The Monday Morning Quarterback

15 July, 2016

Brady's Suspension Should Concern All NFL Fans

Photo: ESPN

July 15, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady announced that he will not be appealing his four game suspension to the United States Supreme Court on Friday, thus bringing the long Deflategate saga to an end.

Brady was originally suspended for his role in the Patriots' use of deflated footballs in the 2014 AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts. The NFL's investigation determined that Brady was "more than likely" to have had knowledge of the deflated balls, but lacked any definitive proof. That didn't stop Commissioner Roger Goodell from suspending Brady for the first four games of the 2015 season anyway. A federal judge later overturned Brady's suspension and he appeared in all of the Patriots' games last season.

Feeling embarrassed, the power-hungry Goodell and the NFL appealed the judge's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, and got a favorable ruling last Spring. Brady and the NFL Players Association petitioned the court to re-open the case, but that request was denied on Wednesday, upholding Brady's suspension.

That left Brady with the option of appealing the U.S. Supreme Court, but after 18 months of exhaustive legal battles, the quarterback walked away from the legal process on Friday. Brady will miss the first quarter of New England's season, including games against Arizona, Houston, and division rivals Miami and Buffalo. Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is currently slated to start in Brady's absence. Read Brady's full statement, which was posted to his Facebook page, below, courtesy of ESPN:

Patriots owner Robert Kraft also issued a statement Friday, ripping the league and their investigation, and standing behind the quarterback who has led his organization to four Super Bowl championships since the 2000 season, saying:

"While I was disappointed with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision not to rehear Tom Brady's case, I am most frustrated that Tom was denied his right to a fair and impartial process. The league's investigation into a football pressure matter was flawed and biased from the start, and has been discredited nearly unanimously by accredited academics and scientists. The penalty imposed by the NFL was unprecedented, unjust and unreasonable, especially given that no empirical or direct evidence of any kind showed Tom did anything to violate League rules prior to, during or after the 2015 AFC Championship Game. What Tom has had to endure throughout this 18-month ordeal has been, in my opinion, as far removed from due process as you could ever expect in this country."

The players union has also been critical of the league and their disciplinary process. After their appeal was denied Wednesday, the Players association released a statement that read:

"We are disappointed with the decision denying a rehearing, as there were clear violations of our collective bargaining agreement by the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. Despite today's result, the track record of this League office when it comes to matters of player discipline is bad for our business and bad for our game. We have a broken system that must be fixed."

The NFLPA's statement is a bit concerning, as it appears to indicate that another labor dispute could be looming when the collective bargaining agreement, signed in 2011, expires in 2020. After all, the court's decision doesn't conclude that Goodall's actions have been just, only that they're allowed under the current agreement. The statement calls for the system to be "fixed," meaning a dispute between the owners and players is almost certainly brewing. For fans, however, this whole situation should worry them for reasons beyond the CBA.

The Patriots' success over the last decade + hasn't made them the most popular team outside of New England, and a lot of fans around the league are happy that the league is sticking it to them, but personal feelings need to be put aside here, because any team, coach, and player be the commissioner's next target.

If Goodell has the unilateral authority to come down this hard on Brady, coach Bill Belichick, and the Patriots, without any semblance of due process, then he has the same power to do it to Eli Manning, Ben McAdoo, and the New York, or any other player, coach, or team in the league, too. Will fans remain apathetic if Goodell goes after the Pittsburgh Steelers or Green Bay Packers next?

Under Goodell, the NFL and football are more popular than ever, but the commissioner also has a world's premier football association into the "No Fun League." With that, along with Goodell's authoritarian appetite, one can't help but wonder how much longer football will resemble the game we all love, and that should have fans across the country concerned.

Tebow To Bow At Trump's Alter? I Don't Think So

The Monday Morning Quarterback 8:20 AM

July 15, 2016

Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

Late Wednesday night, Donald Trump's presidential campaign released a list of speakers for next week's Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Being the showman that he is, Trump's list unsurprisingly included a number of celebrities, like former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who Trump's campaign team was confirming on various airwaves Thursday.

