Mick Corcoran from Three Miles Out Discusses Cleveland Sports

It's tough these days to root for Cleveland sports teams, but those who do root keep on doing so, hoping that the elusive title will someday actually happen, which would be the first since the Browns in 1964. We had the chance to talk to bassist Mick Corcoran from hard rocking Northeast Ohio based band Three Miles Out about the state of the Browns and the Indians:

Musicians Talking Sports: How did you feel about Eric Mangini coaching the Browns before the season, and how do you feel about him now?

Mick Corcoran: Trust me when I tell ya, Eric Mangini is the coach we’ve been waiting for. We have to be patient because it’s going to take three years. There’s no way around it. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the Jets record, and that’s where we will be in three years. Just like Tom Coughlin did with the Giants, Mangini is infusing discipline into this team and purging the dead weight. It’s going to get better, just wait. Will we be drafting a new quarterback this year? All signs point to yes. I’m a big Derek Anderson fan and he has the third strongest arm in the league but he’s not going to be the long-term guy. Mangini will draft his guy this coming draft and then it will be a two-year wait for him to mature. In the third year, look for the Browns to begin contending. Jamal Lewis may be losing a step. Maybe Harrison should be the go to guy. Let’s see some more versions of the wildcat. Get your best player Cribbs in the game. I went to KSU while Cribbs was our quarterback and his arm can bring you some variety in the wildcat formations. We only saw the wildcat for one yard today. Use it more! That brings me to the offensive coordinator. His play calling is unimaginative and bland. How about some play action passing plays to offset the run? Maybe don’t always run on first down. Take a shot down field from the shotgun. Try to imagine how the defense is going to react and scheme something to catch them off-guard. I would take out every pass play under ten yards. Make the receivers step out at least 12 yards then catch the ball! Get a first down. And when Heiden gets better, have him run some of Winslow’s old plays. Move Royal to the other side and make him block.

Here’s your team philosophy…. are you ready? Spread the ball around to all the receivers go back to them if they drop a ball, then run the football around the outside with Harrison and use the wildcat to supplement near the red zone. Finish the red zone offense with Jamal Lewis like the BUS Jerome Bettis did for the Steelers, Make Jamal the smash mouth power touchdown machine.

MTS: Who are one or two bright spots on the Browns right now?

MC: After you get your quarterback in the draft, then draft all defense and then pick up another tight end and good receiver in free agency. In fact, remember who told you this, there is no salary cap in 2010. So have Lerner open up the checkbook and out spend everyone and put a dynasty team on the field that will last for years. It’s time to think dynasty. We should strive to build the #1 defense and a top ten offense and soon after, we’ll get the sausage.

MTS: Now that the Browns have one win how do predict they will finish the season?

MC: They might get one or two more victories. But I’m looking at those HIGH draft picks, and we have seven extra picks this coming draft. Our quarter back is coming…Tebow?? Lerner should infuse our scouting staff with large amounts of money and attract the best talented scouts. We need more out of our drafts and this is the year to do it. We need the most respected scouts scouting for the Browns.

MTS: How angry am I that our two CY young award winners are pitching against east other in the World Series?

MC: Open letter to the Dolans: Be a team that retains talent especially when it’s from our own farm system. Don’t preach to me that you going to build a team on pitching and then when we grow two CY award winners you trade them!!! You want to win? Then keep your talent, and add to that talent! Pitching and more pitching, and then go get the best hitters out there and then you’ll see some results. Imagine if we signed MANNY and kept CC and kept CLIFF LEE. How much better the last few years might have been additionally, our payroll would still be under what it was in the late 90’s? The Dolans will never bring us a championship unless they have amazing luck in all their moves. That kind of luck doesn’t exist; it leaves true baseball fans stinging from budgetary failure and cheapness year after year.

