The Melk Man Delivers

No, it wasn't another homer, but, in the bottom of the 8th, Melky knocked in the game winning run after the Angels had intentionally walked Swisher to load the bases. Melky's single plated one and reloaded them. Ramiro Pena then ripped a two run double into the right field corner to put the Yanks up by the final score of 7-4. AJ Burnett was not especially sharp tonight. He did give us 7 innings of 4 run ball, and didn't figure in the decision. Phil Coke got the win off of his perfect 8th, and Mo gave up a hit before getting the next three for the save. Nice win, Yanks! Andy throws tomorrow.

The Good Hands People

Over his Giant career, receiver, running back and Shockey drops have really dinged Eli's completion percentage. The Giants clearly had that issue in mind when they took four of the best sets of hands in the draft. Nicks may have the best hands I've ever seen, but Barden's are even a bit larger and very secure, too. Both can make the one handed grab. Beckum is also known to catch everything, and since he'll be coming out of the backfield a lot, he could really crank Eli's comp %. And Andre Brown apparently had the best hands of all the running backs in the draft. In fact, he catches 100 balls a day from a juggs machine cause he never wants to drop one. It's gonna be fun watching these guys grow into core parts of the offense. Go Giants!

Yanks Win

Nick Swisher homered for both sides of the plate and the Yanks, after getting 7 innings of 1 run ball from Joba, ended up winning 8-6. Phil Coke pitched a perfect inning around a false fire alarm, but Jonathan Albaladejo didn't have it tonight and was pulled with 2 in, 2 on and 2 out. Mo came in to get the final out, but first, paused to give up a 3 run homer. It was a weird win, but there was great progress from Joba, good word from the O, and nice inning from Coke. The Yanks are home again tomorrow, and let's start installing the winning tradition there.

He's Back, Too

Though Joba still doesn't have his midseason velo back from seasons past, he had enough to 3 hit the Tigers in a 7 inning, 1 run start. He K'd six and got a lot of grounders and pop-ups. Really nice stuff. The ump was squeezing him early and he let it get into his head a bit, but then he shook it off, stopped nibbling and went through the Tigers like a hot knife through butter. Great start. Yanks are up 8-1.

Back to The Future

So the Yanks snapped their 4 game skid tonight by whupping up on the Tigers 11 - 0 behind the utter dominance of Phil Hughes, Mark Melancon, Edwar and Veras. Aside from Teixeira, the offense finally exploded in the seventh, which was highlighted by Jose Molina's gran slam. Cano and Melky are rocking, Jeter and Matsui are doing some hitting, too. Steve Swisher added a ninth inning bomb to show that he's back. Joba goes tomorrow and I bet Hughes has inspired him. Go Yanks!

He's Back

Phil Hughes returned to the Yankees tonight and gave them 6 innings of 2-hit, shut out, ball before being lifted after the Yanks gave him a 10 run lead in the seventh. The 22 year old proved the stopper and he will get the win tonight. Way to go, Phil!

Alas

The Rangers season has ended. Clearly, they were not a match for one of the better teams, and the roster needs some serious retooling. We'll talk about it soon.

The Happiest Man in America

Why is this guy so psyched? Well, because over the weekend the Giants got him two new WR's a new H-back, and a new running back who can catch! Why else is he psyched? All four of them have great, not good, hands and don't drop passes. And what might be psyching him up the most? None of them or the remaining pass receivers and backs on the team spend the offseason down in Miami. So for the first time in his career Eli Manning can spend the whole offseason in Jersey developing chemistry with his targets. What a novel idea!

Yanks Sink Below .500

CC took the complete game loss to save the pen. That's how I know they'll turn this around. Go Yanks!

Maurice Evans a Giant?

According to his Facebook page, PSU DE Maurice Evans is a New York Giant. Maurice went undrafted cause he got himself in some trouble, but if he has his head on straight, he can be a very good 4th DE for the Giants. He has Giant type pass rush skills and can easily fill the role I had envisioned for Barwin or Sidbury, or Evans before he got in trouble. Apparently UCF Safety Sha-reff Rashad has also signed. I hope we find a Center. Go Giants!

Giants Finish Up With Stoney Woodson

And with their last pick the Giants selected another DB. Stoney Woodson is variously listed as a corner and a safety and by now everyone knows DeAndre Wright also played both safety and corner in college. These two a probably battling for one roster spot. Good luck, guys.

