Today’s comes courtesy of good pal and co-host Rob “Kraze” Davis on the new SC concept:

“I’m suprised they didnt take a day to cry in their beer over manny no longer being a redsox.”

Here’s how Russian Marat Safin explained his chances against rating five-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in today’s upcoming semifinal:

“I’m playing semifinals, but that doesn’t mean that I have a chance there, because the guy has won how many times already here? “To beat Federer you need to be Nadal and run around like a rabbit and hit winners from all over the place. … It’s just a little bit too difficult.”

Think he’s trying his best to put the whammy on the greatest grasscourt player who puts a 64-match winning streak on the line?!?!?!?!?!

We’ll find out later on if the much anticipated No.1 vs No.2 battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal comes down again. Nadal will take on German veteran Rainer Schuettler. Both players will be heavy favorites.

Today’s edition comes courtesy of former New York Giants teammate and running back Tiki Barber on the retirement of Michael Strahan:

“Michael is not only one of the great Giants of all time, but also one of the great defensive players in NFL history. It was an honor to spend my entire career as his teammate.”

Tonight’s comes courtesy of victorious Kansas coach Bill Self who was quite relieved to finally guide a school to the Final Four. His team will meet former Jayhawk coach Roy Williams’ Tar Heels next week. For the love of God, go Jayhawks!

“Trust me, I was on both knees. You picture the way you win a big game like that, it would be you make a shot, you celebrate or something happens and you’re able to go congratulate all your coaches and players. This was not one of those deals. I just wanted to make sure that I hurried up and shook hands and the officials left the court so they couldn’t put any time back on the clock.”

Our quote of the day comes from victorious Giant head coach Tom Coughlin after his team’s thrilling 24-21 sudden death NFC Championship Game win over the Packers at Lambeau Field:

“The real key has been the heart of this team. “Their heart is in the right place.“

That epitomizes why this resilient group has been able to accomplish what they have already in establishing a new NFL record 10 consecutive road victories including becoming the first NFC team to win three straight road playoff games and make the Super Bowl.

For more on the historic victory, I highly recommend this very well written game recap by outstanding Daily News Giant beat writer Ralph Vacchiano.

There are some excellent quotes from Giant players which symbolize how they not only go to the wire before pulling out these games but also how they drive their own fans nuts in the process. It probably helps explain why I’m such a typical frantic New York fan.

Here’s one from veteran wideout Amani Toomer which sums it up quite well:

“It’s Giants football. We want to make sure our fans have some good, healthy blood pressure going into our games.”

Well, you don’t say Amani. This is kind of what it felt like following that 1990 team which upset the 49ers on five Matt Bahr field goals at Candlestick Park and then followed suit by pulling out Super Bowl XXV 20-19 over the Bills on that memorable January 27, 1991 evening in Tampa.

Everyone remembers why. I just won’t say it out of proper respect for my Buffalo contingent who have had to live with that heartbreaking conclusion. I won’t say anymore. Rob “Kraze” Davis and Brian “Sambone” Sanborn are two of my closest friends. I can only imagine what each is thinking at this moment with Super Bowl XLII approaching.

Just maybe these 2007 Giants can duplicate that sort of yeoman work in 12 fateful days. If you’re an avid Big Blue supporter, keep your fingers crossed.

Our quote of the day comes from Jacksonville rookie safety Reggie Nelson after his team fell to Tom Brady and the Patriots 31-20. Apparently, he wasn’t all that impressed by Brady’s near perfect night where the three-time Super Bowl winner picked apart the Jags’ secondary finishing 26-of-28 for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

“He ain’t all that … He’s all right. … It was a check down game. Anybody can go 26-of-28 in a dump-down game.“

While it’s true Brady methodically drove the Pats down field against the Jags D, it still takes a lot of patience and skill to execute the way the NFL regular season MVP did. Especially with the Jags limiting deep threat Randy Moss to one catch. How about a couple of those TD passes Mr. Nelson? Were those easy to fit in?!?!?!?!?!

When Brady did air it out to Donte Stallworth setting up the Pats’ final three points, I didn’t notice Nelson or any other Jags’ DB able to make the play.

“This is the NFL. If this was high school, yeah (it might not be ‘all that’),” Stallworth responded to Nelson’s ridiculous claim.

His commentary drew a classic comeback from New England coach Bill Belichick:

“It was a little disappointing he missed two.”   :lol:

Tonight’s quote of the day comes from my good angry Chicago sportsfan and Hard Hits co-host John Giagnorio.

This was just too good to pass up.

The self-proclaimed stat mastah came away impressed with my use of what else but some key stats in the latest Knick loss earlier this afternoon to the Lakers. It would’ve been perfect for a graphic.

I’m always supporting teams who have grit, moxie and intangibles while the JPGer is a stats analyst all the way. Just look at how excited the Stanford senior got here:

Da Stat Mastah [4:14 P.M.]: 

“ah gritty. nice use of stats!!!!!“

Better recognize!

We’ll just call this quotes of the day, which come courtesy of some disgruntled Yankees on and off the field after yet another loss (10-7) to the Mets putting them five under .500 and 10.5 behind the Red Sox:

Yankee CF Johnny “DL” Damon: “It’s definitely embarrassing. We definitely know that we are better than we’ve showed.“

Skipper “Clueless” Joe Torre: “We’re going to turn it around. I wish I could give you a date. Until we straighten out what we need to straighten out, we can’t worry about the standings.“

GM Brian Ca$hman: “We’re not out of the race. As ugly as it looks right now, I’m never going to let that enter my mind.”

