COHEN'S CORNER SPORTS

On this edition of Open Mike, Michael Cohen takes a look at the huge playoff-like game for the New York football Giants, as Big Blue gets set for a Sunday Night showdown with Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. Michael then takes a left turn and talks about the struggling Jets and their slim playoff chances. Michael is joined by Triple Coverage co-host and host of Feuerstein’s Fire, Dan Feuerstein, as the two talk about the Jets and the future of Mark Sanchez and Brian Schottenheimer. Michael is then joined by FlippinOut Radio creator, host of Turnpike Throwdown, and Sirius XM’s James Flippin to break down the Giants-Cowboys matchup.   We will see you all again next week in 2012!! LISTEN HERE !

There may not be a playoff system to find out who the real National Champion is, but the Rutgers Scarlett Knights feel like Champions today after Rutgers capped off a surprisingly good football season with a 27-13 triumph over Iowa State in the second annual Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium . Rutgers celebrates at Yankee Stadium. nj.com Rutgers receiver Mohamed Sanu, who had a brilliant 2011 campaign with 1,207 yards receiving, and who could be a draft day sleeper if he opts to go into the NFL, was shut down by the Cyclones and held to six catches for 62 yards. But the Scarlett Knights, who have built a team on depth all year, found other avenues to score throughout the evening. Trailing Iowa State 6-0 in the second quarter, running back Jawan Jamison plowed into the end zone from one yard out, to give Rutgers a 7-6 lead. Jamison had a huge evening, rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns. His effort was the key to Rutgers' success. Jamison would add his second t...

When Tony Romo spent the rest of Dallas' 20-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on the bench with his hand wrapped in a bandage, it had to make Cowboys fans across the land sick to their stomachs. With Romo out, and Dallas falling, they now stare at a win or go home showdown with the Giants in MetLife Stadium on Sunday Night. It appears that Romo will do everything in his power to play this game even with the banged up and swelling hand. He wore a wrap on it during Dallas' practice Thursday, but, according to reports, he didn't take any snaps. He also didn't practice on Wednesday. Romo has Friday's walk through and a Saturday morning work out to determine if he can play this football game flawlessly. " I think you have to go out there and practice all week and get yourself ready to go to the game on Sunday," Romo said .  If Romo plays handicapped, it gives a huge advantage to the Giants team that has seen steady improvement from their pass rush in rece...

The Giants are on the cusp of turning what was a mediocre season into a improbable playoff run if they can knock-off the Dallas Cowboys for the second time in five weeks to capture the NFC Eastern division crown. To do that, the G-Men need to get healthy, so in a season full of bumps and bruises, Big Blue could get their biggest defensive playmaker back for Sunday's showdown when Osi Umenyiora returns from the high ankle sprain he suffered against the Saints. Umenyiora has been beat up all season, missing most of training camp because of a holdout, then missing the first three games of the year because of a knee injury. Because of his absence, Jason Pierre-Paul has stepped up and become the force that many people expected him to be. Pierre-Paul has 15. 5 sacks and 81 tackles on the year. He has earned the right to become the Giants premiere defensive end, but as we have seen from the Giants over the years, they are at their best defensively when they can bring multiple threat...

MAGIC 94 NETS 78 Dwight Howard had 24 rebounds against the Nets, Thursday. If the New Jersey Nets are indeed serious about adding Dwight Howard to their line-up, they got a bit of a preview of what Howard can bring to a struggling basketball team. The Nets also caught a glimpse of their own ever-present reality: they are not a good basketball team. The Nets once again struggled to score any points offensively, as the Magic ran over the Nets 94-78 in Orlando Florida; Howard led the Magic with 16 points and 24 rebounds. It was the 49th time in Howard's illustrious career that he had a 20 rebound game. It was the eighth straight time that the Nets fell to the Magic. The Nets never had a real shot in this game; the Magic jumped out to a double digit lead thanks to a 14-2 run in the first quarter. The Nets, that has been struggling all season offensively, struggled again; they managed only 37 percent from the field, and 35 percent from three point land with Marshawn Brooks ...

There is a new single season passing yardage king, and his name is Drew Brees. Brees broke Dan Marino's record for most passing yards in a single season (5,084 yards) that stood for 27 years when he completed a nine yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles, giving him 5,087 yards on the season, as the Saints destroyed the Atlanta Falcons 45-16. The Saints captured the NFC South title in the process. The Saints still have something to play for next week against the Carolina Panthers. They need a victory and a 49ers loss to capture the second seed. Brees needed 304 yards to tie the record. He threw for 307. For Brees, it completes what has another chapter in a brilliant career. A guy who is not the tallest quarterback in the NFL: he's only 6'0"; he has built a career using his mobility in the pocket and deadly accuracy to become one of the leagues' top passers alongside Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers. What makes this story so great is not only the...

