Backed into a Corner

NFL Network reran the 2002 AFC Divisional playoff game last night in its entirety. While it was fun to relive the "Snow Bowl" game again and remember a couple memories that have faded over five years (converting a 4th and 4 in overtime, Larry Izzo recovering two consecutive Troy Brown fumbles), something disturbing caught my eye:

Tory James in his prime.

James, playing nickelback for the Raiders in the game, was one of the major reasons the Patriots were able to move the ball up and down the snow. He was terrible. He was giving Earthwind Moreland-type cushion to the Pats' street free agent wideouts. He was unable to keep up with Jermaine Wiggins' blazing footspeed. Ten times in the second half, Wiggins ran simple five yard outs towards James and Brady hit him.

James was 28 that night. It looked like he was heading towards a distinguished career as a defensive specialist with the Philadelphia Soul.

Today, James is 34 and is likely a starting cornerback on the Patriots' depth chart right now. If that scares me, it has to scare Bill Belichick.

He knows Eugene Wilson's name is already on Week 12's injury report (Questionable - Leg). He knows Randall Gay has an annual date with the IR around week 3. He knows Chad Scott is bald, Willie Andrews is a special teamer and some guy named Spann is also on the roster. He remembers Jeff Burris, Otis Smith and Terrell Buckley aging to the point where he had to cut them before the final preseason games. Duane Starks gives him nightmares.

If Coach Bill knows all these things, it can't be long before #22 is back. EVERYONE is calling this team a Super Bowl contender. There are no weak spots on this team. The third string punter is ripping up NFL Europa. Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell, starting wide receivers on the second best team in football last year, could both be cut at any time. The offensive and defensive lines are young, talented and under long term deals.

As fantastic as the team is, if Peyton Manning is throwing target practice, a repeat of last year is a good bet. And Asante played in that game and even scored seven points himself.

In his last two games against James' Bengals, Manning has thrown for over 600 yards and seven touchdowns.

Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne staring into the eyes of Ellis Hobbs and Tory James?

That's scary.

Do what's necessary Bill: Resign Asante. Make number four official.

JD Drew: The Face of Baseball's Demise?

Meet Greg Dobbs.

If you've met him before, you're either from Philadelphia, involved in an NL East only fantasy league or Tim Kurkjian.

Greg's a hard working guy. He's left-handed. He is an adequate defender at multiple positions. He is a career .260 hitter and turns 29 in a few weeks.

On January 16, 2007, in a move that warranted one line of Associated Press copy, Dobbs was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners by the Philadelphia Phillies.

His salary for the year, right around the veteran minimum, is $385,000.

Ten days later, in a move that took weeks to complete, the Boston Red Sox signed outfielder J.D. Drew to a multi-year contract.

His yearly salary, one of the highest in sports, is $14,400,000.

I think you know where this is going. Here are some season statistics, entering today:

Games: Dobbs 49, Drew 49

At Bats: Dobbs 101, Drew 161

Batting Average: Dobbs .267, Drew .224

Doubles: Dobbs 6, Drew 6

Minor Injuries: Dobbs 0, Drew 12

Triples: Dobbs 1, Drew 1

Home Runs: Dobbs 3, Drew 2

RBIs: Dobbs 22, Drew 17

Stolen Bases: Dobbs 1, Drew 1

Slugging %: Dobbs: .495, Drew: .311

Vacation Homes: Dobbs 0, Drew 7

Positions Played: Dobbs 5, Drew 1

Dobbs-Drew is a pretty fair fight. It's just one illustration of why baseball will never again be America's pasttime.

The scariest part of this? If you asked Theo Epstein today, in a secluded room with a polygraph machine, if he could go back in time and a) claim Dobbs off waivers or b) sign Drew, he would choose Drew and the lines wouldn't jump.

It doesn't even make any sense that people reference the financial aspects of J.D.'s contract. Money no longer means anything to the Red Sox. Nothing. If the Sox were seven games out today, Theo would be hammering out a deal at the draft for Rocco Baldelli, Jermaine Dye or Torii Hunter.

The Yankees invested over 100 million dollars into Tampa Yankees ace Kei Igawa, recovering steroid user Jason Giambi, all-star outpatient Carl Pavano and a 45-year-old man with a fatigued groin.

What could possibly be next?

Probably Mark Teixiera. Maybe Todd Helton. Perhaps Carlos Zambrano.

Is there any chance A-Rod and Andruw Jones are playing anywhere outside of New York, Boston or southern California? That would be stunning.

The only answer is a salary cap and that will never happen. Even if contracts became non-guaranteed (they won't), little would change. If the Red Sox cut Drew (they wouldn't), the Mets would sign him to a 5 year, 50 million dollar contract tomorrow.Baseball has officially become an auction for four or five rich people.

Sure, the Marlins won the World Series in 2003 and the A's and the Twins are competitive. But those teams are just training grounds for the league's elite. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels and Dodgers won't win every world series for the next 100 years, but they'll be the favorites every year.

What fun is that?

I still watch every Red Sox game, still root for them and if they hang fifteen more banners in my lifetime, I will be happy. I'll even hold out hope that J.D. Drew turns it around and becomes what Theo & co. thought they were getting.

Even if Greg Dobbs would have done just as well.