Three Miles Out is wrapping up a new acoustic album and continues to tour regionally in NE Ohio. Check them out at www.threemilesout.com

Singer/songwriter T Jay Gives Us 5 Reasons Why the Yankees Will Win the World Series

After receiving a Division One Scholarship, singer and songwriter T Jay's life was 24/7 Baseball. T Jay always loved music and played gigs on the side to make extra money while he was in college. However, one winter during the off season his music started to take off and he hasn't looked back since. For more information, please visit www.myspace.com/tjaymusic. Meanwhile, we knew T Jay was a big Yankees fan, so we asked him to give us 5 reasons why his team would win the World Series, which kicks off tonight with the Yankees taking on the Phillies.....

Although I might be a Yankee fan, I'm a baseball fan first. And to tell you the honest truth, I think its going to be a really great series. Both teams are top of the heap in almost every category. I think its really going to depend on pitching performance as well as who gets hot and stays consistent at the plate. I'm not sure how this is going to turn out, but here it goes...

1. Pitching - pitching is always key. CC (Sabathia) has had a great year, so they'll be looking for a big win from him. Pettite (despite the Angels loss) looked great in his last outing. One area where the Phils might falter is in Pedro (Martinez). He admittedly has struggled with the Yanks. But nonetheless, he's still a great pitcher with some great stuff, so its tough to count him out.

2. Bullpen - Mariano Rivera...there's not much more you can say about a guy who boasts the numbers he does. Let's not forget he only really throws ONE pitch.

3. Jeter - No one plays ball like Derek Jeter. There's no one else in baseball anyone would rather have at bat with the game on the line.

4. A-Rod - No one can deny the guy's been hot. Provided he keeps his momentum, he'll be difficult for the Phils to get around.

5. Recent hitting - the couple players, namely Mark Texiera and Robinson Cano who have not been as hot as we have liked so far, appeared to show signs of momentum in the past few games. Particularly Cano, who has been hitting a lot of solid line-drives. When all the pistons are firing, the Yanks are unstoppable. If the cooler hitters get hot, they could cause big problems for the Phils.

Although my pick is the Yanks, I have to say I think its going to be a great series. I doubt there would be a blowout by either side.

Dan Dinsmore from the band Owl talks Yankees baseball

Rock band Owl is the side project of The Cult bassist Chris Wyse, but that's not what we're here to talk about. That's just a table setter for drummer Dan Dinsmore of Owl, who is a huge New York Yankees fan. The Yankees are in the ALCS, planning to face the Los Angeles Angels this week to determine who goes to the World Series. We had the chance to talk to Dan about the Yankees' sweep of the Twins and what he thinks lies ahead....

Musicians Talking Sports: Did you anticipate a 3-game sweep against Minnesota?



Dan Dinsmore: Yes, I knew the Yankees would sweep.



MTS: Did the Twins scare you going in based on how hot they've been the last few weeks?



DD: No, not at all. We have a big vibe going on in New York, and this team is on a different level.



MTS: What would another championship mean to the core of vets on this team like Jeter, Posada, Rivera and Pettite?



DD: I think it would add to the legend that this is a consistent team and these players create magic. And the Yankees are creating a new decade of being the team to beat.



MTS: Do you think the Yanks would be in this position if they hadn't acquired CC Sabathia?



DD: Yes I do, I believe this organization would have done really well. However CC is awesome and he has been everything we hoped for.



MTS: Your prediction for the rest of the postseason?



DD: Yankees over the Angels in 5 games. Torre and the Dodgers then come to New York.


(Dodgers manager Joe) Torre gets greeted like a king, and Manny (Ramirez) gets his ass handed to him. Yanks take it in 6, and all will be beautiful.

For more information on Owl, including information on the band's recently released self-titled debut, please visit www.owltheband.net

Ludo's Tim Convy says not to count the Cardinals out just yet....

Tim Convy of the rock band Ludo is one busy man. In addition to touring and recording with one of the hottest bands of the last 18 months, Convy and some of his band mates have spawned a side project, The New Heathers, as well as sign acts, including Houston based Without a Face, to their own Redbird Records imprint. Somehow, dude finds time to kick ass in fantasy baseball (he had to mediate a clubhouse squabble between Matt Cain and David Wright after the former beaned the latter) and follow his beloved Cardinals. We had the chance to talk to Tim about the one that got away on Thursday night and on staying alive today in Game 3 against the Dodgers.....

