Nine Milb Teams Bought Out One Hits Close To Home

By Mark Halpern & Lawrence Lang

So as most of you might not know about the considerable sale just about a month ago. D.B.H. {Diamond Baseball Holdings} purchased nine different minor league franchises, one of them being the Hudson Valley Renegades, which happens to be the New York Yankees single-A long season team.

For most who don’t know, the Hudson Valley renegades have been a part of the Hudson Valley since 1994. They were initially a part of the Texas Rangers organization from 1994-1995 then became apart of the Tampa Bay Rays organization from 96-2020 then in 2021 they became apart of the New York Yankees . Founded by the Goldklang Group. Over the past 27 years, the Renegades have had some great success. They have won six division titles in 1998, 1999, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2021 {Yankee take over.} They have won 3 championships in 1999,2012, and 2017. This is a great accomplishment for any young franchise.

Lawrence “Patch Man “Lang {President of The Sports Insanity Network} and Mark “Old Ops Guy” Halpern {Current co-host on the S.I.N. and of N.F.L. Blitzer’s}, had the pleasure of working there over the last three years {Halpern 2018-2019 Lang 2018-Present} “I have to say I had the most fun at a job ever. That overseeing the stadium comes with great responsibility and a challenge I was ready for,” Halpern had to say. Lawrence Lang started as an intern on the Fun-Team {promotions for the company} and then moved his way up to cameraman. His final position we can’t divulge as it is top secret. I met Lawrence this way, and that’s how I joined The Sports Insanity Network.

The Hudson Valley Renegades is run and controlled by President Steve Gliner, who has been with the team since 2003 and has put together a great family of employees over the years and had some great success. Lawrence And I had the great pleasure of working directly for him. I contacted Steve and asked him some direct questions that Lawrence and I came up with, and I appreciate the time he took to answer them.

Mark Halpern: After your long relationship with the Goldklang Group, what are your feelings about moving on with ownership?

Steve Gliner: “In 2014 when I was with the Fort Myers Miracle, I was working for the Goldklangs when they sold our team in Fort Myers. I had worked for them since December 1989, just shy of 25 years. As you know, I came back to the Renegades to work for them again in January of 2017 and have been with them for another five years. They are first-class all around. They have always treated my family and me as part of their family. I will miss working for them.”

Lawrence Lang: With your new partnership with DBH, what are you most looking forward to?

Steve Gliner: “We are now part of an ownership group that has tremendous resources behind it, which in turn will only positively impact the overall fan experience at Dutchess Stadium for years to come. The Renegades are best known for the fun atmosphere we provide at all games and events. We expect that we will reach new heights under the Endeavor / Diamond Baseball Holdings umbrella.”

Mark Halpern: Will Richard Zolzer remain with you in a long-time partnership that you guys have been in at the current role he is in now?

Steve Gliner:” Of course! Zolz has been a key part of the Renegades for most of our 27-year existence. It would not be the same without him.”

Lawrence and I enjoyed working with the V.P. of V.P.’s and a great Announcer and were ecstatic to hear he will remain with the club.

Mark Halpern: In 2019, we began stripping and moving and resetting and gutting out Dutchess stadium. At that point, you knew things were changing. New stadium next year, you get the covid virus, then the news that the Yankees have bought the organization, and now the team has been sold. What has it been like for you over the last three years and now? Are you happier where you were or more excited to wear you be?

Steve Gliner: “To say the last three years has been a roller coaster would be a bit of an understatement. It has been the most challenging period in my career, and it is safe to say that most in our industry feel the same. We are certainly looking forward to what lies ahead, though. It’s going to be great when 2022 feels “normal” again!! Playing a full season schedule here in the Hudson Valley as an N.Y. Yankees affiliate is a real dream come true.”

Mark Halpern: How does the family feel about it?

Steve Gliner: “They couldn’t be happier about the change and are behind me 100%.”

Lawrence Lang: With this acquisition, are you expecting more one-on-one with DBH than you had with The Goldklang Group.

Steve Gliner: “I am very excited to see what DBH brings to the table. The Goldklang group was always available for me to talk to them from every facet of the business. They were very good with their 1-1 interaction with me, and I can’t wait to see what that will be like with this new venture.”

