NFL Lockout has been reactivated

On the same day that all 32 NFL teams opened up their doors to begin the 2011 league year, the 8th Circut Court of Appeals in St. Louis has granted a stay on the NFL owners desire to put the NFL lockout back in place.

This means that the lockout is back on, people.

According to NFL.com, the 2-1 decision from a panel of the 8th Circuit was issued by Judges Steven Colloton, Kermit Bye and Duane Benton. It included a lengthy dissent from Bye, who suggested temporary stays should be issued only in emergencies.

"The NFL has not persuaded me this is the type of emergency situation which justifies the grant of a temporary stay of the district court's order pending our decision on a motion for a stay itself," Bye wrote. "If we ultimately grant the motion for a stay, the NFL can easily re-establish its lockout."

Players across the country returned to work Friday morning in good spirits, only to be sent home hours later with the understanding that the lockout was reactivated.

With the lockout back in place, players will again not be allowed near team facilities, until the next phase of this already whacky process plays itself out.

NFL to open up business on Friday

After failing to preserve the lockout on the players, the NFL lost their litigation in the court room, as Judge Susan Nelson refused to change her verdict on lifting the lockout, meaning that the NFL will open its doors on Friday. The 8th Circuit Court refused to grant a stay on the lockout, meaning that it is officially over.

This means that players can return to their teams training facilities, coaches can now meet with their players, hand out play books for the up coming season, discuss the schedule for training camp, mini camp, and OTAs.

The big issue will be free agency and trades. Without a new CBA, that means the 2011 season is in danger of being an uncapped year, meaning that the richest of teams can throw the most money at top free agent talent, like Peyton Manning, Santonio Holmes, and Braylon Edwards.

Look for the Jets to open up their wallets to Holmes and Edwards, both of whom they must retain, after their success with quarterback Mark Sanchez last season.

Free agency will begin on Monday according to reports.

Now the NLFPA and the owners have to hunker down and begin negotiating again if they want to hammer out a deal before the start of the regular season.

Rex Ryan open mic'd again, this time in print

We all know Rex Ryan loves to talk.

Heck, Ryan became the most popular New Jersey televison personality since Tony Soprano last summer with his unapologetic approach to coaching on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

This summer, Ryan has decided to voice his opinons in a tell-all book called "Play Like You Mean It." I know, I know; I figured something like "Happy Feet," or "Go $#**@ Yourself" would sound like a more apropos title for it, but, hey, it's got his name on it.

The book, which is scheduled to come out in bookstores and online next week, is already making waves.

ESPN New York and Daily News columnist Rich Cimini revealed some interesting tidbits from the book; Ryan goes on rants about former Jets Kerry Rhodes and draft day flame out Vernon Gholston.

He even makes bold predictions about the Jets success in the next decade, saying: "I know it's going to piss off every Giants fan to hear this, but here you go: We are the better team. We are the big brother."

He doesn't stop there, claiming the Jets are "going to remain the better team for the next ten years. Whether you like it or not, those are the facts and that's what's going to happen." (ESPN).

He then goes where no coach has gone before slamming the wife of an opposing quarterback. That's right: Tom Brady!

"I really don't know Tom Brady, but who wouldn't hate him?" Ryan said. "Look at his life. Actually, look at his wife. Every man in America hates Tom Brady, and he should be proud of that."

NFL owners won't allow players to work out

Not so fast folks, the NFL lockout is not over quite yet.

Players made their way back to their respective team's facilities today in light of the news Monday night that the NFL lockout had been lifted by Minnesota Federal Judge Susan Nelson, yet NFL owners won't open the doors.

Some players were allowed into the facilities but were not allowed to work out. In the case of Bills safety, Leodis McKelvin, he told ESPN that he was turned away at the front gate like a rabid fan trying to get a peek at his favorite team.

The Jets had several players check into their facility in Florham Park, NJ, including Jericho Cotchery and D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

"I took every opportunity to avail myself of a work out, but at this time, I wasn't afforded that opportunity," Ferguson told ESPN.

The NFL owners have to appeal the injunction if they hope to keep the players locked out. If their appeal is denied, then the league will open up business in a blitzkrieg off-season of free agency and training camp all at once.

This is a huge mistake by the owners. Just let the players into the facility. They are already being paid millions of dollars to play the game of football -- at some point, those who smartly negotiated guaranteed money in their contracts will have to get paid.

Let the players into the facilities. Not all of them are like walking up and down Washington D.C. and now Minneapolis in a three piece suit with a lawyer. Most, if not all, of the players just want to play the game.

It's ironic that this could be the first time that players say they look forward to training camp.

