I Bid Ye Farewell

Former Giants LB Keith Bulluck has announced his retirement.

Bulluck spent 10 years with the Tennessee Titans before being signed by the Giants for a disappointing 2010 season.

Bulluck had 1,088 tackles, 298 assists, 18 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and 13 recoveries, 21 interceptions for 199 yards, and one touchdown in his career.

I genuinely though Bulluck would help the Giants in 2010, but he was limited to a part-time role at his age and never really had a defining moment. He was not retained following the G-Men's horrendous collapse in 2010.

I wish him all the best in retirement.

Bulluck sacks Big Ben in a 2010 preseason game

NFL Hot Stove

The Seattle Seahawks have signed former Jets WR Braylon Edwards to a non-guaranteed contract. He will report to camp and attempt to earn a roster spot.

Giants S Tyler Sash has been suspended four games for steroids/PEDs. Way to go...

The End of An Era

Former New York Yankees pitcher and longtime Cubs fan favorite Kerry Wood has announced that he will retire following today's game. Wood (0-2, 8.64 ERA in 2012) has struggled with injuries recently including shoulder fatigue and last year, a knee problem. Wood played the latter half of the 2010 season with the Yankees, where he was 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 24 games setting up Rivera. He played extremely well in his career and his 20 strikeout game in 1998 will always be remembered as one of, if not the, greatest debuts in sports history. Wood, 34, who signed a 1-year, $3,000,000 contract in January after Theo Epstein convinced him to return, THRIVED as a setup man and closer for the Cubs. In 14 years, (12 of which were spent in Chicago), he compiled an 86-75 record with a 3.67 ERA.

It saddens me that injuries have finally led to his retirement. Obviously, he never won a championship (too much time in Chicago does that to you) but he was one of the premier closers and setup men in the game, likely in history. I wish him all the best in retirment and hope that someday he will have the honor of number retirement (with the Cubs of course), and maybe, just maybe, an invitation to Old Timers' Day in the future...

The End of An Era

Former New York Jets QB Chad Pennington has announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the National Football League. Pennington spent eight years with the Jets, where he compiled a 69-61 record with a 66.0 completion percentage, finishing with a 1632/2471 TD/INT ratio, and 17,823 yards. He played very well for the Jets before signing with the Dolphins in 2008. He also made one 29-yard punt in 2006 for the Jets. Pennington had a great career and if it weren't for the numerous injuries, would have been (in my opinion) a Hall of Famer, however, the injuries detered and derailed his career. A significant shoulder injury in the first game of the 2010 season ended his season and eventually his career. He worked for Fox's NFL Sunday pregame show in 2011 and planned to return in 2012. I wish him well in retirement and look forward to hearing and seeing him on Fox next season and beyond.

Pennington celebrating with the Jets.

NFL Free Agency

Former Giants ILB/MLB Jonathan Goff has signed with the Washington Redskins. Goff played on the Giants from 2008-2011, but missed all of last season with a torn ACL suffered in training camp. Goff was never an electric player and with both Mark Herzlich and Greg Jones waiting in the wings, there was no chance of a return to Big Blue.

Goff in 2010 with the Giants. I wish him all the best in Washington.

The End of An Era

Future Hall of Fame Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has announced his retirement after 20 major league seasons. Pudge hit .296 with 311 home runs and 1,332 runs batted in over his career. He compiled 2,844 hits in 20 seasons. In 1999, he was awarded the American League MVP award for hitting 30 homers, collecting 100 RBIs and scoring 100 runs in baseball hitory. In 2003, he was part of the dramatic home-plate collision with J.T. Snow that sent the Florida Marlins to the World Series and an evenual victory over the Yankees. He was named that year's NLCS MVP. He also caught two no-hitters and was consistently ranked as one of the best defensive backstops of all-time. On July 30, 2008, Pudge was traded to the New York Yankees for pitcher Kyle Farnsworth. Pudge filled in for Jorge Posada that year, starting just 26 games of a possible 55 for them. Overall for the Yankees Pudge hit just .219 (21-for-96) with two home runs and three runs batted in. In 1996, 1998, and 1999 he played against the Yankees in the ALDS, losing all three series. He hit.273 against the Yankees in the World Series as Florida took the championship in six games, (which began my ongoing hatred of the Florida/Miami Marlins). In 2009, he surpassed Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk as the player who has caught the most games in major league history with 2,227. He had a 45.68% of runners caught stealing, a major league record. I first heard of him during the 2003 NLCS against the Giants and his dramatic collision with JT Snow to send the Marlins to the World Series. After defeating the Yankees, I grew to love Pudge, and when he eventually became a Yankee in 2008, despite his lackluster performance and replacing a fan favorite and Hall of Famer himself in Jorge Posada, I loved him even more. He will officially retire as a Texas Ranger on Monday. Now, with the most games caught in history, and with a reputation as one of the greatest all-around catchers of all-time, he will certainly be inducted to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2017, no doubt as either a Ranger, Tiger, or Marlin. Which team do you think Pudge should be inducted as a member of? The Marlins...

