A different perspective

Latest

SnatchSports Now Known as TheNewJerseyBoys.com

SnatchSports is undergoing a name-change. The new name will be TheNewJerseyBoys.com and you can access it here.

We will still bring our opinions and analysis on anything football/baseball-related, and we hope you’ll come along for the ride. As always, feel free to leave feedback and add your own opinions on anything we write.

To learn more about TheNewJerseyBoys.com, click here.

Thanks for all the support and we hope you enjoy the new site.

Weekend Road Trip: PNC Park

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

One of SnatchSPORTS own, Uncle Ralph, went to see PNC Park in Pittsburgh over the holiday weekend. He gives his account of the stadium and the surrounding area.

The Pittsburgh Pirates may not have the most talented team in baseball, but after hearing rave reviews about their ballpark (built in 2001) and its great location in the beautiful city of Pittsburgh, PNC Park was an easy choice to take in a ballgame. What made it better was the fact that it was Fourth Of July Weekend; what better way to celebrate the birth of America than enjoying our great nation’s past-time. The Pirates were in the middle of a 4 game set with the Phillies.  Read the rest of this page »

Happy Birthday George Steinbrenner

As we remember the founding fathers on this 4th of July, let us not forget “The Boss”, George Steinbrenner who turns 80 today. I am a known Yankee hater but have to respect a man who cared only about winning World Series. Anything else to him was deemed a failure. Since he has became owner in the early 1970′s, he has brought home seven World Series titles and a Yankee brand that is comparable globally with the Manchester United.

Happy 80th Big Stein.

Happy 4th of July

SnatchSPORTS will be on vacation through July 5th celebrating Independence Day and will return with a lot of new thoughts and ideas. Thanks for everyone who has come back after the long layoff.

Enjoy the 4th of July weekend and remember it is the best holiday of the year.

Beer of choice: Samuel Adam’s Summer Ale 

 

Thanks,

SnatchSPORTS

This Day in Sports History: The Launch of WFAN Radio in New York

As everyone else is worrying where Lebron James will go, SnatchSPORTS will be starting a new column, “This Day in Sports History”. Each day we will give you some sports history for the day. It can be a moment, an anniversary, or even a birthday.

Today, we salute Sports Radio 660, the WFAN in New York City. This day 23 years ago was the beginning of sports talk radio as we know it today. The WFAN provided around the clock sports talk with “Drive time” call in shows for fans to vent and give an opinion whether it was a trade idea or random thought. Read the rest of this page »

NFL Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars

2009 Jacksonville Jaguars jack jags

Offense: QB David Garrard struggled to start last season, throwing only 1 TD and 4 INTs in the Jags first 3 games (also sacked 9 times). After the minor blemish, Garrard really started feeling the offense and came into his own, only throwing one pick over the next four games. The problem last year was that they didn’t have a dominant group of receivers or even a clear #1 option, which hurt Garrard throughout the season, and put incredible pressure on the running game.  No Jags’ receiver last year had more than 3 TDs or 800 yards, which is exactly why they went out and got Torry Holt. Holt bring tons of talent and experience to an offense that’s on the brink of exploding. After 11 years of service, the Jags made a bold move this offseason by releasing Fragile Fred Taylor. Although the move was shocking, it was a good move for the Jags, as Freddy has obviously peaked and was taking up too much cap room. Taylor recorded his worst year in ’08, only averaging 3.9 YPC, and was taking too many carries away from Maurice Jones-Drew. The move makes MJD a top-3 RB in the league now. Remember MJD from ’06? 1300+ total yards, 5.7 YPC, 46 receptions, 15 total TDs? He’s back. The Jags also upgraded on the offensive line, grabbing Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in the first two rounds of the draft, and signing 3-time Pro Bowler Tra Thomas. Read the rest of this page »

Scumbag of the Week

For the week ending August 1st, I’ll be handing the illustrious Scumbag of the Week label to San Francisco 49er rookie wideout Michael Crabtree for his ghostlike performance at the 49ers training camp this week (i.e. he was a no-show).  The Texas Tech rookie is clearly trying to make a statement that regardless of the fact that he went 10th overall in the ’09 draft, his talent demands top 3 money.  The Niners seem to think otherwise.

