The Mets and Dodgers were talking a trade of Andruw Jones for problem child Luis Castillo. Apparently this trade is now off and not going to happen. Marty Noble at MLB.com noted that ‘nothing is ongoing, and nothing is going to happen,’ with this trade. Apparently the Dodgers are not looking for Castillo.

Kudos for Omar for trying to get rid of Castillo and Jones would make a good 4th outfielder, but shame on Omar for trading for Castillo in the first place and double shame on him for giving him such a crazy contract.

Posted by Steve in New York

The Jets wasted no time and fired Head Coach Eric Mangini this morning.  Jets Owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum were grilled about his possible successor, including former Steelers Coach Bill Cowher which I referenced a few days ago.

What is Brett Favre's future?  It's up to Brett and the results of the MRI.  Keep your eyes posted on this space.

Tank's Bottom Line: You may disagree with the decision but it was right for the Jets to move quickly.  The Lions and Browns fired their coaches in the last 24 hours.  Is Dallas Coach Wade Phillips next after the Eagles beat the Cowboys 44-3? 

I think the Jets have a good shot at Bill Cowher because the Jets have good players like Thomas Jones to  build with.  Cowher probably won't go back home to Carolina (this year anyway) because of the good job John Fox has done coaching the Panthers this season.  I don't think he'll go to former divisional rival Cleveland Browns or Super Bowl rival Dallas Cowboys.  The Detroit Lions are too much of a mess to possibly tarnish Cowher's Hall of Fame resume.  Let the Bill Cowher Coaching Sweepstakes begin.

Mega thanks to Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack for the 1010 Wins story sent via Blackberry Pin.

Posted by a grateful Tank recovering from the flu in NY.

The Jets went down to defeat 24-17 against the Dolphins at the Meadowlands earlier this evening.  Chad Pennington found redemption against the team that cut him a few months earlier.  Revenge is best served cold.

The Jets have questions to answer in the off season NOT limited to the following:

(1) Head Coach: If they can't get Bill Cowher, they need to bring in Romeo Crennel to help Eric Mangini on defense.

(2) Quarterback: Brett Favre won't be the starting quarterback next season.  The Jets need to get Matt Cassel from the Patriots or a similarly qualified free agent quarterback.  Will Kellen Clemens step up?  What will the draft bring?

Bottom Line: The only conciliation is that the Patriots did NOT make the playoffs.  As an honorary San Diegan, I am happy that the Bills beat the Broncos last week and forced a win and get in game at San Diego which the Chargers won a few moments ago.  The Chargers were my pre-season Super Bowl prediction.

I am looking forward to the playoffs and will make my picks before next weekend's games.  Good luck to the Giants and Chargers.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

On Christmas eve, rumors started to circulate that the Mets had a deal with Derek Lowe, worth either three– and about $14-16 million per season. By yesterday morning the rumors got stronger, but no deal is imminent. Looks like we will have to wait until next week to see if there is any truth in these rumors.

While many people think that Omar will be done after Lowe, I think that a 5th starter is needed (Perez if he lowers his price, Pedro on an incentive contract, Wolf or Marquis?) as well as a corner outfielder.

Rumors also say that the Wilpons don’t want the headache of Manny. Omar wants him, but the management doesn’t want him.

Posted by Steve in New York

Last Week's Review: 1-2 which is disappointing given the Jets choke at Seattle.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Bills upset of the Broncos.  My record for the season is 16-12.

This Week's Fearless Predictions:

The Giants lose at the Vikings.  The Vikings have to win to get into the playoffs and the Giants need to rest players.  Eli should not play more than a quarter or half.

The Jets somehow beat the Dolphins.  Yeah, Brett Favre is hurt.  He's down but not out.  Though the Jets should run Thomas Jones as much as possible, watch the Gunslinger fire away.

The Patriots win at the Bills.