The Rangers...

Or the Yankees? (Did that get a laugh out of you?)

Hot Stove!

Former Yankees OF Johnny Damon has signed a 1-year, $1,250,000 contract with the Cleveland Indians. Damon needs just 277 hits to reach the 3,000 mark, which he vehemently states he will do before his retirement. He hit .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs with the Rays in 2011. I wish him the best on his quest for 3,000, which I believe will propel him to Hall of Famer status.

Damon hits an RBI single in Game 4 of the 2009 World Series.

The End of An Era

Former Giants RB Brandon Jacobs has signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. This marks the end of any possible respect I might have had left for GM Jerry Reese!

Do I even have to state my feelings on this? In just a few short moments, Jerry Reese went from being one of my favorite general managers to being one of my LEAST favorites!

The G-Men will NOT repeat as champions unless they learn a lesson. YOU CANNOT KEEP LETTING CHAMPIONSHIP CALLIBER PLAYERS WALK AS FREE AGENTS!

I have a feeling this will come back to haunt them in the end...

Adios, Señor!

Former Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez has decided on retirement after 13 seasons. Vazquez was 165-160 in his career. Vazquez made his debut with the Montreal Expos in 1998 and was the opposing pitcher during David Cone's perfect game on July 18, 1999, which is one of the best games I have ever seen.

Vazquez spent two seasons in New York. In 2004, he allowed the loss that sparked the greatest comeback in baseball history as the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 defecit to advance to the World Series. Afterwards, he returned to New York in 2010 and was even worse, alternating from starter to reliever. In his Yankee career he was 24-20 over two seasons.

With his strong finish in 2011, he is making the right decision to leave on top after his spectacular September.

Jets 2012: Righting the Wrong and Repairing the Rift

The Jets have many needs for 2012. I have already written about the desire for a new right tackle, and a new running back. Now, I must focus on their defense.

The Jets defense was a disappointment in 2011 and I was not surprised AT ALL.

With Sione Pouha lined up at Nose Tackle instead of Defensive End, the Jets can then move Muhammad Wilkerson to defensive tackle and re-sign a familiar face, reconciling a divorce that should never have occurred.

Shaun Ellis, longtime defensive end who was betrayed by Mike Tannenbaum in 2011, MUST return to man the end spot once again as he did SO well for 11 consecutive seasons. With Ellis, Pouha, Wilkerson, a new right tackle such as Mike Adams, and D'Brickashaw, the Jets could be a force to be reckoned with not only in the East, but the entire American Football Conference.

So, Mr. Tannenbaum...

Are you ready to win?

Hot Stove!

Former New York Mets OF Mike Cameron has announced his retirement after 17 seasons in the major leagues. Cameron hit just .203 in 2011 but did manage to hit 9 home runs and drive in 27 runs. Cameron spent a total of 2 seasons patrolling right field for the Mets, a stint defined by his collision with Carlos Beltran in 2005 in San Diego.

Cameron rounds third after hitting a home run.

Free Agent Punters/Kickers in 2012

Rian Lindell: Will return after the disaster that was the Dave Rayner experiment. (Adios Dave!)

Mike Nugent: The former Jet will be back in Cincinnati next season and beyond.

Nick Folk: If they brought him back after his PATHETIC 2010 season, they WILL bring him back after his WONDERFUL 2011 season.

Notable Free Agent Running Backs in 2012

Ray Rice: The Ravens would be idiots to even let him talk to other teams. He will be tagged and back in 2012.

Matt Forte: I can't see the Bears letting him walk and barring any setbacks he will be getting a large contract from DA BEARS soon.

Marshawn Lynch: The former Bill had a solid year with an average of 4.5 yards per carry. A re-signing with Seattle seems imminent.

Peyton Hillis: Averaging only 3.6 yards per carry, he was not as effective as previously, but seems like a guy whom the Browns like and may return if the price is right.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Many teams may look into him, but the Pats RB will be back in Boston in 2012.

