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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Month: May 2012

Montreal Impact Set to Sign Another Player From Serie A – Marco Di Vaio

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

The Montreal Impact are close to signing Marco Di Vaio from Bologna of Serie A.  The team plans to designate the 35-year-old as its first designated player, for which his contract would not be subjected to salary restrictions. Di Vaio will expectedly join the Impact at the conclusion of Serie A season, and when the international transfer market opens again.

Di Vaio won’t have been the only player to join Montreal from Serie A – the team have Bernardo Corradi and Matteo Ferrari already on the roster.

Ferrari has played for many teams since first joining Inter Milan’s development program in 1999.  He was then loaned to Genoa, Lecce and Bari.  After returning to Inter for one season, he was again loaned, this time to Parma.  After two seasons he was off to Roma, where he helped his club win the Coppa Italia.  At the end of 2009, he was pursued by many clubs from Serie A, including powerhouses AC Milan and Juventus, but settled with Genoa.  Ferrari played a handful of games for the Italian national team, including contests during the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

Bernardo Corradi has a similarly well-traveled past.  After breaking into Serie A with Cagliari, and a longer spell at Chievo, he played very briefly for Inter Milan before leaving to play for Lazio.  Corradi had a successful stay at Lazio, highlighted by scoring in the contest against Juventus to win the Coppa Italia in 2004.  Paired with Inzaghi, the two made a fantastic duo.  After a transfer to Valencia (where he played with Marco Di Vaio), he joined Manchester City.  He returned to Serie A and finished his career there with Reggina and later Udinese.  He represented the Italian national team in 13 matches, scoring twice.

Joining these two is Marco Di Vaio from Bologna.  Scoring over 140 goals in his Serie A career over 326 games, the Impact are getting a quality player with premium credentials. Di Vaio has played for numerous teams rom Serie A, getting his start with Lazio in 1993.  After stops in Verona, Bari and Salernitana, he began a successful run for Parma, and later, Juventus.

Di Vaio scored 41 times in just 83 games for Parma, giving him a goal in every other game.  In 2002 he was transferred to football giant Juventus, where he stayed for two seasons.  During that spell he appeared in 55 matches, scoring 18 times.  Marco kept his pace when he moved on to Valencia in 2004, and in 35 matches tallied eleven goals.  Still playing at a very high level, he moved on to Monaco and then Genoa, before settling at  Bologna in 2008, where he scored an impressive 24 goals.

Still very serviceable in Serie A, scoring 10 goals this season for Bologna, Marco Di Vaio would give Montreal a very imposing striker.  When you take into consideration the other former Serie A players, Montreal instantly becomes a much stronger threat.  The Impact sit at 2-5 this season.  Adding yet another player with caps at the highest level of competition will only help the team and give another veteran voice to its younger players.

…and that is the last word.

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #30: Martin Frk

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted 49th Overall by the Detroit Red Wings.

Martin Frk is a right winger playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL.  He entered the season as a very highly touted prospect and was seen as someone who might even crack the top 10 in this draft class.  An up-and-down season marred by injury concerns and questions about his conditioning level, have certainly dropped that stock.  However, a good showing for Halifax in the QMJHL playoffs should help to bring him back up draft boards, and might be enough to keep him in the first round.  Frk is the third Czech-born forward in our rankings, joining Radek Faksa and Tomas Hertl.

Right Wing
Born Oct 5 1993 — Karlov Vary, Czech Rep.
Height 6.00 — Weight 198 — Shoots L

2010-11 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 62 22 28 50 75 -14 4 0 2 2 8
2011-12 Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL 34 16 13 29 41 -9 17 5 6 11 26

When Frk is on his game, he’s impossible to miss on the ice.  Frk is one of the best agitators or pests in the QMJHL.  He is great at irritating opponents and getting under their skin, whether its with a chirp, sneaky stick work, or a facewash after the play.  Frk however is not a fighter, which infuriates opponents even more.  He has good size and strength and uses those to play a very gritty game, throwing hits, winning board battles, and getting to the dirty areas of the ice.  Like most agitators there is a bit of a downside, however, as Frk needs to be careful to walk a fine line and not take undisciplined penalties, which have been a problem at times.