Sports/City Prayer Non-Pick: For the sake of the city of Detroit and all that it been going on with the economy, I am rooting for the Lions to win their first game of the season.  It's not likely at Green Bay but I'm still rooting for them.  Go Detroit!  Go Lions!

Posted by The Tank in NY.

As the year draws to a close and the Holidays are upon us, I wanted to thank everyone for supporting us during the past year, especially during September's Everest trip.  This is a photo of Steve and The Tank near Everest Base Camp.  "Shake and bake!" for all the Talladega Nights fans in SATT Land, especially Kathleen.  :-)

Have a safe and happy Holiday Season.

Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.

MLB.com reports that the Mets are close to signing veteran free agent pitcher Derek Lowe.  D-Lowe isn't an ace but a clutch pitcher with solid stuff, exactly what the Mets need to compliment Johan.

Congratulations also go to David Wright, Steve's favorite player, for being named as the starting third baseman on Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Posted by a hopeful Tank in need of Subway Series Closure as I couldn't sell a kidney in time for 2000 World Series tickets.

The Yankees signed Teixeira.  Wow!  The Red Sox, Angels, and others folded.  The Yankees came in and scooped up Teixeira for $180 over eight years according to ESPN 1050 AM.

Merry Christmas! / Happy Hanukkah!  / Happy Kwanzaa! / Happy Winter Solstice!

Posted by an escastic Tank in Hot Stove Heaven!  Keep the Faith!  Go Yankees!

Tank's Note: After the Jets crushing loss at the Seahawks yesterday, Steve compared the Jets to the Mets and was too depressed to write further.  Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack wrote the following commentary earlier today in quotes below.

"

S
U
C
K
S

"SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS.

"I guess this is as close as I will ever get to understanding Mets fans over the past few years.

"The Seahawks starting O-Line had NEVER EVER PLAYED TOGETHER!!! The number of 1st string starts for the 4 man line was something like 45, 8, 2 and 1. With that ONE being yesterday.

"And they played a 3rd string QB? Disgusting. Utterly disgusting. I couldn't watch past the half."

Adam added...

"As bad as they played yesterday, they've played poorly since they beat the Titans. Just a thought but maybe in December, in the snow, when you have the AFC's leading rusher and a 39 year old QB you should have your RB run more than 17 times?

"Along the same lines, when you have 5 or 6 players (not counting Farve who is going on name alone) headed to the Pro Bowl you should be winning your division.

"Mangini's time is over.  I don't care that he may win 10 games twice in the 3 years he has been the coach, he looks like a giant green teletubby on the sidelines.  I hear Cowher is free.

"The Giants game was great.  It'll be interesting if they meet in the NFC championship game."

Tank's Bottom Line: Mangini has one more year left on his contract.  Unless the Jets can get Bill Cowher or someone of similar caliber, expect Mangini to come back with a short lease.  Browns Coach Romeo Crennel is on an even shorter lease in Cleveland.  If Crennel is fired, don't be surprised if Mangini brings in Crennel to help on defense.

I don't have an issue with Favre age but issue with his decision making.  However, Adam also made a good point about current Patriots QB Matt Cassel.  Cassel will be a free agent after the season.  Expect the Jets to pursue him if they are smart.  

I am glad that I took a nap during the second half of the Jets game to rest up for the Giants game.  What a game!

Written by Adam, Jack, Steve and The Tank.  Posted by The Tank in JetsMetsVille.

I recently had the honor of meeting the most important women's tennis player of all time, Billie Jean King.  She was instrumental in breaking down barriers in beating Bobby Riggs 1973.

Billie Jean was a pioneer in wage and gender equity issues. 

Billie Jean told me that men should play the best two out of three sets.  She thinks it would add years to men's careers.

She's not only a tennis fan.  She is a big fan of college football, especially UC Berkeley.  She comes from an athletic family including her brother Randy Moffitt was a MLB pitcher. 

She was a really nice person and posed with me below.

Posted by The Tank reporting live from the Upper West Side of Manhattan.