The owners know they are going to lose this battle whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table; it's their own stuborness that has kept the lockout alive. Someone needs to wake up and let the players in, and allow player reps to negotiate with the owners.

NFL Lockout is now "technically" over

The NFLPA and owners are still engaged in a bitter stalemate on the CBA for the next season, but that has not stopped Judge Susan Nelson from granting the injunction necessary to lifting the lockout, meaning that football operations could be back up and running in a matter of days.

Still keep in mind this is a technical lift on the lockout.

The owners can still appeal the proceedings that will force the lockout to remain, preventing a blitzkrieg off-season for NFL franchises.

If the appeal falls through, then football is back in full force, even without a new CBA. This could be a huge problem for the NFL. Without a CBA, there will be no salary cap, meaning big market teams like the Cowboys, Redskins, Patriots and Giants could get fat on top free agents by throwing money around like the Yankees, while small market teams like the Jaguars, Bills, and Saints would suffer greatly.

Either way football appears imminent. Look for details right here on Cohen's Corner on how the blitzkrieg off-season will affect the Jets and Giants.

RIP New York Kincks; Boston ends New York's season

CELTICS 101
KNICKS 89

The season is now over for the New York Knicks.

A year full of great promise after the Knickenbockers acquired Amare Stoudemire in the off-season, and traded for superstar Carmelo Anthony at mid-season, concluded with utter disappointment as the Boston Celtics swept New York out of MSG in the first round of the playoffs.

After two very close games in Boston, the Knicks showed little heart and even littler might at home the past two nights.

Sure the Knicks had a nice charge in the fourth quarter of game four, cutting the Celtics 23 point lead to four, but it was never enough. Ray Allen, who has killed the Knicks throughout the series hit a big three pointer, again, to augment the lead back to seven, and after that the Celtics rolled along in the final five minutes.

The Knicks problems have always been the same: they don't play defense. There is no help in the paint against the size of someone like a Kevin Garnett, no size to make rebounds on either end, and really no point guard leadership.

Sure the Knicks missed an injured Chauncey Billups for the better part of the series, but at his age, the Knicks need to think about the future.

The talk around the Knicks throughout this resurection of a once dead franchise, has been that the Knicks would target New Orleans point guard Chris Paul in the off-season of 2012. That is a year away. Maybe the Knicks can hope that Darren Williams, of the Nets, will decided to opt out of his contract this summer, making him available on the market now, but they can't rest their laurels on that.

The Knicks need to draft a point guard, and a center in the draft. They then have to get some serious help on the bench which was thinned out because of the Melo deal.

Should they fire coach Mike D'Antoni? No. He is a good coach, a proven winner who brought the Suns to brink of NBA Finals past, and has overseen this turnaround in New York. Sure he's not a great defensive mind, but if the Knicks can get the right pieces in place, there is no reason for them to not go deeper next year.

If they fail, then, and only then can eyebrows be raised on the coach.

Mets Sweep D-Backs; Winners of Four Straight

METS 8
D-BACKS 4

Someone break up the New York Mets!

Either the Mets are starting to figure it out, or the schedule makers should put the Arizona Diamondbacks on the schedule more often for the Metropolitans. I tend to believe the ladder.

The messy Mets defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks on Easter Sunday 8-4 to sweep the Desert Snakes, and earn their fourth straight victory to improve to 9-13 on the season.

The Mets broke out offensively thanks to David Wright. Wright, who has had the worst of times hitting in Citi Field, hit two homeruns in the ballpark to help stake the Mets to an 8-1 lead.

Wright who had only 17 career homers in Citi Field since in opened in 2009, already has two at the stadium, and three on the season.

Ike Davis who blasted two homeruns the past two days, drove in two more runners with a RBI single in the fourth inning. Even new-comer Jason Pridie cracked a three run homer to right to help the Mets cause.

Jon Niese was solid. He delievered his best start of the year, going seven innings giving up only two runs with three strikeouts.

The Mets face a week in the division, when they travel to Washington and Philadelphia.

Why is this News? Derek Jeter hates Alex Rodriguez

The New York Post published a huge article Sunday morning detailing a story from the soon to be number one best selling book by Bergen Record columnist Ian O'Conner, "The Captain," which details the career of Yankee Short Stop Derek Jeter.

In the book, O'Connor goes into detail about the broken relationship between Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Here is my question; why is this news? Is this a story worthy of front page stuff? NO.

It has been known for years that Rodriguez and Jeter couldn't stand one another, after A-Rod lambasted Jeter in interviews to Esquire Magazine and ESPN.