Frk marries his tenacious and hard-nosed game with impressive offensive skills.  He has a hard and accurate shot and an excellent release.   He is also a skilled stickhandler and adept at dangling past opponents or protecting the puck from them on the cycle game.  He goes hard to the net and knows what to do when he gets there. He also has a knack for finding open spaces on the ice and unleashing his excellent one-timer.  Frk is decent playmaker, but this is not the strength of his game.  He can have a tendency to try to be too cute with the puck and this can lead to some bad giveaways in the offensive zone.

Frk’s skating is average.  He has good agility, and is able to make the quick changes of direction needed to execute his impressive dangles.  Frk is also strong on his skates and has good balance which makes him hard to knock off the puck. He does, however, need work on his first-step quickness, his acceleration and his top end speed, which are all below average.

Frk’s defensive game is also a bit of a “work in progress”.  He needs work on his defensive positioning and play without the puck.  He loses his man too often in the defensive zone, and can be guilty of puck watching instead of moving his feet at times.

Overall, we believe Frk could develop into a solid top 6 contributor at the NHL level, however, this is a big “boom or bust” pick.  Frk certainly has a ton of talent, but he also carries with him some big question marks.  One of these is the fact that he missed over three and a half months this season with a serious concussion, something that will scare many NHL teams.   If he can develop over the next few years, we’d place Frk’s ceiling as a more skilled version of Darcy Tucker, formerly of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

We’ve now reached the end of the first round rankings in this NHL draft.  But fear not loyal readers, we’re not done yet.

… and that is the Last Word.

Yu Darvish: The Next Clemens or Nomo?

Posted on by Mark Modeski

His style of pitching is almost as mysterious as the origin as his name, and he’s all that’s been on the lips and minds of baseball writers since before the 2012 season got under way. It rolls off the tongue like something out of the kitchen of Wolfgang Puck: Yu Darvish.

For the record, while Darvish is Japanese by birth, he is of Japanese/Iranian descent, thus explaining the odd name. Now that we have that out the way, the question of the day is if Darvish is a true talent to stay in the league for years to come, or will he fade and burn once the next bandwagon comes along?

Before we get to Darvish’s future potential, the first thing we need to address is “why the hype?”  One reason stands above all others; there is a significant lack of pitching talent available in the majors right now. Anytime a scout gets a whiff of the next Halliday or Lee they are all over it like ants at a picnic. Darvish for many years has been considered to be the best pitching talent not in the MLB, and with a career record of 93-38 and a miniscule 1.99 ERA, there is no doubt that this perception has been warranted.

After years of speculation Darvish finally made the decision to start negotiations with teams in America’s majors. News of Darvish really started to hit headlines when it was reported that the Texas Rangers paid nearly $52 million merely for the rights to talk to Darvish. Fortunately for Texas, the bid worked and he is now at home in Arlington with a six-year, $60 million contract under his belt. Not too bad for a pitcher who had yet to throw his first two-seamer.

But I wonder, why didn’t Darvish hold out for more? Likely because he knows that there are still nerves about the ability of Japanese pitchers making the transition to North American baseball.

Darvish now sits four games into his major league career and is a perfect 4-0 with an ERA of just 2.18.  Add to that thirty-three strikeouts and it isn’t hard to see that Yu is definitely the man so far!

So, I revert back to my original question – Is Darvish the real deal or will he fade? Having seen him pitch in-person, I think Yu is definitely here to stay.

Unlike his predecessors (i.e. Hideki Irabu, Daisuke “Dice-K” Matsuzaka, Hideo Nomo) he isn’t a pitcher who has a style that can be easily deciphered. He’s a pitcher who doesn’t use power, rather finesse and ball placement. He has a wide range of tools to use at his disposal. This type of recipe is the one classic greats used to their advantage: Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Curt Schilling, Ferguson Jenkins (etc..). Watching Yu paint the edges of the strike-zone is like watching DaVinci paint a work of art – flawless and divine in the same mouthful. A hitter can sit around all day and try to time a hard pitcher, but one that can fool you with ball placement is a difficult talent to decipher.

If Darvish can stay healthy and constantly reinvent his game, as I saw him do this past Monday in Toronto, then I do believe he will have a place in the majors for years to come. Other Japanese players like Hideki Irabu had their game fall apart because they were predictable. Kerry Wood ran into a similar problem (which was complemented by injury).

My only hope is that he finds his way into a Blue Jays uniform at some point.

…and that is the last word.

The Phoenix Coyotes: A Conflict of Interest?