Read the rest of this page »

What A Weekend

Another great sports weekend has come to an end. The trade deadline has now passed, training camp has begun, and we almost witnessed a four homerun game. Let’s look at the weekend  that was. Read the rest of this page »

NFL Preview: Baltimore Ravens

2009 Baltimore Ravens

Offense: The questions as to whether the team would flourish or flounder with rookie head coach John Harbaugh and the addition of a rookie QB Joe Flacco were answered last season when the Ravens ended up in the AFC Championship Game.  Coming into his second season with the purple and black, Flacco will unquestionably improve from his ’08 stat line as chemistry with his receivers should be even better in ’09. Baltimore didn’t do much in regards to getting Joe more weapons (aside from the addition of washed-up TE L.J. Smith), so it looks like they will be yet again be leaning heavily on the 3-headed monster out of the backfield.  The Ravens ended the season with a steady dose of Willis McGahee, LeRon McClain, and Ray Rice, and should continue using this style to free up holes in the secondary. If the plan holds up, Ravens fans may finally see Mark Clayton have a breakout season. Barring injuries, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Baltimore once again competing for the AFC crown this season.

Read the rest of this page »

Snatchsports Looks to Relaunch

Snatchsports will look to relaunch the blog after almost nine months away. The focus will center around the NFL, MLB, college football, and sports business. We will not give final score updates nor information that is what espn.com is for. Rather we will be giving new and exciting thought that is outside the box of your usual thinking.

Thanks,

Snatch

Photos from Camden Yards

New photos have been uploaded (left sidebar) from a weekend trip to Baltimore with a couple of buddies to see the Mets/Orioles series. Naturally, the Mets swept the Orioles.

 Enjoy

The College Football Shuffle

Over the last couple of days, the college football landscape has begun to shift. Nebraska and now Colorado will be moving to the Big Ten and Pac 10, respectively. As many experts have stated, the college football landscape will be forever changed. The Big 12 looks to be done, the Pac 10 now becomes the Pac 16, and the Big 10 will likely be at least 12 if not more, stay tuned.

Here are some of my thoughts on what may happen:

With the likely expansion of the Big 10 and Pac 10 we may be closer to an actual playoff.  The new “Pac 16″ will feature two divisions with obvious scheduling issues. The Pac 10 will likely try to push for two automatic bids into the current BCS system. This will likely eliminate any chance of a conference championship. If a playoff does occur, a championship game may be a must to get into a possible eight team national championship tournament. Read the rest of this page »

Headed to New Meadowlands on Wednesday

I will be heading to the new Meadowlands on Wednesday to watch the Jets work out. I will be giving a detailed report of what I think of the new digs for the Jets and Giants. 

Stay tuned.

Jets Fans Say NO to PSLs

The New York Jets have finally listened to their fans. After numerous attempts by the owner, Woody Johnson to keep PSL’s in place he finally caved. Prices were slashed up to 50% on many PSL’s in the lower bowl. It has been reported that the Jets still had 9,000 unsold PSL’s. Mezzanine seats have dropped from $15,000 to $10,000, while the lower bowl end zone seats have dropped from $5,000 to $2,500. Fans who have bought tickets in these sections, will also get the reduced rate.

 Jets fans have been screaming since Day 1 over the price point of the PSL. The Jets have been criticized for not taking care of the loyal fan base that dates back to its days at Shea Stadium. Read the rest of this page »

Big 12 Lives On

After a week of jockeying for the best move for the Big 12, the conference will end up staying as one. Yes they did lose Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac 10) but, they were able to keep a ten team league that will be able to generate more revenue through a new TV deal and keep the rivalries that have made the league special. Texas clearly is the reason the conference is still together. The commitment made by Texas and the patience shown by commissioner, Dan Bebee, is the reason the Big 12 will live on. In my opinion, Bebee deserves just as much credit as anyone because he never lost hope and gave a solution that works and will help each school make more money.