All of this was news to Tebow, however. Upon his return from the Philippines. The college football television analyst took to Facebook to dispel what he called "a rumor." Here's a look at the video Tebow posted, courtesy of News Express:

Trump's campaign has been accused of circulating disinformation in the past, but this has to be embarrassing. Tebow, an outspoken Christian, is a hero to the religious community, and Trump is banking on support from Evangelicals to win November's presidential election. So far, they haven't let Trump, turning out in big numbers for him in GOP primary elections, but this is surely disappointing for them.

Former GMU Patriot Is Turning Heads In Philadelphia

The Monday Morning Quarterback 12:43 AM

Photo: Fansided

July 14, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

Christopher Kline, of Fansided's The Sixers Sense, has released a list of "Five Summer League Sleepers That Could Make The Philadelphia 76ers" and guess who popped up at #2? None other than former George Mason Patriot Guard Bryon Allen.

Here's what Kline had to say about Allen:

"Like the aforementioned Paul, Allen has spent time overseas after a four year stay at the college level. Allen upped his production up to 15 points per contest during his senior season at George Mason, and is another well built shooting guard who could give the Sixers a boost in reserve.

Standing at 6-3 with a strong core, Allen could, in theory, man either the one or the two, but has a skill set that seems strongly geared towards playing on the wing rather than at the helm of the offense. He’s a solid 3-point shooter, hitting 39 percent of his shots from deep during his senior campaign with George Mason and solely improving upon that stroke as a primary option overseas. He won’t shoot much in isolation, but could certainly operate well off the ball as a kick out option to Simmons or one of the Sixers’ point guards.

Allen’s most effective offense comes when he’s attacking off the dribble. He utilizes his strength and explosiveness to work his way through the lane and finish around the basket with consistency that bodes well for his chances at the next level. When you look up the highlights of Allen playing, it’s consistent of two things- dunking and acrobatic finishes through contact. He’s extremely agile for somebody as bulky has he appears, and excels in terms of controlling his body after a foul.

Defensively, it’s tough to find a position for Allen but he seems to have the energy requisite of somebody who will find a way to be effective. He’s smaller than your typical shooting guard in today’s league and won’t be playing much point guard at the next level given the Sixers’ stress this offseason on compiling veteran help at the one and allowing Simmons to run the show. His strength should help him compete, though, and it’s likely to be far from a liability if Philly does take a flyer on the Italian League star.

Inconsistency will likely be a problem for Allen as well. His size disadvantage on the wing could cause some problems, and it seems probable that he will struggle to find his own shot off the dribble with the same proficiency that he has in Europe.

He’s another offensive spark off the bench who has the willpower and explosiveness to be well worth a flyer at the next level, and is somebody I’m sure Brett Brown and company are seriously considering."

The Sixers are a team in transition, with a couple of good young prospects, including last year's third overall pick Jahlil Okafor, and this year's top pick Ben Simmons, in the fold, but they aren't a group of established NBA stars. This could bode well for Allen's chances of making the team.

While he's still a long shot to be suiting up for the 76ers come opening night, Allen has played consistently well for their Summer League team, and people around the league, not just in Philly, have taken notice, I'm sure. Philadelphia's mostly inexperienced roster leaves Allen some room to sneak his way in, but even if he doesn't, don't be surprised to see him in the D-League this Fall, or perhaps even another NBA franchise will take a chance on him.

Regardless of what happens, Allen has represented himself well and made his alma mater proud.

Allen, the 6'3" native of Largo, Maryland, is vying to be the first former George Mason Patriot to play in the NBA since Jason Miskiri played three minutes in one appearance with the then-Charlotte Hornets (now New Orleans Pelicans) in 1999.

Rumors: Yankees In Discussions To Trade Miller

The Monday Morning Quarterback 6:12 PM

Photo: SB Nation MLB Daily Dish

July 12, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

A few weeks ago, reports were circulating that the Yankees were unlikely to trade relief pitcher Andrew Miller, but what's happening today was always inevitable.