Who needs Favre Watch? Let Manning Watch begin. Rumors have been swirling around the Jets training center for weeks that the club might be a possible destination for Colts superstar quarterback Peyton Manning if the future Hall of Famer were made available this spring. Back in late November, coach Rex Ryan shot the idea down after Mark Sanchez completed 40 percent of his passes in a victory over the Bills; now he is trying to extinguish the rumors again. Remember: where there is smoke there is fire. Ryan defended both Sanchez and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenhiemer on the Jets awful performance against the New York Giants Saturday, saying: " I have a huge amount of confidence in both guys; there is no doubt. I have stated it over and over, my feelings about Mark Sanchez. It wasn’t Mark’s best day by any stretch of the imagination, but we know he’s done it, and he's been doing it, and we have great confidence in him, and I I have great confidence in him. "...

Good news, Jets fans; the New York Jets have begun to realize what everyone has known for a long, long time: Mark Sanchez is not the answer. According to NBC's Mike Florio, Mark Sanchez is quietly "falling out of favor" with the Jets, and the team could begin looking at other quarterback options this off-season. The free agent class is not very appealing with the only decent QB prospects Kyle Orton and Chad Henne. Orton, before his release from the Broncos this year, threw for 3,900 yards in each of the last two years and has proven to be a guy with a big time arm. Two weeks ago, Orton, led the Kansas City Chiefs to a victory over the then unbeaten Green Bay Packers. Henne missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury and probably won't be back in Miami since the Dolphins may settle with a unknown rookie in the draft and veteran Matt Moore, who is having a very solid year with the Fish. Would the Jets dare target Peyton Manning, if available? Then t...

The 2011-2012 NBA season will tip off later this afternoon when the Knicks play host to the Boston Celtics at the Garden at 12 noon. For the Knicks, this is a beginning of their own version of the "Dream Team" after they added Tyson Chandler, Mike Bibby and Baron Davis the past two weeks joining incumbents Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks could be getting the Celtics at the right time. Granted it's only opening day, but the Celtics are getting older. Paul Pierce is questionable for the game with a nagging heel injury, and Kevin Garnett is playing out of position at center since "Big Baby" Davis is now in Orlando. Last season, the Celtics swept the Knicks out of the playoffs; expect New York to come out swinging and get off to a good start. Prediction: Knicks 98, Celtics 91 .

Apparently Rex Ryan and Brandon Jacobs didn't get the memo that Christmas means you are supposed to be nice to your neighbor. Rex Ryan and Brandon Jacobs confront each other. NFL.com Oh, well. According to several reports, the two exchanged barbs as the clock ticked down on the Giants 29-14 beat-down of the Jets, on Christmas Eve. Tensions were initially raised when the Giants discovered that the Jets threw a black curtain over a mural of the Giants four Super Bowl logos, which is located in front of their locker room. After the game, Jacobs ran up to Ryan and reportedly said, "Time to shut up fat boy!" Jacobs then told the New York Daily News that he told Ryan to "shut the (expletive) up," and Ryan reportedly told the running back to "go (expletive) himself." This is another low blow by Jacobs who has developed a reputation as a knucklehead in this town. From lashing out at fans and media, as well as rubbing victories in the faces of his op...

GIANTS 29 JETS 14 The New York Giants got exactly what they wanted for Christmas, while the Jets suffered a nightmare before Christmas. I'll get to the Giants in a bit because they have everything in their control once again. But this game was more about how badly Mark Sanchez performed, how badly Brian Schottenheimer's play calling functioned, and how Coach Rex Ryan was forced to eat his own words. The Jets not only lost a game, they completely bobbled their chance at making the playoffs. They now have to beat the Dolphins and hope that the Bengal, Raiders and Titans lose next week in order for them to make the playoffs. Trust me; the Dolphins would love to TKO the Jets next week. Furthermore, if you need more evidence that Sanchez is not a true NFL franchise quarterback, look no further than today's game against the Giants; in sum, Sanchez was inaccurate, easily rattled, and made one bone-headed play after another. He threw two costly interceptions, fumbled a ball ...

