mistake, the Yankees are happy A-Rod is a distant memory, at least for this year.  Instead, the 2014 season is about two things. It is about the new guys who are now bearing pinstripes for the first time, and, it's about the last go-round for the face of the franchise: Derek Jeter.  Jeter announced his intentions to retire before Spring Training started. It marks the end of an incredible era in Yankees baseball, an era that brought five world championships back to the Bronx, and started a generation of fans, the dimensions of which the Yankees,...

The 2014 baseball season is upon on us, and once again the Mets are limping to the starting gate. A year ago the Mets front office talked up 2014 as the year that would be the turning point for the franchise. Gone would be the albatross contracts of Jason Bay and Johan Santana, or better known as the latest scapegoats by Mets management to not spend money on the baseball team. With payroll flexibility the Mets would flex their muscles in free agency.  That's what we were led to believe, and if you the biggest kool-aid drinker of Wilpon rhetoric, then you probably think that the Mets had an amazing off-season and are ready to make a push. Hey, even Sandy Alderson said this year's Mets should "win 90 games."  The Mets payroll is now $89 million for this season. A lot of money by some standards, but for a New York team, it feels like this team is better fit for Kansas City or Tampa Bay. Sure they spent $60 million on Curtis Granderson, but that was it. Unless ...

We live in a world of guilt by association most of the time, and it appears that former Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson might fall into that category.  The Eagles released Jackson this week after they became disturbed by information that he had associated himself with gangs in Los Angeles.  According to a report from NJ.com Jackson knew a gang member who was associated with the death of a 14-year old boy. While Jackson was never present during this tragedy, he knew the man who was involved quite well according to the report. There have even been photos of Jackson giving out gang signs with a group of men, including the now acquitted suspect.  In 2012, Jackson was connected as part of another gang related murder investigation, this one taking place outside of a South LA building "leased by a member of Jackson's family." NJ.com said that investigators found documents belonging to Jackson including a "car title and gun permit."  The report empha...

The Jets went from the firing pan with Mark Sanchez into the fire when they completed a contract with veteran quarterback, and dog expert, Michael Vick on the same day as National Puppy Appreciation Day. Yes, there is a Puppy day. Vick who lost his starting job last season to Nick Foles in Philadelphia had been linked to the Jets for some time, and New York finally signed the former jail hound to a one-year $5 million contract to be the "back-up" to Geno Smith. The best part of the deal is the fact that the Jets were able to get rid of failed 2009 draft pick, Mark Sanchez, but adding Vick certainly brings its own share of risks. For starters, Vick is 34-years old, and hasn't put together a really solid season since 2010, when he took the Eagles starting job from Donavan McNabb, and went on to have a Pro Bowl season, throwing for 3,083 yards and 21 touchdowns. Vick has been underwhelming since, battling mostly injuries and the obvious fact that his career as a st...

The long suffering Jets fan can now celebrate, Mark Sanchez is history! The Jets released the butt-fumbling signal caller late Friday afternoon, saving $8.3 million in cap space and getting rid of one of the biggest quarterback failures in the history of the franchise. Five years ago Sanchez came to town, an inexperienced college quarterback, who was once warned by his old coach Pete Carroll that he wasn't ready for the big show. Turns out, Carroll was right on. Oh by the way, Super Bowl ring count: Pete Carroll 1, Mark Sanchez 0. Sanchez rode a magic carpet ride of entitlement to the starters job throughout his Jets career. Inspite of playing poorly, turing the football over at a record rate in 2011 and 2012, Sanchez never faced a challenge for his job. His defenders credited him with "leading" the Jets to back-to-back AFC championship games his first two years in New York, but a closer look, and for those who actually paid attention to the Jets in 2009 and '...

Now it is the Giants who are getting the better of the Jets this off-season.  The New York Giants continue their blitzkrieg off-season signing another player to a multi-year contract, this time nabbing former Broncos' cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a five year deal worth $39 million, with $15 million guaranteed.  With Rodgers-Cromartie in town along with Walter Thurmond and Quintin Demps, who they picked up on Sunday, the Giants secondary is only getting bigger and better. The Giants already have the likes of Prince Amukamara and Antrelle Rolle in the secondary, and these new additions give Big Blue a more menacing presence than in years past.  Opponents have grown used to killing the Giants secondary over the years, a unit that has been partly responsible for Big Blue's struggles; now they have unit that compete with the big, physical receivers of the NFC East.  Not to mention, Big Blue has committed to former Ravens linebacker Jameel Mc...