DeAndre Wright is a Giant

In the 6th the Giants have picked DeAndre Wright a CB from New Mexico whose stock fell after a shoulder injury. He must have tested well for the Giants because he does not appear to have typical Giant pick athletic ability. Hopefully he can come in and earn a spot. One more pick left!

Rangers Let It Go To Seven

Anybody like our chances?

A Giant Suprise

With their 5th round pick the Giants suprised everyone and took Rhett Bomar the former Oklahoma QB Rhett Bomar. This does not appear to be good news for last year's developmental QB pick Andre Woodson. Bomar was a very highly touted recruit who never lived up to expectations and that is why we were able to get him in the 5th. We now have 4 arms for camp.

Giants Get Their Back

The Giants replaced some of what they lost when Ward left by picking up NC State RB Andre Brown their fourth round pick. Brown was one of the group of backs including Jennings, Ringer and Peerman that the Giants would have been wise to take, and take him they did. He can run a draw, a counter, get around the corner and finish his runs. The Giants are having a terrific draft!

Giants Land Beckum!

Witht the 100th pick of the draft the Giants took Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum. I liked Shawn Nelson a little more, but can't knock Beckum who is the same sort of crazy athlete. Pope will have to get him up to speed as a blocker, but the kid is yet another playmaker for the Giant O. He would have gone much higher had he not been injured as a senior. Go Giants.

Ramses Barden is a Giant

The Giants just traded up and got their Plax clone. Ramses Barden is a 6'6" 225 pound receiver out of Cal-Poly Pomona, who played big in big games and almost lead them to a win over Wisconsin! The Giants traded their #91 pick and one of their 5th rounders to make the move. Great pick as this kid had Giants written all over him from jump street. Go Giants!

Second Day Stuff

Above you see Shawn Nelson, who is just one of the players I'd love to get in Round 3. Regardless, I think we'll get a TE, a safety, a running back, and maybe another LB. I think you could see us use picks to move around, cause we may have too many, but you should see us make more good picks. I won't be surprised if we take Ramses Barden with pick #100. Shonn Green, Jennings and Ringer could be some of the RB possibilities. We'll see. Should be a great day and their could be a surprise trade that isn't for a Veteran WR.

Day One Thoughts

Though no trade for Braylon Edwards materialized, the Giants got three very good players in the first two rounds. As readers know, Hakeem Nicks was my favorite receiver in this draft. He reminds me, and according to intervies, the Giants, of Anquan Boldin - but he didn't cost us multiple picks or 8-10M a year. He's a physical receiver in the Boldin/Michael Irvin mold, but he's faster than both of them and has among the best hands I've ever seen.

In the second, the Giants took Clint Sintim. Clint played for Al Groh and Virginia, so the Giants not only had their scouts' reports on him, they had the appraisal of a former Giant LB coach, too. They see him as a SAM, but I think he reminds me of Elvis Dumervil in the way that he can alway bend the edge and get to the QB. He joins the stable of Giant passrushers and will help the Giants keep the rush, that faded as the season went on without Osi and Strahan, fresh all season. He also looks good against the run. The question will be whether or not he can cover a TE. We'll see. Worst case, he's a better Reggie Torbor. Best case, he's a terrific pass rush LB/DE who can cover.

With their second second rounder the Giants took UConn LT William Beatty, who needs some polishing. Of course, the Giants have time to polish him and once they do, they could have their blue goose OLT for years to come. On tape, Beatty shows long arms, good feet and suprisingly good run blocking ability for a collegiate left tackle. He needs to be more consistent in his technique, but doesn't seem to be a big challenge for the coaching staff. His coach, Randy Edsall, is a former Coughlin assistant, so you can be sure that the Giants have the straight dope on the young man. We're going to end up thrilled with this pick.

As for Edwards, that was strange. The Browns drafted 2 more WR's today, so it seems like they're not expecting things to get better between themselves and Braylon. So, I still expect Braylon to get moved, possibly still to the Giants, some time between now and the the pre-season.

In all, it was a very good first day, and nothing that happened has precluded them from getting a Vet WR before the season.

Potential Blue Goose?

With their second pick in the second round, the Giants took William Beatty, the 6'7" 309 pound natural left tackle from UConn. This is gonna take a year or so, but Beatty has everything you're looking for in a blue goose left tackle except for some technique work. He's got the long arms and the feet that the position demands, and if he works hard, he will be a ten year guy at OLT for the Giants, another excellent pick. We have seven picks left tomorrow. Go Giants!