Mark Halpern: I’m sure you are thankful for your time and energy into the teams you ran with the Goldklang Group. Are you at all angry about the sale?

Steve Gliner: “Not at all. I am fortunate to have been able to work for the Goldklang family for as long as I have. Nothing is forever, though, and I am pleased that the new ownership is going to be able to help us to run this team so that it will provide the very best experience for our fans and partners.”

We wish to thank Steve Gliner, President of the Hudson Valley Renegades, for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions, and we wish him nothing but the best with his new endeavor.

NHL ALL STAR DUMBEST RULE AND SNUBS

By: Mike Rifkin

Everybody loves the All Star Games. They are games for the fans, Thursday night the NHL announced who will be participating in the All Star Game in Las Vegas. Now there are two things that drive me nuts about All Star Games and how participants are selected. The first is fan voting, but that is a story for another day. The other rule is that every team gets a representative. This rule can work for MLB because of the amount of players on the field. But in hockey with the new format of the All Star Game which is three on three it doesn’t because of limits on the roster. Avalanche Captain and Captain of the Central Division Nahthan Mackinnon said of his teammate Nazem Kadri not being an All Star “ It’s silly. I don’t think every team should send a guy. It’s an All Star Game, not a participation game.”  Mackinnon is right, this is a showcase of the best players in the NHL, it’s not about hurt feelings. So here are my alterations to the All Star rosters without a player from every team.

I will start with the Atlantic and take two forwards out. Nick Suzuki of the Canadiens had a great playoff run, but like the rest of Montreal has not had a great season. Suzuki does lead Montreal with 19 points in 36 games. The other is Drake Batherson of the Senators who is actually having a good year with 29 points in 25 games but if there wasn’t a requirement for every team needing a representative would he be in? My answer is no because there are four forwards, three of which are in the last man vote (voted in by fans) are more worthy. Those players would be Aleksander Barkov of the Panthers who leads them with 15 goals and is one of the best all around centers in the league. Brad Marchand of the Bruins leads them in goals and points and if on the team you can pair him with his linemate Patrice Bergeron to already use a dynamic duo. Lucas Raymond of the Red Wings ( I hear everyone in Detroit loves him) has 30 points in 38 games as a 19 year old on a Detroit team that is still in the playoff race. Last but not least you have Steven Stamkos of the two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Stamkos leads the Lightning 18 goals and 45 points in the most important number 38 games played. Injuries have hampered Stamkos over the years and now that he is healthy he is showing he is still a dangerous scorer. RIFKIN’S PICKS: Stamkos has to go in my opinion if this is a game of showcase. The other spot I would give to Marchand, yes he is a pest but he is a really good hockey player and deserves to be there. Trust me I wouldn’t be angry if Raymond or Barkov were going. 

For the Metropolitan division I believe they got most of it right. I know the Islanders have struggled but Adam Pelech has had a good season but I wouldn’t have a problem subbing him for Kris Letang of the Penguins. 

Onto the Central where the Coyotes own the league’s second worst record are sending winger Clayton Keller. Keller is having a very good season with 12 goals and 26 points. But if not every team had to send a player would Keller be on the radar? You have Nazem Kadri who leads the Avalanche in points with 48. If you asked people before the season started who would lead the Avalanche in points on January 14th their answer would not be Kadri. Ryan Hartman of the Wild deserves to be at the All Star game he is second on Minnesota in scoring and leads in goals with 15. 

The Pacific is where the biggest snub takes place. Troy Terry leads the Ducks in goals and points. More importantly the Ducks are a great story in the NHL and have not been more entertaining since Gordon Bombay as their head coach. Troy Terry should be in over Jordan Eberle of the Kraken. Yes it’s the first season of the Kraken but 12 goals and 24 points in 34 games shouldn’t put him over Terry’s numbers of 22 goals and 36 points. 

Not every team deserves a representative at the All Star game and that’s fine. These games are about growing interest in the game and having fun. But it’s an opportunity for the players to showcase themselves and some of them might not have another chance.

COWBOYS VS 49ERS

BRING IT ON.

