Thanks

2008 presented all sorts of wonderful and astonishing moments in not only the sports arena, but anywhere there was a camera, a voice recorder and an associated media outlet. Yet, the past 365 (soon to be 366) days also gave us head-scratchers, heart-breakers and fist-clenchers that will reverberate into the next twelve months. While it's not necessary to rehash what made us applaud, condemn, wonder and hope, it is necessary to capture the year as a whole to look ahead.

In this year, we've seen our fair share of challenges that may - if they have not already done so - affect our lives in ways that we have not witnessed in quite some time or ever before.

Leaving this year behind, we are well aware of the global recession that threatens the way we consume, produce and entertain going forward. Again, this is not just in the sports realm as the overall economy continues to take Miguel Cotto-like body shots.

This year made it rather clear that no matter how much we clamor for change - and beyond this seminal political moment, many of us do the best we can as individuals day by day - some things (as this, this, this and certainly this) are resistant to actual change.

This year, we were given new faces of realized dreams, vindication and outerworldly triumphs while familiar ones gave us another reason to take notice. Yet, there were new names to file under 'WTF' and the reemergence of people whose singular strength is the ability to tick off the masses.

There was a reason or 55 to fall in love with sports in 2008. There was a reason or likely more than 55 to absolutely abhor the sports realm in 2008.

If anything, the blog has taken a significant part of your sports consumption in 2008 than in the last four years since the medium’s mainstream arrival in 2004. The blogopshere has served your sports sunny-side snarky, scrambled in über-analysis, over-easy fanboy, straight & no-chaser serious and chopped-up speculative. As the folks at Yahoo! Sports put it, this was the year of the sports blog and while few have had the resources and/or success as the folks behind Big League Stew and Puck Daddy, millions of bloggers are doing whatever they can to become famous or more often, infamous.

When I began A Sports Scribe back in May of 2007, the number one goal was to join the realm of the most recognized independent blogs such as Awful Announcing, Kissing Suzy Kolber and the like. Understanding that some of those sites discuss sports in a far different manner than I do, I accepted the challenge of going forward with a less typical media-driven an admitted pro-athlete slant, despite being a member of the most infamous group in the industry, the New York media. This past year, Scribe has found its voice, but not in the way that I expected.

I found that for some people, the allure of the blog is that the content comes from a New York City native that doesn’t exactly kowtow to the stereotypical “Noo Yawk” perspective. For others, the carrot on the stick happens to be the visits to various ballparks in my travels, whether I have attended a game in another city or had the chance to provide construction updates in person. Many appreciate that there isn’t the sarcastic and jaded view of sports that they come to expect from someone who is apparently in-the-know. For all, however, I hope that Scribe has achieved its singular goal; to be a blog that combines the action, discussion, culture, business and politics of sports… without being an ass.

With that said, this long post is my way of saying thank you. The audience isn’t earth-shattering, but there has been a noticeable and steady growth. Some of you are personal connections; family, friends and co-workers who have supported me on this journey to provide the best possible content. Some of you are rediscovered connections; former classmates and colleagues who have wondered if I’m still the kid who made playoff trees and kept index cards of player statistics (before the Internet made that a little bit easier). Others have come to Scribe through the sheer power of randomization or the shameless promotions on Facebook and MySpace, wondering why does this guy have something to say, let alone what. No matter how you found Scribe, I want to thank you for sticking with it and I will do my best to retain your intrigue and trust in this forum.

I want to say a special thanks to Ken Fang and Paul Sen, the respective proprietors of Fang’s Bites and Sports Media Watch. Both gentlemen have not only added me to their blog rolls (which is still unbelievable considering that many on their rolls are well-established writers), but have provided food for thought along with direct and indirect support.

Also, I want to say thanks for the various scribes, talkies and faces of the industry that actually make being a part of the press worthwhile. To those who I have emailed, chatted with and met in person, it’s been a thrill and I hope to approach your levels of talent and experience.

Finally, though they say that they don’t read the papers, watch television, listen to talk radio or check the blogs, I’d like to thank the players that make what I’m doing possible.

To all of you out there, Happy New Year and please celebrate safely. May the challenges, lessons and fortunes of 2008 make us all better in 2009 and beyond. And to bring it back to the college radio show and former blog that helped start it all, take care of your own and they’ll take care of you.

Beat

For those who are not near the NYC area or just want to see a preview of this week's version of the New York Beacon, here's a paragraph from this week's forthcoming Giants article.

As much as much of the media wanted to pin this loss to being distracted by the (Plaxico) Burress saga, the players and head coach Tom Coughlin didn’t bite. While Coughlin was quick to say that there was no mental lapse because of the off-field drama, defensive end Justin Tuck was more direct. “We got beat”, said the fourth-year player from Notre Dame before getting a few chuckles about how serious he was. In their struggles to try to get to (Donovan) McNabb, Tuck added that what didn’t work for them “was that (the Eagles) had 8-man, 7-man protections. I think they respected this (defensive) line and how we get pressure on the quarterback and they did things to stop us from doing it.”

