JIMMY THE MOOSE'S BLOG

Feb. 10/08

Toronto Maple Leafs

1967, that's the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs sipped out of Lord Stanley's Cup and that drought won't end anytime soon. The Leafs are a team that has never addressed rebuilding and that's why they are in the mess they are in today. This once proud franchise is now only a couple of points out of a last place in the NHL and to be honest with you, last place may be the best thing that can happen to this team.

Fans can blame John Ferguson Jr. for the team's problem's but the truth is he was only acting on the advice of the "Powers of Be" in Leafs land. The organization has always been about the bottom line, get in the playoffs and that means extra revenue, and that's what they tried to do and did for awhile. Now it's been three years without a playoff appearnce, the fans are getting restless and it looks like the organization may finally be changing their philosophy. At least everyone hopes they are.

A look at the standings on Feb. 10th shows that the Leafs are only six points out of the final playoff spot but there are seve team's between them and 8th spot and with 25 games left, making the playoffs doesn't look good, but that's ok. The Leafs need to miss the playoffs and miss them bad this way they'll have a high draft pick to start the rebuilding process. Cliff Fletrcher has been brought in to try and unload players like Sundin, Tucker, Kubina, McCabe and Blake, can he do it? Well the trade deadline is Feb. 26th, not too far down the road.

Maple Leafs fans deserve better than hoping that their team sneak's into the playoffs. Toronto fans are loyal, maybe to a fault, and a winning team has to be built here. Losing is not acceptable but if management comes out and says that they are going to rebuild and try and build a consistent contender the fans would accept it.

Let's see what happens down the stretch.

Feb. 4/08

It's the day after the Super Bowl, and wait did you hear that? I think Tom Brady just got hit by the Giants AGAIN! Super Bowl XLII was fun to watch and what was even more fun was collecting the cash as I was all over the Giants in this one.

When you look at the numbers it shouldn't have surprised anyone that the Giants covered the line. I mean the SU win was not expected but the ATS cover that was a gimme. The Giants have been very effective since losing in week 17 to the Patriots and they were pumped for this one. Their D was solid and there game plan was attack, attack, attack and that's what they did. I have never seeen Brady on the ground as much as I did yesterday and I liked seeing it. Eli has emerged into a leader and the fans of NY instead of questioning his attitude, embrace him because he's a GEM.

The Patriots came into this one 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games prior to the Bowl and I wasn't sure why so many people expected them to not only win but blowout the Giants. Don't get me wrong what the Patriots did through 18 games is amazing but this team peaked early and were running out of gas near the end. I had the Patriots over San Diego but as I watched the game I really believe that a healthy Chargers team would have knocked out the Patriots in the Conference Championships. I guess no one's ordering 18-1 T-Shirts?

The NFL season is over but boy did it end on a high note.  I can't wait for the 2008 season to start.