With the trade deadline coming up and their season going nowhere fast, the website 12Up is reporting that the Yankees have entered into discussions with the San Francisco Giants for the talented 31-year-old's services, though nothing appears imminent. The two teams have also been in discussions about Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman.

The Giants have five of baseball's top-100 prospects in their system, including three pitchers, a shortstop, and a first baseman, but the two sides can't agree on what a fair deal. The Yankees' asking price for Miller, Chapman, or Dellin Betances is expected to be high, and rightfully so.

Of the Giants' top five prospects, two of them can be scratched from the Yankees' list. The team already has a shortstop on the rise in Didi Gregorious, and they plan to move forward with their own prospect at first base, Greg Bird, when Mark Teixera's contract ends. That leaves the three hurlers, who the two organizations apparently have differing opinions on.

Perhaps Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is just being stingy, but it's almost refreshing to see out of this organization.

The Yankees are in a pretty good spot here. They aren't desperate to deal anybody, and would likely be perfectly content finishing the year with all three of their big arms in the bullpen. While Chapman will be a free agent at season's end, the Yankees have the resources to bring him back via free agency, if they want to. They've really got nothing to lose by standing pat. However, there is the possibility of something to be gained by making a trade, if the Yankees can acquire prospects to build a future around. Cashman should listen to every offer that comes his way, but he should remain prudent as well. If the Yankees get the right offer from somebody, then they should pull the trigger. If they don't, then they should just move on.

Contrary to the Yankees, the Giants are kind of up-against-a-wall here. They have the best record in baseball at the All Star Break, but their bullpen is questionable, and the trade market is thin. San Francisco could be one Yankees reliever away from their fourth World Series title since 2010, and they'll likely have to make some tough decisions. That doesn't mean the Yankees have to make it any easier on the Giants, nor should they be in a hurry to make any deals.

A lot of people around baseball are under the impression that other contenders, such as the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, have better prospects in their farm systems than the Giants do. Cashman may want to check in with those two organizations, before coming to any conclusions.

The trade deadline is a time of year when teams who believe they have a legitimate chance to win the World Series, will do all they can to better position themselves to do so. Often times, it comes at a high price, but if you're the last team standing in November, is it worth it?

For many years, the Yankees were one of those teams looking to improve themselves for a postseason run, at the deadline, but things have changed and so has New York's approach.

The current Yankees regime is hellbent on reducing the team's payroll and building a championship contender from within. Doing that requires smart, well-calculated moves (sometimes well-calculated non-moves) in the front office. Cashman should put the other 29 teams on alert today, that everybody in his clubhouse is available for the right price, and stick to it.

If another team bites, and Cashman has the opportunity to improve his ball club, then great, but there's no need for him to rush into anything. The Yankees will be no worse off by standing pat.

Yanks End First Half On A High Note, And That's Their Problem

The Monday Morning Quarterback 3:17 AM

Photo: New York Post

July 11, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

The 2016 New York Yankees aren't a bad team. They're just not a very good one either, and games like the one they played on Sunday, should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Yankees knocked off the the American League Central leading Cleveland Indians 11-7 on Sunday, to take 3/4 in the series, and end the first half of their season on a high note. The team heads into the All Star Break at .500 with a record of 44-44, and currently trail the division leading Baltimore Orioles by 7.5 games. Two other division rivals, the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, are currently leading the wild card race, 5.5 games ahead of New York.

These numbers would lead one to believe that the Yankees are right in the thick of contention for the postseason, and therein lies their biggest problem. Up to this point, they're not a playoff team. They're only teasing you.

Anyone who has paid close attention to the Bronx Bombers this season, knows how inconsistent they've been. There are times when the team has looked really good, but they are far-too-often mixed with other times, where they've looked really bad, and after 88 games, it's safe to say they're going nowhere fast.

The Yankees simply lack the starting pitching and consistent hitting that are coming amongst championship contenders, but that doesn't mean the season has to be a lost cause. With the trade deadline approaching at the end of July, the Yankees have some very desirable trade chips that could demand a high value of return. For that reason, New York should look to be "sellers" at the deadline.

