Think back to the time long ago, when the New York Yankees were a family. Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, David Cone, Scott Brosius and so on would go through the trenches with each other. I could see these men living together if need be. Every game was a battle. However, the current day Yankees are a bunch of overpaid individual superstars who choke when it matters. The winning attitude present during the glory days fails to exist with today’s team. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a team. I can see Vladimir Guerrero, Benji Molina, Chone Figgins, Garret Anderson, John Lackey and so on being the best of friends.

During the opening pitch, an uneasy feeling of anxiety spread throughout New York, as Joe Buck announced Jaret Wright is expected to start Game 1 of the ALCS, providing the Yankees win Game 5 of the ALDS. Even as the Yankees jumped to a 2-0 lead, something felt awkward; almost like the poker player who wins early but leaves the table broke. Then, IT happened. As a matter of fact, IT was the Dell Defining Moment of the Game. A somewhat routine pop fly to right center field led to a disastrous collision between Bubba Crosby and Gary Sheffield. Start digging the graves…

It isn’t surprising that Derek Jeter displayed the winning attitude in Game 5 that was missing from the rest of the team. A homerun late in the game and a leadoff single in the 9th inning prove Jeter still has the drive. However, big name sluggers Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, and Hideki Matsui choked in the ALDS, plain and simple. The combined 12 for 56 the three power hitters put up is painful to look at. Moreover, Hideki Matsui leaving 8 on base brings a tear to diehard Yankee fans. The questions of “What If” will linger until April. The problem is that this team is not a family. No one is there to pick each other up. It is almost funny to think about Rodriguez, Sheffield, Matsui and Randy Johnson hanging out as friends and being one. Funny maybe, sad definitely. Long gone are the days of the Yankees being viewed as a family.

A Heartfelt congratulations must also be sent in the direction of George Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman. Good job changing the successful family philosophy, to one of grossly overpaid individuals. Why put so much money into a washed up Kevin Brown? Why seek out an overrated Carl Pavano, while true pitchers such as Tim Hudson go to Atlanta, and Mark Mulder to St Louis. Jaret Wright? Really? Did people really see this man succeeding in New York? Right alongside these failures stands Alex Rodriguez. Zero RBI’s and an average in the 140’s in the ALDS. This lack of clutch hitting is a disturbing trend with A-Rod, who continues to fail in the postseason. Will his legacy be remembered as a Hall of Famer with some of the best numbers in the game? Probably. However, after the 2005 ALDS, it is apparent that he may be remembered as a great athlete, who like many before him choke under pressure. Only time will tell. By the way, memo to Bernie Williams and Ruben Sierra: Thank you for your contributions, but your time is up. Retire now. In addition, let’s throw the spotlight on Mike Mussina, who did pitch brilliantly in Game 1. Thanks for the strong performance in game 5 though Money Man. Something is wrong when it isn’t even a surprise that a multi-millionaire starts for the Yankees, and can’t even go 4 innings. In fact, New York has not won a World Series since Mussina came to town. Curse of the moose?

The current version of the New York Yankees is sad and overpaid. It’s so sad, I almost find myself laughing when we have Boston garbage such as Mark Bellhorn in the game. Yes, Mark Bellhorn. This feeling after a disappointing season is one of true pain. It is almost as if a large pair of hands is wrapped around my throat, strangling me. As I grasp for air, I find myself in a similar state as the Yankees, who are now known as the team that chokes. Hey Steinbrenner, go back to the basics! Stop throwing money at the problems! When you started throwing money at superstars such as Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, and Alex Rodriguez, the rings stopped coming in. Individual superstar teams do not work. Look at the failed Lakers team, who started Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. Individuals. To be successful a team must be a family. Look at last season’s Boston Red Sox, they were a family. The remaining teams: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Houston Astros, and St Louis Cardinals are all families. In closing, it is time to look at the bright side of things; at least Eli and Plaxico look to be on point.

Let’s be realistic, the NFC is still relatively weak. Therefore, despite the Philadelphia Eagles embarrassing loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Andy Reid’s troops are going to be just fine. However, their window of opportunity is closing, and fans can already see the tides changing for next season.

The chances of both Brian Westbrook and Terrell Owens wearing an Eagle uniform next year is slim. Furthermore, the beatings Donovan McNabb seems to take on a weekly basis will eventually catch up with this warrior. While the Eagles are usually right there (4 NFC championship appearances, 1 Super Bowl appearance, 1 NFC championship in the last 4 years), something holds them back. In the same manner as the Boston Red Sox storybook drought, the Philadelphia Eagles have never won a Super Bowl. No wonder Philly fans are always so angry.