Musicians Talking Sports: Did you think Matt Holliday should have caught that ball, and do you really think it was because of the white towels?

Tim Convy: Of course! I think everyone including Matt Holliday thinks he should have caught that ball. And yes, maybe it was because of the white towels, but that's a part of the game. Holliday missed the catch. There was nothing unfair about it. I know Wainwright was upset about the towel thing, but if I had pitched the game he pitched and watched it all go to hell in the 9th, I'd be pretty irrational too.

MTS: Now that the Dodgers have escaped Carpenter and Wainwright, how do you see Game 3 shaking out?

TC: I think (Joel) Pineiro has it in him to pull it out. And we can't underestimate the advantage of playing at Busch Stadium. The Cards haven't been playing poorly. We're getting hits, we're making plays, we're just not winning. I don't think the the Dodgers are a better team, I think we've had some bad luck and we've made a few mistakes that they haven't.

MTS: Also how do you see the rest of the series playing out and why?

TC: We're going to take the next three. I'm going to Saturday's game, and being a life-long Cardinals fan, I have no other choice but to BELIEVE!

For more information on Convy's projects, please visit:

www.ludorock.com

www.redbirdrecords.com

www.myspace.com/thenewheathers

Ari Hest Previews the MLB Playoffs

Ari Hest is one of those rare individuals who excelled at both a sport (baseball) and music (he's an awesome singer/songwriter). In other words, he's the perfect candidate to talk about baseball for this blog, and we had a chance to ask Ari to predict how he thinks the divisional playoffs will shake out. Here is what he had to say....

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies--Ari says: "Phillies in 3 - I love the Rockies this year, but I think they're due for a letdown. They've been overachieving all year and I just don't see them getting past philly. Cliff Lee was a huge pickup."

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers--Ari says: "Cardinals in 5 - This one is really tough. I'm not crazy about either team, but (Adam) Wainwright and (Chris) Carpenter have been through it before and I think that gets them the win. Expect a lot of low scoring games that are settled late."

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers or Minnesota Twins--Ari says: "Yankees in 5 - my Yankees have looked dominant for a while now, but they'll run into some trouble with either team here. I expect them to drop games 2 and 3 and finish with wins in games 4 and 5."

Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox--Ari says: "Angels in 4 - The Angels to me are the most exciting team in baseball, and the Sox are hard to trust this year. They'll win big at Fenway in game 4."

Ari Hest is touring in support of his latest album, Twelve Mondays. The album is available through www.arihest.com (which also has tour dates and more info) or on iTunes.

Roots reggae artist Tarrus Riley Talks About His Favorite NBA Player, Allen Iverson

Roots reggae singer-songwriter Tarrus Riley resides in Jamaica and loves basketball. Although cricket, soccer and track & field are the dominate sports of the Jamaican youth, Tarrus stands out on the island by cheering on his favorite NBA player, Allen Iverson. Tarrus gave us his comments on Iverson and his thoughts on his favorite player joining the Memphis Grizzlies recently......

It seems like yesterday Iverson was a rookie, crossing over Michael Jordan and scoring points like raindrops in the ocean. No one in my lifetime had his stature and toughness in his size. He was as unstoppable as Shaquille O’Neal in his prime and when A.I. got knocked down, he bounced up like a cat. However, he has a different story and is a different player today. After many championship caliber teams passed on him, it was announced two weeks ago that he has joined the Memphis Grizzlies.

Although he is on the downside of his career, my hope is that this season Iverson will give us all a glimmer of his basketball prowess from yesteryear. Perhaps it will only be a few games where he will shine, but I have faith. I am sure it is bittersweet for him to play on team in which he is the best player but has no chance for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. He may become the greatest NBA player never to win a NBA championship (hello, Karl Malone).

I foresee that Iverson will retire from the NBA after this season and turn his attention to his second love, football. Perhaps a quarterback coaching job awaits him at Georgetown.

For more information on Tarrus Riley, please visit http://www.myspace.com/tarrusriley

Oystein Greni of Bigbang Talks about skateboarding career that almost was....