For a write-up of how it went down click here. Read the rest of this page »

Jets First Practice at the New Meadowlands

I had the opportunity to visit the New Meadowlands, home of the New York Jets and Giants during a free admission practice open to all fans. Over 12,000 fans had the opportunity to visit the new digs. The NFL made a great choice by picking the Meadowlands as the venue for the 2014 Super Bowl.

The hardest part for me, was to see the old Giant Stadium almost down to rubble. I spent over 80 Sunday’s there, cheering on my New York Jets and now the stadium is on its final legs. As I was leaving, part of the old spirals were I used to enter came down leaving me in almost disbelief that my next visit there it will be nothing but a parking lot.

I wanted to give a review of the stadium. Please take a look at my positives and negatives and give me your thoughts on the stadium. Read the rest of this page »

U.S. Soccer: Growing and Winning

20 years ago the United States National Team played in a World Cup for the first time in 40 years. The result was 0 wins and 3 losses. Since then, soccer in the United States has been growing and maturing slowly. People criticize the U.S. for struggling to win the World Cup over the last two decades but really it is not warranted. Much like a child, the U.S. has had its ups (2002 World Cup Round of 16 win over Portugal) and it’s downs (going 0-3 in 1998 finishing dead last).

Read the rest of this page »

Quick Thought on Edwin Jackson No-hitter

As everyone probably already knows from every sports new outlet, Edwin Jackson of the Arizona Diamondbacks has thrown a no-hitter.

Notes:

This is the 4th (should be 5th) no-hitter of the year.

The Rays have been No hit for the 3rd time in the last two years including two perfect games (Dallas Braden and Mark Buehrle. It amazes me that this team with such good hitters have been no hit that many times.

Edwin Jackson threw 149 pitches. Yes you read that right 149. I personally love it. Pitch count has become so ridiculous that once you throw 100 pitches your tired. He had 68 pitches through 3 and 95 though 6 but yet he got through it. Kudos to the manger A.J. Hinch for keeping him in where many, namely Joe Girardi, who would have pulled him in the 7th. Pitch count needs to be by pitcher, not by a made up number that sounds like to many.

Again, Congrats to Edwin Jackson. Who will be the next to throw a no-hitter this year?

Headed To Turner for Strasburg Mania

Hey everyone, I am heading to Turner Field tonight to check out the Atlanta Braves take on the Washington Nationals phenom, Stephen Strasburg. I will write a recap of what I saw and what I think of the kid after the game.

To follow me on twitter, click here.

Thoughts on Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg lived up to hype tonight with another big strikeout night while throwing 99 mph into the 7th inning. Unfortunately for him, his team could not score despite some early errors by the Braves. Strasburg struck out only 7 but was keeping hitters off-balance all night. In the 7th he got a taylor made 6-4-3 double play only to be booted by the shortstop, Ian Desmond. This opened the flood gates as the Braves went onto win the game 5-0.

Read the rest of this page »

Mid-Summer Classic- A.L. Starters

Hard to believe that the season is nearing its half-way point. This year’s All-Star Game will be played on American League ground on July 13th, not like it matters where it’s played, as the American League has feasted on the National League squad for the last 13 years, going 12-0-1 in that span (that 1 at the end of the record still doesn’t look right. Thumbs up Bud). This year may not be different. Let’s check out who I think will be taking the field for the A.L. team. Read the rest of this page »

Baseball Movies All-Star Team

Have you ever wondered what would be the perfect baseball squad using move characters only? This is the ultimate team featuring some of your favorite baseball movie personalities of all-time.  I will give your my starting nine, a couple of bench players, a starting rotation,  a bullpen, a coaching staff, announcers, and a stadium.

Let me know what you think!

 

 

Read the rest of this page »

Mid-Summer Classic- N.L. Starters

As former Jets head coach Herm Edwards stated, “You play to win the game.” If you’re a fan of baseball, you have to start asking yourself the question, “Are the National League All-Stars playing to win the game?” The last time that the N.L. won the Midsummer Classic, Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones were playing in their first All-Star Game. Can this be the year that the National League ends it’s 13 year drought and tastes victory? Let’s take a look at the starting N.L. squad in my eyes. Read the rest of this page »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.