Oh, boy! You knew that this was coming from a mile away. Rex Ryan shot out the first of what should be many missives during the course of this week as his New York Jets prepare to play the New York Giants in a clash that basically determines which team can pack their bags for the season. "There's a lot of talk going back and fourth, most of it driven by me, but I'll stand by anything I've ever said; I didn't come here to be anybody's little brother; I came here to win, to be looked at that way and to take over not just this city, even though it's the city to take over, but also this league. I haven't accomplished that yet. Saturday I think will go a long way to doing that." Ryan later added: "There is no way I am going to be second fiddle. If we're playing the New York Yankees, I don't want to be second fiddle to them." All right, ladies and gents, now you are all on notice because Big Rex is coming to town and he is check...

EAGLES 45 JETS 19 Ineptitude, incompetence, and just plain dreadfulness. That pretty much describes the effort, or lack thereof, that was on display by the New York Jets Sunday afternoon when they were manhandled by the Philadelphia Eagles 45-19, dropping New York to 8-6, but still clinging to playoff hopes. The Jets never got off the bus for this one; in fact, they may have been stuck in traffic on Route 95. Absolutely horrible from the top on down for Gang Green as the Jets watched the Eagles build a 28-0 lead with 6:30 minutes to go in the second quarter. For those fans who thought that the Jets victories over the dregs of the NFL, i.e. Buffalo, Washington and Kansas City in consecutive weeks meant success was on the horizon, here's a new flash for ya: it meant nothing, nothing. The Jets, once again, showed that they can't compete with teams that are their equal, if not better than they. In spite of all the adversity the Eagles faced coming into this game, they were...

The Knicks have completed their revamped roster with the signing of All Star point guard Baron Davis. A week after the team signed both Tyson Chandler to be the team's center, and Mike Bibby to be the team's back up point guard and shooting guard, the team heavily purused Davis, who was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers a week ago. Davis is a really good player. He helped resurrect the Golden State Warriors into a playoff contender, averaging 20 points a game over his four year period in Oakland, California. He then went down the coast to LA to play with the Clippers from 2008 - 2010, before moving to Cleveland last season. Davis is an excellent shooter and game manager. With him in tow in New York, it only makes the Knicks that more lethal on paper. Does this make the Knicks the new "Dream Team" of the NBA? The Knicks better hope that term is not floated around their camp; just look at the failures of the Philadelpia Eagles of the NFL and the Miami Heat in the NBA Fi...

REDSKINS 23 GIANTS 10 It was right there in front of them. A week ago the Giants seemingly saved their season when Jason Pierre-Paul's outstretched hands tipped away a Dan Bailey field goal attempt to send the Giants into a playoff tizzy as New York escaped Dallas with a 37-34 victory. In spite of a season full of mega disapointments, highlighted by a four game losing streak in the middle of their season, the Giants were still in control of their own destiny. Win out against the Redskins with Rex Grossman, the Jets with Mark Sanchez, and the Cowboys with Tony Romo, not exactly the elite list of quarterbacks, and the Giants would be in the show. Instead, the Giants came out flat, unmotivated and unprepared for a Redskins team that beat them way back in Week 1 when the Skins came away with a 23-10 victory at Metlife Stadium. For the Giants this is an inexcusable performance for the team now has to prepare for an Intra-City brawl with the desperate Jets. The Giants no longer co...

On this edition of Open Mike, Michael welcomes in a special guest in the opening minutes of the show, the one the only, Santa Claus! That’s right, the Claus pays a visit to CSB studios to talk about the Christmas season and a little bit of football. Michael then welcomes in Triple Coverage’s Mike Sanfilippo to discuss the NFL playoff picture as the Jets and Giants try to hang on to playoff dreams in the season’s final weeks. LISTEN !

GIANTS 37 COWBOYS 34 Who woulda thunk it? The New York Giants are in first place in the NFC East after they stunned the Dallas Cowboys 37-34 on Sunday night, ending a hideous four game losing streak that seemed destined to spell doom for Tom Coughlin and Big Blue. The credit for this victory is clearly due quarterback Eli Manning, who was both fantastic and clutch, throwing for 400 yards and two touchdowns, and leading the Giants on a late touchdown drive to grab the victory from the once playoff destined Cowboys. The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, as both teams traded scores like a heavy weight prize fight. Through three quarters, Big Blue held on to a 22-20 lead when Manning hit Mario Manningham from 47 yards out, giving the Giants the lead. But the Cowboys wouldn't go away. It seemed that whenever the Giants had an answer for the Cowboys, Romo would have two answers for the Giants. On a 3rd and 10 from their own 20 yard line, Romo heaved up a pass down the middle of th...

