Devils drop home opener

The New Jersey Devils did find the scoreboard in their home opener against the New York Islanders and earned a point on the evening.
However,their flaws are quite evident and this game showed some of them in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders,which went scoreless until Matt Moulson's goal in the sixth round beat Martin Brodeur for the win. Damien Brunner scored twice (1 and 2) and Michael Ryder provided the other goal (1) for New Jersey,who will be off until Monday when they start a five city Canadian tour in Edmonton.

Hell Raisers

1) Martin Brodeur got the loss,but considering how little he played in the pre-season,I can see why he was not sharp.
Brodeur got better as the game went on and that lends credence to the above idea...

2) Damien Brunner scored two goals and showed a game that this team will need more of-going to the net.
Brunner is going to be a bargain at his contract rate..

3) Michael Ryder will fit as well,but in a different way-He shoots the puck when he gets it!
All too often,the Devils fill their team with guys that overpass the puck
That is not Michael Ryder!

4) I thought the defense was OK except for Anton Volchenkov,who was badly beaten on one goal and Adam Larsson was badly out of position on another.
Ok will not cut it with this team.

5) Chico Resch tried to make excuses for Jaromir Jagr being rusty,but boy has he been bad in these two games.
His skating is way off and he looked bad with the puck.
I hope it is just rust!

6) Rachel and I hoped that a shootout would not be needed and we got our first look at the Devils SO unit.
It is not going to be good,at least for a while.
Little creativity with the puck and not loaded with offensive talent,New Jersey will be at a disadvantage this season.

7) Michael Grabner is fast on the skates and he overmatched the Devils twice in this game.
I have severe doubts about the ability to keep up over 82 games...

Photo Credit;AP Photo

Devils,Pirates and Browns-Oh my!

All three teams on one day?
Yup,as the Pirates played in game one of the NLDS,the Browns hosted Buffalo and the Devils opening their season in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.

The Pirates were blown out so quickly with seven Cardinal runs in the third inning in St.Louis that after six innings,I was through.
I ordinarily don't quit on games in that manner,but the end of the Pirates had a chance to cross over with the Browns start and since the game was so lopsided,it made the decision easy for me.

The Browns won a wild one over the Bills and for three days put the Browns in sole possession of first place,which will last a week since they now have to play Brandon Weeden again.
However,my thoughts on that will have to wait a day or two because I was only able to watch the first half in order to go to the road office.
I listened to the second half,but I'll get to that after I can watch the second half on tape....

That leaves the Devils and their loss in Pittsburgh to the Penguins 3-0
Wish I could give some scoring credits,but that isn't happening.
The Devils will play tonight against the Islanders in their home opener...

Hell Raisers

1) I wrote in the team preview that this team was slow and this game brought that to the table.
They are very slow and are going to have major problems with teams that are quick on the skates.
This tells me that the Devils are going to have to begin the process of bringing in faster skaters to their system...

2) Cory Schneider did not look bad in getting the start,but he wasn't on top of his game either.
None of three shots that got by him were awful goals,but all might have been stopped as well....

3) Like the aggressiveness by Ryane Clowe in getting into a fight at the end of the first period with Tanner Glass.
Clowe took exception to Glass hitting Bryce Salvador a hair late and jumped in.
I like that from a new player,but one caveat-Clowe has a concussion history and this might be a train that isn't worth following.

4) Jaromir Jagr did not play a pre-season game,so he was understandably rusty,but he looked almost glacial on the ice.
I hope this is a rust issue and not a I'm shot issue because if that's it,look out.

5) Marek Zidlicky is being paid to be an offensive defenseman and passing up the open net to pass the puck shows a lack of smarts.
That play was the best chance of the evening and Zidlicky passed it up and that is not what he is being paid for..

6) Opening night and Peter Harrold is playing over Mark Fayne?
I'm not a fan of either,but I question that decision.

7) Finally,the Devils lost Alexander Urbom when the team attempted to slide him through waivers as the Devils reached the 23 man roster limit.
Urbom was claimed by Washington and although I wished the Devils would have gotten something for a talented player,Urbom was third at best in the system's stockpile of blueline prospects.