Oystein Greni from Oslo, Norway was on the verge of a pro-skateboarding career when at age 16 he shattered his knee. Faced with a long recuperation, Oystein turned to music to pass the time and soon founded Bigbang, which has become one of Norway's biggest rock acts. Look for the US release of Bigbang's Edendale soon! Meanwhile, we asked Oystein to share his story with us....(photo at left by Tommy Solsadt)

I was a very skinny 11 year old wearing a The Who t-shirt and two pairs of Levis to make my legs look thicker. Since skateboarding was against the law in Norway (at the time), the scene was attracting a lot of anarchists and punk rockers. Very scary at first, but once you kept showing up at the ramp and tolerated nonstop snaking and verbal abuse, these people became both mentors and much needed soulmates. The story of these skateboarders of Oslo who helped raise me and a few of my best friends is to me as important and inspiring as any "coach-kid" story out there.

In the winter months, we would pour acetone on the frozen plywood in the bottom of the ramp and burn it dry, the fumes would make me really dizzy. Some guy would bring his tape player, and that´s how I got to love bands like Badbrains, Black Flag, Fugazi, Dinosaur Junior, descendents, Cro-mags etc... it was like jazz..you needed to listen a few times before you got it,
at first it just sounded evil.

To me, Chris Miller was skateboarding; speed, style, and the longest alley-oops ever...don´t get me started... you had guys doing all these tricks; lean airs, frontside airs, fastplants, indy airs.. and then you had Chris Milller doing the same tricks and they became more interesting than
540s... at least in my book. Steve Claars fronstide ollies and andrechts were amazing too!--Oystein Greni

For more on Bigbang, please visit www.thebigbangweb.com or www.myspace.com/smallbang

Renowned Bassist/Artist Kasim Sulton Talks New York Yankees Baseball

Kasim Sulton is acknowledged as one of the top bass players in the pop and rock music spheres. A long time member of Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Sulton has also done stints touring the world and recording with Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, Hall & Oates, Patti Smith, Cheap Trick, Mick Jagger and The New Cars among others. Now Sulton is heading out on the road again, zig-zagging solo performances and with his own band in between concerts with Todd Rundgren/Utopia as they perform Rundgren’s ground-breaking album, A Wizard A True Star, in its entirety. Most recently, Sulton released a 2-CD solo album, All Sides, as well as a live DVD, An Evening With Kasim Sulton…Live In Atlanta.

Sulton is also a huge New York Yankees fan and we caught up with him recently to talk about his team:

Musicians Talking Sports: So did you think the Yankees would have this great a season all along or were you concerned when the Red Sox kept beating them early on?

Kasim Sulton: There are two ways The Yankee's seasons have gone over the past few years ..... Start strong, finish weak or, start weak, finish strong. This season was slightly different. The first game of the season was a rout then ... they regrouped and came back to consistently make decent showings. 18 consecutive winning games by June 1? Pretty good if you ask me. It's been up and down since then but look at where they are here in the middle of September. Looks like they'll win the pennant.

MTS: Who do you think the MVP of this team is in 2009?

KS: I kind of don't buy into the whole MVP concept. I'd have a hard time picking one player who was more valuable than another.

MTS: Which team in the National League scares you most when thinking about who the Yankees could potentially face in the World Series?

KS: St. Louis.

MTS: Have you been to the new ballpark and what are your feelings about it?

KS: I took my son to the new Stadium in April and it was a thrill. Didn't seem like there was a bad seat anywhere. Opposed to the old Stadium where the nose bleed seats were impossible to get a sense of "being there." Other than the ridiculous price of a hot dog and soda... I loved it.

For more on Kasim Sulton, please visit www.kasimsulton.com

Tank of Common Enemy Has Advice for the Eagles' Andy Reid

Do you miss the days when real hardcore punk existed? In other words, when there was no hope of a mega-record deal and a cushy tour bus to rest your head in? In other words, you had to do it all for the sheer love of being an outcast and rubbing authority figures the wrong way. Reading, Pennsylvania-based Common Enemy know exactly how you feel, and have just released an avalanche of vintage hardcore punk this past week in the form of Living the Dream. We had the chance to ask drummer Tank what he thinks about his Philadelphia Eagles chances this season.......