Posted on by Grant Alexander

Who would have thought it would have taken 16 years for the Phoenix Coyotes to win their first playoff series in franchise history?  Founded as a team in 1996 after relocating from Winnipeg, this franchise has seen disappointment after disappointment. Over that span of time, they have won zero Stanley Cups, zero Conference Championships, zero Presidents Trophies, one Division Championship (this year), and have one playoff series win (also this year).

They have also had their share of disappointment off the ice. Over their sixteen years they have drafted 21 players in the first round. And with the exception of Daniel Briere who was their 2nd pick in 1996, they have yet to draft a bona fide star. Even Briere didn’t turn into a star until he was traded to Buffalo in 2003.

Then there was the “Wayne Gretzky Experiment”. He proclaimed himself as head coach of the Coyotes in 2005 despite never having coached before at any level. Needless to say it didn’t work out. Following Gretzky, was bankruptcy. In 2009, Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes filed for bankruptcy and subsequently turned the team over to the NHL. Moyes did receive several offers for the club (one from Canada’s Jim Balsillie) that would have not only kept him out of bankruptcy, but made him a handsome profit.  The NHL was clearly set against the idea of moving the team, and they were forced to take over the team in 2009 and maintain ownership to this day.

They have had other bids, but for some reason they have all fallen short. Originally the NHL was against moving the team, which is the reason they took over in the first place, but after incurring losses themselves during the 2009-10 season, they decided that they were going to move the team unless the city of Glendale was willing to cover their losses. Basically they held the team ransom. The city of Glendale paid the price in 2010-11, and again in 2011-12 with another sum of $25 million.

It looks like all of that suffering, hard work and fundraising, has finally paid off for the Phoenix Coyotes and their fans. In 2010 the Yotes returned to the playoffs for the first time in a decade, and then again in 2011. This year they have advanced to the second round for the first time in franchise history, as well as captured their first Division Title in franchise history. So what sparked the sudden turn-around? Can their recent success be attributed to the NHL taking over the franchise?

I wouldn’t say it was solely because of the change of ownership, but more a combination of things. One of the reasons is their new coach, Dave Tippett. He was hired in 2009, and instantly brought a new brand of hockey and gave this team an identity makeover. Another would have to be their new approach to rebuilding the team. They put much emphasis on cultivating their homegrown talent, as well as putting more resources into scouting. They finally have a handful of young, talented players that could play a major role in the Coyotes’ future.

The other factor is the brand of hockey they have been playing, especially in the playoffs. Dave Tippett is a big part of that, but there is more to the story. This is a team with NO superstars. They are a blue-collar team, but they work hard for each other, and they have all had their Wheaties and sipped their kool-aid. Tippett stresses that each man has a job to do, and kind of like “Moneyball” they play the percentages. They play a trap-style defense, limiting the time in their own zone. And while in their zone, they get sticks and bodies in the lanes and block everything moving. They have also reverted back to the old “clutch and grab” style of hockey, which was outlawed post-lockout, but they seem to do just enough to get away with it.

Currently, the Coyotes are up two games to one on their second round opponent, the Nashville Predators. And after vanquishing their first round opponent handily in six games, this team is finally being considered a legitimate threat. And with the stellar play of early Conn Smythe candidate Mike Smith, there really is no reason that this team can’t go all the way. They are two wins away from the Conference Finals, and only ten away from claiming the Stanley Cup. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think they will win, nor am I much of a Coyotes fan, I just think they can win. I also believe that if anybody deserves it (besides the Maple Leafs) it’s these guys, and their fans. They haven’t had so much as a sniff of success since their inception.

The problem for me though, is each victory leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I know it shouldn’t matter, but I can’t get over the fact that the Phoenix Coyotes are owned by the league! How is this not a conflict of interest? The Coyotes are having their best years ever, and the longer the league goes without offers, the more desperate they are to find a suitor. I’m sure that an enhanced stature thanks in part to playoff revenue and some success can only be seen as a step in the right direction.  I really don’t want to think that the league that I love so much would stoop to that level, but money makes people do crazy things!

Here’s a link to an article written by Michael Unger over a year ago…

http://hockeygods.com/blog/hockeydaze/CONFLICTS_OF_INTEREST_ABOUND_IN_NHL

I know I’m just imagining things, but I can’t help but be skeptical every time I see a missed or blown call. Or when Phoenix gets away with the casual interference, or clutching and grabbing that has been a big part of their success recently. And I really get a sick feeling when I see goal reviews go in their favour. There were two controversial goals in the Chicago series, and two recently reviewed goals in the Nashville series. All four calls went the Coyotes way.  I know the NHL probably got the calls right, and that it’s just a coincidence, and that I’m really just making too big a deal about this, but it just doesn’t sit right with me. And the worst thing about it is they are taking the hard-earned glory away from the players and fans that so badly deserve it.

