Come on, Braylon

Braylon Edwards has much ability but the Jets’ wide receiver keeps getting into trouble with the law. COME ON, BRAYLON-WAKE UP!

Quite a performance!

Unicoi County High running back Scott Gibson had the game of his life against Unaka 10-23-09. He rushed for 278 yards in 35 carries and scored five touchdowns in a 35-30 Blue Devil win. Great game, young man!

go yankees!

A 5-2 ALCS clinching win over the LA Angels, the NY Yankees won its 40th AL pennant and will play the defending world champion Phillies in the world series. The Phillies have potent lineup, good defense and above average pitching. It should be a DANDY world series. Go YANKEES!

Rest in Peace, Larry

There was only a small mention of his passing recently in local papers but condolences go out to the family of former NY Giants’ pitcher Larry Jansen who passed away at his home in Oregon at age 89. He was an integral part of a NY Giants team that marched back from 13 1/2 games to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in a three-game playoff in 1951 that is remembered for Bobby Thomson’s three-run home run off of Ralph Branca. Rest in peace, Larry.

Crash back to earth!

 

Today’s 48-27 drubbing of my NY Giants by the New Orleans Saints was eye-opening. The Saints made a statement today: they are for real and Drew Brees is having an MVP season-so far. The Giants looked overmatched, slow and a bit befuddled. Hopefully, it was a one-game lapse and they can right the ship.

Congratulations,Leah

In her senior year, UCHS golfer Leah Pitcock qualified for the State Tournament in Murfreesboro where she shot a two-day total of 185-good enough for 19th place out of 52 golfers. It was a fine  end to her high school career.

40 years since the Amazin’ Mets

Come Friday, Oct. 16, it will be 40 years since the NY Mets shocked the sports world with a four games to one  World Series victory over a great Baltimore Orioles team in what is certainly one of, if not, the most improbable win in American sports history. It is hard to imagine a team that won 100 games underrated but when you look at that Orioles squad, it is easy to see why for they had everything: speed, power, pitching and defense. It was the first of three consecutive AL pennants as Baltimore made a shambles of the American League. Of course, they would win the 1970 World Series-manager Earl Weaver’s lone series win in four tries. But 1969 belonged to the Amazin’ Mets. Yes, I am a Yankees fan but the Mets had a remarkable year with some help from a collapse by a fine Chicago Cubs squad. It was an amazin’ summer. Forty years ago-my how time flies!

How About those NY Giants!

So Eli Manning is one of the seven most overrated players in the NFL! I don’t think so. He isn’t as dynamic as Peyton but he gets the job done. After a 44-7 massacre of a woeful Oakland Raiders team that has gone 25-75 since losing the 2002 Super Bowl to Tampa Bay, the Raiders would have a tough time defeating the lousy St. Louis Rams. But, my Giants are 5-0, sitting atop the potent NFC East division. They look very, very good. I don’t discount the Dallas Cowboys, but I am very wary of what looks like a powerful Eagles team.Andy Reid’s team may be a bit long in the tooth, but they have enough left for one last chance at a Super Bowl berth-they are that talented. After last year’s late season collapse following the Plaxico Burress incident, I won’t get over-confident where the Giants are concerned, but for now they look real good.

GO YANKEES!

A three-game sweep of those pesky Minnesota Twins put my Yankees back in the ALCS for the first time since 2004 and we all know what happened that year. The opponent this time will be a very, very talented Los Angeles Angels team that is playing as well, if not better then the Yankees. The Angels gave the Bronx Bombers a rough time this season but this is for the American League title, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

ABOUT TIME, UT!

With a 45-19 rout of Georgia Oct. 10, the Tennessee Vols may have turned the corner and salvaged a season. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton had a great game at long last-passing for over 300 yards and four touchdown passes while the defense was its usual stubborn self. Good job, fellas!