By Mark Halpern

Well, here we go. Get your popcorn, break out the nachos, and, let’s face it, any fried food because it’s playoff time. Now the Cowboys won the NFC East division and own a home game, and it isn’t more fitting than it to be against the 49ers. It is no secret that these two teams have a storied history in the playoffs and the regular season. This game will be an actual fight to the finish. Let’s look at our opponents.

     The San Francisco 49ers have a formidable team on offense and at defense. Jimmy Garoppolo leads them; this 49er team has weapons and talent. First, their leader has not had a pro bowl type season but has kept them in games and has done so by being a good field general. Deebo Samuel has done it all on the field this year. Deebo is primarily a wide receiver, but he has been instrumental in the backfield, which makes defenses crazy. Deebo has turned into that two-way player that all teams want. Brandon Aiuk has had a decent year. He had a prolonged start, but by week 10 his name was being heard a lot. He is a dynamic receiver that runs good routes. George Kittle is a tight end and reminds me of some of the greats like Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Gronk, and Sterling Sharpe. He is physical, has fantastic hands, is not afraid to take a hit, and is one person I would want on the field with the game on the line. The 49er running game has been a little all over the place this season. However, since the last 9 games, Elijah Moore has been handling the running game. He has done a fine job and has caused some headaches.

  The 49er defense is no slouch either. Led by Nick Bosa, they have a top ten defense. Fred Warner has been a leader of linebackers and has excellent help from Azeez Al-Shaair as the man in the middle of the field. Arik Armstead is on the other side of the line and will give linemen trouble. The secondary is vulnerable, but it does have a name that has been a thorn in Dallas’s side for a long time in Josh Norman. By no way is he the same player that he once was but, playing your most hated rival can bring out the best in you. One thing that makes me feel better is that Treyvon Diggs has more interceptions than the entire SF team. So that’s a fun stat.

     We all know what the Cowboys have, but let’s refresh you all. All the Cowboy’s first strings are ready to go. Dak will lead the charge during this game and have the weapons of Zeke, Pollard, Cooper, Lamb, Wilson {in for injured Gallup}, Schultz, and that’s just the primary offense. As I mentioned, the offensive line is fully healthy and will have their hands full. I expect a lot of double teams on Bosa. Dak is going to have to be accurate and make good choices. Cooper, Lamb, Schultz, and Wilson have to give Dak opportunities, and I would not be surprised to see some Malik Turner this week. Zeke and Pollard will have to control this clock with med and long runs. No more of these friggin 1-yard runs. The ground game needs to be alive and keep pushing to get those short thirds and two or three. 

    Now the Dallas defense is ravenous. This season the Cowboy’s defense has been the talk of Dallas. Usually, it’s the offense, but the Dan Quinn defense’s new look is terrifying. At the ends of the d-line, Lawrence and Gregory form a scary attack. The Line Backers of Neal, Vander Esch, and Micha Parsons control the middle of the field and are part of why the defense is so good. However, the Dallas secondary has been the talk of football. Led by Diggs with 11 interceptions {which is more than most teams} this secondary has been named “The No-Fly Zone” because it’s hazardous for opposing quarterbacks to throw it anywhere. The Cowboy’s defense will be the reason Dallas wins this game. The 49ers’ offensive line is good but has not faced anything like what Dan Quinn has put together.

   I foresee a significant victory and a get-ready for the winner of the Tampa/Eagles game. If Tampa wins, Dallas will travel to Tampa, where they lost in week 1 but, not by a large margin. If the Eagles win, they will travel to Dallas. FLOOD THE STADIUM WHITE LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    

Three Cases For the Hall Of Fame

By : Mike Rifkin

On January 25th the 2022 class of the Baseball Hall of Fame will be revealed. People will be focused on where Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens are at entering their tenth and final year on the ballot. People will also be interested to see where first time candidates Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz wind up. To get into the Hall a player needs 75% of the votes from the baseball writers. Here are three candidates I believe should get to Cooperstown eventually.