Right fielder Carlos Beltran represents the type of player that contenders covet. He's a veteran, future Hall-of-Famer with plenty of postseason experience, and still has some pop in his bat. He currently leads the Yankees in most offensive categories including batting average (.299, 18 points higher than his career average), hits (89), home runs (19), and RBIs (56). Sure, losing Beltran would be a huge blow to the Yankees' anemic offense, but at age 39, he isn't part of their long term, and teams who find themselves one bat short of serious championship contention, may be willing to pay a pretty penny, for his services.

The Yankees also have three dynamite relievers at the back end of their bullpen, and should seriously consider trading at least one, before the deadline passes.

This one is difficult to write. The Yankees' "big three" of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, and Aroldis Chapman have been the most exciting part of the ball club this season. They all have the ability to be Major League closers, and all three of them are young enough to factor into the team's future. However, at some point, all three of them will expect to be paid like big time closers, and it may not be wise to throw that kind of money at three different relievers. Furthermore, theres only room enough for one actual closer, even though it's likely that all three of them, at some point, would actually like to fill that role. So there's really no guarantee that these guys won't eventually leave the team in free agency, anyway.

Closers, and relievers in general, are of the utmost importance in postseason baseball, and there are a number of teams (the Chicago Cubs come to mind) who could really benefit their World Series hopes, by bolstering their bullpen. The Yankees have three of the best relievers in baseball, and several teams will come asking about them. It would be stupid for the Yankees to not consider moving at least one of them, if they can get back some highly rated prospects, who could ultimately be a big part of their future.

The Yankees have made it clear over the past couple of season that the days of George Steinbrenner are long gone. That may be tough to swallow, but the Bronx Bombers have no interest in overpaying players (in terms of money and length of contract) with the hopes of winning a few championships, before said players break down with multiple years (and tons of money) left on their contracts.

Keeping this in mind, it is essential for the Yankees to seriously consider making some blockbuster moves at the deadline. Trading Beltran and one of their big three relievers could garner potentially bring three prospects, who could one day make up the core of the franchise, in return.

Certainly, there are no guarantees. Prospects are just that: prospects. But this is how the Yankees want to build teams from here on out, through their farm system, and this is the way to go about that.

Look at it this way: The Yankees could hold onto Beltran as well as all of their relievers, and they'll still be a long shot to make the playoffs, and could potentially lose Beltran and Chapman at season's end anyway, not getting anything in return. Or they could make a couple trades, get a couple prospects, and begin constructing the future infrastructure of the franchise.

If you're like me, and grew up watching the Yankees win World Series' every year, this isn't easy for you, but the best way for this team to get back to that level, is to be "sellers" at this year's deadline.

It's time for this organization to stop pretending, and start thinking about their future.

NFL Players And The 4th of July Are A Dangerous Mix

The Monday Morning Quarterback 11:16 PM

Buccaneers wide receiver Louis Murphy. Photo: New York Daily News

July 9, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

The Independence Day weekend was a strange one for NFL players, who just wanted to get a little shuteye.

The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Buccaneers receiver, and former New York Giant, Louis Murphy Jr. spent the night in a West Palm Beach museum after falling asleep at the wedding of Bears receiver Deonte Thompson. Murphy and Thompson were teammates at the University of Florida.

According to The Times, after drinking too much at the reception on Friday July 1st, Murphy stepped outside of the museum into a courtyard, where he ended up falling asleep on some steps. Murphy awoke in the early hours of Saturday morning alone in the courtyard and locked out of the museum. With few options, Murphy broke a pane of glass on the museum door, unlocked it, and entered the museum so he could use a phone and call for assistance. The police were notified and arrived just after 1:00 in the morning.

Murphy has released a statement which, in part, said:

"This was really just a series of small unfortunate circumstances. With no one around, my only option was to break a small glass pane of the door in order to access a phone and call for help. I dialed the police and explained that I needed assistance. It's unfortunate that I needed to break the glass, but the police officers on the scene and museum staff acknowledged that I didn't have many other options."