Still the article and the book reveal some interesting insights, such as the fact that Jeter and A-Rod were once good friends, always hanging around together to the point that "they became targets of teasing. "Are you going over to your boyfriend's house?" major-league first baseman and former high-school teammate Doug Mientkiewicz needled A-Rod.

"Yankee slugger Jim Leyritz once had to remind the rookie Jeter, "Hey, dude, he's on the other team.'" (New York Post).

Once A-Rod ripped Jeter, the shortstop felt betrayed by Rodriguez and cut him off completely. In fact the article mentions that Jeter has a reputation of burning bridges with people.

As we all know the two have learned to put up with each other. In 2009, the pair helped lead the Yankees to their first world championship in a decade when they beat the Phillies in five games.
Winning tends to heal old wounds I guess.

But, with this book coming out, Jeter and A-Rod will have to answer questions about their supposed friendship...let's just assume these two aren't sending Christmas and birthday cards to each other, and probably haven't in a long time.

It's Over! The Rangers season ends in happless effort in D.C.

CAPITALS 3
RANGERS 1

The mediocre 2010-2011 season for the New York Rangers came to a bitterly disapointing end, as the Blue Shirts fell behind the Washington Capitals 3-0, en route to a 3-1 lose, ending their inconsistent season in the first round of the playoffs.

The Capitals took the lead in the first period on a Mike Green power play goal, mid-way through the period to give the Caps a lead they would never relinquish .

The Rangers offense was non-existent, as it has been all year. They attempted 27 goals in the game, but 11 of those came in the third period.

Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, who killed the Rangers all series, added the Caps final two goals to augment the lead to 3-0.

The hockey season is now over in New York. In some respects, thank God, hockey season is just too long.

Rangers & fans eat their words, as Capitals storm back to win

CAPITALS 4

RANGERS 3
Double Overtime

For a few days Ranger fans were upset that Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau said that Ranger fans are not very loud in Madison Square Garden. The rip on Ranger fans and the Garden seemed to light a fire in the hockey team, as the Blue Shirts grabbed a 3-0 lead on the Washington Capitals in game four, and looked poised to tie the series.

The fans at the Garden then started chanting "Can you hear us," which was directed at Boudreau. Maybe Ranger fans should have kept their mouths shut, because it ignited a fire in the Capitals.

Alexander Semin scored early in the third period to end the shutout, then Marcus Johansson put the dagger in the Rangers hearts, scoring two third period goals to tie the game and force overtime.

After both teams failed to score in the first overtime, the Captials finally won it on a goal by Jason Chimera, who snuck it behind Henrik Lundqvist to win the game and put the Rangers on the doorstep of an abysmal finish to their season.

Looks like we will be done with hockey in New York, and not a moment too soon.

NFL Schedules are out with lots of surprises

The NFL released its 2011 schedules inspite of the fact that the entire league is on shut down, and that these games may not be played at all.

There were rumors that the Giants and Jets would open the season against each other on the 10th anniversary of September 11, but alas, the league thought differently.

For the third time in the last four seasons, the Giants will open up with the Redskins. (Can't the NFL think of a different opponent for Big Blue on Opening Day). Meanwhile, the Jets will play the Cowboys on Opening day on Sunday Night Football.

The Giants will play their first home game in week two on Monday Night, against oddly enough, the St. Louis Rams. Why the NFL feels the nation wants to see the Rams on Monday Night is beyond me, but that's the way it goes.

The Jets have night games against the Ravens, and Patriots on Sunday Night, a Monday Nighter that nobody wants to see against the Dolphins, and a bruttle mid-week night game against the Broncos on Thursday Night.

The Jets also have to play a brutal three game road trip against the Raiders, Ravens and Patriots that takes place in mid October which is bound to hurt them at some point.

The Jets and Giants will play their highly anticipated football game against one another on Christmas Eve at 1:00 on FOX.

The Jets end the season on New Year's Day at Miami, while the Giants will play host to the Dallas Cowboys.
HERE are the schedules:

2011 Jets schedule!

2011 Giants schedule!

Let's hope the NFL owners and players can come to an agreement on the labor situation, otherwise this schedule will not be played until 2012.

NFL Schedules to come out Tuesday

The NFL will announce it's regular season schedule in a live television gala to be broadcast on NFL Network, Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Last spring marked the first time that the NFL announced the schedule in a prime time special; in years past the schedules usually came out in press releases to the media, which were quickly published thereafter. Now it's a live event.

This year's announcement will certainly be jaded. With the NFL lockout still hanging over the league, many fans will be skeptical if these games are even played at all this fall.