Photo Credit:Gene Puskar-AP Photo

New Jersey Devils Season Preview

On paper,the New Jersey Devils look to be in a rebuilding year.
Most pre-season prognosticators have the Devils in either last or next to last in the new Metropolitan Division and after a missed playoff season along with the jumping to the KHL of Ilya Kovalchuk,I can see why some could look at that way.

I like to have to faith in a team that rarely rebuilds,just reloads on the fly and the Devils made some changes that could keep them competitive until the next off season when New Jersey would have cap space to attempt to sign the replacement for the scoring of Kovalchuk....
I generally hesitate to discuss lines in previews because its so unlikely to keep them together,but I'll give it a try here.
My guess is that the first line to start the season will return Patrik Elias and with two newcomers Ryane Clowe and Damien Brunner.
Both could be nice additions to the lineup,but Clowe has battled injuries,so I have concerns there.
If all works,this could be a stud line..

The second line looks to be Adam Henrique,looking to rebound from an average sophomore season teaming with hired gun Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac centering the pair.
This is the line that I'm just not sure what to expect as the potential is strong and so is the failure rate.
Jagr is a defensive liability and with Zajac and Henrique being paid nice money under the cap,both will need to step up their games.
If they cannot,the Devils will be paying the pair for a long time...

Line number three will be intriguing as Andrei Loktionov centering a line with Dainius Zubrus and Michael Ryder.
Ryder always finds the net and should be a huge addition to a weak power play last year.
Zubrus is a perennial question mark and Loktionov looks to be a possible star,if he can take the leap to the next level.

The Ryan Carter/Stephen Gionta/Steve Bernier line has great chemistry and should remain productive at a low cost.
This line is the teams energy line and should continue to be so.

Newcomer Rostislav Olesz and Jacob Josefson will find playing time and will need to produce in what could be the final chance for each.

The defense looks well-slow.
The team has overpaid for too many years for both Anton Volchenkov and Bryce Salvador and while both are physical players,both have lost more than a step and worry me in any kind of firewagon game.
Both players contracts make them difficult to be moved,so they'll be around.
Adam Larsson will be the player to watch as I believe that this is the year that he jumps up and shows number one defenseman ability.
Larsson's season might be the key to the unit's success.
Andy Greene and Marek Zidlicky return as offensive defensemen and will man the point on the power play.
Mark Fayne is back,but could be the eventual odd man for one of the many defensive prospects currently at Albany.
Peter Harrold will be the seventh d-man and likely healthy scratch.

Martin Brodeur is back in what will likely be his swan song for the Devils.
Brodeur will have more time off than usual after the team traded its first rounder to Vancouver for Cory Schneider,who clearly will be the replacement that fans and media had wondered about for years.
Between Brodeur and Schneider,the Devils might have the best goalie pairing in the league.

I don't think the Devils are as bad as most people do and I think the playoffs are possible,but not a lock.
Considering this is the season that the Devils have to give up their first rounder for the Kovalchuk fiasco,I really am in win as many games as possible mode,so they don't lose as badly in the draft.
I would have taken this hit long ago,but what's done is done.
The main two worries for me are veterans with injury issues being counting on some heavily and what seems to be a huge lack of team speed.
I think the power play is going to improve,but those two issues concern me.
This looks to be perhaps the softest Devils team I've seen and players will need to return to pre-lockout form in order to contend.
I'll be optimistic and hope for playoffs,but it is going to take a return to Devils hockey-goaltending and defense will have to rule the day....

Indians season ends-Rays move on.

The heralded fastball of Danny Salazar blazed through the Cleveland night and did what it was supposed to do as Salazar allowed just four hits to the Tampa Bay Rays in his four plus innings.
The problem was that one left the park to Delmon Young and that was all the Rays needed in a 4-0 win in the wild card game in Cleveland.
Salazar would later allow a two run double to Desmond Jennings that looked huge at the time,but in hindsight would not have mattered.
The Indians season ends while Tampa travels to Boston for the ALDS.