The damage to the museum door was accessed at $1,000. Murphy is working with the museum to ensure that the situation is rectified.

Jaguars Running back Denard Robinson. Photo: New York Daily News

A day later and 300 miles north in Jacksonville, Jaguars running back Denard Robinson also fell asleep at the wrong time, and the results could have been disastrous.

According to a police report obtained by The Florida Times Union, Robinson, traveling with a female passenger in the car, fell asleep at the wheel and drove his car into a retention pond. Making matters worse, neither Robinson nor his passenger were awakened by the accident.

A witness reported the accident and police arrived just before 4:30 AM to find the driver's side of the car submerged under water and both occupants passed out. Authorities approached the vehicle on the passengers side, woke up the female, and assisted in removing her from the vehicle. They then woke up Robinson, who was still asleep at that point. According to the report, upon waking up, Robinson still thought he was on the road and did not want to exit the vehicle. Officers had to explain the situation to him, and he ultimately exited through the passenger side door.

At the scene, authorities determined that Robinson was not impaired and will not face any charges. Neither Robinson or his passenger were hurt, and both refused medical assistance.

Robinson took to Twitter on Tuesday, to say the following:

“I just wanted to let everyone know that I was involved in a single-car accident on Saturday night, and thankfully, everyone was safe and remained unharmed. I thank God every single day for the opportunities he has presented me with and I’m grateful every morning to wake up healthy. I should not have been driving that late or when I was that tired, but again, I’m just glad that everyone was safe. God Bless.”

It's been an eventful couple Independence Day weekends for the NFL. Last 4th of July, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre Paul blew of a couple of fingers on one of his hands in a fireworks accident, that also cost him much of the 2015 season.

Pair Of Ex-Patriots Have NBA Dreams

The Monday Morning Quarterback 11:10 PM

July 6, 2016

Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

A pair of former George Mason Patriots men's basketball players have found their ways into the NBA Summer League this season. Point guard Bryon Allen, who guided the Patriots between 2010 and 2014, is a member of the Philadelphia 76ers' Summer League squad, while Shevon Thompson, who owned the paint in Fairfax the past two seasons, has been invited to New Orleans Pelicans' mini-camp, and is hoping to travel with the Summer League team to Las Vegas later this month.

Bryon Allen of the George Mason Patriots

Allen came to Fairfax in 2010 after originally committing to play at West Virginia, and went on to become one of the most consistent players in school history. The 6'3" Largo, MD native contributed almost immediately, appearing in 27 games as a freshman for coach Jim Larranaga in 2011, and helping that team reach the third round of the NCAA Tournament.

Over the next three years, Allen was one of coach Paul Hewitt's most trusted soldiers, starting at least 28 games in each of those seasons. For his career, Allen played in 127 games for the Patriots (7th most in school history), and scored 1,048 points (8.3 PPG), which ranks 29th. Allen's name appears numerous other times in the school's record book.

Allen playing with the 76ers against the Spurs Tuesday Night.

Allen and three of his teammates from the 2013 team appeared in 38 games that year, which is a single-season school record. His 380 career assists rank fifth in Mason history, and his 3.0 assists per game ranks 11th. His thirteen assists against Northeastern is tied for fourth most in a single game, and his 151 assists (4.0 APG) is eighth most in Mason history.

After graduating in 2014, Allen spent two seasons honing his game overseas, before getting his opportunity in the NBA, and on Tuesday he saw his first action. With #1 overall pick Ben Simmons, and a number of other young Sixers given the night off, Allen was given an opportunity, and he didn't disappoint, finishing with 10 points and a game high 7 steals, in 95-91 loss to the Spurs.

Shevon Thompson with the George Mason Patriots

As a junior college transfer from Harcum College, Shevon Thompson only spent two years with the Patriots, but it was more than enough time to leave his mark on the program. The 6'11" center from Clarendon, Jamaica is one of the most dominant rebounders in school history.