Arian Foster: Oft-injured in 2011, he may be nearing the end with Houston if they want him to take a pay cut.

LT: The future Hall of Famer had a solid year, but was restricted by Schotty and Rex Ryan as they tried to experiment with Shonn Greene and Joe McKnight. He will not return and may retire after all.

Ronnie Brown: The Eagles have a talented group of guys and would be fools to let Brown walk, however, their bust of a season may make GM Howie Roseman think otherwise.

Hot Stove!

The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to sign RHP Luis Ayala to a 1-year, $925,000 contract with a $1,000,000 option for 2013 ($100,000 buyout). Ayala went 2-2 with an outstanding 2.09 ERA in 2011. His sidearm delivery made him both vulnerable and at times untouchable. This move can be a grand slam for the O's. I wish him well in Baltimore.

The Orioles will also sign former Yankees first baseman and designated hitter Nick Johnson. The oft-injured Yankee played last in 2010 and hit .201 in 225 plate appearances in the minors last season.

Johnson winces in pain after fouling a ball off of his leg. (He was probably later placed on the disabled list...

And fianlly, according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington will decide on the futures of P Tim Wakefield and Captain/catcher Jason Varitek sometime next week. They are the longest-tenured Red Sox in team history. It is widely accepted that both will retire, however, nothing is definite.

Bill Parcells- The Hall of Famer

The Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot has been announced. The induction will take place in August 2012 and among the many notable names is former Giants coach Bill Parcells.

Parcells officially retired in 2006 with a record of 183-138-1. He led the Giants to Super Bowls XXI and XXV. "The Big Tuna" was a 2-time coach of the year and the image of his gatorade dunking after Super Bowl XXI, the first coach to be so "honored" is immortal in Giants and NFL history.

In 1990, he led the Giants to a 10-0 start before losing Phil Simms to injury. Despite this, they narrowly defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19 to capture another title. After this he retired due to health problems, however, he un-retired and returned to coach the Jets and after retiring again, came back to coach the Cowboys after Jerry Jones convinced him to pull a Brett Favre again, and he coached the Cowboys. He finally retired in 2007 and accepted a position as Executive VP with the Dolphins, earning him the nickname "Football Czar", until 2010.

Parcells is a no-doubt, first ballot Hall of Famer.

Hot Stove

The Nationals have agreed to a 1-year deal with RHP Edwin Jackson. He went 12-9 last season, won a game in the NLCS, but got hammered in the 2011 World Series. For a team that needs to rebuild, this move is pretty solid, but if Jackson isn't able to hold up his accuracy, he will be in for a very early retirement.

RHP Livan Hernandez has signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros. The former Met was 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA in 2011, the first year he failed to pitched at least 200 innings in his career. This move keeps Hernandez, one of the greatest hitting pitchers of the deignated hitter era, in the National League.

NFL Offseason

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has been hired by the St. Louis Rams as their O-Coordinator. I wish him all the best in St. Louis. The Rams have also announced that they will play one game in London each year from 2012-2014.

Hot Stove

The Texas Rangers signed RHP Yu Darvish to an astounding 5-year, $60,000,000 contract with an option for 2017. He was 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA and 276 K's in 2011.

The Brewers have avoided arbitration with former Mets RHP K-Rod. He had previously accepted the arbitration offered to him last month to the surprise of fans, sportswriters, and honestly, I think even the Brewers' front office as well. Thus, they have avoided a sticky situation. He could still be traded before opening day, however. He is 9 saves away from 300.

The End of An Era

Longtime Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver and former Jet Derrick Mason has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the league.

He had 13 receptions for 115 yards with the Jets last season with only 7 first downs and no touchdowns. He did not score as a Jet and was cut after being dubbed a "distraction" by teammates, having little production.

The longtime Raven had 943 receptions for 12,061 yards and 66 touchdowns in his 15-year career.

Mason in his brief tenure with Gang Green.

I wish him all the best in retirement.

Niners Release Edwards

The San Francisco 49ers have released former Jets WR Braylon Edwards. He had 15 receptions for 181 yards for San Francisco in 2011.

His minimal productivity and personal problems have had their impact in 2011. I truly feel that Edwards could be a nice addition to a team in the postseason. While he is NOT a #1 receiver, he has the talent to be a solid #2 or #3 receiver on a playoff team with his experience. However, he must avoid problems in the future if he wants more chances. The ability I saw from him on the Jets in 2010 convinces me that he is a good complimentary player, but not a superstar.