Another problem for the Eagles is that they play in the NFC East. This division, while weak in the past, is getting stronger every Sunday. In fact, the New York Giants are the highest scoring offense in the league. Eli Manning and Plaxico Burress is a legendary tandem in the making. Moreover, Tiki Barber continues to be the most underrated running back in the NFL. The final piece to the offensive puzzle, Jeremy Shockey brings a tough attitude, and hard nosed style of play necessary for a championship team. If the Giants can sure up there secondary, a Super Bowl contender will be born. Similarly, the Washington Redskins are a greatly improved team. Coach Joe Gibbs is instilling a winning attitude, and a never say never approach to the game. Just as he has done with previous Super Bowl teams, Gibbs is concentrating on defense, and a strong rushing attack. Clinton Portis is the workhorse the Skins can ride all the way to the playoffs. Finally, the Dallas Cowboys will continue to provide healthy competition, as any Bill Parcells coached team is expected to do. Drew Bledsoe appears to have discovered the Fountain of Youth, racking up huge numbers early on this season. In addition, Julius Jones has all the tools to become a big time running back. Oh yea, did I mention Bill Parcells?

The Philadelphia Eagles need to win right now. The organization is built for this season. Once 2005-06 is over, the Eagles decline will begin. Buffalo fans are crossing their fingers, hoping that Philadelphia fails. If the Eagles do not get a Super Bowl ring this year, Buffalo will get a free pass as the Andy Reid era will have a reputation more disappointing than that of the early 90’s Bills.

The preseason hype surrounding the Baltimore Ravens was amazing. Many respected analysts even had the Ravens going to the Super Bowl. As a result of Jim Fassel being promoted to Offensive Coordinator, and Derrick Mason being brought in as a #1 receiver, the Ravens were supposed to put up points this season. However, after Week 5, the season may officially be over.

Even though the Ravens were playing in Detroit Sunday afternoon, the crowded city streets of Baltimore were filled with purple and black. Many fans were flocking to local bars, who offer several drink specials during the Ravens games. A fan favorite is the cheap National Bohemian brand beer, brewed in Baltimore, and enjoyed on Sundays throughout the fall and winter months.

After squeaking out a win against a run down New York Jets team last week, Brian Billick and company looked to put a string of wins together against a struggling Detroit Lions team; minus Charles Rogers who was suspended this week for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Unfortunately for the good people of Baltimore, Week 5 appeared to be more of the same. On the Ravens first possession, Anthony Wright threw a crucial interception to start the game, leading to a rushing touchdown by Kevin Jones. Things did not get better for Baltimore, as Kevin Jones picked up a Joey Harrington fumble and the Ravens defense basically stood around as Jones took the ball within the 5 yard line. Overall, the Baltimore Ravens veteran team looked undisciplined in a 35-17 loss. The game was truly out of control as the Ravens racked up a team record 21 penalties for 147 yards. In addition, the four turnovers served as metaphorical nails in the coffin. The ejections of both Terrell Suggs and B.J Ward for contact with the officials were perfect illustrations of a team truly falling apart. It was sad watching, as 37 year old Deion Sanders missed coverage assignments, and got burned for a 77 yard touchdown run by Shawn Bryson. Seriously, wasn’t Deion considered done in Washington?

Last year, Brian Billick brought in former New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel as an executive consultant. This year, Fassel was promoted to Offensive Coordinator and promises of a new and improved offense filled the headlines. Although Jamal Lewis finally showed signs of his old self against the Lions, this incarnation of the Ravens offense appears to be one of the worst yet. It is about time the people of Baltimore start holding Brian Billick accountable for his decisions. The supposed offensive genius from the Vikings organization has made terrible choices during his tenure in Baltimore. If it wasn’t for Randy Moss and the spectacular Ravens defense over the years, Brian Billick would be without a job. This stubborn coach continues to put his stock in Kyle Boller (expected to return next week), even though Boller has proven he cannot get the job done at the NFL level. This is the 10th anniversary for the Ravens, who have yet to find the quarterback to run their offense. In fact, does the name Elvis Grbac ring a bell?

The Baltimore Ravens are a team with serious problems. This season is already a failure, and the feeling of a long drawn out season is apparent. 2005-2006 was supposed to be different, and Billick called on fans for their support this season. However, the team has shown nothing to cheer for this year. The true fans in Baltimore are left with a bitter taste in their mouth after the debacle on Sunday, and this time it’s not from the cheap beer.

The NHL is finally back, complete with a sleek new logo. Will this season take hockey back to the Promised Land? Probably not...

During last year's NHL strike, seemingly hundreds of fans expressed their disgust. Basketball owned the winter as a result of hockey being the only sport ever to miss an entire season. However, its 2005 and the NHL is firing back. The hardcore fans are flocking back to arenas, filling them to roughly half capacity. Iceheads across the continent are watching games on television every night. In fact, the NHL has chosen to cut ties with sporting giant ESPN this year. Games will now be shown on the Outdoor Life Network. How hockey fits into the outdoor life scheme is still unknown. Moreover, select games can also be seen on NBC sports. Yes, the NBC sports division is still around. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will be sleeping comfortably knowing that these two jokes are responsible for promoting the league's future household names. At least hockey is back in the American sporting spectrum, behind football, baseball, basketball, and NASCAR.