With the holiday season nearly over, perhaps a belated Christmas wish list is in order for the local sports teams. After all, the New York sports scene is not exactly in the best shape, and most of our squads could use a present or two under their Christmas trees (and others could use a lot more than that). So here’s a look at some of the neediest franchises and what Santa might have brought to make it a happy holiday.
New York Jets
Before his Titans beat the Jets last Sunday, Jeff Fisher called the Jets the “best 3-11 team” he’s ever seen. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly the endorsement Jets fans are looking for. What the Jets need more than anything else is a face for the franchise. They need a player fans can hang their hats on, a player who inspires them, even when times are rough. Preferably, this player would be a quarterback – Kellen Clemens isn’t the answer and Chad Pennington’s methodical, underneath style only works for a team that has the other parts in place – but there isn’t much available in the upcoming draft. The Jets need to do something drastic to show their fans they are committed to winning consistently. Here’s a thought: with Brady Quinn waiting in the wings in Cleveland, could the Jets snare breakout star Derek Anderson?
New York Giants
Yes, the Giants are going to the playoffs for a third consecutive season under the leadership of the much-maligned Eli Manning. But that doesn’t mask the continuing trend of Manning’s baffling meltdowns in the second half of every season. So what should be on the Giants’ holiday wish list is a new strength and conditioning coach for Eli. He’s not terrible, but he simply has too many games where his numbers aren’t even mediocre; they’re atrocious. With a decent defense, a strong running game and a good receiving corps, the Giants should be even better than they are. Eli’s ability to thrive in the second half of seasons is the last piece of the puzzle.
New York Mets
This is an easy one. Every Mets fan knows the one thing their team needs to solidify an otherwise solid squad is an ace. Johan Santana is the obvious choice – I don’t think trading Jose Reyes would be so egregious, especially for the best pitcher in baseball – but if it is true that Eric Bedard is on the market, he might be a cheaper (albeit more injury-prone) alternative. If Santa brought Bedard and allowed the Mets to keep Reyes, that might be the best Christmas present of all for fans of the Amazins.
New York Yankees
The Yankees don’t need Santa to bring anything from outside the organization. The single most important aspect to the Yankees’ success over the next 10 years is the development of their young pitching. The Yankees have hitched their fortunes to the arms of three guys with no track records of success at the Major League level – Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. They also have a number of other youngsters in the farm system with great potential. All these young arms represent a philosophy change for an organization that used to buy high-priced mercenaries to populate its rotation: David Cone, Jimmy Key, Roger Clemens, Kenny Rogers, Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, etc. etc. etc. Now, a team with a payroll in excess of $200 million is relying on a bunch of guys who each make less than $500,000 annually to take them to the Promised Land. Gutsy move by Brian Cashman. Let’s see if it pans out.
New Jersey Nets
I think this is a team that needs an overhaul. The Big 3 experiment has obviously not worked; the Nets were better off when the third cog was Kenyon Martin, a big, physical rebounding sort, and not Vince Carter, a big, ball-hogging, inconsistent sort. And as good as Jason Kidd still is, his trade-me-keep-me tango with the team has ultimately become a distraction. With role players like Nenad Kristic, Jamaal Magloire, Bostjan Nachbar and Marcus Williams to go along with their three stars, the Nets should be better than 12-15. And that’s on the heels of a 2-game winning streak. It’s time to dismantle this team and start over with some fresh faces for the new Brooklyn arena in 2010. Santa should bring his sledgehammer.
New York Knicks
Talk about a team in need of a sledgehammer. We already know what needs to happen in Knicks-land before anything good can occur with this franchise. But all this talk about what is so wrong with the Knicks made me start to think about what is worth keeping. And I came up with five players who should stay: David Lee, Quentin Richardson, Renaldo Balkman, Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph. The first three guys are hardworking, energy guys who have earned their keep. Crawford is still a valuable player, possibly for instant scoring off the bench. And Randolph has enough talent to be worth trying to mold. Who knows? Bring another coach in here and maybe Zach learns how to pass and hustle down the court after he doesn’t get a call or put the ball in the basket. Everyone else? Santa should just take out the garbage for this organization. And if he can do anything about the owner, who has been very naughty and not at all nice to the loyal fans of this team, well, that would be swell as well.
Were you listening, Santa?