The Final Football Column: The Nightmare Is Over

Happy New Year everyone. I decided to take a month off from writing, and instead I went on to eat, sleep and repeat during the holidays. That was my gift to you (What can I say, I'm stingy).

It has definitely been a huge month of sports news; there's been football, baseball's winter meetings, more football and some crappy college football games. Put all of the happy times aside, because right now the NFL season is over for the Giants, and there's only one word I can think of to describe the year: disappointing. 

The Giants started off the season losing six straight games. But that's a story you guys know, and to be honest, I don't think anyone wants to hear what I've got to say. If I had to talk about the Giants season on television, I'd be granted the hours between three and four in the morning on your local paid programming channel. 

But hey, didn't they give us a sliver of hope? They finished 7-9. They won four in a row in November and were a game out of first place at one point. Yes, I know they didn't get the job done, but I'm still proud of the boys. I'm very proud of how Tom Coughlin rallied up the players, and how there was a never say never attitude in the clubhouse. After all, they did play spoiler last weekend against the Lions. The result: no playoffs in Detroit and Jim Schwartz was fired. That's success in my eyes. 

7-9 isn't that bad a year, especially after the hell the team put us through. There's going to be some changes this offseason, and praise god that there will be. Look Eli had a bad year, so what? He's allowed to. He had 25 picks in 2010. Do you know what happened to him the next year? A Super Bowl MVP award. Lay off the guy; he's got no offensive line help and he's got an offensive coordinator in Kevin Gilbride that looks like he's reading off the plays on his sheet in some odd Russian dialect. Tom Coughlin is King Arthur, and the king needs some new knights around his frickin' round table. Change personnel. 

Who else needs the boot? Justin Tuck. What kind of captain is he? He thinks he's allowed to show up thirteen games into the season and expect to get re-signed this winter? Justin, I'm gonna miss ya, but I'm sure there's a place in Arizona or St. Louis that would love to waste a boatload of money on you for the next five years. Thank you for your service. The cornerbacks, where do I begin. You know what? I won't even start. I think I need some Tylenol. 

Any whozer, the season is behind us and we can finally look forward to a solid draft year. The Giants have the 12th pick, and hopefully Jerry Reese and the gang will make some wise investments. I'm crossing my fingers, Reese. You've got a really short leash right now. 

Well it's almost January which means playoff football. It's a shame that there won't be a New York team playing in Metlife this February, but if any game lives up to the spectacle that the Packers and Bears provided, we're gonna be in for a fun ride. 

Now, my Super Bowl picks. 

When the preseason began, I took the Packers to beat the Broncos. A month ago I would've sounded like a knucklehead, but that discount-double check guy is back for the Cheese Heads, so I'm going to ride their bandwagon. The whole NFC is a crapshoot. Go Pack Go. 

When it comes down to the AFC, it gets a little more interesting. Each team in the AFC has an identity; how they wanna play is up to them. Right about now I bet you think I'm going to pick the Broncos to win the conference. Surprise! I'm not! There is only one team out of the whole bunch that have more playoff experience over the last two decades and have one of the greatest coaches of all-time  I'm taking the New England Patriots in the AFC. 

Yes, I know, the road goes through Denver, but if there's any coaching staff that can pick out the strengths and weaknesses of each team, it's the Patriots. I know we would all like to see a Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl, but how many times have the favorites gone into the playoffs and won the Lombardi trophy? Not many. The Super Bowl champion will be the one team that is playing the hottest football as of now. I just couldn't see myself betting against New England again. They screw with your mind.

Alright, well that's all I've got to say about the football season. The whole year has been a huge question mark, so be prepared for some whacky games this January. Put this Giants season behind you. Burn a jersey, cry in your room and lock the door, do whatever it takes to make you forget about this year. It's behind us now. Good riddance. 

So Cano's Gone. What's Next?

I woke up this morning knowing that Jay-Z and Robinson Cano were traveling to Seattle to talk money with the Mariners. What sources said was that Seattle offered Cano a nine-year contract worth $225M, but then Jay-Z rose up the value to ten years worth $240M. At that point, I figured Seattle was out of the race for the second baseman, but this afternoon, the Mariners ended up signing the free agent to the ten year deal. Today was a compilation of terrible reporting and bad news. 

Earlier this week, the Yanks signed OF Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven year deal worth a little over $150M. Now look, I love the guy's work ethic, but there is not one valid excuse in the universe that explains why the Yankees gave him that much cash.  Of course Ellsbury will be a huge contributor to this upcoming season, but the money invested just might backfire in the long run. 

Cano's absence now leaves a huge hole in the Yankees lineup. Kelly Johnson and Brendan Ryan are nice utility players, but Joe Girardi will certainly miss the security and talent that Robbie provided. In difficult times like these, I always try to search for a silver lining. 

The Bombers best player's gone, but here's that silver lining:

1. Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury:  These two left handed sluggers may have cost over $230 million, but the short left field porch will a play to their advantage, and I have no doubts that they will impact the lineup positively. The Yanks needed a catcher, and what did they do? they got one of the best hitting catchers in the game. Ellsbury brings speed, and stolen bases are a threat to any opponent. I know it's a lot of money, but you can't blame the Yankees for going all in on these huge signings; they really had no other options available. 




2. No A-rod? No problem: If Alex Rodriguez' suspension remains upheld by Major League Baseball, the Yankees would receive about $86 million in return. With A-Rod out of the picture, the Yanks are left with a golden opportunity to invest in other valuable players. Some people have said that A-Rod won't ever put the pinstripes on again, and pray to god that Rodriguez won't. 

3. More Money= Brighter Future:  If Robinson Cano accepted the Yankees $225 million contract, Brian Cashman would've been placed in a difficult position to add more depth to the roster. Cano in Seattle saves the Yanks so much money that they can now go after all stars such as OF Shin-Soo-Choo, or valuable pitchers in the free agent market. Also, this now gives the Yankees a chance to trade for IF Omar Infante to fill the second base slot. He would be much cheaper to keep, and he's only a year older than Cano. 

Am I disappointed with Cano's decision, yes. But I do respect his decision. The guy's a business man, and this game is all about the big bucks. I know business is business, so I wish Cano the best of luck on whatever he "expects" to gain playing for one of the worst franchises in baseball. Thank you for a great seven years in pinstripes. You will be missed around here. 

It's not so bad Yankee fans. Keep the faith.