New York's Best

    For the past two years New Yrok Giants fans have been treated to two very dissapointing seasons. In 2009 the Giants started out hot to a 5-0 start and then stumbled their way to a 8-8 finish. Including two embarrasing losses to the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers in the final two weeks of the season. 2010 was no better as once again the Giants blew their shot twice at getting into the playoffs. Among the chances blown was an embarrassing and stunning come form behind win by the Philadelphia Eagles where they overcame a 21 point defecit in the final 8 minutes of the game leaving the Giants stunned. and out of the playoffs.

    However there is reason to believe that the Giants will be able to regain their rightful spot atop the NFC East. Let's start by breaking down the Giants. In 2010 there were flashes of brilliance that lead to the possibility of a bright fututre. One of the bright spots was a was the Giants running game which looked to have almost regained its earth, wind, and fire status from previous seasons (since then fire has taken over as starter, earth has become the bruiser 3rd down back and wind has left new york). Ahmad Bradshaw took over as starter and had the best year of his career but had a slight case of fumbleitis which looked to have cleared up by the last few games of the season. Brandon Jacobs got off to a rough start in his first year as a backup. He was caught up in a helmet throwing incident in Indianapolis and was rumored to have asked for a trade. Things picked up for Jacobs and he made his way to an ok season.

      Next was the bright spot of the recieving corps. Sophmore wide reciever wasnt only the #1 man on the Giants but was also one of the best recievers in the league. Before suffering an injury Steve Smith remained his status as one of the quietest yet stellar recievers in the league. Even Mario Manningham saw himself having a great season.

    Lastly we arrive at defense. Osi Umenyiora could have easily been chosen as the NFL's defensive player of the year by his stats. Osi recorded 12 sacks with 10 forced fumbles. That is the definition of a defensive playmaker. Justin Tuck had another great year earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl. Antrel Rolle was another Giant who made it to the Pro Bowl and he did it in his first year in New York. Kenny Phillips made a giant step toward better health by playing through a full season. Taser man Barry Cofield had an amazing year yet still flew strangely under the radar.  The corner backs of the Giants continued being strong as they have been over the past few seasons. The only weak spot on defense was the linebackers which most likely will be sorted out in this years draft.

  Taking these things into consideration poses no reason as to why the Giants should be able to make another run at the postseason and the division title.

   When Robinson Cano made his Major League Baseball debut on My 3, 2005 he was antother kid who looked to have a bright future coming up through the ranks on the Yankees farm system. Throughout the years multiple people have projected Cano to one day claim a batting title. After proving for the first four years that he clearly had the potential to do it, it wasnt until 2010 that he proved to everyone he was not only a legitimate threat for a batting title, but also a Most Valuable Player award.

   When Cano started the 2010 performance with a monster April that earned him the April Player of the Month Award it was obvious that Cano would be able to keep this up all season and Cano didnt disappoint. He continued surge all through the year projecting him to his first All Star Game start of his career. as if that is enough Cano also found himself directly in the middle of  the American League MVP race. After a vote was taken on MVP Cano wound up placing 3rd behing Texas Ranger's Josh Hamilton and Detriot Tiger's Miguel Cabrera.

    Even though Cano missed out on MVP he gained his second Silver Slugger award (2006) and his first and well deserved Gold Glove Award (.996 fielding percentage). He also posted a career high 29 home runs.

   However we are still yet to see the best of Robinson Cano. Recently I was watching a show on MLB Network  which was Top 10 Second Basemen Right Now. of course Cano was #1 but that is not what caught my attention. What caught my attention was  at the end one host stated that not only did he think Cano was the best 2nd baseman but he said Cano can possibly be the best baseball player in the world.  I couldnt agree more and what we saw in 2010 was just the begining of Robinson Cano.