The NFL's owners and players are still entwined in a bitter labor dispute that has gone to Federal Courts in Minnesota. Both sides are being encouraged to enter talks of mediation, but who mediates, and where those talks will take place is still being debated.

The NFL has to release this schedule, because in the event the two sides come to a new agreement come July, then the NFL can resume training camp and get set for the regular season.

The NFL announced only one regular season game on Monday. The Chicago Bears will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London in the increasingly ridiculous trek to London for the "international series." The game will be on October 23 on FOX.

Rumors are that the world champion Green Bay Packers will open the season against the New Orleans Saints, the previous Super Bowl Champions, on Opening Night, Thursday September 5 on NBC.

Here are the opponents for the Giants and Jets for the upcoming season. When the schedules are announced for both teams, they will be published here on Cohen's Corner Sports.

GIANTS 2011 opponents
Home: Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Bills, Dolphins, Packers, Rams, Seahawks.
Away: Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Jets, Patriots, Saints, 49ers, Cardinals.

JETS 2011 opponents
Home: Bills, Patriots, Dolphins, Giants, Cowboys, Chargers, Chiefs, Jaguars.
Away: Bills, Patriots, Dolphins, Redskins, Eagles, Broncos, Raiders, Ravens.

Blown lead & Blown call lead to Knicks demise in game one

CELTICS 87
KNICKS 85
Boston leads 1-0

For three and a half quarter the New York Knicks had their way with the Boston Celtics. They held leads of 51-39 at halftime, 64-59 after three, and with just 39 seconds remaining the Knicks held a slim three point lead when Toney Douglas nailed a three pointer to put New York in front.

It appeared that the Knicks were on their way to making a huge statement in game one of their first playoff series since 2003, and looking for the first playoff game victory since 2001.

Yet, it wasn't to be.

After Kevin Garnett scored on a post up to cut the deficit to one point, the Knicks completely folded. First Carmelo Anthony was called for an offensive foul, turning the ball over to Boston with 28 seconds to go.

An the ensuing Boston possession, Paul Pierce brought the ball down the court where he decided to push himself off a Knicks a defender. It was an obvious offensive charge, but it was never called. The Knicks stood there with their arms up in the air waiting for the call that never came.

Immediately, Pierce kicked the ball out to an open Ray Allen who nailed a three pointer to put the Celtics out in front 87-85 with just 21 seconds remaining.

The Knicks got one more shot. Anthony brought the ball down court, but instead of driving through the lane for the game tying bucket, he decided to attempt a three pointer. Well guarded by Allen, Anthony's shot was short of the hoop, and it caromed off the glass and into the hands of the Celtics as the clocked ticked down to triple zeros.

For the Knicks it was the most deflating of losses they have had all year. The Celtics proved once again why they might be the best and toughest team in these NBA playoffs, with their late heroics. It will be hard for New York to even come close to duplicating a similar effort in game two at TD Garden in Boston. The sharks are out, and there is blood in the water.

Rangers hold off Caps, and win game three

RANGERS 3
CAPITALS 2

One aspect that is consistent about this Rangers team this year, whenever they have their backs to the wall, they suddenly muster up the courage to win hockey games.

That was the case, as the Blue Shirts entered Sunday's matinee, trailing the Washington Capitals 2-0 in a best of seven series.

The Rangers needed to get a win at home to re-enter this playoff series. The way the Rangers had played the first two games, their offense was nonexistent, having scored only one goal in two games.

Hence has been their trouble all year. They don't score. That is why they had a hard time even qualifying for these playoffs. Do they deserve to be in the postseason? Not really, but they are here.

The Rangers somehow found a way to win this game. After Alex Ovechkin scored a tying goal for the Capitals, the Rangers surprisingly took the lead on a Vinny Prospal goal eight minutes into the third period.

Then the Rangers choked, as usual when Mike Knuble's goal tied it for Washington in the wanning minutes of the period. Luckily with less than two minutes to go the Rangers got the big play when Brandon Dubinsky scored the game winner to send the Rangers tortured faithful home happy for a change.

The Rangers will now go into a crucial game four down two games to one. They need to win, or it could be over.

Mets acutally win a ball game

METS 3
BRAVES 2

Yes, ladies and gentlemen; there is actually footage of the Mets winning a baseball game this afternoon, which means we are still looking for real footage of Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster in our search for "things you don't see on a given day."

Okay, enough of the wise cracks.

The Mets actually did win a game, beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 to improve their NL worst record to 5-11, ending a seven game losing streak that included losing double-headers to both Atlanta and Colorado. The Mets were buoyed by a solid performance from Dillon Gee.

Gee was fantastic, going five and two-thirds innings, scattering five hits and a run to get his first win of the season.