I’m going to start with Todd Helton. Helton, who spent his entire 17 year career with the Colorado Rockies got 44.9% of the vote last year, his fourth on the ballot. A lot of people will look at Helton’s numbers and say that they are inflated because he played at Coors Field, but Larry Walker who played a chunk of his career in Colorado just got in. Helton has a career slash line of .316/.414/.539 making him one of 23 players ever with a .300/.400/.500 slash line. If you are into sabermetrics, Helton has a 54.2 WAR according to JAWS developed by Jay Jaffe which ranks 15th all time among first basemen. 11 of those are already in the Hall and the other three are Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto and Rafael Palmerio. Two of those three will get into Cooperstown one day. Voters should not penalize Helton for playing his entire career in Colorado, in fact I think players who spend their entire career with one franchise deserve a lot more credit. 

Then there is a case to be made for Scott Rolen. Rolen played 17 seasons with the Phillies, Cardinals, Reds and Blue Jays. Last year Rolen got 52.9% of the Hall of Fame vote, as he enters his fifth year of eligibility.  Offensively Rolen ranks top 15 among third basemen in home runs (316), RBI (1,287) and slugging percentage (.490). Rolen won eight Gold Gloves which trails only Brooks Robinson(16), Mike Schmidt (10), and Nolan Arenado (9) for third basemen. Robinson and Schmidt are already in the Hall and Arenado is on his way there but still active. The average WAR for third basemen in the Hall is 59.8 and Rolen has a 70.1 WAR. Rolen was a member of the 2006 Cardinals who won the World Series against the Tigers. In that series Rolen was 8-19 with three doubles, one home run, two RBI and five runs scored. It gave him a slash line of .421/.476/.737. Rolen’s career slash line is .281/.364/.490.

The last case I will make here is for Andruw Jones. Entering his sixth year on the ballot Jones got 33.9% of the vote last year. Jones was a member of the Atlanta Braves that ran the National League East in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. From 1998-2007 Jones had the third best WAR in Baseball only trailing Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez. Jones is one of three Center Fielders to win 10 Gold Gloves along with Willie Mays and Ken Griffey Jr.. Jones is also one of four players with 10 gold gloves and 400 plus home runs joining Mays, Griffey and Mike Schmidt. From 1998-2007 he had at least 25 home runs and drove in at least 84 runs. Like Rolen I have a hard time penalizing a guy for getting hurt. Andruw should be able to join Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Chipper Jones and Manager Bobby Cox in the Hall of Fame. 

For this year Bonds, Clemens, Rodriguez, Schilling and Ortiz might steal the headlines but I am very interested in seeing how Helton, Jones and Rolen project going forward. I believe to a degree all three were a bit overshadowed. Jones by Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz and Chipper. Helton by Walker and the fact that the Rockies were rarely in contention. Rolen by Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds. But I believe all three of these guys deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

The Final “Judge” ment has been made  

By Bill Murphy 

Well after two miserable seasons New York Giants Head Coach, Joe Judge has been fired.  Judge finished his tenure  in New York with an abysmal  10-23 record .  Over the past couple weeks there was speculation about Joe Judge’s future, right before the week 16 game against the Eagles, It was reported that Judge was going to be safe for the 2022-23 season. After that game there was talk that John Mara said if a new GM said that they need to move on from Judge he would do that.  

  Calling Judge incompetent is an understatement, in all of my years watching the Giants, Judge has to be the absolute worst coach, I’ve seen. My problems with Judge range from the excuses such as “my headset wasn’t working and I couldn’t see the game “to the stupid game decisions that were made such as just this past week when he made the decision to do a QB sneak at third and nine on his own five-yard line.  His reason being he wanted to give his punter more room. 

The worst of all in my opinion was after the week 17 loss against the Bears in his press conference when he went on a bizarre 11-minute rant. In the rant, He said some things like “this ain’t no clown show “went on about how he changed the culture in the locker room and former players were reaching out to him about how they wanted to come back to the Giants. Judge also blamed his predecessor Pat Shurmur and former Offensive Coordinator Jason Garret (who was fired earlier in the season). He also said that they were “heading in the right direction “. This stunt showed that Judge is delusional and refuses to take responsibility for the state of his team.