While looking for his player page on the Giants' website, I did find Tuck's website (which I imagine will be updated rather soon).
Depending on some prior committments, I'll likely take on the New Jersey Nets beat at some time in the next few weeks. This will mean that I won't have the time off between the end of the Giants season and the start of the Yankee. However, I haven't covered an NBA game since I started working for the Beacon in 2005. More information to come.
In the meantime, if you see the paper on Thursday, just spare 75 cents... that is after you blew most of your cash on thirty copies of The Dark Knight.

Loaded

In person and via text, a few have asked for an opinion on the Plaxico Burress saga because of the Giants beat for the New York Beacon. With all due respect, I don't feel that it's appropriate for me to add any cents to this piggy bank of opinion.

For starters, despite my gig, what more can I add that hasn't been said?

While I am one of the 200+ members of the home media corps, just a few of us have the access and credibility (which with some organizations is questionable) to even go beyond the sidelines in search of non-football matters. They are not only paid to be investigative reporters in the sports world, but they have a wherewithal in this business that in all honesty, I don't have yet.

Beyond that, there's an expectation that when someone joins the media, that it is in the job description to seek out the juicy, outlandish, seedy, shady, negative and absurd in the subject (s)he covers. Considering the paper that I write for - a small weekly paper which is available to just about 100,000 readers; 1.25% of the NYC population - the priority with our sports division is less about salaciousness and more about using a forward-looking lens into the upcoming action of the coming days.

However, this is where Scribe would come in, right? Not exactly.

To quote MJD of the occasionally-referenced Yahoo! Sports blog, Shutdown Corner:

But we're now a couple of days removed from the breaking of the news, everyone's had their fun, and the initial gut reactions and pointing and laughing are out of the way. What I'm left with is a feeling that someone who isn't a bad guy could be going to jail for a long, long time.

And that's the truth, really. For those who have been dying to know, from the few interactions I've had with him, Burress really isn't a bad guy even if his personal travails cause the public to believe that he is. Internally, I've been wondering why hundreds in the sports media who have never been in the Giants' lockerroom suddenly have a strong opinion about Burress, the organization or the NFL's gun culture, even if they make valid points. In private, obviously, there have been very active discussions in the Clinkscales household about this matter. At work, it's been a point of conversation without a doubt. Yet, these discussions come about because this incident, as many involving professional athletes, actually unearths more layers about our society than we care to admit.

While questioning what has been going through the minds of Burress and his teammates, Antonio Pierce and Ahmad Bradshaw, we have also been asking about the law itself, which has made a dent in Mayor Michael Bloomberg's campaign for gun law reform.

We've been chatting about how Mayor Mike, whose controversial decision to repeal the term limits law through City Council instead of popular vote, may have cinched his third four-year stint if his calls to put Burress' feet to the fire are answered.

We've been talking about the 'average Joe/Jaquon/Javier/Jin' who got caught with an unlicensed burner back in 2006 is probably hoping that the mandatory 3 1/2 year sentence that Burress could face isn't negotiable because of his fame and finances.

We've wondered why hasn't there been an equal amount of scrutiny for a law that ideally prohibits a crime that usually puts more people in danger than what Burress committed; DUI.

We've been wondering why once again, society will close its mouth about the people next door doing far worse, but scream to the high heavens about another athlete's mishap.

Far more will be said, asked and turned into snarky fodder from people who salivate for something to use new material on. Just not here.

Instead, look here and here.

Because

Because folks who know of the Giants beat for the New York Beacon will ask; I don't have a clue what's with 'my boy' Plaxico Burress except that he's extremely fortunate that no one else was hurt besides himself.

Because sports media people beg for an athlete (active or not) without a filter; I believe that Charles Barkley was dead on in his comments about the ongoing LeBron James courtship (which besides long, will be as ingraiting and cluttered with disinformation as our recent Presidential campaign). However, because Barkley gets credit for adding his two cents, it should be known that one of the first people to criticize James was actually former NBAer and current ESPN analyst Jon Barry, who said that James should squash all of the talk by essentially saying "we'll cross the bridge when we get there".

Because Obama's greatest challenge in his Presidency will be creating a playoff; I present you the potential players in fufilling his wish.

Because I'm reading Tana French's The Likeness, her follow-up to In the Woods; I'd love to know if anyone has read or plans to read Sal Paolantonio's How Football Explains America.

Because as commented on Sports Media Watch; I'm trying to figure out which fan base and/or media personality started this so-called war between the NHL and NBA, one that makes little to no sense considering that the only shared characteristic is the type of building both leagues use.

Because this season, NFL defenses are looking like college football defenses (this is not a compliment); Judy Battista wonders what in the name of Jack Tatum is going on.

