The Hockey God's Have Answered! Leafs Fans Rejoice! LEAFS WIN, LEAFS WIN!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I am almost speechless!!! I, like most of my fellow Toronto fans must have been loosing their mind by the end of the 2nd period. The rival Montreal Canadiens, with only needing one point (so essentially forcing OT) with a 5-3 lead after 2 frames against the beloved Leafs... I thought their playoff chances were over!

NOT SO!!

The Toronto Maple Leafs decided that this was not the night they were going to lay down and take this one. These Leafs decided enough was enough! They decided today was the day that this TEAM was going to be the upsetter. This was the team who was going to come back in the 3rd period, score 3 goals and eliminate the Canadiens from the playoffs.

You see, Montreal was 20 minutes away from catching a flight to Buffalo. The Habs could taste it, but apparently the Leafs wanted it more. The Habs collapsed in the 3rd period but surrendering 3 goals and the Leafs, needing to win in regulation did just that!

I was shocked, happy, surprised, emotional, impressed and most importantly excited! This year, it is our turn! I realize that we are still not out of the woods yet. The Islanders must loose tomorrow for Toronto to make it to the post season. Still... at least today (if nothing else) they did their part. They need a bit of luck, and maybe for Jersey to start Marty Brodeur (Which I suspect will sit the last game and rest for the playoffs).

Honestly, it doesn't matter. I want nothing more than the Islanders to loose and the Leafs to play Buffalo. Still, no matter what happens, the moral battle between Montreal and Toronto has been won by our team. At least this year!!!!

GO LEAFS GO!!!!!

A-Rod Silences Critics, Hits two-out 9th Inning Grand Slam to beat O's.

A-Rod should be able to ride this one, at least for a few weeks.

Alex Rodriguez's two out, 9th inning grand slam off O's closer Chris Ray, must have sent shivers through every yankees fan who have boo'ed A-Rod over the past few seasons. To sumarize, that is a LOT of people. The Yanks were down by 1 run, and when everyone thought A-Rod would choke again, he REALLY comes through.

It seems like Rodriguez has gotten his stroke back, hitting clutch for the yankees this season already, something he couldn't do in the October's past. It is no secret that A-Rod is getting tired of all the critics in New York, judging his play and there is a good chance he will not be in pinstripes next season.

At least for right now though, he's making a strong case for the Yankees to keep him around. The thing I don't understand... he's still one of the best players in the league, and puts up very impressive numbers. It must be tough being a Yankee, no matter how good you can hit a ball.

David Carr chooses to be a Backup Panther

David Carr is a Free Agent no longer.

Today, Carr decided to sign on with Carolina, to backup Jake Delhomme. Carr is believed to have received a 2 year, 6 million dollar contract with a 3 million signing bonus.

I, like most people, really believe David Carr can still play! Being in a place like Carolina, he has the chance to excel. The biggest issue is he may never get the ball unless Delhomme really struggles or gets injured. The Panthers made it crystal clear that Carr was the backup and there was no QB battle in progress.

Still, if Delhomme really struggles and Carolina don't come out of the gates blazing, I really would think Fox would make the switch and give Carr a shot. The talent on the Panthers can't even be compared to that of the Texan's... so it still remains to be seen what this guy can do.

Ricky Williams Officially Asks for Reinstatement

Ricky Williams asked today if he can rejoin the Miami Dolphins and it is up to the league to grant him that wish.

Williams, although a star the years he has been in the league, has been suspended due to failing his 4th drug test. He spent last season in the CFL with Toronto.

It still remains to be seen what Miami will do with Williams, even if he does return. It is the leagues decision to let him back to the league but ultimately Cameron/Mueller's decision on if he will be the backup to Ronnie Brown this year.

Given Miami's situation, they really could use all the help they can get. They are without a proven backup to Brown, and even though Ricky missed the first four games of the 2005 season, he still rushed for 743 yards.