Tomorrow will be a HUGE day for us,we will have the Devils season debut,the Pirates debut in the NLDS and the Browns hosting the Bills.
The Browns may wait a day because I will have to move to the road office and will likely miss the second half of the game as we have no NFL Network here...

Smoke Signals

1) I hadn't seem Danny Salazar pitch since he was with High A Carolina last season,but I was still impressed with his live arm.
The Indians are protecting Salazar somewhat (Tommy John surgery),but the arm is legitimate.

2) That said,at this point-Salazar is a 5-6 inning pitcher at best.
It will be interesting to see,if the Tribe takes off the training wheels next season or gives thought down the road towards closing Salazar.

3) Cleveland had their chances against Tampa's young starter,Alex Cobb,but couldn't get the job done.
Cleveland loaded the bases in the fourth but watched Asdrubal Cabrera swing at a low curveball and smack into a double play to end the inning.
Jason Kipnis tapped back to the mound to end the 5th in two runners in scoring position and the beat went on.

4) Alex Cobb gave the Tribe opportunities and wasn't overwhelming,but came up with the key pitch,when he needed it.
The plate patience for the Indians didn't seem to be there in the biggest game of the year...

5) Now the off season begins and the questions begin.
Will the Indians be able to bring back Ubaldo Jimenez and/or Scott Kazmir on the mound?
Is Lonnie Chisenhall the answer at third base and can the Indians afford to give another year of weakening the lineup?
Does Asdrubal Cabrera get traded now or later?
Cleveland has an interesting off-season coming with plenty of questions for a team that won over 90 games.

6) Could the Indians take a step back next season?
They not only could-they should.
Like last season's Orioles,it's tough to repeat a season that sees 30 wins in one run games.
Those things tend to even out...

If I have time later today,I'll have a Devils season preview,if not that will wait until early next week....

Photo Credit:Cleveland Plain Dealer

On the Signing Front

We return to the front as I knock some additional cards off the stack to be put away for the season.

The Rome Braves visited beautiful Municipal Stadium and were a solid signing team.
Rome had two first rounders on their pitching staffs from the 2012 and 2013 drafts and both were nice.
Lucas Sims had lots of cards from the minors and various USA baseball sets,while Jason Hirsh did not have any cards,but did sign the Rome logo cards from the team set.
Other nice additions were Tyler Tewell on his cards including a Bowman along with Jose Peraza on similar cards and Bowman and Carlos Franco..
My buddy Derreck Chupak tossed me a card of former Cubs outfielder Doug Dascenzo,who was with Rome as a roving instructor...

Next stop was Frederick for the Carolina Mudcats and the prospects of the Cleveland Indians.
The main target was the top prospect in the Cleveland system in shortstop Francisco Lindor,who I didn't get in the Mudcats first visit to Frederick.
Derreck figured we had to get the first game of the series in if we wanted Lindor as he was playing in the Futures Game in New York.
That was fortunate that we got that finished as Lindor not only left after game one,he was promoted to AA Akron during his New York visit,so he never did get back to Frederick.
Lindor signed his Top 100 Prospect card for me.
The notable Mudcats were former Indians first rounder Tyler Naquin on his USA and team cards,Tony Wolters on the same and Jordan Smith,who was difficult,but Tyler Chupak helped me with him.
I really hated the Carolina team set,which was a glossy,horizontal set that was not exactly appealing to the eye or the grapher.

Harrisburg hosted the New Britain Rock Cats and perhaps the top power hitting prospect in the minors in Miguel Sano.
Sano ignored Tyler and I during pre-game,but did sign his top 100 card for me afterward and was nice enough.
Sano signs just one and looks at you carefully and if he notices someone "double dipping",he ends the session,but I thought he was OK. 
The Rock Cats had another player in the top 100 set in Eddie Rosario,who ignored pregame and postgame made graphers power walk with him to the bus.
That might sound like the fat guy is bitching about exercise,but its more about how he went about it.
I tried to catch up with him and with Derreck shouting "get him,.Shawn!",I was able to get the card signed just as Rosario stepped on the bus.
A lot of work,but that's part of the game,I suppose.
Powerhitting catcher Josmil Pinto was another cool addition as was D.J. Baxendale on his USA card and hulking Dakota Watts on his Bowman.
Former Angel Stu Cliburn is the pitching coach for New Britain and he signed three cards.