Offensively, manager Terry Collins made a drastic change to the line-up putting catcher Josh Thole into the number two hole in the batting order and dropping putrid Angel Pagan down in the order.

It worked.

Thole was 2-for-4 with two RBI singles, both of which drove in Jose Reyes as the Mets built a 3-1 lead. The Mets used a combination of Chris Capuano, R.A. Dickey, Jason Isringhausen and K-Rod to close the door and earn their first win in over a week.

Rangers fall in game one vs. Capitals

CAPITALS 2
RANGERS 1
WSH leads 1-0

A 1-0 lead in the third period was not enough for the New York Rangers, who watched the Washington Captials come all the way back to tie the game late in the third period, and eventually beat the Rangers 2-1 in game one of the first round of the NHL playoffs.

The game was a scoreless tie until Matt Gilroy scored the go-ahead go for the Blue Shirts 1:56 into the third period. The Rangers, as an eighth seed were 3-1 against the Capitals during the regular season, and many figured they will give Washington all it could handle in this series, and for a good portion of game one, it looked like upset city was in the offing.

However with time expiring in regulation, the Capitals MVP Alex Ovechkin scored the tying goal to force overtime.

The two teams battled for 18 long minutes, as both Henrik Lundqvist and Michael Neurvich were nearly unstoppable in front of the nets.

Finally, the Capitals found some penetration in Lundqvist and scored the winning goal with less than two minutes to go from Alexander Semin.

This could still be a positive series for New York; they could still win it, but will have to shake the disappointment of game one quickly.

NFL Preseason schedules announced

Even with the NFL on total lockdown, it has not stopped the league from setting up its preseason schedule for the summer. These games are tentatively schedule to be played this August, tentative because it might get cancelled if the NFL owners and players associations can't come to terms on a new labor agreement and cool their heels on the litigation process that is well under way.

Here is the Giants pre-season schedule.

August 13 @ Carolina ..... 7:30 WNBC
August 22 CHICAGO ...... 8:00 ESPN
August 26 NY JETS..........8:00 WNBC
September 1 @ New England ....7:00 WNBC

As for the Jets, who are hoping to return to the AFC title game for the (unbelievably) third straight season, here is their summer schedule.

August 15 @ Houston...........8:00 ESPN
August 21 CINCINNATI.....7:30 WCBS
August 26 @ N.Y. Giants....8:00 WCBS
September 1 PHILADELPHIA...7:00 WCBS

Regular season schedules will be coming out very soon.

Jets apparently interested in Randy Moss

Maybe they are serious, then again maybe they are trying to do this a negotiation ploy with Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, but the New York Jets are reportedly interested in former Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss.

In his prime Moss was the league's most dynamic wide receiver. A guy who could stretch the field for 50 to 60 yards with his uncanny ability to make one handed catches, blow past a corner back and basically walk into the endzone.

However last season Moss's skills completely crumbled. His relationship with the Patriots fell apart, forcing them to trade him to Minnesota. After that experiment failed he was then shipped to Tennessee, where he spent the rest of the year on the bench.

As most know Moss is a malcontent, and club house cancer, yet the Jets feel he can be a fit for them.

The Jets have two receivers who are free agents, Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. If New York can't afford to pay both of them, it could open a door for Moss to join the team. The Jets are better off staying away from Moss.

They need to open up their purse strings and pay both Edwards and Holmes the money they require. The two of them, alone, were the main reason for the Jets success last season. Both players helped improve Mark Sanchez's skills, by making the tough catches, catching his bad passes, and making plays to put the Jets within the clutches of victory. Neither player should be allowed to go anywhere but New York.

Then again, with the NFL on total lockdown, no free agency can occur, and unless things change on the labor front, this conversation could be null and void.

Knicks draw Celtics instead of Heat

Bad news Knicks fans -- you won't get a chance to play the choke artists from Miami.

Instead the Knicks will have to face the Boston Celtics, a team that has been to the NBA Finals in two of the last three seasons, including beating the L.A. Lakers in 2008.

The Knicks learned of the news last night, when the Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks to clinch the number two seed in the conference. Miami will now play mediocre Philadelphia in the first round.

The Knicks are 0-3 against the Celtics this season, and have to play their season finale against Boston, before playing them again after a day off in the first round of the playoffs.

Even though New York has next to no shot against the Celtics, it should be nice to see the Knicks back in the playoffs with a legit ball club. That wasn't the case back in 2003 when they got swept out of the first round by the New Jersey Nets.

Prediction: Celtics in five.