Cameron could also decide to trade Ricky, however, given his off-season uncertainty it is highly doubtful many teams would be willing to trade the value of what a RB like Ricky would normally be worth. The dolphins getting a late round draft pick for Williams hardly seems worth it, given if he is FINALLY over his off-field issues, then he can still produce at a very high level.

I suspect we'll hear the league's answer on Williams in the next week or two.

Leafs and Habs Face off Saturday for the Shot at the Playoffs

Both New York teams won today, which means both the Habs and Leafs lost respectively.

The Rangers took care of Montreal, 3-1 and the Islanders kept their very slim playoff hopes alive with a 5-2 win over the Leafs.

This matchup is very interesting and the forumla is this. The Leafs MUST WIN, and must do it in 3 periods. If Montreal gets so much as even a point they are in. The Leafs basically have to play THREE full periods and based on many of their games as of late, that remains to be seen. The Leafs have been horrible lately holding the lead or even just letting the game slip away in the 3rd. Not more than a few weeks ago, did they blow a 3 goal lead to the Sabres and lost. Today, they had the game tied at 2 all and managed to completely collapse in the third.

If they want to get to the post season, it is in their hands. Yes, I know the Islanders are still not technically eliminated, but given they are 3 points back, with two to play (and one of them being New Jersey), I really don't care for their chances. New York would have been in long ago if DiPietro was still playing but without him they just don't have it. Honestly, I don't think the Habs or Leafs do either, neither are good enough to make it in my opinion (and Im a HUGE Leafs fan).

I really hope the Leafs win because I want to see them in the playoffs almost as much as I want to see Montreal NOT make it. Let's see how those boys play with THAT much pressure.

Ill keep you posted. ;)
GO LEAFS GO!!!!

The NFL Draft Talk is Heating Up! Rumors are FLYING!

Here's the reason Brady Quinn will be in Cleveland.

He is scheduled to visit them this week. He is from Ohio and LOVED the Browns growing up. He wants to be a Brown and their management wants Savage to draft a QB in the first round with such a high pick. Getting a RB, even one as good as Peterson, are still plenty around. Look at Terrell David (6th round), and Priest Holmes (Undrafted). They can get someone in the 2nd round even as a RB. Quinn, is someone you build around and I really feel they will.

The thing that will be REALLY interesting is that the Raiders are very quietly scouting Calvin Johnson and even though their QB Situation is dreadful they could very easily take CJ with their first pick. According to Schefter on nfl network just now, the Raiders had them rated at a 10. Then he visited with them, and now he's rated an 11. He is an amazing player and lets not forget, the Raiders have the no. 33 pick in the draft. There is no reason they could not take Drew Stanton with the second pick, and still have a QB for the future to build around. Plus, we all know how Al Davis is... and every Moch draft has Russell going 1st. If this happened, the shakeup would be incredible. What would Detriot do? Does Joe Thomas slip? Does Russell slip?? And maybe all the way to 9 to Miami. Anything could happen, but things are heating up thats for sure! With only 3 1/2 weeks to go before the draft, it'll be interesting to see what happens!

Bonds Blasts No. 735, First HR of the Season

Barry Bonds does it again. He hit his first home run of the year and number 735 in his career as he chases the home run record held currently by Hank Aaron.

Bonds, assuming he stays healthy is almost a sure bet to break the record this season. The slugger is only 21 short of the record of 755 and also passed his Godfather Willie Mays for the most runs scored by a Giant.

The Giants, still lost to the Padres... dispite Bond's effort.

Bears Say "No Deal"... At Least For Now!

The Chicago Bears have said "No Deal" to the Washington Redskins in a potential trade to send Lance Briggs, and the Bear's 1st round draft pick to the Redskins for their number 6 overall pick.

In my opinion, I really think this deal will get done before draft day. The Bears absolutely NEED to trade Briggs, who has already threatened to sit out the first 10 games of the season (playing the last 6 so he can qualify for Free Agency). If the Bears do nothing, they risk having their star Linebacker sitting on the sidelines.