…and that is the last word.

Can We Just Give the Stanley Cup to Los Angeles Now?

Posted on by Grant Alexander

Cinderella story? I don’t think so!

The Los Angeles Kings have knocked off the number one seed, and are one game away from knocking off the number two seed in typical Cinderella fashion, but nobody really believed that this was an eighth place team to begin with. They finished the season with 95 points (putting them in eighth) but they were only one win away from catching Phoenix and finishing in third. To L.A. though, it matters not, as they are ready to take on any opponent thrown their way. The Kings are hungry. They aren’t just winning games, they’re dominating them! They are beating teams physically, on the scoreboard, and at every end of the ice.

Quick has been lights out, stopping everything that comes his way, and their D has been stellar in front of him. All four lines are taking the body hard, and doing their part offensively. Their fearless captain is making a strong case for MVP, hitting everything in sight, rallying the troops, and putting the puck in the net. And they are just simply out-working the other teams and consistently coming up with the puck.

As a team they are 7-1, and that’s against the top two teams in the west. Their goals against per game is a stingy 1.57, while their goals for is a steady 2.86. Their only blemish would be their power play, which is at a measly 9.5%. But they make it up for that with their stellar PK, which is at 91.4%. Also, they have surrendered three goals while shorthanded, but have somehow managed to score four, meaning they are a plus one on the penalty kill.

So can anyone stop them?

St. Louis– I thought St. Louis might give them problems seeing as how they match up so well against each other. But even then, L.A. did dominate the season series. Which is similar to the way they are dominating them now.

Nashville and Phoenix– These teams play a similar style, so I think the matchup and result against L.A. would be the same regardless of who wins between them. Both of these teams pride themselves on being very stingy on the back-end with defensive-minded styles and premium goaltending, but so does L.A. But the Kings are so much more than that; quick transitions, multiple threats, and physical domination are in their genetics.

Washington– Holtby has played amazingly well, but he’s not Patrick Roy, and he’s not going to take this team all the way. The Caps do have the guns to hang with the Kings, but not when those guns are bruised and battered.

New Jersey– Their elite (but old) goaltender could stand tall. And I love Jersey’s speed and puck possession, but again the physicality plays a role. They do have a game-breaker in Kovalchuk, but he can’t rile the troops and impact the game the way Brown can.

Philadelphia– The Flyers has a warrior as its captain. After watching Giroux fire up his team by coming out jacked and determined to win against Pittsburgh, I thought they were the team that cold possibly stop L.A. That, and they have the physicality, the offensive depth, and they also score on transitions and on the PK. Their only downfall is their goaltending. But if they don’t find that energy level they had in the first series, they won’t even get a chance to try to beat L.A.

New York– I think the task falls to the Rangers, and even then they might be out-manned. The only goaltender that Quick might take a backseat to is Henrik Lundqvist. I also think the Rangers have better defensive pairings. They also proved the other night that they can log a ton of minutes and continue playing at an elite level. The Rangers have a ton of speed, scoring, and a legitimate leader and game-breaker in Brad Richards. They can also handle the body a little better than most, but I think over a seven game series L.A. will simply wear them down.

So after breaking it down with each remaining team, I still think it’s L.A.’s cup to lose. I mean this is hockey and anything can happen, but I’m pretty sure the Stanley Cup is going BACK to California!

…and that is the last word.

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #29: Michael Matheson

Posted on by Ben Kerr

Drafted 23rd Overall by the Florida Panthers.

Michael Matheson has taken an interesting route to the NHL.  The Pointe-Claire native was originally projected to be the first overall selection in the 2010 QMJHL draft, but instead told teams that he would be headed to the USHL and then the NCAA as he wanted to pursue his education.  His talent was so high that Shawinigan still felt he was worth the risk of a 2nd round draft pick (27th overall).  Matheson is currently playing for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he is a teammate of Zemgus Girgensons.  Matheson is committed to the Boston College Eagles and is scheduled to join the National Champions this fall.  Matheson was also a member of Team Canada’s gold medal winning 2011 Ivan Hlinka Tournament team.  For more on Matheson’s background, we strongly recommend you read Mike Boone’s excellent story in the Montreal Gazette.