In just 62 career games over two seasons with the Patriots, Thompson grabbed 680 total rebounds, which ranks twelfth in school history. His 11.0 career rebounds per game is the best in Mason history by a mile, while his 11.3 boards per game in 2015, is the third best rebounding season in school history. Thompson's 351 total rebounds in 2015 are also the second most for the Patriots in any season, just two shy of Will Thomas' 353 total boards in 2008.

Thompson led the Atlantic 10 Conference in rebounding each of the past two seasons, and was among the top rebounders in the country over that span, too. Needless to say, Thompson put in a lot of work in a short time, over his Mason career.

The Pelicans opened their minicamp on Tuesday in the Big Easy and will travel to Las Vegas on Thursday. On Friday, they will open their Summer League schedule against the Los Angeles Lakers.

While it remains a long-shot, should either Allen or Thompson make an NBA roster this season, they would be the first ex-Patriots to do so since Jason Miskiri, who played one game with the Charlotte Hornets in the 1999-2000 season. Miskiri is one of only three George Mason alums to ever play in the NBA. Rob Rose (1982-86) appeared in two games for the Los Angeles Clipper in the 1988-89 season, while his teammate, Rick Wilson (1982-86) appeared in 24 games for the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets in the 1987-88 season.

Knicks Are In "Win Now If" Mode

The Monday Morning Quarterback 6:05 PM

Photo: Harry B (@harryhandsome86) on Pictogram

July 5, 2016
Peter Solari Follow @4PeteSakeNY

What an offseason it's been for the New York Knickerbockers! It started with rumors of team President Phil Jackson's premature departure from the Big Apple, after one more season, continued with the unlikely hiring of Jeff Hornacek as coach, which was followed by the typical trade for a once-great, but now declining Derrick Rose. All of that happened before the free agency signing period even started, and the Knicks still have their proverbial foot on the gas pedal.

There is a lot of talk about the Knicks being in "win now" mode, but "win now if" mode seems more appropriate given all the questions surrounding their biggest acquisitions.

Rose is the biggest name the team has brought in thus far, and unfortunately that name has been tarnished a bit over the past several years. He burst onto the scene like a a bat out of hell after the Chicago Bulls drafted him first overall out of Memphis in the 2008 NBA Draft, turning the team and the city, his hometown, into title contenders for the first time since a guy named Michael Jordan retired for a second time. The three-time all star was even named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2011, just his third season in the league. However, nothing has been the same since then.

Derrick Rose

In 2012, injuries limited Rose to just 39 games, and in his first game of that year's playoffs, Rose tore his ACL, ending his season. Rose spent the entire following season recovering from surgery, and didn't play in a single game. He returned to action in the 2014 season, but struggled to regain his form. Early in that season, Rose tore a meniscus in his other knee, which required another surgery. He only appeared in 10 games that year. During the 2015 season, Rose's right knee was operated on again, and he missed 31 games. In 2016, his last season in the Windy City, he appeared in 66 games, the most for him since 2011.

While there's no guarantee that New York will get anything out of Rose, there's virtually no risk for the team in giving him a shot. The Knicks will pay Rose roughly $21 million for one season, at the end of which, his contract will expire. If Rose can't play anymore, they can let him walk and perhaps make a run at a player like Russell Westbrook. If he returns to form, New York will have the upper-hand in re-signing Rose once he hits free agency. At the very least, the Rose deal won't hurt the franchise long term, which is a huge deal for Knicks fans. And there's still reason to be optimistic. While his knee troubles have slowed Rose down a bit, he's shown that he can still put up numbers at a high level, though not as high as he once could. Rose averaged around 21 PPG prior to his first knee surgery, and has averaged about 17 PPG since. That may seem like a huge drop, but he's really only only had a handful of games to accomplish that, and the Knicks would rightfully take that in a heartbeat from their point guard.

There's no reason to be discouraged. IF Rose can stay healthy, his acquisition could certainly help the franchise. The problem, however, lies more in what the Knicks gave up in return for Rose, and how they're addressing that.