It is beyond fair to say that John Mara made the right decision and didn’t wait. There were reports that the Players wanted him gone and that Giants Co- owner Steve Tisch was saying that he would be open to making changes “beyond just a new GM. “Big changes are coming to the Meadowlands with the retirement of General Manager Dave Gettleman on Monday and Judge’s firing on Tuesday, Mara and Tisch now have decisions to make that can make or break this team as they begin their rebuild. It’s a long road ahead, but for now Giant fans rejoice!!!!

Flores Fired: Instant Reaction

By: Mike Rifkin

Brian Flores has been fired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins season ended the same way it started a victory over the New England Patriots, and for the first time since 2000 swept the Patriots. In his three years as the Dolphins coach Flores was 4-2 against his former mentor Bill Bellichick and had an overall record of 24-25. 

Flores had a 19-14 record the last two seasons and gave the Dolphins back to back winning seasons for the first time since 2003. The Dolphins started this season at 1-7 and finished with a record of 9-8,he also didn’t have his starting quarterback for four games. This team could have quit at any point this season, but they didn’t and found their way back into playoff positioning as of week 17.  He also had to coach in a difficult circumstance when the team was pursuing Deshaun Watson of the Texans, despite the legal situation of Watson. Brian Flores IS  a good coach. Just look at his first season as the coach the team was not good and were in position to draft a quarterback and he still found a way for them to win five games. 

The major catalyst for them during the seven game winning streak was the defense.  In six of the seven games during the streak the defense allowed 17 points or less and held teams to under 300 total yards. The defense which last season feasted on turnovers and having a +9 turnover differential, during this streak forced 14 turnovers. Rookies Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland had excellent rookie years playing in Flores defense. 

Owner Stephen Ross said today that he will not be hiring Jim Harbaugh from Michigan. But whoever he hires it better be somebody Dolphin fans like because the firing of Flores makes no sense and I don’t believe this is the last change for the Dolphins as they enter the offseason. Brian Flores didn’t deserve to be fired so Chris Grier and Stephen Ross the pressure is now on both of you.

Believe In The Blue Shirts 

By: Mike Rifkin

After Monday’s 4-1 win over the Oilers the New York Rangers sat atop the entire NHL. I think most people will agree that this is a major shock. I think most people had them competing for a playoff spot. The Rangers have won three in a row including a home and home sweep of the two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The most impressive thing about the last two wins is they have done that without their best player Artemi Panarin who is in Covid protocols. 

A lot of credit goes to first year General Manager Chris Drury and first year coach Gerard Gallant. Gallant had previously coached the Blue Jackets, Panthers, and Golden Knights. He had made the playoffs on three separate occasions including taking Vegas to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season. Drury, who was the assistant GM under Jeff Gorton, was promoted once Gorton was fired. Drury inherited a very skilled team, but his mission this offseason was to get tougher for the team to play against, a lot of people point to the Tom Wilson incident late last season or how they played against the rival New York Islanders but if you go back and watch a lot of the Stanley Cup Champions over the past decade or so they all had a bit of toughness to them. Barclay Goodrow who was acquired from the Lightning brings playoff experience, versatility, among other things. Goodrow has played in every game so far this season he has seven goals including three in his last three games played and sixteen points and has a rating of  +6. The Rangers also added enforcer Ryan Reaves this offseason. Reaves was coached by Gallant in Vegas and brings toughness to the team. He is currently third in the league in hits and has six assists. They also traded winger Pavel Buchnevich to the Blues for Sammie Blais. Blais in 14 games had four assists before tearing his ACL. 

But like I said at the top Gallant and Drury inherited a very skilled team. That starts with Artemi Panarin the skilled left winger has 10 goals and 36 points in 31 games played. Panarin has missed the last two games due to covid protocols. Continuing down the left side there is the longest tenured Ranger Chris Kreider who leads the team with 20 goals a mark he has hit for the sixth time in his career and fourth consecutive. Kreider has never had a 30 goal season. Playing with Kreider is Mika Zibanejad who the Rangers gave a massive eight year contract to. Zibanejad has nine points in his last six games including a hat trick against the Lightning. Continuing at center there is Ryan Strome who is an impending unrestricted free agent has eight points in his last seven games, including four in the last two without Panarin. Then there is reigning Norris winner Adam Fox who is tied with Victor Hedman in points for a defenseman with 35. Fox averages 24:39 on ice per game. Jacob Trouba who the Rangers acquired from the Jets prior to the 19-20 season and signed a seven year 56 million dollar contract has played his best hockey as a Ranger posting six goals and fifteen points. But Trouba’s physical play is what sets him apart from most of the other Rangers defensemen. Then there is goaltender Igor Shesterkin who the Rangers gave a four year 22 million dollar contract in the offseason has a 15-4-2 record with a 2.09 goals against average and a .936 save percentage and two shutouts. The 2.09 GAA ranks fifth in the NHL and the .936 save percentage is fourth. 