Defense
Born Feb 27 1994 — Pointe-Claire, PQ
Height 6.02 — Weight 175 – Shoots L
2011-12 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 53 11 16 27 84

Matheson is an excellent skater.  His stride is extremely smooth, and very powerful.  He has a great first step, and excellent acceleration which helps him reach top speed extremely quickly.  He has excellent edgework, agility, and pivots.  This sublime skating helps him in all aspects of his game.

Matheson’s primary skill is as a defensive defenceman.  He has excellent instincts, and plays a solid positional game.  Matheson angles attackers to the outside and forces them into non-dangerous areas of the ice.  He keeps the front of the net clear, and is quick to pounce on loose pucks.  Matheson is willing shot blocker and understands how to cut down passing lanes.  Matheson is very good at winning puck battles, and while he isn’t regularly a big hitter, he understands how to pin an opponent on the boards and take him out of the play.  Matheson’s strong skating and defensive play make him a very safe pick and a solid bet to be an NHLer.  He does need to add some more muscle to his frame, however this is true of nearly all draft prospects.

Matheson’s offensive game is a work in progress, but has improved greatly over the course of this USHL season.  His slapshot has decent velocity, but more importantly Matheson keeps his shots low and accurate.  Matheson makes a great first pass in the defensive zone which greatly helps the Dubuque transition game.  He has also shown a willingness to pick his spots and join the rush at key times.  Matheson has also used his passing skills to make strong plays in the offensive zone.  While Matheson is never going to possess the offensive skills of some of his fellow draft prospects, we do feel he can be a solid 2nd unit PP contributor in the NHL.

We would compare Matheson’s potential to be a smaller version of Marc Staal of the New York Rangers.  We feel he’s a very safe pick to be at minimum a 3rd pairing NHL defender, but he also has a ceiling that if he develops will be more than that and could be as high as a #2 defender (first pairing guy) on a quality NHL team.

… and thats the Last Word.

Mariano Rivera tears ACL

Posted on by Ben Kerr

A major injury to long-time Yankees’ closer Mariano Rivera has made the AL East race a lot more interesting.

Yankees Manager Joe Girardi made the announcement that Rivera has a torn ACL and will require surgery.  It is likely that this will end his season.

Rivera has been baseball’s premier closer for the last 15 years.  He’s the anchor of the Yankee bullpen and this is a big blow to a pitching staff that entered the 2012 season with a lot of question marks.

Rivera twisted his knee while he was shagging fly balls in the outfield during Yankees batting practice at Kaufmann Stadium.

The loss of Rivera is welcome news to the Tampa Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and the surprising Baltimore Orioles who all see a chink in the Yankee armour.

… and thats the Last Word.

 

The Biggest Weekend of Horse Racing: Picking a Kentucky Derby Winner

Posted on by Dwayne Edwards

This is the King of Sports, and the Sport of Kings.

The Kentucky Derby, one of the world’s greatest sport spectacles has finally arrived.  Add to that the opening of racing season at tracks around the country, including Fort Erie Race Track.  Does it get any better for horse racing fans?

I heard there were other sports going on, but not too sure.  Rumours about hockey, basketball and baseball are running rampant, but I’m guessing that’s all they are – just rumors.

This weekend is all about horse racing; the GREATEST two minutes in sports!
Entry day for Sunday at good ole Fort Erie is Thursday and it will be time to start handicapping and planning for this yearly event. The track will be giving away buttons, provide memories to last a lifetime, and they might even be giving away money to some lucky gamblers at the mutuels!  For more information, please visit the  track’s website for this weekend’s season kick-off – http://www.forterieracing.com/events/2012-events-and-promotions/memorabilia-day/

With opening day/weekend, there will be many angles to use when coming up with your picks. You will occasionally see horses who run very well when fresh.  Often times the first race of the year for a horse is its best effort, as they appreciate the abbreviated distance. Four and a half furlongs is a specialty race, so keep your eye out for those horses who have previous wins at this distance.

You may also find an edge in a horse or two coming from the South, who have experienced winter racing and are in mid-season form and fitness.  It’s been very common for horses shipping from Tampa Bay Downs to have the edge on locally spring-trained athletes. The Tampa Bay track surface just seems to force horses to develop a high level of endurance needed to compete there, and as a result they are often seen winning at high percentages early in Fort Erie’s meets year after year.

