You can expect regular posts starting on July 5, after I return from Italy. At that point, I’ll give up awards for the first half of the Fantasy Baseball season, and an outlook for the second half.

Also coming soon, Fantasy Football preview.

STAY TUNED!

For what it’s worth…

The death of the last living member of the original NFL Hall of Fame class, “Slingin” Sammy Baugh, came at the end of 2008. Baugh was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and a great innovator in the game. Putting his stats next to those of today’s quarterbacks is unfair, given the number of times offenses passed then. Baugh ended his career with a completion percentage of 56.5%, 21,886 yards passing, 187 TD to 203 INT. He was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary team, and was a standout at Quarterback, Defensive Back, and Kicker, making him one of the most versatile players of all time. From a fantasy perspective, he was the Peyton Manning of the late 1930s to early 1950s. His number 33 is the only retired number in Redskins history.

The Winter Classic at Wrigley Field was a rousing success, by all accounts. The cold weather held the ice together well, there was no snow to deal with (thankfully for the players), and the national TV ratings were high, as was the score (6-4, Red Wings). The NHL would do well to use next year’s Winter Classic on New Year’s Day as a promotion for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, as many have said. Personally, I feel that Boston will get it’s chance to host, but 2011 is a better chance than 2010.  Harvard Stadium or Fenway Park would be the best venues, with Fenway being the emotional pick, and Harvard being the smart one. That being said, I could have done with out the campy “Take Me Out To The Hockey Game.” Stan Makita and Bobby Hull are horrifyingly ugly in HD.

Free Agency in baseball has been a miserable failure, for all teams not located in the Bronx, NYC. The Empire has put up $430+million on three players, and could be there with money when Manny Ramirez decides where to play. Would I be surprised by a Manny-to-NY headline? Absolutely not. It certainly won’t be the Mets, though, as owner Fred Wilpon was duped out of millions in the Ponzi scheme of Bernie Madoff.

On that same topic, free spending baseball owners are now crying poor and want a salary cap structure in place. Get ready for next lock out!

The Celtics precipitous fall from the top of the Eastern Conference (2-6, last 8 games) has dropped them to second place, behind the Bron-Bron lead Cavs, who may be hitting their stride at the right time. The Cavs are 8-2 in their last 10 and stand a legit shot at knocking the C’s off the top come April and May. Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are showing their age.

The NFL Playoff Format is fine. I don’t buy the argument that playing a game without the ball in the hands of the MVP of the league is a shame. I think its sour grapes from a poorly played defensive series. Don’t be surprised, though, if Bill Polean and the Colts management complain to the NFL Competition Committee in the off-season. Hopefully they don’t go to the College model, which is just silly.

Speaking of silly, the college football bowl situation has finally gotten to me. I understand that just because a team is undefeated, they don’t necessarily get a shot at the National Title Game. Weak conferences, mid-majors and the like don’t play at the same level of competition as a team like Ohio State or Florida. On the other hand, the top four teams in the nation are generally decided upon by voters and the computer system. Like our President, I feel like a small playoff would be sufficient. Take the top four teams in the nation, and let them play a total of three games: a national semi-final and then a national championship. Take all of the big bowl games (Sugar, Cotton, Fiesta, Orange, Rose, etc) and rotate which has the national semi and national final. That way, the top teams all get to play in a national bowl game, and we have an actual champion, decided by the players.

I’ll be adding my midseason picks for the NHL and NBA and players of the week this weekend.

Don’t forget to write in other guys having great seasons, like Corey Perry of the Ducks. Luckily, the fans pick the starters and the players / coaches / NHL picks the rest, and players will be added and subtracted due to injury. Fortunately, Tim Thomas has gotten the third most votes of any Eastern Conference goalie, and he’s not even listed.

I’ll be posting my NHL column tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the Pats and Jets tonight at 8pm. In Boston, it should be on Channel 5 and 104.1FM. Across the country, the game will be on the NFL Network and Sirius Sattelite Radio.

Injury News and Notes Courtesy of ESPN.com

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Brett Favre – STL @ NYJ – I love the match up of Favre against the lowly Rams secondary. Brett’s had a few tough games in a row, and I think this is the match up that favors him most. Look for Favre to come out and start firing away, setting up the pass with a strong ground game that has been a solid piece of the Jets’ attack this year. I like Favre for 20 of 27 passing, 285 yards and 2 scores. Oh, and ZERO interceptions for the first time in weeks.

Adrian Peterson – GB @ MIN – Green Bay’s defense is 29th in the NFL against the run. Adrian Peterson is a good runningback. This one’s simple. 22 carries, 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Roddy White – NO @ ATL – Roddy White is putting up Terrell Owens / Randy Moss numbers as he’s quickly become Matt Ryan’s number one target. With White’s 733 yards receiving and 5 TDs, he’s looking at career highs in both categories with a solid passer getting him the ball. I like him this weekend against the Saints, who haven’t exactly been lighting up the world, giving up an NFC South worst 195 points. White goes for 115 yards and 1TD.
Sit Em

Ben Roethlisberger – IND @ PIT – As badly as the Colts have played this year, they just came off a big win against the Patriots. I think they continue, on the road against the Steelers. We’re still not sure what the extent of the injury is to Ben, but whatever it is, he could be playing limited time again this week against the Colts very tough pass rush and secondary. I think he goes for 120 yards passing, 0TD, 1 INT, and about 3/4 of the offensive plays.

Matt Forte – TEN @ CHI – Forte’s got a lot going against him this week. He’s going to be looked at as the premier back (again) but he’s also the starting back behind back up Rex Grossman. The Bears have a lot going against them, and add on to that an undefeated Titans team coming in to Soldier Field. I think the Bears have a shot against the Titans because its at home, but I think they’ll shut down Forte and hope Rex can’t beat them. 65 yards, 0 TD.

DeSean Jackson – NYG @ PHI – The Giants are too good, and Jackson’s too young. He’s had a magical season thus far as the Eagles leading receiver, but it hits a speed bump today against the G-Men. Look at it as Jackson’s “down” game, seeing only 3 catches for 38 yards and no TDs.