My friend Patrick O'Connor hit the Williamsport Crosscutters in Aberdeen against the Ironbirds and helped me with a few things.
Williamsport outfielder Dylan Cozens signed a Bowman and Donruss Elite,Zach Green signed an Elite and Andrew Pullin signed a Bowman as did the Ironbrids Manny Hernandez.
Thanks to Patrick for his help!

The Salem Red Sox (who would win the Carolina League title) were the first team to make their final visit to Frederick.
I was able to get a few stragglers from the team set that I missed in the first visit and some USA cards as well.
The biggest catch was hard throwing Henry Owens,who signed his USA,Carolina League top prospect and Carolina League All-Star cards.
Blake Swihart signed the same three and Devin Marrero signed the Carolina League Prospect card along with his Topps pro debut.

Next up was two days with the Akron Aeros.
The first was in Harrisburg and Francisco Lindor again.
Lindor was in a good mood on this day and signed two cards for me-his Carolina League All Star card and Topps Minors Heritage.Tyler also nabbed me his Midwest League Top Prospect,so I had a good day with the young shortstop.
Akron was not loaded with prospects,but I did get Ronny Rodriguez on his Bowman Chrome and Akron team card and Jose Ramirez (now with the Indians) on his Topps Debut and Akron card.
Tyler also filled in some Harrisburg Senators as well,mostly players that had been promoted from Potomac and needed those cards signed.
Robbie Ray signed his Potomac,Carolina Prospect and Carolina All-Star cards as did Jason Martinson.
Nate Karns signed his debut as did the elusive Brian Goodwin,who has been a struggle for graphers all season.
All of the Goodwins that I got this year were obtained by Tyler!
The real winner was Jose Lozada on his Harrisburg set card.
Lozada,a 28 year old utility infielder backing up in AA that hits around.200,signs one card at a time.

Derreck and I returned for more Aeros in Bowie the next day as it was Jim Johnson bobblehead day in Bowie.
If interested,my bobble is currently on EBAY,I'll even sign it for you if you wish!
I struck out on Lindor as the Bowie bunch swarmed him,but I did fill in a few that I missed.
Brett Brach had started the day in Harrisburg,so I needed him on two cards as well as Bryce Stowell and Trey Haley on the same two.
I also added Jesus Aguilar and Tyler Holt,who I needed on their Akron cards.

That catches us up for now.
I'll be back down the road when I buy more sheets and a new binder to put those cards in.
Lord knows that I have plenty of them to put away!

Pirates advance behind Martin bombs!

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a strategy of hit the ball over the left field wall as Russell Martin homered twice and Marlon Byrd powered another homer as it was the Pirates winning the one game entry level round of the National League 6-2 over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park.
Francisco Liriano was dazzling in earning the victory in allowing one run on four hits over seven innings.
The Pirates will now start in St.Louis Thursday for Game One of the NLDS against the Cardinals...

Pirate Hooks

1) I thought the Reds had the advantage in this game.
Not that I don't think highly of Francisco Liriano-I do,but Johnny Cueto had always pitched so well at PNC Park and his stuff ranks with the best in the game.
Cueto seemed rattled by the crowd and had issues keeping the ball down in the zone and left the game with less than four innings on the night...

2) Liriano was fabulous and I thought Ron Darling brought up an excellent point when he commented that part of what makes Liriano so effective was that he throws so hard (Mid 90's) yet uses his fastball less than anyone that he can remember that throws that hard.
It's true and I hadn't thought of it before....

3) Had to feel good for well traveled veteran Marlon Byrd for his homer in his first postseason at bat.
Byrd is in the middle of a career year and any time that a long time veteran gets to play in the playoffs,it is always nice...