The horses that ran at Woodbine early already have a “tightener” in them, meaning they have a race under their belt already this season, and are looking to improve on their first runs. These horses are often in over their heads (against tougher competition than they are actually worth) and are competing in order to get that first race in, thereby improving conditioning to premium levels for Fort Erie.

Other thoughts that have to be acknowledged when handicapping opening weekend are trainers that have good stats coming off of a layoff. The art of training a horse is not simple; it takes a lot of time to build up a horse’s endurance and is far from a simple process. Some trainers have the knack for winning the first time off the shelf, and others like to use that tightener, which has them ready to run a big second start. These stats are listed in the daily racing form and are very pertinent stats while handicapping opening weekend.

Now the Kentucky Derby, if you can handicap this race to a tee, you can be in for some large return. Quite possibly the most competitive field in my time, this race consists of all the top three-year-olds around and it seems like every big trainer thinks their horse is the one. We’ve gone week-to-week, race-to-race, and it’s hard to even pick a horse assured a top four finish. I’m sticking to my gut here though, thinking Rousing Sermon has a chance to close on the field to pick up the pieces late.

I also really like that last race in New York, as both horses seemed to be competitors and have done nothing but succeed thus far.  Alpha and Gemologists are two of my top four picks.

Lastly, I think Hansen is an amazing talent and I really expect him to rate a little in the early going and be right there at the wire!

Another little tidbit of information from the horse’s mouth, which lies as much as the weather man, is that the Canadian Triple Crown Preps are on the way! Beware of Josie Carroll and her trio of candidates. This includes my early favorite to win the Queen’s Plate, Beeker Street, who runs on Saturday.

Good Luck to all on this most exciting weekend in the Sport of Kings!

…and that is the last word.

Why the Bills Having Vince Young would be a GOOD thing

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

What I like most about seeing Vince Young at 1 Bills Drive is that the team has brought him in to compete for the back-up role.  This is so imperative, and Buddy, Chan and gang got it right (some would add, “for once”).

The former 3rd-overall pick out of the football-player-generating state of Texas (second only to Florida – sorry, cheap shot) earned Rookie of  the Year honours in his first campaign with the Titans.  Throwing for over 40 touchdowns, at almost 60% completion, scrambling for 12 touchdowns, Young had a very respectable 98.6 quarterback rating.

After a few seasons of not-quite-so-stellar ball (partially due to the “talent” surrounding him), he moved onto the Eagles to back up Vick.  Being a back-up is never easy.  Obviously the starter will get the lion’s share of mid-week snaps, work with the first team, and be privy to most offensive decisions and schemes leading up to Sunday.  The back-up, while still surrounded by guys who can catch, will never have an equal opportunity.  So, when he went 1-2 few can say they were surprised.  He had his chance, didn’t seize the opportunity, and became lost in the shuffle.

Queue the Buffalo Bills.  Most fans know about  the splash they have made in the off-season, particularly in bolstering their already promising defensive line. Fresh off cashing in on a $59 million deal over six years, quarterback Ryan FitzPatrick showed sparks.  He wasn’t brilliant (off the field apparently he was…the whole “Harvard” thing), but he was certainly capable.  Having Fred Jackson to help him out didn’t hurt, either, with the tailback leading the league in rushing after ten weeks before his injury.  Nonetheless, the Bills like FitzPatrick, and I can’t help but agree.  A great team guy, can read a defense and adjust appropriately, and his name is not J.P. or Trent.  The team likes him enough that they have avoided taking a quarterback in the last two drafts, opting instead to build around Fitz.

What I hate as a football fan is hearing “competition” at quarterback.  It sends so many mixed signals and creates animosity, whether the players and staff admit to it or not.  When I first read about Vince visiting Buffalo I was admittedly very, very apprehensive.  I know the guy comes with baggage, but who doesn’t.  After reading that he was brought in to compete for the back-up role, however, I was very relieved.  This is just common sense, and excellent communication from the Bills.  I am positive, absolutely positive, that Ryan FitzPatrick appreciates it as well, as he will feel a boost of confidence knowing he’s still “the guy” in Orchard Park, NY.

Young is a wildcard, plain and simple.  We know he is capable – he has impressed on the field in the past.  Is he able to regain the form of his first couple of NFL season?  Maybe, maybe not.  But I think it’s a gamble worth taking.

…and that is the last word.