Clint Sintim is a Giant

The Giants have kept the #45 pick and added LB/DE tweener Clint Sintim from UVA. Sintim is a great passrusher from the edge, but needs work in coverage. Obviously the Giants got great reports on Sintim from their old OL coach, Al Groh, one of Tom Coughlin's closest friends. This cat can get to the QB!

Hakeem It Is!

The Giants stayed put at #29 today and got their man: UNC's Hakeem Nicks! This kid had the best hands and best instincts of any WR in the draft and reminds me a lot of Anquan Boldin. That said, I still believe we're getting Braylon with pick 45 and stuff. So stay tuned. Terrific pick for the Giants and a go to guy for Eli. Go Giants!

Draft Day

The Browns and Braylon's agent have apparently blinked and a Braylon Edwards to the Giants trade for pick #45 and either a 4th or 5th and maybe a conditional future should be announced some time during the draft. Obviously, I'll have more to say about this when it becomes official. As I understand it, we have 8 picks left. Go Giants.

Melancon and Robertson on the Way

The news must not be good on Bruney since both David Robertson and Mark Melancon are headed to Boston. This is bad news for Bruney, but Robertson and Melancon are good, and Melancon really has a chance to step right into the 8th inning roll and stay there till Mo retires. He's that exceptional. Angel Berroa has been called up to replace Ransom. They needed to add Melancon and Berroa to the 40 and I don't know what the corresponding moves were yet.

Yanks Blow One in Boston

Not only did they leave 700 guys on base, it looks like Bruney and Ransom may join Wang in hitting the DL. Onward and upward, we'll have reinforcements from somehwere tomorrow! Go Yanks!

The Rangers Will Have to Close Em Out At Home

Go Rangers!

Avery Benched

John Tortorella may look like Steve Spagnuolo, but his belief system is pure Tom Coughlin. Torts has suspended Avery for the biggest game of the year over the two over aggressive penalties he took in the waning minutes of their game 4 victory. Let's hope this is an empowering message of responsibility for the rest of the team, and not just an opportunity for the Caps to stave off elimination. Go Rangers!

Down to the Wire!

The news this afternoon is that the Arizona Cardinals are now only looking for a 2 and a player in return for disgruntled wide-out Anquan Boldin. That puts the Giants in perfect position as they have 2 2's and have been willing to trade the Saints' 2 for Braylon Edwards. It is probably now on the table for whoever can make a deal with them faster. I was told early this week that the trade for BE would happen during the draft, but with this development I think we could see a trade for either one of them happen today or tonight. Should be fun.

Hakeem The Dream?

If the Giants keep the #29 pick and take a WR, the hope here is that UNC's Hakeem Nicks is the man. Nicks is receiver with good size, great hands and great feet. Like Arizona's Anquan Boldin he plays faster than he times and he can catch ANYTHING. Seriously, he has some of the best hands and body control I've seen. The knock on him is deep speed, but the truth is he makes plenty of plays down the field and after contact. I think staying put and picking Hakeem Nicks is a far better idea than trading up for Darius Heyword-Bey. DHB is plenty fast, but the Giants have missed on pretty much every fast receiver they have taken since Homer Jones. DHB has hands questions and plays more straight liney than he tests. I guess we'll see. Go Giants!

Mullin Finally To The Knicks?

There are a lot of stories today that Chris Mullin may finally be headed to the Knicks as the new GM. The Knicks had a chance to get Chris Mullin and team him with Pat Ewing back in the `80's but Knicks GM Scottie Stirling wouldn't part with Louis Orr. Think about that. That's why Patrick never got a ring or rings. Anyway, as a basketball move now, I dunno. He hasn't set the world of fire, but he would have been a great D'Antoni player and the two of them should probably see hoops in compatible ways, and hopefully Walsh can put him through executive finishing school. Meanwhile, the Knicks need a great PG to make the D'Antoni offense go next year and in the future and there will be several available in the draft.

Braylon

So, we're gonna hear all sorts of rumors over the next 36 hours about how the Braylon to the Giants deal is dead. Do you realize sometimes in medicine you don't know something exists til you find the anti-body? That's how I'd regard these reports, they're just proof that a deal is pending, and will probably be consummated on Saturday. If not, don't count on him being anywhere but with the Giants until he is traded somewhere else. I still believe he will be #17 in Blue come SB 44. Go Jerry!