GO EAGLES! As you can tell I'm a big time supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. I think that they have and always had great potential. But, I think this season is going to be just like every other season. Seriously, come on Andy Reid, enough is enough! You're predictable; it’s the same thing year after year. Mix it up a little bit! Throw the competition for a loop. Do some plays that they won't expect.

You have Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb, two great quarterbacks (both with flaws) but that’s beside the point. Use them both in the game. They won't know who to cover. Come on now! Throw the ball to show us they're worth the money. If Reid keeps using the same old tactics this season will play out the same as any other year, but if he comes up with some crazy new tactics our Eagles could fly to victory!

For more on Common Enemy, please visit www.myspace.com/commonenemy

Andrew Wetzel from Attack Attack! Talks Ohio State football.....

Calling Columbus Ohio home, the young band Attack Attack! is known for their amazing live show, catchy sing a longs, and their loving relationships with their growing fan base. Blending metalcore with pop and a dash of electronics, AA has found their niche. Starting out in August 2007 they have quickly made a name for themselves in the music scene. The band signed to Rise Records in June of 2008, and shortly after went into Foundation Studios to record their debut full length album Someday Came Suddenly with upstart producer Joey Sturgis (The Devil Wears Prada, My Children My Bride). Racking up 29,237,477 plays and counting on Myspace, AA is proving to the music industry and the scene that they have what it takes to be successful.

Drummer Andrew Wetzel is a huge Buckeyes fan, naturally, and we asked him to give us a glimpse into the 2009 season for OSU:

I think OSU will be a two-loss team this year. They lost too much talent to really make a huge run at the national title, but this year is super important in the sense of their credibility. If OSU loses to USC at home this year, all of the talk about them not being able to beat big teams will be confirmed. So the USC game, in my opinion, will be the biggest game of the season. If OSU beats USC people will start to look at OSU again as a more legit powerhouse as well as the whole Big Ten, which hasn't been the case in the last ten years. But I also think if OSU beats USC it will help the team out mentally so much because they will think, "Oh we can beat big-name teams," and if that happens there is a very good chance they will be a national title contender. But I mean, everyone knows Florida will win again because they just have way tooo much talent.

Check out more from Attack Attack! at www.myspace.com/attackattack

Billy and Seth from Breaking Laces Debate Giants/Patriots

Tonight the Giants and Patriots square off in the preseason in a rematch (well, not really) of Super Bowl 42. And with many sports writers predicting a real rematch of that Super Bowl this coming February, we thought it might make a good debate as to why each of these teams would get there and win. It's even better when the two people debating this are members of the same band, New York City alt-pop trio Breaking Laces. Take it away, boys......

Five Reasons’s Why the Patriots will once again be Super Bowl champs
By Willem Hartong

It isn’t much of a stretch in this day and age to say the Patriots have a shot to win it all. But after reading my hackneyed and couch chump analysis, I’m sure you will agree it is mortal lock. So hand over the Lombardi trophy and let’s start giving the WNBA the attention it deserves cause this one is over.

1. Bill Belichick--I don’t like him. In fact I’m not sure he would even make my list of five people I’d invite to dinner. But if he did make the list, I would sit him next to Jesus so he would behave himself. Bill could also bring some video camera equipment to tape the whole proceeding, so maybe I should consider him.

But under the current system of the salary cap no one has proven themself more adept at putting a team on the field that is the strongest 53-man roster in the league year in, year out. What also makes the entire team dangerous to the opposition is the system into which they are inserted. With money being tight on occasions, Belichick has always found a way to pick up undervalued players and put them in a limited role to succeed. In fact every year the Patriots release players and I find myself scratching my head as to why. But for the money it would have required to retain this player they pick up three more and fill not only the gap left by the departing player but two other gaps which were vacant as well.

2. Joey Galloway, Fred Taylor, Tully Banta-Cain, Chris Baker and Shawn Springs--
Barely know who these guys are and frankly don’t care, but I can assure you they will be a pivotal part of the Patriots success this year. Why does Vrabel have to go? This is why.