As a buddy once quoted, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.”

Or as former WWE manager Slick would say, “The party’s ov—-ahhhh!”

It’s been over for quite some time. This Yankee team is so embarrassing that I’ve stopped caring. I no longer can watch them. They’re a disgrace to the uniform invoking memories of the early 90’s teams with players such as Mel Hall, Jesse Barfield, Mike Witt, Steve Farr, Luis Polonia, Rich Monteleone, Matt Nokes, Bob Geren, Tim Leary, etc.

Those teams played to a 3/4 empty Stadium sometimes. At least they had an excuse. Ah. How we’ve come full circle. Just wait until the spoiled wagoners who only jumped on because of all the winning start demanding refunds. Here’s a prediction: The Stadium will be half empty by August.
That Roger Clemens introduction in the Boss’ box was about as cheesy as it got. As if the 44 year-old Rocket is going to come in on his horse and save this pathetic team.

They should just admit failure and sell off the garbage such as Bobby Abreu, Kyle Farnsworth, Mike Myers. Heck. Even Mike Mussina can just get off the mound already.
There’s no way anyone can convince me that Torre shouldn’t be fired. He’s lost his mind and is just cashing a check. As for Cashman, he’ll probably take the fall for this. But ironically, some of the deals he made to restock the farm should make the team strong again in the future.

Of course, this team has sustained a ridiculous amount of injuries. Even yesterday’s winner Tom Glavine couldn’t believe their luck after Darrell Rasner went down yet again and will require surgery after taking a line drive in the leg.

Sometimes, luck changes. The good teams have it. Just look at the Mets. They get every break these days. Damion Easley has turned into a power hitter. Carlos Beltran didn’t check his swing in the eighth. Endy Chavez was a scrub until he got to Shea last year. Now he’s great.

But that’s how it goes in sports. When you’re good, everything seems to go your way. When you stink, you can’t seem to get out of your own way.
The Yanks need to start over. Tyler Clippard makes his major league debut later tonight. There need to be more prospects making their debuts this summer. They’re not catching the Red Sox. Boston right now has the best team in baseball. And they’re most likely not going to make up the ground on the wildcard between Cleveland, Oakland and probably Minnesota.

Just throw in the towel. Missing the postseason might sound like a crazy concept considering the payroll. I’m sick of it. The payroll means jack and the real baseball fans know it. Not idiots like Mike Lupica who continue to get off on contracts Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez got. At least the Yanks didn’t shortchange their own star shortstop after all those World Series.

How much do you think Jose Reyes will be getting in a few years? Is 25-30 million per year out of the question?!?!?!?!?! Good luck.
That’s the price of success.
The only baseball we’re looking forward to is the one played out here on Staten Island which gets going in a month when the two-time defending NY-Penn League champion Baby Bombers get started against the Cyclones. That should be a lot of fun.

It comes from Yankee centerfielder Johnny “I’m always hurt” Damon. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. After the Yankees dropped their sixth straight 6-0 to the Jays in the Bronx spoiling 20 year-old promising rookie Phil Hughes’ major league debut, Damon had this to say about his team’s recent struggles:

“There’s going to be panic soon if the winning doesn’t start. We have to stay close,” he said. “If we can’t start getting victories, I’m sure there’s not going to be too many happy people.”

With Boston coming in this weekend though tonight’s forecast isn’t promising, they better get it turned around soon! This team is just terrible right now. A-Rod’s homer stroke has finally cooled off. There’s no clutch hitting. Zero relief. And it’s rare that a starter goes deep into games.

As for Hughes’ debut:

4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s  91 pitches

It’s not as bad as it looks. The kid was nervous and gave up two runs on three hits in the first inning but then settled down tossing three scoreless before running out of gas in the fifth and giving way to Brian Bruney- one of the only effective relievers Joe Torre has. Sean Henn would be the other and he allowed two runs tonight.

Recalled from Triple A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after posting a 2-1 record and 3.94 ERA while there, Hughes wasn’t too bad. His fastball was around 92-93 and K’d five. But his problem was that he left a few balls up. Against a star like Vernon Wells (3-for-3), you can’t do that. He understood that afterwards.

You could see the top prospect get another start before going back. If he does, it will be against another good hitting club in Texas next week. Getting experience at this level isn’t bad for the kid.

As for the team, it’s going to be a tough ride for a while.

It comes from Cubs GM Jim Hendry who spent $300 million in the offseason but still sees his team out to a 7-11 start and now told the media that former staff ace Mark Prior will undergo exploratory surgery tomorrow:

“There’s nothing wrong with his arm. He’s had some back spasms, it’s not anything serious.”

Sure, there’s never been anything wrong! That’s like Brian Cashman declaring that the Yankee pitching staff is good.

This is the quote of the day but does it really matter how many home runs A-Rod hits if the Yanks lose games? The third baseman hit a moon shot in the ninth to tie Albert Pujols’ April homer record of 14. Too bad it came in another loss- this time 10-8 to the D-Rays.

So he’ll likely win his third MVP. It will probably come on a team that doesn’t see October for the first time since the strike shortened season in 1994. This team is about as mismatched as the one he starred on in Texas for former employer Tom Hicks. Who will Yankee fans blame if it happens?