Not dead yet. Rangers beat Devils, now wait for playoff fate

RANGERS 5
DEVILS 2

The Rangers indeed have a slight pulse.

In desperate need of a win to stay alive for a playoff berth, the New York Rangers staged a huge second period comeback to beat the Devils 5-2 at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers trailed 2-1 after one period, but three unanswered goals by New York in the second period spurred the Blue Shirts to victory. Wojtek Wolski opened up the scoring in the second with his 12th goal of the season to tie the game 1:52 into the period. Later, goals by Ryan McDonagh and Brandon Prust put the Rangers up for good 4-2.

Devils future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur couldn't handle the desperate Ranger offense. He surrendered five goals on 29 shots for the lose. The Devils finish a disappointing season 37-45.

As for the Rangers Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant. After allowing two goals in the first period, he didn't give up a single goal, recording 24 saves on 26 shots on the day.

Now the Rangers have to wait for the Hurricanes to play their game. If the Hurricanes lose in either regulation or in overtime, the Rangers are in the playoffs. If the Hurricanes win, the Rangers are out of the playoffs.

Rangers season comes down to this

The New York Rangers are on the brink of elimination.

In a regular season full of inconsistencies, the Rangers have no control of their playoff fates, as they set to host the New Jersey Devils at the Garden later this afternoon.

The Rangers lost control of their destiny when they lost another game earlier this week. The Carolina Hurricanes, who are chasing the Rangers for the final playoff spot, beat up Atlanta 6-1 to move into a tie in the standings.

The Hurricanes own the tie-breaker, and if the regular season finale didn't count, the Rangers would be out.

So here is the scenario:

Rangers win, Hurricanes lose - Rangers are in.
Rangers win, Hurricanes lose in OT - Rangers are in.
Rangers win, Hurricanes win - Hurricanes are in.
Rangers lose in regulation, Hurricanes lose in regulation - Hurricanes are in.
Rangers lose in OT, Hurricanes lose in OT - Hurricanes are in.
Rangers lose, Hurricanes win - Hurricanes are in.
Rangers lose in OT, Hurricanes win - Hurricanes are in.

In short it 'ant looking good. The Devils will be amped up for this game, even if it's on the road. Even though New Jersey isn't going to the playoffs, they would love to beat the Rangers and knock them out cold.

Yankees become first Red Sox victim

RED SOX 9
YANKEES 6

I am sure they are celebrating in Boston like it's 2004 right now.

The once winless Red Sox are winless no more after a weird 9-6 victory over the rival New York Yankees.

The Red Sox teed off on the putrid Phil Hughes, who for the second straight start was just awful. Last week, Hughes was pounded by the Detroit Tigers, and once again the former 18 game winner had no zip on his fastball, no dive on his curve, and little shiftiness on his change-up.

Hughes lasted only two innings in Boston, giving up six runs on seven hits, with two walks and zero strikeouts. Hughes' ERA is now 16.50!

John Lackey didn't fair much better for Boston. He gave up six runs in five innings for the Red Sox, but was not as putrid as he was in his opener in Texas a week ago.

The Yankees had their chances. They held a 3-1 lead going into the second inning. But five runs came to score for Boston in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz blew it open for Boston.

The Yankees managed to scratch out three runs to tie the game at six, but in the bottom of the fifth, Jared Saltalamacchia doubled in Kevin Youklis to give the Red Sox the lead for good.

Jonathan Papelbon closed it down for the Sox in the ninth, and just like that the Red Sox have life. Was there any doubt?

Mets stink it up in home opener

The day started with a sprinkling of boos from the handful of fans that actually showed up at Citi Field, and the day ended with very loud boos all over the place.

The Mets stunk it up big time in their home opener, as the Washington National looked like world beaters, beating up the Mets 6-2.

The Mets never gave themselves a shot in this game, leaving six men on bases, including four men on base through the first five innings of the day. The Mets trailed 3-2 for much of day, but just couldn't cash in. The left Lucas Duda on second base in the fifth; they stranded Carlos Beltran on second in the sixth, and stranded Brad Emaus and Josh Thole, who drew back-to-back walks, in the seventh.

The Nationals made them pay. A three run rally by the Nats, keyed by a two run single by Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez blew the doors right off the Citi Field, as the Mets looked lifeless in their season opener at home.

Maybe they weren't motivated because of the lack of fan support, then again maybe the Mets just aren't that good. I take the ladder.

Mets fans Boo almost everyone on Opening Day

Met fans didn't hide their displeasure with the entire Mets organization, showering the equipment staff, training staff, and pitching coach Dan Warthen with loud boos, during introductions at Opening Day at Citi Field, April 8, 2011.