King Henrik the First of New York!

Hank just out the Rangers up 3-1 by holding Ovechkin and the DC Diving Team to one goal in game four of their playoff series. Naslund and Drury had the Ranger goals. Avery took a couple of penalties late that will no doubt be controversial, but the DC team was getting away with murder tonight and some of them needed to pay. Well, they all paid, and let's hope we see the last of them in Game Five. Go Rangers!

MELKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melky had two homers today, his second a gamewinning blast in the bottom of the 14th that gave the Yanks and lifted the Yankees to a 9-7 win over the A's. It was a bit of a sloppy game with Johnny Damon dropping a pop fly early that, had he caught it would have seen the Yanks win in regulation. But Johnny was on base 5 times today, so he did his best to make ammends. Jeter and Matsui also homered, and the line-up in general seems to be grinding a lot better this year. Btw, Melky is now tied with Jeter and Swisher for the team lead in homers and he's done it in less than half the ab's. He also worked a walk today, and his OPS is over 1.000 thus far this season. Brett Gardner's is under .600 and it's time to make a switch. Veras came through with 4 scoreless innings of relief which must have really trimmed his ERA. CC was off today, and though the D hurt him, he just didn't have it. The Yanks are off tomorrow, then off the Boston Friday. Go Spanks!

Yanks Win!

Andy Pettitte threw in another 7 innings of two run ball to gain his 217th career win. They're starting to add up, and he really looks much heathier than he did last year. The D made some good plays behind him, but that's what they're supposed to do. Bruney came in and gave up a run, but that was bound to happen at some point. Mo gave up a single before tying the record for saves of a single pitcher. The Yanks did some hitting with RISP tonight in their 5-3 win and Damon homered. It was the only homer of the game and the balls did seem to be flying like they had been in the 4 day gams. It probably doesn't mean anything. Good win. Go Yanks.

Nady Not Out for the Year

According to the latest, Xavier Nady will not be out for the year and will be back some time in June. It's not known yet if they will retro him to the 60 day DL, so they can add another player to the 40 man roster. When he returns, he will be a righty DH to platoon with Matsui. The idea of having two guys with no defensive value sitting on the bench is not terribly appetizing. Go Yanks!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year PT 1

Yup, the NFL draft is coming up this weekend, and the Giants head into it with 10 picks and no glaring needs, unless you count having a #1 WR that roles the safety and makes the O go a glaring need. The Giants will enter the proceedings with ten picks with 5 in the top 100. At least they might, though my latest understand is that if they do deal for Braylon Edwards, it will be during the draft. An Edwards deal would eat up 2 2009 picks and maybe 1 2010 pick. After the Edwards deal, the Giants would have 4 top 100 picks and 4 other picks to address very few roster shortages.

With their 8-10 picks, I'd like to see the Giants get one from the group of Mack, Unger and Wood. Beyond that, I'd like to see them pick up another passrushing DE (what? you say!), a running back, a db, a wide receiver, a linebacker and an OT. So that's 7 players from 8-10 picks. It's a flat draft so I don't care what order they come in, and expect Jerry to always get better than round value out of all of his picks. It should be a great weekend and I'll be excited if we make the Braylon Edwards deal or if we don't. Go Giants!

No Power (Play)

The Rangers didn't come out with the intensity they showed on Saturday, and they still had no power play. When Callahan hit a post on a point blank open net, and the Caps scored off the the ensuing rush, it was clear that the Rangers were snake-bit tonight. They still have a lead in the series, and now they're gonna have to overcome the Caps' new found momentum to recapture their two game lead in the series. They'll have to be a lot better. Go Rangers!

Early IFA's?

While it's taken all of 2 weeks for the jewel of the 2006 IFA class, Jesus Montero to start dominating High A, the Yanks have been busy courting more IFA's some who are over 16 and can sign before July 2 signing date. Though there's a bit of a visa hold up, it seems like they will sign 5-tool Cuban OF Felix Perez who is either 20 0r 21 or age unknown, as well as hard throwing lefty Noel Argeullez. They are also apparently battling the Dodgers for Korean Lefty Pitcher Sung-bum Na. These, of course are the battles the Yanks should always win if they have a conviction about the players. So, while we wait for ARod's return, Wang's return to form and the ascenscion of Mark Melancon for the 7th, there could be some exciting news on the prospect front before the draft and before IFA. Go Yanks!