Joakim Noah

Averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 assists per game for New York in 2016, Robin Lopez enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career, and the Knicks were pleased too. But to acquire Rose, they had to ship Lopez off to Chicago, leaving a big hole at center. Their answer? Rose's former Bulls teammate and two-time all star Joakim Noah.

Noah represents the Knicks' most questionable move of the offseason. He was once exactly the type of player they needed. Noah won't wow you with his scoring ability, but he's a gritty defender and rebounder, and one of the better centers in the league at finding open teammates and passing them the ball. However, he's definitely on the downside of his career, evident over the past two years, and shoulder injuries limited him to just 29 games last season.

Like Rose, there would be no problem with giving Noah a chance to continue his career, but when the Knicks give him a four year contract worth $78 million, it makes you scratch your head. They don't even know if his shoulder is healthy yet, and they're committed to paying him nearly $20 million over each of the next four seasons. IF things don't work out with Noah, this move could hinder the organization for several years to come.

Here's the good news on Noah: While stats show that his offensive production has definitely slipped over the past couple of seasons, they were never that impressive anyway. He has still averaged over nine rebounds per game in that span, which is a good sign for New York. The Knicks didn't sign Noah to score points. They've got a number of other options in that area. IF Noah can defend the paint and rebound the ball, the Knicks will get everything they need out of him.

Not to digress, but isn't it strange to see Jackson bring in two key players from Chicago's most recent title contending teams, when he outright refused to even interview Tom Thibodeau, who turned them into contenders in the first place, for the Knicks' head coaching vacancy? What sense does that make? It's looking more and more like he would've been a perfect fit to coach this team. Rant, over. Now, let's get back on track.

Courtney Lee

With all the questions surrounding Rose and Noah, the Knicks should be commended for their other two signings this offseason.

It's no secret that the Knicks were lacking at shooting guard, and they may have found the perfect answer. Courtney Lee isn't the best shooting guard in the league, but he's a reliable pro that should fit in perfectly IF everything else works out for the Knicks. Lee will stay healthy, eat minutes, and won't hurt you. He isn't going to light up the scoreboard, but with Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Rose in the mix, he'll be the fourth scoring option for the Knicks. As a 10 PPG player over his career, Lee should excel in that role. The only question surrounding this move is the length of his contract. The Knicks gave Lee a four year deal, but over his career, he's never lasted with any of his six teams, for more than two seasons. Regardless of how long he ends up staying in New York, he's the perfect answer at shooting guard for a team in "win now if" mode.

Brandon Jennings

The Knicks' latest acquisition may be their best. Signing Brandon Jennings for one year and a paltry $5 million makes all the sense in the world. He's averaged over 15 points and 6 assists per game for his career, and unlike the other new Knicks, he doesn't have a history of medical problems.

Jennings did, however, rupture his achilles in 2015, and his numbers were down quite a bit in 2016. However, upon closer examination, you'll see that he was being brought off the bench last season, and averaged between 10 and 15 minutes less per game. His achilles injury hadn't slowed him down, he just wasn't being given an opportunity.

The Knicks plan to bring Jennings off the bench, too, but will likely play him more than the Pistons and Magic did last year. New York isn't going to want to push Rose too hard with all his question marks, so Jennings should get significant minutes backing him up. Jennings is also the type of player who could start in Rose's absence, should he miss extended time. Plus, he's only 26. Also, like Rose, if Jennings doesn't work out, the Knicks can wave goodbye after one year, having only spent $5 million. And also like Rose, should he shine, the Knicks will have a leg up on other teams, in signing him out of free agency. Furthermore, there's really no reason to believe Jennings can't play anymore, and I doubt that to be the case. So at age 26, Jennings could potentially last longer in New York than any of their other additions.

One thing that's for sure, is there's never a dull moment with the New York Knicks, and this offseason is a testament to that. And IF everything works out the way the organization envisions, 2017 could be a fun year at Madison Square Garden. It's just too bad that the Rangers are moving in the opposite direction.