(that is where Cortland, NY is located)

Ok football fans, we all have to take a deep breath and realize that we are still a month and a half away from meaningful football, but you can't help but get excited with the news that training camps are opening.

The Jets opened theirs today in Cortland, NY, which is a major change from the site of many previous training camps, out in Hofstra University on Long Island.

The Giants open up Saturday at SUNY Albany. That is a trip that I make annually, and it is a blast. I recommend it to anyone that is within a decent driving distance of Albany.

Unfortunately the rigors of job hunting in this wonderful economy have hindered me from staying on top of this blog, something I am deeply sorry about and something that I promise to change.

That said, a lot has gone on the sports world lately. Quick recap, shall we?



---Michael Vick is officially free to sign with a team. Who will sign him you say? As of this afternoon, Vick has stated he is close to signing with a team. The Vikings seem like a logical place to me for him to wind up, but they are still a franchise recovering from the whole 'love boat' incident. Unless Tony Dungy is tied at the hip to Michael Vick, it'd be hard to implement him on this team, especially with a very impressionable (and troubled) rookie wide receiver, Percy Harvin.


---Cliff Lee was traded to the Phillies for four minor leaguers. This throws my entire Q & A that I did with our partner site, SNATCHSPORTS.COM for a whirl. Lee is no Roy Halladay, but he certianly helps put the Phillies into the forefront of the NL Pennant Race. A pretty lefty-heavy rotation once you add Lee into the mix, with Hamels, Moyer and Happ all being southpaws.

Speaking of that Q&A, you can access it by clicking the link below...

Trade Deadline Q & A with SnatchSports.com


---More on the trade deadline tonight and tomorrow. So far the biggest winners have to be the Giants (Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Garko)and the Phillies (Cliff Lee). We have already seen more movement of decently-talented players than we have in years past. Hopefully some more action will go down tomorrow.

The Yankees have done to the Twins what the Red Sox have done to the Yankees thus far this season. This afternoon, the Yanks completed their sweep of the Twins in Minnesota en route to Anaheim, where the dreaded Angels are waiting.

It was when the Angels paid a visit to the Bronx in late April, where one of the worst streaks the Yankees have endured all season began. We shall see how much of an impact a banged up Vladimir Guerrero has and if Torii Hunter winds up on the disabled list which is most likely to happen. One things for sure; if the Yankees can win this series heading into the All-Star break, they truly have all the momentum in the world, going into the second half of the season.


Then there's that team in Queens. Tonight they lost the rubber match of their three-game series to Joe Torre's Los Angeles Dodgers. Once again, it was an inept offense coupled with another poor (or is it the expected) performance from start Livan Hernandez. Word on the street (or on the internet) is that the Pirates are looking to deal all-star second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Omar, make the call. Luis Castillo is nothing but a bench player. Just don't give up too much.

To add insult to injury (no pun intended), the Mets placed outfielder Fernando Martinez on the DL with knee inflammation. It was either the DL or a trip back to Buffalo (again), as the prized prospect has struggled in his first months in the big leagues.


---The Phillies are reportedly in serious talks with Pedro Martinez. I'm willing to bet that even if he does wind up signing in Philadelphia, it is not the last pitcher added to the Phillies' roster.

---Keep it up Kansas City. They have come from behind to take the lead on the Red Sox as Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson have been off. Obviously a Boston loss means a tie for first place in the AL East with the Yankees.

---It looks like Carlos Boozer will be on the move after all. A three-team trade looks to be in the works that would send the all-star forward to Chicago. Kirk Hinrich would go from Chicago to Portland and Tyrus Thomas would go from Chicago to Utah.


---This is officially the last mention of Brett Favre until there is a contract signed between him and the Minnesota Vikings. Apparently the Vikings' trainer was sent to Mississippi to work him out.


---Perennial hockey all-star Joe Sakic has officially retired from the game after 20 years. He was the active scoring leader and retires with 1,641 points (625 goals), which puts him eighth on the all-time scoring list.

Former guest Mike Florio of PROFOOTBALLTALK.COM has posted an interesting article on his website about a report that Brett Favre may have already signed with the Vikings. The link to the story is below.


Brett Favre Already a Viking?

The Jets have signed what they hope is their franchise quarterback today to a 5 year- $50 million contract, with $28 million of it guarenteed.

Sanchez, who started just 16 games at USC, was the 5th overall pick and one that the Jets traded up to get. Most believe that going into training camp, it will be Sanchez's job to lose.

Retired Head Coach Tony Dungy and the now officially retired Rodney Harrison are expected to be announced as the newest additions to the NBC Football Night in America studio team.

Dungy, who is probably the most liked person in football today did a great job in contributing to the pre-game show for NBC's coverage of Super Bowl 43.

Harrison, known for being one of the dirtiest players in the game on the field, is also known for being charismatic and personable off the field.

With Jerome Bettis' departure, and Cris Collinsworth's move to the booth, there is room for both guys to join up.

For those that forgot about the troubles of former Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress, you are about to get a heavy-dosed reminder.

Burress' court proceedings were delayed a few months back and we are now just a few weeks away from getting a better idea as to if and how long he will be in jail for.

Giants radio play-by-play man Bob Papa spoke out on his Satellite radio show this afternoon and said that Burress is afraid of going to jail and that he refuses to accept any deal that involves doing time.

I wonder what Burress' agent Drew Rosenhaus has to say (or tweet) about that...

Tony Kornheiser has stepped down as the third man in the Monday Night Football booth and will be replaced by former Raiders and Buccaneers Head Coach, Jon Gruden .

Although I am a fan of Tony's when it comes to ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, I've always felt that his role on Monday Night Football was forced. He was there for comic relief, and the last time I checked, football games were in no need of anything too funny.

Gruden should be a nice fit, not too over the top, but enough to where he will give a nice alternative to Ron Jaworski , who is ESPN's maven at X's and O's.

---This marks another change in the landscape of the outlets that cover the NFL. Already we have seen John Madden retire from NBC's Sunday Night Football ( Cris Collinsworth will take his place) as well as Jerome Bettis who will not be returning to NBC's Football Night in America show ( Tony Dungy & Rodney Harrison are rumored to be possible replacements).

Ironic, no? The team that has, for the past three seasons, led the league not in wins or points, but arrests (and still added Tank Johnson over this past off-season) will be the next team that is featured in HBO's hit series, 'Hard Knocks'.


For those that have never seen it, it is a show that follows a specific team through training camp, highlighting the stars of the team as well as the competition to make the last few spots on the roster.


My bold prediction:

We will see a lot of Ocho Cinco this Summer. *sigh*.