No time to exhale if you are JFJ

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special “Hey” goes out to Hazel Mae if she is checking in.

The “Fire JFJ/Richard Peddie” movement/watch is still in full force – notwithstanding Toronto’s 4-2 win last night in Atlanta. Many in the media are patting themselves on the back for suggesting that getting out of Toronto for a couple of days might be the best thing in the world for a beleaguered coach and his struggling team – not to mention the embattled GM who sees the wagons circling around him. Well congratulations for stating the obvious guys (and gals) – not much of a stretch when you consider that Toronto has been a better road team for the better part of the last two years.

Last night’s result shouldn’t change a damn thing in Toronto – while everyone was saying the right things – they are no better off than they were two days ago, two weeks ago, or even two months ago. Fighting tooth and nail to make the playoffs shouldn’t be the goal/objective, or even a reason to keep a GM who has failed this organization miserably. The issues are still the same – and for the first time this year, we’re holding the coach accountable too. For the record, we applauded the hiring of Paul Maurice – he was a fresh face and someone who would give young players a chance to prove themselves while he taught them about the NHL game, unlike his predecessors, Pat Quinn and Pat Burns.

For the most part, he has done that – but where he has failed the team, and Leaf Nation, is his insistence to force his team to play a style of hockey they aren’t capable of playing. We’ve said before that the NHL is a copycat league – and defensive hockey is en vogue right now. Every single coach and player starts off any conversation with being “defensively aware” or about “defensive responsibilities” – the Maple Leafs have been talking about that for two months and what has it gotten them? – the worst goals against in the NHL and eight games under .500 (if you count OT and Shootout losses).

Maurice has insisted on trying to play a defence-first style of hockey with defencemen that are soft (Kaberle and White), slow (Gill and Wozniewski) or just downright dumb (McCabe and Kubina). Sound defensive hockey is premised on having players who fundamentally sound, fast, physical and move the puck quickly and safely – unfortunately for Leaf Nation, our defence is non of the above (except for Kaberle who is a great skater and moves the puck well). Early on in the season – the Leafs were playing a brand of firewagon hockey that had them at .500, albeit with a few embarrassing beat downs, but – they were at least competitive. Instead, Maurice has insisted they play to their most glaring weakness – defensive hockey – sacrificing the one strength they seemed to have – scoring goals.

We are reminded of one of the most exciting Maple Leafs teams in recent history (ok, we’re dating ourselves here but) the 1989-90 Leafs – featuring Eddie O, Gary Leeman, Wendel Clark and others. The knock on the team back then was the same as now – bad defence and suspect goaltending. The then coach, Doug Carpenter, adopted a firewagon type of game that often saw the Leafs give up a lot of goals, but he counted on the offence to keep them in games – and they did, surprising most of the league by having a .500 record and making the playoffs. When asked about his defence – Carpenter’s answer was classic – “If we can’t keep the puck out of our net, be can at least try to keep the puck out of our zone – the other team can’t score if the puck is in their end.” It didn’t work out as well as Carpenter had hoped – but at least he played to his team’s strength and made the playoffs. All Leaf Nation is getting these days is “We think we are good enough to make the playoffs.” Paul Maurice should stop worrying so much about other teams and live and die with his team trying to score goals. At least it would be entertaining.

Speaking of entertaining – How about those Dallas Cowboys huh? Another win against those stinking cheeseheads, and as an added bonus Brett Favre gets smoked by Nathan Jones. Cowboys’ fans are used to dealing with the haters – so we’ve heard all the excuses today: Al Harris’ “shoulda been” a pick in the first quarter, the interference calls (BOTH were penalties), and how “had Favre stayed in the game it woulda/coulda been a win”. Much was made of Green Bay’s injuries to Charles Woodson and “KGB” – and? People forget the Cowboys have been playing without their starting nose tackle (Jason Ferguson) and had to slot in Jacque “burned like toast” Reeves in for a banged up Anthony Henry. Romo torched them, Barber ran through them – period.