As for the players they weren't greeted warmly either. Mike Pelfrey and Francisco Rodriguez were booed vehemently as was Carlos Beltran. The loudest ovation of cheers went to Daniel Murphy and Chris Young. Even David Wright didn't get cheered much at all.

It is also worth mentioning that Citi Field looks like a grave yard. With the exception of the seats down the first baseline, the entire stadium is totally empty.

What a disaster. Then again the Mets are a disaster.

NFL schedule will come out this month

It is established knowledge that the NFL schedule and draft will proceed as planned later this month.

As most know both the NFLPA and the NFL are engaged in a bitter anti-trust dispute, with the players claiming that their rights as employees have been violated by the lockout, while the owners, in turn, state that locking out employees in a labor dispute is not illegal, and that they cannot negotiate with a decertified party.

The two sides went to court earlier in the week, and Federal Judge Susan Nelson is deliberating the arguments over the next two weeks before a ruling. She could either lift the lockout meaning football will be played, or call for more negotiations and wait for the NLRB to decide whether the lockout is legal.

Chances are the lockout will remain and we could be looking at a court room drama for the next few months, that may bleed deep into the summer and early fall.

However, if, and that's a major IF, there is a season some rumors are starting to spew out about the NFL schedule. According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL will release the schedule in a few weeks as they always do.

And to top it off for New York fans, their is a rumor floating that the Jets and Giants will play each other on Opening Day, which just happens to be the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Whether that's true or not remains to be seen. Last spring there were rumors the Jets would play either the Texans or Vikings on Thanksgiving, which of course didn't happen, the Jets played the Bengals that day.

A Jets/Giants opener would be quiet unique, since both teams only play each other in the regular season once every four years, and, usually see each other late in the season when they are scheduled to play one another.

Mets stun the Phillies and the Earth, sit in first place

METS 7

PHILLIES 1

I guess the world is coming to an end.

Not only are the Baltimore Orioles (4-0), the Kansas City Royals (4-1), Texas Rangers (without Cliff Lee) (5-0), and San Diego Padres (3-1) all in first place, but the Mets, that's right, the Mets (!) are in first place in the NL East!!

Time to overreact again Met fans and start clamoring about playoffs. Playoffs? Playoffs? We're talking ... playoffs!!?

The Mets stunned the Philadelphia Phillies with a 7-1 victory to improve to 3-1 on the season, and pigs can fly, too.

Chris Young, the former ace of the San Diego Padres, was marvelous in his first start with the Mets. Young went 5.1 innings scattering fives hits and one run, while walking four and striking out seven.

Watch out for Young, he's at the bottom of the Mets rotation, but he has ace-like stuff and could have a huge season this year. Fantasy owners be on watch!

As for the Mets offense, they teed off on the weakling of the Phillies Fantastic Four rotation, knocking around Cole Hamels for six runs in two and two-thirds innings. The Mets got it going in the third when Daivd Wright drove in Young and Jose Reyes with a two run double to make it 2-0.

Two batters later, Ike Davis drove in Wright for the game's fourth run, with a single to center, and Brad Emaus brought home Scott Hairston with an RBI single of his own. The Mets capped off the inning with Young who laced a single to right to drive in Davis, making it 6-0 Metropolitans.

Wright had the biggest evening with the bat, going 4-for-5 with two RBI. So will Met fans go from predicting total gloom to predicting ultimate success after this win? Probably, and if they win tonight against Joe Blanton, watch out.

Take it easy Mets nation; your team is still scraping for cash.

Yankees bullpen shows vulnerbility against Twins

TWINS 5
YANKEES 4

Everything was going according to the Yankees master plan.

CC Sabathia pitched seven brilliant innings, giving up only two hits and no runs, and his Yankees were staked to a 4-0 lead.

Mark Teixeria who has had a monster April, blasted his fourth homer of the year, and third three-run shot to give the Yankees an early 3-0 advantage.

Yet, the rest of the Yankees grand plan didn't work: the bullpen.

Rafael Soriano who has been intrusted with the eighth inning, blew up under the New York lights last night, giving up four runs in the eighth to blow up any chance of a clean Yankee win. First, Soriano walked David Valencia and Jim Thome to get into pretty, pretty, pretty big trouble. Darren Span followed with a sharp single to center to load em up, before Joe Mauer walked with the bases loaded to drive in the Twins first run.

Joe Girardi immediately pulled Soriano in favor of David Robertson, and Mr. Robertson just couldn't hold the lead. He gave up a bases clearing double to Delmon Young to tie the game.

The game went into extras, and it was the Twins and former league MVP who got it done. Mauer, who has been struggling so far this year, laced a single to right to drive in Span for the winning run.

