Upon the first post of 2005

New year's has come and passed, and we are now into 2005. Lets look at where we stand in NY sports.

NY Yankees- The Randy Johnson trade has passed Bud Selig's desk, and the next hurdle is to work out a contract extension with Unit. More nonsense, but we are approaching the official day. Another key signing was that of Tanyon Sturtze, the only arbitration eligible player on the roster. Good move by the Yankees to sign a key reliever/spot starter who really showed his mettle down the stretch. Next up, the saga of Carlos Beltran. I write plenty on the Yankees, so that should do for now

NY Mets- The Mets plucked Pedro Martinez from Boston's mango tree, and are also in the chase for Carlos Beltran. New GM Omar Minaya has shown that he will duke it out with the NY/Boston big boys, and not be afraid to go after the big guns. With a rotation whose top 4 figure to be Martinez, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson, and Steve Trachsel, the Mets should have a very solid staff. Unfortunately, the Mets are still in the NL East, and that division still includes the Braves . Look for new manager, and former Yankee bench coach, Willie Randolph to field a solid and competitive club.

NY Knicks- The Knicks are still sitting atop the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division with a real solid shot at winning the division. Jamal Crawford is still sidelined, but that hasn't stopped the Knicks from going 3-1 in his absence. A recent loss to the Nets shows that Vince Carter's arrival is sending the cross-river rivals in the right direction. However, I believe the Knicks should still have enough to keep in the East's top 8, and make a return trip to the playoffs.

NY Jets- The Jets lost in overtime to St. Louis in the regular season finale. They still managed to back into the playoffs, and now will have to fly out to San Diego to take on the Chargers in the wild-card round. Gang Green managed a 10-6 season, but should have been better with 2 losses in winnable games against the Pats, this weekends loss against a motivated Rams team in St. Louis, and a defeat at Buffalo. It remains to be seen how deep this team can go, but with trips to San Diego, New England and Pittsburgh likely necessary to make the Super Bowl, it wont be easy. Huge congrats to Curtis Martin for eeking out the NFL rushing title by one yard over Seattle's Shawn Alexander. 10 seasons in the league, 10 straight 1000 yard rushing performances. The true definition of a work-horse, the Jets all time leader in rushing and total yards, and 4th on the all-time rushing list. It still amazes me Curtis has been able to be one of the best running backs of all-time with so little publicity.

NY Giants- Injuries and QB indecision killed the Giants this year, but they did manage to win their last game against the just-as-bad Cowboys. Eli showed glimmers of promise, and I think that a full year as the starter will do him good. More congrats to Tiki Barber for leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage, as well as the Pro Bowl nod. Losing Strahan, Norman Hand (which led to the memorable headline "Giant Hand Pulls Groin"), among others, shredded a defense that should have been formidable. We will see how year 2 of the Coughlin era goes, and if Tom will make it through next season.

NY Rangers and Islanders- (Crickets Chirping)

Look for 2005 to see at least 3 NY teams visit the Playoffs, and one to have legit title chances again. I have Oklahoma in the big game tonight, with Auburn sounding the "what about us?" alarm all the while.