Because while Major League Baseball managers are rarely, if at all, considered as promotional vehicles for a team; I wonder if the Seattle Mariners will try to market new skipper Don Wakamatsu in any manner as being named the league's first-ever Asian-American manager will draw a lot of attention. Maybe they won't do so, but it's worth asking, right?

Because people tend to ask athletes to just shut up and play, regardless of personal and social opinions; I wonder why do we essentially give many musicians and actors a carte blanche when it comes to their oversized egos (especially since it's hard to deny that many are not as talented as the hype machines make them appear).

Because the holiday season has begun and you are a lady or know a lady that is looking for a different kind of handbag... and I promised to promote a couple of friends of mine.

Underdog

As promised, this New York Giants preview was published in this week's New York Beacon (the website should be updated soon). Since it's flying off the shelves (I hope), it's available on Scribe. It also proves that the photo on your right hand side isn't a fake.

Champs Still Giant Underdogs in 2008
By Jason Clinkscales

A future Hall of Famer retires. A much-maligned quarterback still has something to prove despite a terrific postseason. A talented player felt slighted to the point of forcing a trade out of town. And now, one of the most feared young defenders in the NFL is out for the season.

So how much more difficult could it be for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants to defend their crown?

Barely having grasped the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February and the Giants were looked upon as a team that will have a hard time contending for a playoff spot, let alone repeating this year. The Dallas Cowboys were considered the best team in the NFC last season and are widely considered to be the best team in the entire NFL this year. New Orleans is a chic pick for a title contender, especially after adding now-former Giant tight end Jeremy Shockey through a trade last month. The Green Bay Packers, the team the Giants beat to reach Super Bowl XLII, still has a formidable team even though the young Aaron Rodgers takes over for new Jet Brett Favre. Add the familiarity of division foes in Philadelphia and Washington to a tougher schedule and the Giants have enough factors going against them headed into the season.

General Manager Jerry Reese had an outstanding first year in succeeding Ernie Accorsi, Super Bowl withstanding. In 2007, he was able to fill team needs with quality draft picks such as cornerback Aaron Ross and backup running back Ahmad Bradshaw while signing two key veterans in linebacker Kawika Mitchell and fullback Madison Hedgecock. This year, he hopes to have close to the same success with a few additions. Kenny Phillips was Reese’s first pick in April’s draft; a free safety from the University of Miami who will be groomed to eventually start in a position that allowed too many deep passes over the past few years. As for veterans, Danny Clark was brought in to replace the departed Mitchell, who left for Buffalo. Clark will play alongside MLB Antonio Pierce and has an advantage of knowing Coach Tom Coughlin’s style as he played for him in Boston College and Jacksonville. Renaldo Wynn signed as a free agent as Big Blue wanted to add depth to the defensive line after the retirement of Michael Strahan. Wynn will be leaned upon a bit more after a season-ending knee injury to Osi Umenyiora in last Thursday’s preseason game. Though a returning Mathias Kiwanuka will be moved back to the line after being shifted to linebacker before being injured last year, Wynn and Clark will become major factors in shoring up the weakside of the defense, especially considering that the Giants will play top-notch offenses in Cincinnati and Cleveland this year.

Offensively, the Giants could actually be a better team than in 2007, even without Shockey. Kevin Boss will be one of several tight ends who will try to make up for Shockey’s production as a receiver and run blocker. It will be the most scrutinized position other than quarterback, but considering the depth that the Giants have at other positions, they may not have the pressing need to replace Shockey’s receptions. At running back, the productive trio of Brandon Jacobs, Bradshaw and Derrick Ward paced New York into playoffs last year. Provided that Jacobs and Ward can play for all sixteen games, expect the Giants to once again have one of the league’s best running games. The right ankle of Plaxico Burress will be key for quarterback Eli Manning to improve upon his heady play in those playoffs. The two connected for seven touchdowns in the first six games last year before injuries kept Burress from leaping for high and long passes. Yet, Manning has Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and the emerging Dominick Hixon to toss the ball to as well. Manning leaned on his running game and made terrific throws to his receivers within 20 yards in the four playoff games. More importantly, when the games got close, he, along with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride trusted their game plan as opposed to changing quickly to a hurry-up offense to get the passing game going. The same formula applies as the Giants will face tough defenses from Pittsburgh, Carolina, Seattle and Minnesota to go along with the NFC East.

There’s no rest for the weary or wounded, especially after winning the Super Bowl. Throughout the year, mistakes will be made and injuries will test the depth of this team. Even if the defense picks up the slack from the Umenyiora injury and the offense builds on their winter successes, the Giants will be underdogs more often than not just based on the talent from the rest of the league. Yet, this is a team that managed to win it all last year despite a 3-5 home record and criticism from every corner of the country. Be careful about counting them out again.