Yankees lose. DAAAAAAAAAAAA Yankees lose.

Oh Happy Day! Knicks clinch playoff berth

KNICKS 123
HAWKS 107

For the first time since 2003 the New York Knicks are heading to the postseason; and in many ways for the first time since 2000 are the Knicks sending a legit contender into the playoffs.

Sure the Knicks (38-38) have seen a lot of ups and downs since they acquired Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billips in February, but the Knicks have been on the move in a upward direction, thanks to the hard work of GM Donnie Walsh.

Three years ago, Walsh was given the task of cleaning up Isiah Thomas' mess from bad PR to bad contracts, Walsh dealt with it, and has put the Knicks in a position to be a playoff contender for years to come.

On Sunday night, all the Knicks had to do was beat the dreadful Cleveland Cavs, and in typical Knicks fashion, they played no defense whatsoever, as J.J. Hickson scored 23 points, and Baron Davis scored 22 for the Cavs in the defeat.

The Knicks were led by Billups 28 points, as well as 22 from Anthony and 25 more from Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks Big Three will be the key to any successful playoff run they have this year, and they will be tested from the get-go, when they will likely match-up against the more well known Big Three of the Miami Heat in the first round.

The Knicks held their own against LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh this season, splitting the four games with the Heat, including an impressive 91-86 victory in Miami on Academy Awards night.

The Knicks will probably perfer the Heat, who have a propensity to come up small in big moments. Drawing the Boston Celtics would be like doomsday for the '10-'11 Knicks, who have yet to beat the Celtics, who have been to two of the last three NBA Finals.

Mockery of Mets hits a new level

Apparently just about everyone had the same idea Friday night, when John Buck blasted a grand slam off of Mike Pelfrey in the fourth inning of Florida's 6-2 victory on Opening Night.

When Buck parked the homer into the right field stands at Sun Life Stadium, any Met fan would probably think of the old Family Guy routine, when Baby Stewie is sitting at Shea Stadium, listening to the announcer saying: "It's opening day, here's the first pitch...(crack of the bat)...and the season is over."

Well, apparently, an employee, or now currently former employee, of SNY played the voice over of the clip on top of the final pitch of the Mets meltdown. Apparently the Mets, who have no sense of humor, who called it "Insulting." Here is the Video!

Really? Is that insulting, or the fact that the Mets have lied to their fans about their financies to the point of bankruptcy, and impending $1 billion lawsuit from Irvin Picard, the trustee in the Bernie Madoff scam.

Time for the Mets brass to lighten up, because it was funny. Watch the Family Guy clip AGAIN!!

Mets open season in Met-like fashion...with a loss

MARLINS 6 METS 2

Well it looks like the 2011 season is indeed over before it ever started, as the Metropolitans fell to the Florida Marlins in Miami 5-2, Friday night.

The bankrupt baseball team looked listless in the heat of the Miami sun, as Marlins ace, Josh Johnson, opened the game with six no-hit innings before yeilding two Mets runs in the seventh.

As for Mike Pelfrey, he held his own for three innings until the fourth. Walks to Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison and a double by Gabby Sanchez was followed by a grand slam home run by catcher John Buck.

Just like that, the season is over! Here is actual footage of the John Buck home run and reaction of Met fans around the world! WATCH!

Morrison would added a solo shot in the eighth to extend the Marlins lead to 6-2, but, alas, this opener was an example of the fears that Met fans had entering the season. Their offense looked listless, the pitching pitiful, and in the end the Mets produced what amounted to a forgettable season opener. There are more to come. 161 games left to go, folks.

What a surprise, Chad Pennington gets injured again

Even with the NFL under total lock out, Chad Pennington still found a way to hurt himself.

The former brittle Jets quarterback tore his ACL while playing a pick-up basketball game in Miami. He is to undergo surgery this week to repair the tore ligament.

For Pennington it's just one in a long line of health related issues. From tore shoulders, broken wrists, another broken shoulder, followed by another broken shoulder, Pennington could never stay on the field.

While a Jet, he spent more time waving a towel on the sidelines then actually playing football for Gang Green.

The Jets grew so tired of him, that they traded him to Miami, after the Jets acquired Brett Favre in 2008. That blew up in the Jets face, as Pennington led Miami to the AFC title in '08.

It didn't take Miami long to find a new starter in Chad Henne after Pennington suffered a season-ending injury in week three of 2009. Then in 2010, Pennington was injured again after one snap.

Some say Pennington was full of class, others would say he was just full of it, and an ultimate loser; he should stop trying to play sports and retire.