4) The Byrd homer started things,but you could feel the excitement when Russell Martin hit his first homer later in the inning.
I thought PNC Park was going lift off into the river!
That is the type of environment that baseball sees in the playoffs but rarely in the regular season.
You just cannot have that type of energy every night over an 81 game home schedule,but boy when you have that,you just cannot beat it...

5) Now onto St.Louis and the Cardinals.
You would think the Pirates have a chance here,they know the Cardinals well and they have played well against them this season,but the Cardinals just might be the better team.
Better pitching and more experience makes me lean towards the Cardinals,but it's not lopsided enough that I would consider it an upset if Pittsburgh pulled this off...

6) Finally,its a good feeling for Pirates fans.
The team has been down so long and anytime that a streak that long is ended,the honeymoon is special.
Add to the fact that the favored team in town is 0-4 *snicker* and everyone around is a Pirates fan!
For those of us that have seen so much bad baseball,its terrific and anyone that is a true baseball fan has to feel good for us...

I might be back later with another post,but you will see me tonight with a recap of the Indians one game playoff against Tampa,where I will write more about one game playoffs and perhaps more about being an Pirates and Indians fan....


Photo Credit:Julia Rendleman-PGH Post-Gazette

Browns bounce Bengals 17-6

Sorry,this is a bit late.Monday was a bit busier than usual.
The Cleveland Browns were looked at somewhat fortunate winners over Minnesota in week three and few thought they would come up with a home victory over their in-state rival Cincinnati.
I sure didn't anyway,but Ray Horton's defense played phenomenally,held the Bengals to just two field goals and allowed Cleveland to earn a 17-6 win.
Brian Hoyer tossed two touchdown passes with the game clincher to Chris Ogbonnaya with just under five minutes to go.
With the win,the Browns improved to 2-2 and moved into a tie for the AFC North lead with the Bengals and Ravens.
The week is short though,as the Browns will host the Buffalo Bills on Thursday in Cleveland.

Brownie Bits

1) Some (me included) questioned Brian Hoyer despite the win in Minnesota because he was picked off three times.
There still may be unanswered questions,but Hoyer went a long way towards answering one-he can be a game manager as he played a very smart game,did not throw an interception and showed a lot of touch on his passes.

2) Hoyer also shows lots of chemistry with Jordan Cameron,who caught a TD pass that was very David Tyreeesque and the key play on the game clinching drive for a 31 yard gain.
Sometimes these things just happen and for the second week in a row,Cameron had a huge game with 10 catches for 91 yards and the touchdown.

3) The running game numbers was not out of this world as Willis McGahee finished with 46 yards on 15 carries,but McGahee showed signs of chipping away rust as he ran very well on the final drive.
It will be interesting to see how McGahee runs on Thursday night.

4) Give plenty of credit to Joe Haden,who shut down his nemesis A.J. Green and did not allow Green to break free for the big play.
Green finished with seven catches,but for just 51 yards with a long of 16 on the day,I'll take that day every time.

5) Another sack for Barkevious Mingo,narrowly missed another and batted down two passes.
From what I've seen Barkevious Mingo is headed for defensive rookie of the year.

6) Still have concerns about Billy Cundiff as the Browns kicker.
Cundiff did nail a 51 yarder,but earlier had missed from 37 and 49.
Neither of the misses were chip shots,but had Cundiff missed from 51,I would guess there would be speculation on tryouts soon in Berea.

7) The offensive line allowed three sacks,but I still think that they did a better job in protecting Brian Hoyer than in Minnesota.
Shaun Laveao may return to the lineup for Buffalo at guard and that could help somewhat.

8) Four games in and the Browns have yet to allow 100 yards rushing.
Not in a game-for the SEASON!
The ability to shutdown the opposing running attack has kept the Browns in contention every week...

9) I still think the Browns need another corner and safety,but Buster Skrine and Tashaun Gipson each had nice games.
Skrine had an interception and Gipson seemed to be all over the field.

10) I don't want to get too excited.I've seen Cleveland QB mirages before,but between Brian Hoyer avoiding the big mistake and a hard noses defense,I'm anxious to see how they rebound against Buffalo.
A win just might get me excited for the future...

Photo Credits;Cleveland Plain Dealer...