NFL training camps are now opening.  The Jets start their at SUNY Cortland.  The Jets are this seasons featured teams on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”.  It’s good TV but I think it is bad for teamwork.  I think guys will try to be TV stars when they should be focusing on football and teamwork. 

The Bengals are the only team to star on “Hard Knocks” and make the playoffs.  “Hard Knocks” also gives other teams a chance to scout the Jets.  If the Patriots illegally scouted the Rams before the Super Bowl, you know they will have SUNY Cortland bugged to the hilt and try to get info from HBO.

As for real football news, the Jets re-signed Coles. 

Congratulations to the Giants David Tyree for retiring a Giant on Friday!  He made one of the greatest catches of all time to beat the Patriots.

Posted by The Tank.

The Phillies traded for Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt yesterday.  Oswalt has been with the Astros for ten seasons.  The trade was held up because Oswalt wanted his 2012 option excercised for $16 million.  He finally caved and agreed to a $2 million buyout.  Oswalt gets to go to a contender and the Astros get some prospects, especially Happ.

As for the local teams, the Yankees and Mets haven’t done much.  The Yankees haven’t done much since losing out on Cliff Lee.  The Mets don’t have much to trade.  We’ll see if the pull a surprise before Saturday’s noon deadline. 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Oswalt isn’t an ace like Cliff Lee but is enough to help the Phillies win the division and the pennant.  Just in line with my pre-season prediction. 

Posted by The Tank. 

Wide receivers Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens united yesterday in Cincinnati.  After he left the Bills, TO had been the subject of a few free agent rumors including the Rams but the Bengals came in and signed him. 

This is a marriage for football writers as Ocho Cinco and TO are very quotable.  It will be a soap opera in Cincinnati.  I don’t mind as I think sports is sometimes too corporate.  Cincy will be a better team.  If they can get off to a fast start before Big Ben comes back from suspension for the Steelers, the Bengals can repeat as AFC North champs. 

Posted by The Tank.

There were many rumors over the weekend about the D-backs wanting to deal Dan Haren for SATT Buddy Joba.  I know many Yankees fans are upset at Joba and want to deal him.  Yes, even I was upset at Joba while he blew a Seattle game a few weeks ago while hanging out during Jack and Michelle's Farewell Party at Gaf.  We'll miss you Jack and Michelle!

I think the Yankees did the right thing by NOT trading Joba because:

(1) There is too much money left on Haren's contract.  Yes, the Yankees have the money but I would rather see us use it to go after Cliff Lee in the off season.  Remember, we’re going to need the money to re-sign Jeter and Mariano.

(2) Haren is good but not as dominant as he was from 2005 to 2007.

(3) Give Joba more time to work out his issues.  He is the pitching version of Billy Martin's "You're hired, you're fired!"  Joba has been a reliever, starter, reliever, starter, and reliever.  He needs as much mental time to catch up with the physical time.  That said, Joba hasn't been the same since landing his shoulder a couple of years ago.

Posted by The Tank.

Today is my buddy A-Rod’s 35th birthday.  I wish he hit his 600th home run but got shutdown at the Indians.  It always happens against someone they haven’t faced before like the rookie Josh Tomlin.  They’ll get a book on him and hopefully hit him the next time. 

A-Rod is now homerless in five games since hitting his 599th home run. 

Posted by a disappointed Tank.

The Mets finished a nightmare road trip in LA yesterday.  They lost a 1-0 heartbreaker.  R.A. Dickey pitched his heart out and was pulled after 5.2 innings. 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: The Mets must make a change.  I would hate to see Hitting Coach Howard Johnson go but they will probably get rid of him instead of Jerry Manuel. 

Posted by The Tank.

Lance Armstrong finished his final Tour De France earlier today.  It’s not going out on top as most had hoped.  But, he finished a respectable 23rd. 

Alberto Cantador won his third Tour in the last four years.  He continues Spain’s dominance in sports starting with Pao Gasol helping the Lakers winning back-to-back title to Rafael Nadal winning Wimbledon to Spain winning the World Cup. 

Posted by the Tank.  

The Yankees lost former player, manager, and general manager Ralph Houk on Wednesday at the age of 90.  He was a hero every sense of the word.  He earned a battlefield commission in WWII.  He returned home and was a leader even though he didn’t play much behind fellow catcher Yogi Berra.  Tommy Lasorda called him the best handler of men.  He was a fiery old school soldier in even sense of the word.

Posted by a mourning Tank.

My buddy A-Rod hit his 599th home run against Kansas City last night at the Stadium.  He was 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs.  Fans were hungry for his 600th late in the game but he didn’t hit it out.  The Yankees won 10-4. 

Thursday’s win was important because CC didn’t have his best stuff and the Royals had an early lead.  The Yankees had great hustle players and the Captain didn’t stop running for his second career inside the park home run.  His first was when he was a rookie which drove in current manager Joe Girardi. 

Maybe Kai will get to see his 600th home run tonight at the Stadium.

Posted by The Tank.

The Mets finished the first half within 4.0 games of the Atlanta Braves and a half game ahead of the Phillies.  It’s a small miracle given the Mets injuries especially Beltran missing the entire first half and Reyes missing considerable time.  Perez has been a virtual no show, Bay hasn’t hit for power, Francoeur is slumping, K-Rod has blown saves, etc. etc. 

The Mets are 1-6 on the post All Star Game road trip going into tonight’s game at the Dodgers.  The Mets are now 7.0 games behind the Braves and 3.0 games out of the Wild Card.  The Dodgers are 5.0 games out of the NL West lead and 2.0 games out of the Wild Card.  Both teams are slumping.  Something has got to give.     

Posted by The Tank.