3. Tom Brady--We all know about his prowess on the field and that this guy simply wins, but let’s talk about his off field stats. Good looking guy, lots of money and an illegitimate child. Sounds like a rock star resume to me. Plus he’s had a whole year off. So now he can not only beat you at football but Guitar Hero as well.

4. Kevin Faulk--While teams are out trying to stop Randy Moss, Wes Welker and our running back committee, this guy will continue to do what he’s always done. Make clutch third down conversions while rflying under the radar. Plus he is a solid punt returner too. Kind of reminds me of Troy Brown. And like Troy, he’s a little guy. And let’s be honest, most of us are little guys, so how can you not root for the little guy who gets it done.

5. 11-5--After losing their franchise quarterback the first game of the season, the Patriots still managed to finish with an 11-5 record becoming the first team in over 20 years to not make the playoffs while doing so. How close was this team last year and how different does it look this year?

Five reasons why the Giants will win the Super Bowl
By Seth Masarsky

We all know that Plax shooting himself in the leg cost us big last year, but as I hear it now Coughlin only allows the kickers and punters to carry firearms. Through a pretty dismal preseason I saw I lot I like and I look forward to meeting the Pats once again and driving Brady into and under the turf like a bulldozer crushing a fly with even without Spags heading the defense. So here are my five reasons that will happen....

1) Jerry Reese--The Giants simply have an amazing GM and we owe Reese and Accorsi our playoff tickets for putting together teams that are talented, deep and one the same mind. Once Tiki went haywire and Plax starting practicing self-mutilation, Reese stood his ground and just replaced everybody to the best of his ability. Sure the receivers are a question this year, but word is the Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden are making circus type catches in practice I’m sure one of them is going to step up. The other off-season acquisitions were pretty sweet as well, shoring up the defense.

2) Kenny Phillips/Jeff Feagles--Yeah the DB’s are questionable, but this guy is going to have a ridiculous season and keep offenses from throwing deep. I love this guy and word is he has the biggest “member” on the entire team. We’ll have to see where the special teams goes and if Tynes can kick the ball straight, but Jeff Feagles is so underrated and my personal favorite, though as far as his “member” he is, well, he’s very white. He’ll keep the field position together though and shoot that pigskin into the corners.

3) Defensive Line/Offensive Line--Man, are we stacked. I don’t see anybody in the league as sweet as these big guys. The o-line will be opening up holes for Jacobs and Bradshaw (who is deservedly going to get more reps) and with the new guys Canty and Bernard and Umenuyora back, the pass rush will back to shoving QB’s into the ground

4) Eli Manning--I’ve always looked at Eli like an ace major league pitcher, and not in a good way. He’s got his stuff most of the time but sometimes just doesn’t have it together and throws ducks instead of darts. Hey, four playoff runs in a row shows he’s got the talent to be top-notch, but I think this is the year he turns his consistency up and comes to play every Sunday. If he does that through the playoffs, we will be a force. Hopefully they’ll give him more of a chance to run a two minute type offense more frequently as that’s when he’s money.

5) Learning from Mistakes and remembering the past--After two very successful yet turbulent years, the G-Men aren’t going to forget what got them to the promised land and what kept them from it. The main thing here is they are going to have to get hot at the end of the season and keep it that way through the playoffs. Last year they started like gang bangers, but fluffed up the end of the season, only showing life against Carolina. Two years ago, they ripped up the road in the playoffs and rode the horses into the Super Bowl using all of their weapons. In 2009 they have retained enough veterans who are used to playoff type football and will bring it every Sunday. Plus, they once again are being viewed as underdogs a bit and Big Blue loves it.