How can you talk about the Rangers and not talk about some of the youth on the roster. Alexis Lafreniere and Kappo Kakko each have 11 points on the season, but you can tell they play with more confidence than they had last year. Whether that has to do with the coaching change or the fact that both players got a full training camp but they play with more confidence. Then there is a player like Julien Gauthier who has five points in 25 games but he also is playing with more confidence playing every game since coming in for Blais. But the guy who has probably taken the biggest step forward is K’Andre Miller the second year defenseman has six points in 34 games, but you can see when you watch him that he also has a bit more confidence and is growing into one of the better young defensemen in the NHL.

A lot of credit should go to Jeff Gorton for putting a lot of the pieces on this roster. But combining the coaching change with the acquisitions of some veterans along with the growth of the young players has the New York Rangers in a very good position. What that means for this season I have no idea but it will be fun to watch

Sentry Tournament of Champions

By Mark Halpern

After a small hiatus I am back at again bringing you the best golf opinion on the Sport Inanity Network. Tomorrow the Sentry Champion tournament tees off at Kapaula Plantaion course on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. Held every year the Sentry tournament began back in 1953 and has been a tradition in Hawaii for over 55 years. This year the field is what you expect from a big tournament like this one. I am going to give you my opinions on who will win and why plus a look at the possible top 5.

    There is so much talent in this field it will be a close match. I do not foresee a runaway in this. I like Colin Morikawa to win this tournament. He took the golfing world by storm last year with his aggressive and accurate play. I expect him to take over from where he left off and shoot towards his goal of being the #1 golfer in the world.

     Justin Thomas will be on Morikawa’s heels all the way through this tournament. Thomas has 4 top 5 finishes dating back to last year and looks to keep it up. He is a master on the fringe and his great short game will help him on this course. He will be Morikawa’s main challenger.

     Xander Schauffele won this tournament back in 2019. He knows this course and has done very well on it. If Xander comes our firing he will be in the top 5. He has great vision on the greens and his accurate drives keeping him on the fairway to help with those birdies. Justin Thomas will be looking at Xander’s score during this match.

    Another name to watch out for and that is Sam Burns. Sam a Florida resident has had a great run from the beginning of December to the current tournament finishing 5 times in the top ten. There is no shortchange of names in this match that I expect that the guys doing the video board and visual board will be busy with changing score every few minutes.

No match would be complete without some underdog picks. First on my list is Joel Dahmen. His -5 under par play at the Packer Enterprise Houston open tied him for 5th during this match. After e completed that match, he had made the cut 5/5 times. I could see him sneak into the top 15 with his long powerful drives and good short game.

     My second Wild Card pick Billy Horschel made the cut for his first tournament back in November of 2021 and has his sites set on the beautiful course on Maui. He has powerful drives and his putting his beautiful. His only real flaw is chipping around the fringe and other close areas, and it often costs him an important stroke. If Horschel comes out with the form, he did in November I can see a top 10 finish in his field.

   Now there is a ton of talent in this tournament, and I would love to write small expose on each of them but, only have so much room in this article. Other golfers who will be driving their balls after the leader will be {in no Particular order}

Bryson Dechambeau

Viktor Hovland

Xander Schauffele

   The weather couldn’t be better day for a well renowned tournament. The sun will be out shining bright and will be warm with a nice high of 79 degrees.

    This is a beautiful course and is known to challenge even the best of golfers. Again, My Pick Is Colin Morikawa to win it with either Justin Thomas or Xander Schauffele to be nipping at his heels all through out the tournament. This match will come to a playoff and that is how the old man sees it.

