I met DocMets16 at Citizens Bank Park last week. He is a very nice guy and I see he is now at the top of the game chatter hitlist. I once held that position, but I've had to take some time away from AA to focus on my MetsGeek posting.  

I'll be back tonight to begin my quest for the hitlist title.

As promised in one of the longest single-thread discussions in Amazin Avenue history, I am posting this diary to facillitate a conversation regarding the NY Football Giants' playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

A note to Jets fans, there is an appropriate place for you to discuss your playoff game against the Patriots and that place is Jetsgeek.com, so please spare us your Man-Genius comments and your misgivings about Girly-arm Pennington. Good luck to the J-E-T-S!

Now, how bout them Gints! On the surface, it looks like the G-men are royally fucked. They are playing the hottest team in an admittedly weak NFC postseason. Of all the teams that are left in the playoffs the only teams worth worrying about are the Eagles and the Saints. We'll worry about the AFC in February.

Offense: One of the maxims of football strategery is that you must Establish The Run in order to set up a passing attack. John Hufnagel knows what happens to Offensive Coordinators who fail to acknowledge this universal truth. Thus, to beat the Eagles the Giants must put the ball in Tiki Barber's capable hands and let him ring up another 234 yards.

The Giants need another 200-yard performance for the ages from their soon-to-be ex-running back to get past the Eagles in the wild-card game at The Linc, where it's going to be loud and hostile, and into the second round next Sunday in Chicago.

Well Gary Myers, it isn't that simple because the Eagles' defense has shown they are capable of containing Tiki. I think the Giants need to come out with a plan that keeps the Eagles off-balance. If they put 8 men in the box, then Eli has to find the open man. The offense must take some shots downfield early to stretch the Eagles defense. Also, the Giants should try This once in awhile. Sure, the Giants have to run the ball effectively, but if Kevin Gilbride's game plan requires Tiki to carry for 200+ yards then we are screwed.

Defense: Even soccer fans know that Defense Wins Championships, so it is incumbent upon Tony Pierce and the remnants of the Big Blue D to remind Jeff Garcia that he isn't Vince Young. In the past the Giants were successful in the playoffs because the defense dominated the opposing team and the offense was good enough to take advantage of the field position they were afforded by the defense. Today's Giants only need to look across the field to see how an agressive defense can disrupt an offensive game plan.

As Lawrence Taylor once said:

In football, you can always maim a person if you wanted to.

I don't know if this defense has a great game in them, but they need to play physical football and force turnovers. If the defense can't get it done, put in Brandon Jacobs (offense and defense) until he kills someone

Coaching: Honestly, I don't have any love for this Coughlin guy. He hasn't shown me anything in his time here that suggests he is a championship coach. He may be a good person and he surely believes all that shit about discipline, but he hasn't cured anything in NY except Tiki's Fumblitis. And then there is this:

Coughlin told the Giants in the pregame meeting in Washington last week about the St. Louis Cardinals slumping badly down the stretch of the 2006 baseball season, finishing only 83-78, but regrouping and winning the World Series. He also told them "how they won all these games in previous years and got bounced," Barber said.

So we just need Jeff Suppan and Jeff Weaver to show up today and pitch the games of their lives.

It is January! It's your duty, Judy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2669508

Ryan Howard finished the season on fire despite the fact that he was the only fear-inducing bat in the Phillies lineup. This was a two-horse race between Howard and Pujols with Lance Berkman getting some interest. Interestingly, three mets finished in the top 10. Beltran finished in 4th with one second place vote and 5 third place votes. In a sign of the bright future of the Mets organization, Reyes and Wright both received third place votes. Carlos DelGado finished in 12th place.

(moved from diaries. --eric)

There's been a lot of time wasted on Mets forums discussing Maine vs. Trachsel for a playoff start. It is clear to me that the real discussion should be  the order in which we will see El Duque and Trachsel....or should I say Trachsel and El Duque. I am convinced that Trachsel will be named a starter and I think he will start game 3.

He believes he's earned it:

"Tryouts are for spring training. If 15 wins are not enough, I don't know what to tell you," said Trachsel, whose ERA nudged up a smidge to 4.97. "What else would I do? You're going to put somebody in the bullpen who's never pitched in the bullpen before? All possibilities exist, but I don't have any answers except that I'm a starting pitcher."

Willie believes that W/L record is meaningful;

Randolph seemingly concurs, adding that he doesn't "look at Steve Trachsel like he's auditioning for a spot. He's been one of our best pitchers this year ... and I don't look at it that every time he goes out there he's on trial. I know what Steve Trachsel can do."

I don't agree with Willie's assesment, but the reality is that Willlie makes the decisions. It also helps that Trachs is good buddies with Willie's boss Jeff Wilpon.

The good news is that the Mets lineup, for whatever reason, rises to the occasion when Trachs takes the hill. The run support is consistent enough to be meaningful. Perhaps the players are better rested during the long half inning when Trachs is laboring on the mound. Perhaps the other pitcher gets tight while sitting on the bench watching Trachsel fidget on the mound.

Steve's peripherals are awful and he sucks the life out of every game he enters, but the Mets have won 15 of those games and he pitched well in the clincher.

Prepare yourself for this reality: Steve Trachel is your Game 3 starter.

(Source = NY Daily News)

ESPN Baseball Tonight will be highlighting the Mets in their webgems segment tonight.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?page=webgems

The young guys here are familiar with the glovework of the current and recent Mets, but how many of you have seen footage of Keith Hernandez smothering a bunt, Swoboda diving in RF in 1969, or any footage of John "The Hammer" Milner. OK, I don't expect to see a Milner webgem, but this would be a good place to discuss your alltime favorite defensive plays by the Amazin Mets.

I am sure someone else will do a better analysis of these deals and how they impact the mets future, but here is what I've  seen so far.

Continue reading this post »

I have tix for Saturday's game in Chicago. This is my first trip to the "friendly confines". My tix are  upper deck, but I'll stroll around to get a feel for the place. I will definitely have the Mets hat on.

I will also be going to the 1-2 games at Great American next week when the mets play the Reds. I can get pretty sweet tix for Pelfrey's start on Tuesday.

Astros fans can take heart in knowing their team has emerged victorious in one crucial off-the-field competition. Houston has, hands down, the better unofficial theme songs. (from Slate magazine)

http://www.slate.com/id/2128747/

Interesting article, but Eric from the Bronx knows that the Mets were getting crunk long before the Stros even knew where the grape sod was.

BTW Was there ever a good Mets song other than "Meet the Mets"?

The mets are killing themselves with double plays this year. The team total is 22, which is good for 3rd highest in the NL. The problem has its roots in the bottom of the order; Diaz (5), Wright (4), Minky (4), and Castro (3 in 21 ABs!) are the major offenders.

Is this something that willie can correct with a switch in the batting order (team speed is at the top of the order) or by being more aggressive with the hit and run (the culprits are generally good contact hitters)?

I don't know if I'll use this diary much, but I have often considered blogging for the Mets as an outlet for all the frustration that has built up since 2000 WS. I have certainly enjoyed reading fans opinons here and at other blogs. I am currently exiled in graduate school in SW Ohio, so following all the Mets news allows me to feel closer to home.

I've got a good feeling about the current team and I am optimistic about their chances over the next few years.