The NFL DRAFT

This is the time of year that every fan looks forward to before players on their favorite teams must report for training camp. Fans always want to know which direction their team is heading when they draft a certain player based on need or because of his raw talent. This upcoming draft has the no.1 overall pick already signed to a contract, Chris Long OT, of the Miami Dolphins. The New York Jets sit at the sixth selection where they have a few options. They can take a game breaker from the offensive side of the ball in Darren McFadden, a running back from Arkansas, an elite pass rusher in Vernon Gholston, defensive end from Ohio State or quarterback Matt Ryan out of Boston College, who seems to be a wild card. For one reason or another I don't think the Jets should take a quarterback because they have a lot invested in Kellen Clemens especially since he hasn't had a full team to play in front of him yet. There are so many draft "guru's" like ESPN's Mel Kiper and the NFL Networks Mike Mayock who come up with all of these mock drafts and strategies that half the time aren't correct. One thinks that the Jets should go with McFadden, the other thinks they should stick with Gholston, and some others think they ought to trade down to get more picks. Whatever the Jets do and other teams for that matter, they may be looking to build their team that way by filling holes with each selection they have no matter what the "experts" say.

Larry's Blog: Is Walsh the Answer

Larry's Blog: Is Walsh the Answer
http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/walsh_080402_announcement.html

Is Walsh the Answer

Last week the New York Knickerbockers hired former Indiana Pacers president, Donnie Walsh to be in charge of all basketball operations and in hope of finally getting on the right track towards being an elite team again. Walsh takes over a mess of an organization that has had four coaches while Isiah Thomas was calling the shots for the Knicks. With the hiring of Walsh the Knicks are looking to have some stability in the front office and are also hoping to get under the salary cap without taking on any ridiculous contracts. Walsh has an interesting situation with his head coach because he's pretty much handcuffed with the situation. Should he fire Thomas after the season? Well, for most New Yorkers and Knicks fans alike, they would love to see Thomas to be shown the door, but on the other hand he signed a four year extension last year so once again the Knicks would have to eat the remaining year and money that is owed to him. Once Walsh decides to either get rid of Thomas or to find a fresh face to coach the team, he has to realize these bunch of players aren't going to take him anywhere. He must let them play out their existing contracts or hope that some team would be willing to take pity and take any of those worthless players in. One Walsh figueres out what to do with the players and personnel and he lays down the blueprint for success, it is going to be up to him on whether or not he could clean up arguably the biggest mess in NBA history.

After Clinching, The Rangers Look to go on a Cup Run

Last night the New York Rangers finally clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference after waiting almost the entire season until there were three games left to play. The Rangers can go as high as the 4th seed with two games to play which would mean they would have home ice advantage to open the playoffs for the first time since 1996. It looks like the their top players are coming into form for the stretch run like, Jaromir Jagr, who probably is the most important player on the team. According to some players, if he's playing well and is at his A game, then the team as a whole responds by skating faster and playing harder. It is vital for him to be playing at his best because if he wins the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP then he will automatically be signed for next year because of a clause in his existing contract. Also at the center of this is goalie, Henrik Lundvist,who remains to look sharp as the team prepares to make its third straight playoff appearance. The veterans and youth seem to be clicking and are looking forward to their playoff tune-ups and perhaps the finale against the Devils in New Jersey on Sunday will be a preview of a possible first round match up between the two teams. If the Rangers can keep this high energy going through the playoffs then they might be able to accomplish those lofty goals that they for themselves earlier this season.