The New York Giants remain busy collecting as many pieces as they possibly can find this off-season. On Sunday the Giants agreed to contracts with former Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond and former Kansas City Chiefs safety Quintin Demps . Both players figure to have an immediate impact on the Giants secondary, which is also getting a major facelift this off-season. Demps is more of a return guy. He averaged 30.1 yards a return last year, and with New York missing out on Jacoby Jones, Demps makes sense. He can also play safety, where he had four interceptions for the Chiefs last season. He is a solid addition. As for Thurmond , buyer beware. While was a member of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl championship team, he only started three games for the Sehawks last season. He is better suited for a nickle cornerback, meaning that Big Blue is still in the market for a true corner to balance the secondary. What does this mean for the Giants? Well they are in the middle of discussi...

Believe it or not Phil Jackson is going to take over the Knicks as team president. Jackson had been rumored for two weeks about taking over this job, but there was always a lingering doubt that he would do it. For starters, he would be coming to MSG, which is run by the mercurial James Dolan, a man better known for butting heads with basketball types rather than improving his own team. Maybe Jackson's first duty is to find Dolan's rolodex and burn any numbers to Isaiah Thomas. Secondly, the Knicks do not have a great roster, nor a first round pick in this year's draft. And, oh did I mention its lone super-star, Carmelo Anthony, might be out of town come this summer when he opts out July 1. That combined with Jackson's love for the west coast, and a last ditch effort by Lakers' star Kobe Bryant to convince LA's front office to keep Jackson in Hollywood left a shadow of doubt over the whole signing. Yet, here he is. Phil Jackson is riding across country on h...

The Jets answered their critics quickly Wednesday night, after word came down that former Jet Darrelle Revis decided to link up with the rival New England Patriots, by signing former Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker  to a five year deal worth $36 million with $15 million guaranteed. Rich Cimini  ‏ @ RichCimini     13m The Jets have agreed to terms with WR Eric Decker, team announces. # Jets Collapse Call it a game of chess between both New York and New England. Regardless, the Jets desperately need wide receiver help . They had the 31st ranked pass offense in the NFL, with little production from the likes of Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill. Santonio Holmes was released the other day after his turbulent four year stay in Green and White. Decker brings to the Jets a solid possession receiver who has very good speed, and racks up chunks of yards. He is great on slants and comebacks, and is lethal in the red zone. He will be a favorite target to whomever...

Now the nightmare scenario that the Jets feared would happen a year ago when they couldn't restructure Darrelle Revis' contract has finally happened. Darrelle Revis is becoming a New England Patriot. Hours after Revis was released by the Buccaneers, he agreed to a 1-year $12 million contract  with the Patriots, all but sticking a knife into the heart of the Jets and its fans, as the Patriots try to fill the vacant cornerback slot in New England vacated by Aquib Talib. For the Jets this is an enormous disaster, at least on paper. In fact, check out this Twitter from Jets beat writer Rich Cimini: Rich Cimini  ‏ @ RichCimini     13m Good deal for Patriots. Bad deal for Jets' fans. btw, # Jets never reached out to Revis. His agent contacted them. All posturing. Dan Leberfeld  ‏ @ jetswhispers     3m Izdik and Woody are just so tired of Revis/Schwartz/Feinsod. They are done with them. The fans of course have been even more livid....

Darrelle Revis is now a free agent. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released the All Pro cornerback after they failed to trade him to either Cleveland or Oakland on Tuesday afternoon. By cutting him the Bucs save $1.5 million that were due Revis this month in a signing bonus. In addition the Bucs do not have to pay Revis $16 million per year for the remainder of his contract, and they do not owe the Jets a third round pick this year. With Revis now free, the Jets are now in a battle for Revis' rights with the Philadelphia Eagles, reportedly the Atlanta Falcons, and of course, the New England Patriots. But for all intents and purposes, this is really a two team race; Patriots vs. Jets. Both teams desperately need a corner, and with the amount of hatred between both teams, Revis would only become the latest in a long line of subplots in the rivalry. The Jets traded Revis last year, because they didn't want to pay him $16 million, when they were still paying both Santonio Ho...

The Giants stayed busy on the second day of free agency, this time keeping on of their most important pieces in place. The Giants agreed to a contract extension with linebacker Jon Beason that will keep the linebacker in New York. While terms were not released as of 5:00 p.m. Beason's return is huge for the Giants. Acquired last September, Beason strengthened a Giants defense that got off to a hideous start in 2013. The Giants gave up 110 points in the first three games of the year, before Beason came aboard. In the 11 games he played for Big Blue the Giants defense played markedly better. Beason became a leader on the team, recording 93 tackles for the club. With Beason aboard, the Giants can target other needs like the secondary and wide receiver. Jacoby Jones, whom the Giants were interviewing decided to sign a contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

While they didn't sign any big names, the New York Giants wasted little time in retooling their football team for the 2014 season signing five different players to contracts. First, they re-signed running back Peyton Hillis and cornerback Steve Brown to contracts. Hillis was one of the many running backs the Giants used last year, and for the most part he provided enough of a spark for New York to bring him back in 2014. Brown returns to the Giants after suffering an ACL tear last year. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2012, so the Giants are hoping he can return to form this season. As the afternoon wore on the Giants started l ooking down the free agent isle , and came away with three new names to Big Blue. While none of these names jump out on paper, they could have an impact on the team when fall arrives. First the Giants took a big step in improving their beaten up offensive line when the signed former Kansas City Chiefs' guard Geoff Schwartz. Schwartz who is 6'6...