Also Be on the look out for information regarding the SIN Golf Podcast that will be coming to the Network this late spring.

ANTONIO BROWN

By: Mike Rifkin

During the third quarter of the Bucs 28-24 victory over the Jets Antonio Brown took off his jersey, pads, and undershirt and ran off the field. There have been reports that coach Bruce Arians asked Brown to go back into the game and Brown said no. Arians said he isn’t talking about Brown and he is no longer a Buccaneer, but my thing is if you have a guy like Brown and you want to talk about the positive, you have to talk about the negative. 

Last October Arians told Peter King of NBC Sports “He screws up one time, he’s gone.” This wasn’t Brown’s first screw up as he was just coming back into the lineup due to an injury and was suspended for three games for having a fake vaccination card. Yes circumstances dictated the need for Brown to play after with Chris Godwin being out for the season with a torn ACL. Antonio Brown was a major force in the Bucs winning the Super Bowl last season he had eight catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in three games. Brown when he returned from his suspension said “It’s a lot of drama. It’s a lot of drama you guys create, a lot of drama that people create that want stuff from me. But that’s just a part of life, a part of being in the position. I can’t control what people want from me, I can’t control what people write about me, I can’t control what people say about me. All I could do is get up every day and be the best person I can be, and when I get a chance to do my job, do my job the best way I could do it, and that’s what we had today.” The problem with what Brown said is that the media is not the one who creates the drama, it’s  Brown who has put himself in this spot and it’s a narrative he created. 

Brown has now been essentially kicked off of three different teams. The other stuff had been because of off the field problems, but now it has slipped to on the field. Bruce Arians said on Monday “ It was very hard,” “ I wish him well. If he needs help, I hope he gets some. It’s very hard. Because I do care about him.” Antonio Brown doesn’t need to be thinking about playing football or what is next in his career, Brown needs help. If he will not help himself the NFL should step in and offer to get him the help he needs.

Season’s Beatings

By: Mike Rifkin

On Sunday the Miami Dolphins seven game winning streak was snapped with a 34-3 loss to the Titans, and later in the day the Dolphins were officially eliminated from Playoff contention.  For the second consecutive season the Dolphins entered week 17 in a Wild Card spot and got thoroughly handled by a team that is going to the playoffs. 

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who entered the game with a 70 percent completion percentage was 18 – 38 for 205 yards and an interception. He also had three fumbles in the game. Yes Tua wasn’t good, but the other flaws on the Dolphins offense really showed up. Tua was sacked four times and as a team the Dolphins ran for 74 yards, yes the score dictated the play calling but the Dolphins don’t have the weapons on offense to put up 30 points per game. On offense the Dolphins average 19.3 points per game with one game left to play, so the biggest thing they have to do this offseason is improve on that. 

The major catalyst for the team’s recent performance has been the defense. In six of the seven games during the streak the defense has allowed 17 points or less and held teams to under 300 total yards. The defense which last season feasted on turnovers and having a +9 turnover differential, during this streak they have forced  14 turnovers. After eight sacks of Saints quarterback Ian Book last night, Miami now leads the NFL with 45 sacks. Against the Titans the Dolphins had one sack and did not force a turnover. The defense gave up 198 yards rushing WITHOUT DERRICK HENRY. For the season teams averaged 4.4 yards per carry against the Dolphin defense, on Sunday the Titans averaged 5.0 yards per carry. The Dolphins defense tried to keep them in the game but the inability to get off on third down was also a factor as the Titans were 7-15 on third downs. The offense’s inability to continue drives with the Titans run game caused the defense to tire out. 

For the second straight season with the playoffs in their grasp the Dolphins didn’t show up. They were overmatched by a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Yes the seven game winning streak was fun and saw a lot of things but this team needs to take a step forward. With one game remaining before the offseason the ultimate question is what happens primarily with Tua? Do they go out and get Deshaun Watson? Do they look at Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers or do they feel Tua is the guy and they have to build around him. Those are offseason questions but the team will look to play spoiler against the New England Patriots who can win the AFC East.