Author: Matt Wells

27 years old. From New Jersey. I'm a fan of all four major sports, though I know most about football and baseball. Favorite teams: Sabres (NHL), Yankees (MLB). General fan of baseball and football, as well.

NHL General

O Depth- Where Art Thou?

by Matt Wells

Depth: Strength held in reserve, especially a supply of skilled or capable replacements.

In the sports world, depth is an asset that every team in every sport wishes to have. Each sport has a particular position where depth is most wanted. Though it is wanted at all positions, depth is most desirable at a certain position.

In football, you hope to have depth at the quarterback position. In baseball, you want pitching/bullpen depth, for pitchers seem to get hurt the most often. Basketball might be the only sport where depth is needed at each position; after all, you want a strong bench. And then, there’s hockey. The position of goaltender is where you want the most depth.

MLB General

Welcome Home!!!!……Now Get Out!

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date May 4, 2006
3 Comments on Welcome Home!!!!……Now Get Out!

by Matt Wells

With the days of free agency and money-chasing upon us, we expect players in all four of the major sports to eventually depart to different clubs. It seems inevitable nowadays.

However, don’t you think fans of the players’ former teams should forgive and forget if a player ends up going to a different team? Don’t you think the players should be forgiven for leaving if they were successful for their previous teams?

Well, tell that to baseball fans.

MLB General

Ladies and Gentlemen- Your "Traveling" All-Stars

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date April 29, 2006
2 Comments on Ladies and Gentlemen- Your "Traveling" All-Stars

by Matt Wells

Welcome to Major League Baseball in the 21st Century. For the past decade, free agency has made the possibility of a player staying with the same team for several years at a time virtually unthinkable. You can thank free agency, I mean that. Free agency has helped make the game more exciting, as fans now get to see players playing for teams that we never thought possible (Frank Thomas in Oakland??!!).

You can also thank those green bills we call “money.” It’s the money that has helped move free agency along. The days of Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, and Barry Larkin are gone. Players just don’t stay with the same teams throughout their careers anymore.

MLB General

It’s Nearing Decision Time for the "Rocket"

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date April 24, 2006
12 Comments on It’s Nearing Decision Time for the "Rocket"

by Matt Wells

He’s known as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of Major League Baseball. He’s tallied 341 wins against just 172 losses during his big-league career. 4,502 strikeouts of opposing batters doesn’t sound too shabby either. Yet, Roger Clemens, not quite retired yet, isn’t pitching for a major league team currently.

Now, the “Rocket” is certainly contemplating retirement. Clemens implied that he was retiring after Team USA was eliminated from the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Of course, we’ve heard “retirement” stories from other greats in the game – Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, etc.

NHL General

Are You Ready For Some Playoff Hockey?

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date April 20, 2006
3 Comments on Are You Ready For Some Playoff Hockey?

by Matt Wells

We’ve been through 82 regular season games. 16 teams will be playing hockey this postseason. Only the best of the best will survive.

We’ve gone through a season that featured the retirement of Mario Lemeiux and the fantastic seasons of rookies Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

Now, it’s time for postseason hockey. Let the games begin!

NFL General

Your Can’t-Miss NFL Games- Week by Week by……

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date April 7, 2006
2 Comments on Your Can’t-Miss NFL Games- Week by Week by……

by Matt Wells

Baseball season is upon us, and it’s not even a week old. Every team has started 0-0, and the march to the playoffs is on. So, why am I talking football??!!

Well, today the NFL announced the schedules for all 32 teams for all 17 weeks of the 2006 NFL season. There are some games that you can just leave the television off for (think 49ers, Cardinals, etc.). There are also those games that you just…can’t…miss.

So, to echo the words of ESPN’s Woody Paige, “YOU GOTTA LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE, GUYS!!!!”

Phoenix Suns

Did the Suns Bring Amare Back Too Soon?

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date April 1, 2006
2 Comments on Did the Suns Bring Amare Back Too Soon?

by Matt Wells

The high-flying Phoenix Suns combined with last night’s opponent, the Toronto Raptors, to score 266 points in a 140-126 victory for the Suns. This was done in regulation and it was done without their superstar center, Amare Stoudemire.

This tremendous output makes me ask this question: did the Suns really need Stoudemire to come back sooner than expected? The answer is a simple “no,” and they may have done Amare more harm than good by rushing him back.

Chicago Cubs

It’s the Same Old Story in ChiTown

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date March 29, 2006
1 Comment on It’s the Same Old Story in ChiTown

Ahhhh…..the weather is getting warmer. The snow has begun to melt. You’re breaking out your shorts and flip-flops, and you may even begin to start the process of opening your swimming pool. It’s spring…and it’s also baseball season.

Fans in baseball towns around the country – from Seattle to Boston to Miami – are preparing for a new baseball season. The smells of the fresh-cut grass on the field and the sounds of the bat hitting the ball are ringing loud and true.

And yet, the north side of Chicago is experiencing the same thing they’ve experienced the past few seasons – star players on the disabled list.

Washington Nationals

Changing Positions Doesn’t Need to Mean a Change of Attitude

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date March 22, 2006
13 Comments on Changing Positions Doesn’t Need to Mean a Change of Attitude

by Matt Wells

Imagine this, if you will: you’re doing what you love to do. You’re getting paid $10 million to perform your dream job. You’re also one of the best at what you do in your field.

Then, why complain? Ohhhhh, I get it. You’re Alfonso Soriano – the Terrell Owens of football. Soriano has already made Jim Bowden the laughing stock of GMs, the Washington Nationals the laughing stock of the league (for now), and he has made himself the butt of sports jokes everywhere.

Arizona Cardinals

Do the Cardinals Finally Have All the Pieces in Place?

Post author By Matt Wells
Post date March 19, 2006
No Comments on Do the Cardinals Finally Have All the Pieces in Place?

Unlike most football fans, my expectations for the Arizona Cardinals (yes, THOSE Cardinals) were high for the 2005 season. Kurt Warner was signed to be their quarterback, running back J.J. Arrington and defensive back Antrel Rolle were part of Arizona’s draft class, and receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were coming back to the desert. Things were looking up.

But, not all was what it seemed. The Cardinals stumbled out of the gate, losing their first 3 games, with the defense allowing 86 points in those losses. Arizona would struggle to a 5-11 record for the 2005 season. While Kurt Warner would show bright spots and Fitzgerald and Boldin would combine to catch 205 passes, J.J. Arrington, the rookie running back, would rush for just 370 yards and 2 touchdowns. He would be second on the depth chart to Marcel Shipp. Meanwhile, Rolle would finish with 28 tackles and no interceptions.