A year ago at this time, the New York Jets did everything in their power to not only insult their best player in contract negotiations, they shipped him out of town. Darrelle Revis was supposed to be a Jet for life as former GM Mike Tannenbaum told him during previous talks in 2010, but last season the relationship between Revis and the Jets deteriorated, and the marriage -- which seemed destined for a long career -- ended in a trade to Tampa Bay. A season hidden in the sunlight and heat of central Florida, enduring a miserable season with the Buccaneers, Tamapa Bay is now ready to part ways with Revis. Perhaps partly out of the fact that Revis was being Revis, when he trashed former Bucs coach Greg Schiano, or perhaps it has more to do with his enormous contract. Whatever it may be, Revis is not long for Tampa. The Bucs are reported to either deal Revis , who is due $16 million per year, or, release him come Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Obviously it is highly unlikely that someo...

Jets fans celebrate. One of the major distractions and albatross' of the past few years is now off the roster. No not Mark Sanchez, not yet anyway. But, rather Santonio Homes . The Jets bid adieu to Holmes and their four year roller-coaster ride of a relationship with the troubled receiver. What started out as a promising when the Jets acquired him from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010 soon became a nightmare. Whether it was throwing temper tantrums on the field and sideline during Week 17 of the 2011 season, blasting his quarterback in the media, and fighting both teammates and coaches in the public eye and in the locker room, Holmes quickly wore out his welcome in New York. In addition he missed 33 games in his Jets career that were either due to injury or suspension. This past season, he barely played because of injury, and when he did it was a lackluster effort at that. By cutting the troubled wide out, the Jets save $8.25 million in salary cap space. Look for the Jets t...

James Dolan's decade long pursuit of Phil Jackson might finally be bearing some fruit. Last week rumors started swirling that the Knicks were once again in hot pursuit of the former Bulls and Lakers head coach, making him an offer to become the newest coach of the Knicks, which he quickly declined. Then Dolan came back with a front office job offer, leaving the Master of Zen to think about it at his home in California. As unlikely a marriage as it seems on paper, reports are now surfacing that Jackson is likely coming to New York to take over the Knicks front office. The two sides are still working on contract parameters, such as Jackson's official job title, how often he has to be in New York (since he has been leery of leaving his So-Cal home), and when he will start the job. What this means for current Knicks GM Steven Mills is a question mark, but previous reports by the Daily News and New York Post both said Mills would keep his job as GM. We shall see, especially...

The New York Jets took the first step to clensing themselves of some horrid contracts, Sunday, when they cut cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who was due a $5 million roster bonus this season. By cutting the former Pro Bowl corner, the Jets essentially saved $9.5 million of cap space. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN NY , Cromartie's release means the Jets will have $30 million in cap room, which will grow when the team releases Santonio Holmes and Mark Sanchez. There is always the chance that Cromartie could re-sign with New York for a much more cap friendly contract, but at age 30, and having come off his worst year as a Jet, perhaps it is time to move on. The Jets made no effort to even renegotiate Cromartie's current deal. That being said New York needs a shut down corner, and after the franchise let go of Darrelle Revis last year, they are without a big time corner now. The Jets could pursue the likes of Aquib Talib or Quentin Jammer, both are free agents, but that ...

The Knicks are once again going down Phil Jackson Road. The most popular rumor for well over a decade, the Knicks are once again trying to do everything they can to lure the former Bulls and Lakers coach to New York to fix this woebegone franchise . And as usual, when Jackson is ready to give them his final word, don't expect the Legend of Basketball Zen to come to Manhattan anytime soon, unless he is taking a vacation. Already current Knicks GM Steve Mills spoke with Jackson about taking over for Mike Woodson as head coach, and Jackson quickly declined. The latest now, owner James Dolan is trying to convince Jackson to take a front office job with the organization -- likely Mills' job -- where he will have power to run the franchise. See ya Steve Mills. If Jackson takes the job he would obviously bring instant credibility back to the franchise, and yes, take the headlines away from the surging Brooklyn Nets. For Dolan it would also shut up all of his critics who consid...