The Cowboys’ D dominated the Packers offence with and without Favre when they had to. They played soft when they were up by 17 and tightened considerably when the lead was down to 10 and then 3. We’ve said since day one that the Pack is counterfeit – people forget they play in the NFC North. We’ll be the first to say that there will NOT be a rematch in January in the NFC Title game – Green Bay won’t make it. To our friends who follow the Patriots – we’ll see you in Arizona in February 2008.

Not sure how much attention this is getting – but Rogers Sportsnet reported yesterday that the Yankees had entered into the Johan Santana sweepstakes. With the Yankees rumoured offer of Melky Cabrera and Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy – can’t see Lester/Crisp and prospects getting it done for Boston. We’ll see.

THURSDAY’S THREE STARS
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Mats Sundin scored a beauty in Atlanta yesterday and, from all accounts, was a dominant force in a 4-2 win over the Thrashers. We still want to see JFJ fired (have we said that often enough?).

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo was 19 of 30 (with at least three dropped passes) for 309 yards and four touchdowns (would have been five had Owens not dropped a catchable ball in the endzone – which wound up being intercepted).

Nashville Predators LW J.P. Dumont had a goal and three assists in a 6-5 win over the SenaTards last night – you know the rule, anyone who punks the Tards gets love here.


FRIDAY THREE PLAY
Finally a good night last night – we’ll keep it going tonight.

Dallas over Pittsburgh – upset special. The Stars have been playing great lately, losing only one of their last seven – the Penguins have had all sorts of problems. Lay $100 on the Stars + $145.

Carolina over Washington – the Canes have burned us lately, but we think they get things back on track against last place Washington tonight. Lay $100 on the Canes - $180.

Chicago over Phoenix – both teams are playing better than expected, but we are going to lean to the Hawks who have won four in a row at home. Lay $100 on Chicago - $170.

That’s it for today gang – thanks for taking the time to check in.

Before we sign out – we are dedicating a song of the day today to our favourite Boston Boricuas – crazy sisters Anita and Bernadette – who are in need of some cheering up as they have been going through a bit of a tough stretch. To brighten your day – the song of the day here is

The Way I Are – Timbaland

(Voice in Background)
State of Emergency
Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Remember the time baby (echos)
Yeah yeah

I ain't got no money
I ain't got no car to take you on a date
I can't even buy you flowers
But together we can be the perfect soulmates
Talk to me girl

[Bridge - Keri Hilson]
(Oh) Baby, it's alright now, you ain't gotta flaunt for me
If we go dutch, you can still touch my love, it's free
We can work without the perks just you and me
Thug it out 'til we get it right

[Chorus] - Keri Hilson & (D.O.E)
Baby if you strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like you just the way you are
(I'm about to strip and I need it quick
Can you handle me the way I are?)
I don't need the G's or the car keys
Boy I like you just the way you are
Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like, I like, I like...

[Verse 2 - Timbaland]
I ain't got no Visa
I ain't got no Red American Express
We can't go nowhere exotic
It don't matter 'cause I'm the one that loves you best
Talk to me girl

[Bridge 2 - Keri Hilson]
(Oh), baby, it's alright now, you ain't gotta flaunt for me
If we go and touch, you can still touch my love, it's free
We can work without the perks just you and me
Thug it out 'til we get it right

[Chorus] - Keri Hilson & (D.O.E)
Baby if you strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like you just the way you are
(I'm about to strip and I need it quick
Can you handle me the way I are?)
I don't need the G's or the car keys
Boy I like you just the way you are
Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip
'Cause I like you just the way you are

[Verse 3 - D.O.E.]
Yeah, baby girl, I don't got a huge ol' house I rent a room in a house
Listen baby girl, I ain't got a motorboat but I can float ya boat
So listen baby girl, once you get a dose of D.O.E. you gon' want some mo'
So listen baby girl, when I make it I want you there, want you there, want you there, yeah

That’s it for today gang – thanks for taking the time to check in.

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world.

We’re Out!