Breaking Laces is gearning up to release a new studio album in early 2010, but in advance of that will be touring in October. The band will be selling a limited edition live album on that tour. And closer to home and closer to now, Breaking Laces will be performing at Brooklyn Industries on Thursday September 10 to kick off fashion week. For more information, please visit www.breakinglaces.com

Nashville's Rob Blackedge Talks Red Sox Baseball

Mississippi native and Nashville resident Rob Blackledge is releasing his debut album, Inside These Walls, on September 15 on One Revolution Entertainment. Rob is also a former baseball prospect who had interest from the Marlins, Braves and Astros before he decided to go to Belmont University, and later to become an aspiring recording artist. He made a good choice, because Rob's album, which is chock full of pop, rock, soul is one of the best debuts to come out of Nashville in a while. He's also a huge Red Sox fan, and we had the chance to ask Rob a few questions about the state of his favorite team:

Musicians Talking Sports: After the Sox started off dominating the Yankees, what do you think happened to make things drastically turn the other way?

Rob Blackledge: I think it was more to do with the "coming together" of the Yankees than any sort of disruption in the Sox gameplan. Let's face it. The Yankees have bought as many of the league's best players as they can. When they are firing on all 9, they are tough to beat. I think we had some pitching lapses, and the Yankees were on fire.

MTS: Do you think Big Papi starting the first two months of the season with no home runs had anything to do with, you know, steroids or lack thereof?

RB: I love baseball, but I'm a realist. I think he did have some adjusting to do.

MTS: How do you feel about the Sox trading for Billy Wagner?

RB: I think it has more to do with what Papelbon thinks. He seems to like the acquisition. Of course we have all known Jonny (Papelbon) to be a little testy at times but I think that if Wagner is used well and sparingly, he could be great in the postseason. That's what it's all about anyway. We are going to need 9 innings (or more) of solid pitching. 27 outs.

MTS: If the Sox hang on and win the wild card, how do you predict things will shake out in the playoffs?

RB: I think it comes back to a Sox/Yanks ALCS. They are the two best teams in the league. It's pretty easy to see. Anything that comes from the central will be a huge surprise, and again, like last year, I think we can handle the Angels. I was worried about them last year, but I think with our new bats and our consistent pitching, we will do well on the west coast.

Check out more about Rob's forthcoming album at www.robblackledge.com

Mike Montali from Hollis Brown Previews the 2009 New York Giants

New York Giants: Key Concerns for '09!!
By: Mike Montali, Lead Singer of Hollis Brown

So here it is, the end of August. Pre-season football in full swing. Players playing, coaches calculating, organizations praying, men counting down the days, and women counting down the days left until their summer Sundays with their husbands are sacrificed.

Luckily, like every other end of August for the last few years, it is good to be a Big Blue fan. Great, actually. We have a contender... a true powerhouse, smash mouth, in your face, football team. Yet, even though it seems casual and confident in August, there are still some worries that keep me up at night.....

3. The Absence of Steve Spagnuolo-Defense wins championships, and when the top defensive coordinator in the league leaves, you are always going to feel the effect. Even though Bill Sheridan is a good choice for replacing Spagnuolo, with 29 years of coaching (most notably as a Michigan linebacker coach) this is his first, I repeat, first, tenure in professional football as a defensive coordinator.

2. The Rookie Receivers-A team of unproven receivers is always a risk. The offense is stacked everywhere but the receiving core. With no big time deep threat, or convincing third down conversion scare, an offense can become very one dimensional and tank, as we saw at the end of last season. The young core is going to be good, but whether or not it will click this year, remains to be seen.

1. Tough Division-With every team in the NFC East having the potential to win 11 games, the Big Blue has got to win early against their division opponents. Six of the G-men's sixteen games comes against the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins. A tough schedule and an impossible NFC East is going to make it hard for any team to pull ahead. The Giants have no time to waste. Week 1 against the Redskins and Week 2 at Dallas are must wins or else whispers will fill the seats in East Rutherford .

Hollis Brown is releasing its self-titled debut album on September 1st on Vibe Theory Music. These Queens, NY natives are creating a buzz with their distinct mix of bluesy pop and gritty New York rock and are already being compared to artists such as The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and The Black Crowes. Possessing a seemingly endless supply of infectious melodies and a live show that has attracted a devoted following, Hollis Brown has distinguished itself as essential to the New York music scene. Please visit www.hollisbrown.com for more information.