I feel the Washington deal was a pretty good one, and I know a lot of critics agree. The Bears probably feel they cannot just give in to Briggs for the first deal that comes along. I am sure they feel this would be a sign of weakness and open the door to any player who was unhappy with their contract. By the Bears playing "hard to get", they are making a point that threats such as the one Briggs laid out when he asked to be traded will not be tolerated.

All and all, I have a feeling come April 28th, Lance Briggs will still be a Redskin. I just hope this deal is still available so they get the best possible value for Briggs. If they wait too long, the offer could drop and the Bears could find themselves in a VERY tough situation come training camp.

A Devil Of A Time! Jersey SHOCKS the Sports World by Firing Julien

All I can say is WOW!

I am completely shocked that Claude Julien was fired by the New Jersey Devils today, with only 3 regular season games left in the season.

New Jersey has an excellent record, are atop of the Eastern Conference and have 101 points as of today.

Lou Lamoriello (GM for NJ) will be taking over coaching duties for the regular season as well as the playoffs.

Monday's firing isn't the only time Lamoriello made a late-season coaching move. He fired Robbie Ftorek with eight games left in the 1999-2000 season and Robinson led the team to its second Stanley Cup title.

It remains to be seen if this move would hurt the team more than help it, however Lamoriello has a very good track record, so Jersey fans should hold their breath and maybe the GM will come through once more!

Play Ball!

The MLB Officially opens today and there are some very interesting games on tap. The only game being played today is the Cardnals vs NY Mets, which gives us our first game to keep an eye on. Pretty simple, given it is the only one being air'ed. :)

Here are the 3 opening series I plan to keep an eye on in the next few days!

1. St. Louis vs the NY Mets - A rematch of last years NLCS, this is a great way to start off the season. The Cardnals will be sending their reliable Ace, Chris Carpenter who has been nothing short of incredible the past few years. The Mets will counter with Glavine, who isn't too bad himself. Both lineups are very dangerous and should produce some runs. They just may have to wait until Tuesday with these two pitching stud's on the mount.

2. Toronto Blue Jays vs Detroit Tigers - The Jays as most of you know are my team. I've been a die hard Jays fan my entire life so it's only natural this is a game Ill really be looking at. Apart from that however, the Jays are going to the mound with Ace Roy Halladay. This guy can pitch and is one of the best pitchers in the league. Adding to this, the Jay's letal lineup and Detroit being in the World Series only 6 months ago, this certainly will be a very entertaining series for everybody to watch.

3. Cleveland vs the ChiSox - Both of these teams underachieved last year with both missing the playoffs. The ChiSox looked like they were going to repeat but couldn't get it done. This year they have a lot to prove. On the other side, the Indians are one of baseball's best up and coming teams. They just BARELY missed the playoffs two years ago, and last year really didn't live up to the hype. Expect them this year to make a strong run at the division title and the wildcard.

These are the 3 matchups I am most looking forward to. Tonight my eyes will be glued to the Cards and Mets game, and tomorrow Ill start watching the Blue Jays take on the defending AL champs! It isn't an easy series to start out with but I am sure Doc, Wells and the rest of the team wouldn't have it any other way.

Superstar Studs Being Swapped?? Jason Taylor to the Jaguars for Byron Leftwich?

According to ESPN, the Miami Dolphins are entertaining offers for Jason Taylor and the Jaguars have expressed interest. They are believed to be offering starting QB Byron Leftwich(former first round pick) as well as a 3rd rounder in this years draft. Leftwich, who would probably be an upgrade to any QB they have on the roster, could be the future QB Cameron and Mueller are looking for.

This would be a HUGE move for the Jags, getting the pass rusher they desperately need. Miami would then fix their QB problem without having to resort to making a trade for Trent Green, or signing David Carr.

Now, be honest. How many of you ACTUALLY think the Dolphins would trade JT for anything less than 3 first rounders. :)))

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!

GOTCHYA!

Just to clarify, this deal hasn't and will never happen. ;) Still, it is fun to play, during the 1 day a year I can make up a deal like this! Hope I didn't cause any heart attacks or any broken monitors due to rage! LOL! I know if this actually were to happen, I'd be in the market for a new PC.