COHEN'S CORNER SPORTS

 It became pretty apparent in the Jets 23-6 preseason finale loss to the New York Giants that they need to address the kicking position, especially after incumbent Jason Sanders missed an extra point and a field goal.  A day after the 53-man roster was finalized, the Jets acquired Blake Grupe on waivers from the Indianapolis Colts. Sanders has since been released.  This is a huge addition obviously. Over his career Grupe is 96-of-98 on extra points, and 86-of-105 (82%) on field goals. That's as good as it gets for a player who was perfect from both field goal distance (11-for-11) and extra points (10-of-10) last year for a Colts team that cut him at the end of camp this summer.  Grupe began his career with the New Orleans Saints, and let's be fair, he did struggle last season before a October trade. He was 18-of-26 on field goals last year for the Saints, who play their home games in a dome.  At the very least, the Jets have answered their kicker questions for t...

So according to Jason LaConfora, formally of CBS Sports, who is currently writing for a site called casino.org, the New York Jets could be interested in former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, should the 2026 season come apart at the seems and cost Aaron Glenn his job.  LaConfora didn't just stop there , he also reported that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson might be a chip that gets included should Woody Johnson pursue and land Tomlin.   The report has been met with extreme skepticism.  Beat reporter Zach Rosenblat said that any rumors that Woody Johnson is doing homework now on Mike Tomlin is strictly false.  Fans across Jets social media also chimed in to disparage the repor t, many siting LaConfora's spotty track record in reporting scoops.  To be honest the story sounds bogus. Why would the Jets two weeks before the season decide now is the time to kick the tires on a head coach. It makes no sense, and if it were true would be totally disrespectful to Glen...

There is a growing fear that Giancarlo Stanton's season could be over after the Yankees DH suffered a setback in his return from a right calf strain.  On Saturday before the Yankees-Blue Jays game at The Stadium, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Stanton suffered a moderate grade left calf strain after falling while running the bases.  "What that means moving forward, we're not ruling anything out," Boone said. "He'll obviously continue to work to try and get it right and hopefully be available. Obviously, we're at a point in the calendar where it gets challenging, but you also never know." Stanton hasn't played in a Major League game since April 24. And if this left calf strain is anything like the right calf injury, we may not see Stanton again this year. At least it would be pushing it.  The 36-year old Stanton is on the books for $25 million next season, including a club option for 2028 with a $10 million buyout.  One has to ...

 A few weeks ago after the Mets splurged themselves of some of their Major League roster talent via the August 3 trade deadline, New York proceeded to call up a flame-throwing lefty named Jerry Yan to take one of the vacated bullpen roles.   Yan is electric. His fastball tops 98-101 mph, and even though he is 29-years old, he has potential to become a solid late inning reliever.    Since coming up he has electrified a certain segment of the Mets fanbase, particularly on social media who sing his praises not only for his pitching acumen but for the one HUGE flaw in his game: celebrations.  After every strikeout Yan leaps into the air, comes down perfectly flat on his feet, pumps his fist and does as shimmy like he's Michael Jackson.    It's quiet a sight to behold, one that is obviously divisive.  I said on X at the time that such behavior was "unacceptable" or a Major Leaguer, and that the Mets should rein him in before he starts a brawl afte...

 Geno Smith marked his return to the New York Jets starting lineup with a perfect drive as the Jets came away with a 17-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday to improve to 1-1 on the preseason.  Smith, who missed the opener against Tampa Bay because of an ankle injury, looked pretty good on Friday night, completing 7-of-7 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.  “It felt good to be out there with the guys,” Smith told reporters. “Obviously we got one drive in, but we scored a touchdown. You always want to start fast, and so that was a good thing. Definitely a lot of room for improvement.”  Smith has had a shaky camp this summer. He looked great at the start of Training Camp, but lately has struggled as he's dealt with the ankle injury according to reports.  For Smith to come out and show some poise is exactly what Aaron Glenn's club needs right now out of the position. Whether you love having Geno Smith back with the Jets or not, he gives them the bes...

 To the surprise of really nobody, the NBA made it official that the New York Knicks will open the 2026-27 season at the Garden against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20.  The announcement was made official on Instagram .     Once James made it be known his intentions to join the Sixers after eight seasons out in L.A. it was pretty obvious where the NBA was going to go with the season opener.  The Knicks will be raising their NBA Championship banner, and what better way to tip things off with a marquee match-up between two bitter Atlantic Division rivals.  Of course, the Knicks had their way with the Sixers in the playoffs, sweeping Philly in four games of the Eastern Conference semi's en route to their historic NBA Finals victory.   James meanwhile had a pretty in depth free agency period, juggling between a number of options with rumors linking him to Golden State, Miami and Cleveland. There were even reports that James ...

 Yankees fans were none-to-happy with the lack of success by Brian Cashman and the front office for the moves they didn't make as the August 3 Trade Deadline came and went on Monday.  The Yankees needed help at catcher, another arm in the bullpen, and potentially another starting pitcher.  For whatever reason, the Yankees couldn't get the job done.  The one catcher they pursued, veteran Adley Rutschman was traded from the Orioles to the Red Sox instead, a move that certainly proved to be a punch to the solar-plexus for many.  George Lombard Jr. Getty Images. Rutschman, who is dealing with a wrist injury, is batting .251 with 8 homers and 47 RBI. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman didn't get into specifics, but the Yankees admitted that they had many "conversations" with Baltimore.  As for a starting pitcher, the Yankees wanted Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, but Detroit's asking price was insane, as it centered around New York's top prospect, and the m...