JETS 37 CHIEFS 10 If someone told you after the New York Jets got stunned by Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos four weeks ago that they would be in the thick of the playoff hunt with three weeks to go in the regular season, would you consider that person a falling down drunk? Think again. The Jets are indeed in the thick of the playoff race after they dropped the absolutely dreadful Kansas City Chiefs 37-10 to improve to 8-5. Not only did Gang Green win the game, but they got a lot of help. The New Orleans Saints beat the Tennessee Titans 22-17, and the Houston Texans beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-19 to propel the Jets into the number six seed in the AFC playoffs! If the season ended today, the Jets would face the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs. The Jets needed a solid performance against a dreadful team having toyed with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins the past two weeks, two games the Jets could have easily lost if it weren't for a break here and there. The...

The Knicks want to play defense. Fifteen days before the season begins at home against the Boston Celtics, the Knicks completed a three team trade for Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler , a move the Knicks had to make to have any real shot to compete for a conference title out of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks set themselves up offensively last year when they added Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, but it was the Knicks defense, or lack there of, that was a big problem for them all year. Chandler changes that. He brings with him an NBA title experience with the Mavs from last season when he averaged 10 points per game and nine rebounds per game last season. At 29, the Knicks will be the fifth team Chander has played for, performing previously for the Bulls, Hornets and Bobcats before joining for Dallas last year. Chandler signed a new four year deal to remain with the Knicks after the deal was completed. To make room for Chandler, the Knicks dumped Chauncy Billups, the agin...

The New Jersey Nets were once thought to be in some trouble after they were caught flirting with one of the NBA's premiere talents, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard . Howard who is one of the NBA's best centers who averages 18 points and 13 rebounds per game. Last season, Howard averaged 22.9 points per game with 14.1 rebounds. His size, 6'11," 265 lbs, is highlighted by his freakish physique, making him an intimidating presence inside the plate and a desirable addition for any team that wants him. The Nets want Howard so they can have some clout when they move to Brooklyn next year. They also hope it will convince point guard Deron Williams to stay with the team when he becomes a free agent after this season. Souces say that Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov met with Howard in Miami to talk about a trade, something that would have violated tampering rules since Howard is still under contract, and the Magic have not agreed to trade him to the Nets ... yet. Howard and the...

On the latest edition of Open Mike, host Michael Cohen cracks open the hot stove, as he digs into the Mets problems, and why they “really” got ride of short stop Jose Reyes. Michael welcomes in WGHT reporter and Yankees 101.com reporter Karen Van Kat to analyze the coming’s and going’s in Major League Baseball during the free agent frucus. Listen Here!

The revised schedules for the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets were released last night. With the season truncated to 66 games, both local teams saw reductions in the number of conference and inter-conference games this season. Case in point, the Knicks only play the Miami Heat twice this year, with the first meeting at Miami on January 27, and the final meeting at the Garden on April 15. While the Knicks will still play the Lakers twice this season, they will only play San Antonio, Utah, Denver, and the Clippers once this season. The Knicks open the season at home on Christmas day against the Boston Celtics. As for the Nets , they open the season the day after Christmas at Washington, their first home game is the next day against the Atlanta Hawks. In interconference play the Nets will see the Utah Jazz and L.A. Clippers twice this season, while only getting to see the Dallas Mavericks, L.A. Lakers and San Antonio Spurs once this year. The Nets and Knicks play three times; the fi...

Well, Met fans, you can thank Fred and Jeff Wilpon for this one. The cash strapped Mets, who showed no interest in re-signing Jose Reyes this off-season, will have to watch Reyes play against them 19 times a year when the Mets play the re-tooling Miami Marlins. The Marlins had been courting Reyes for a couple months and agreed to terms with the multi-faceted short stop on a six year $106 million deal, with an option for a seventh year that would cost Florida $22 million. Reyes was a dynamic player for the Mets. A guy who was a base-stealing threat, and a huge threat to leg out triples in Shea Stadium and Citi Field; he was one of the most exciting players to wear a Mets uniform. He helped re-energize a franchise that was dying in the mid-2000's, and energized a fan base that chanted his name with each plate appearance. He was looked upon, with David Wright, as the savior of the franchise, a presence that would be a part of the Mets for decades to come. But then with the financial ...

On this edition of Open Mike, Michael sees trouble on the horizon after several Jets players took pot shots at Jets fans for booing the team and Mark Sanchez during the club's lackluster victory over the bumbling Buffalo Bills. Michael then previews the Giants huge clash with the Green Bay Packers, as Green Bay tries to remain undefeated. Finally, Michael welcomes in Dan Feuerstein and Bill Zeltman to discuss Bobby Valentine's signing with the Boston Red Sox. Will it be a great marriage, or will it be the kiss of death? The Open Mike Roundtable finishes off the show discussing the NBA free agent frenzy. Listen here !