Po Power!

Jorge Posada came off the bench in the 7th inning of another Yankee comeback win, to put them up for good with a pinch hit 2 run homer. Down 3-1 to Pavano and the Indians, Cano lead off with a double and Matsui drove him in with a single. Ransom then bunted into a fielder's choice that erased Hit-Deki, but Po picked him up with a 2 run jack that made it 4-3. Bruney pitched a 1-2-3 8th, then the Yanks were able to tack on more runs with a two out rally that saw Swisher double, Cano intentionally walked, Matsui draw a walk, and Ransom redeem himself with a broken bat, fly ball, 3-run double. Mo pitched the ninth to get some work.

The Yanks had been in danger of wasting a quality start from AJ Burnett who hung tough without his best curve, and some squeezing from the ump for 6.1. Jonathan Albaladejo came up huge in the seventh, but getting two bases loaded grounders to hold the score at 3.

Yanks win 7-3!

Get Well Soon

Simply ridiculous.

Hank Heats Up!

King Henrik made a first period goal by Ryan Callahan stand up for 3 periods by stopping 35 shots as he shut out Ovechkin and the Caps. The Rangers now have a two game lead, and if Hank stays hot, the sky is the limit. Go Rangers!

Rangers Nab Gilroy

The Rangers have signed impressive Boston U defenseman Matt Gilroy to a multiyear deal. Gilroy is a late bloomer who stayed in school past his draftable years and will be a 25 year old rookie next year. Matt is an offensive defenseman and seems to be a significantly better prospect than Dan Girardi was when we signed him as a post collegiate FA. Hopefully he can team with Girardi and Staal, Sangs, Del Zotto, Sauer and Potter to give the Rangers a top notch defense in the not too distant future. Good move!

Captain Clutch Pt. 2

In the first great game at the new Yankee stadium, the Yanks battled from behind 1 homer at a time, to tie and beat the Indians on Derek Sanderson Jeter's homer with two outs in the bottom of the 8th. Damon, Tex, Melky and Cano had the 0ther HR's, and Damon scored the stray run by walking then coming all the way around on an error. Joba had a tough start, then Coke, Alby and Bruney formed a solid bridge to Mo who gave up a pair of one out singles in the ninth before closing the game by K'ing the last two Indians. Big Win! Wang goes tomorrow and let's hope we see the real Wang.

Robertson Sent Down, Miranda Called Up

Dave Robertson must wonder what he's got to do. Dominating the minors and being the only righty reliever who could retire any Indians wasn't good enough. Juan Miranda has been called up to replace him, reportedly because Hideki Matsui has fluid on his knee. Calling up Miranda is fine, but Robertson should not be the one sent down. Joba goes today.

Yanks Lose

Here's a picture of Mark Melancon, who is dominating in relief for the undefeated SWB Yanks. He's throwing 94-95 and getting more K's than last year with his new curveball. I tell you this because the middle relief failed for the 4th time thus far this year and we are now back at .500. But, MM is just a phonecall away, and there are more helpful arms in the minors if we need to do even more to fix middle relief. Some hits with RISP wouldn't hurt the Yanks, either. Joba goes tomorrow, and hopefully he can be conservative with his pitch count. The Yanks will still win 100+ games, so fear not in the early going.

Robertson's Back

Apparently, the Yanks have recalled David Robertson to take Nady't spot on the roster for now. Nady K'd 10 in 5 innings and did not have an era in his AAA appearances. This gives the Yanks 13 pitchers, so, something's got to give. It should be a great day at the stadium, and Robertson must be thrilled to be there. Go Yanks!

DUBI DUBI DOOOOOOOO!

Brandon Dubinsky broke a 3-3 tie toward the end of the 3rd period with a brilliant goal off of big passes from Naslund and Antropov, both of whom, along with Gomez had scored the other goals. The Rangers were without their Captain Chris Drury who couldn't go after giving it a trie in warm ups. Hank was great in the first period, but gave up a goal early in the second only to have the Gomez answer right back off a takeaway. Antropov and Naslund scored their goals on Power Plays and Gomez assisted on Naslund's giving him a perfect set-up. Huge game for the Rangers to steal without Drury and they had to come back to do it. 4-3 Rangers! Take this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!