By Eddie Mayrose

Joba Chamberlain: Is He or Isn’t He?

Are the Yankees serious about these Joba Rules?   I have to admit, when I first heard that they were looking to limit his innings this year, I thought it would be based on his level of success.  He’d pitch somewhere around 160 innings as the fifth starter due to days when he’d be pushed back or skipped altogether to keep the others in the rotation on their normal, five day cycle.  If he finally developed the command that had been lacking since he was taken out of the bullpen, everyone would benefit and he’d be in the 180 range.  The lunacy that has transpired, however, boggles the minds of even the strictest of the pitch-count police.

Sunday, Chamberlain was lifted after three innings and thirty five pitches.  Thirty five! That’s not even an off-day, bullpen session.  But, according to the way Yankee brass has dictated Chamberlain be handled, that was all he’d be permitted to throw.  So, for the rest of the season, multiple relievers will get extensive work each time Joba takes the hill.  A plan with little downside as long as the other four starters go deep into games each time out.  If they don’t, then the workload on the bullpen could negatively impact what looks to be a long post-season.

The process by which Chamberlain has been brought along has been ridiculous since the outset.  Despite tremendous success in the bullpen and the potential to be a solid closer, the Yanks insisted upon inserting him into the rotation.  Then, ignoring his struggles with his command and endurance, they staunchly refused to send him back.  Now, it seems like a case of not wanting to admit a mistake, as he remains a starter but will only shoulder a reliever’s role.

It’s time for the Yankees to decide what this guy is going to be and let him be just that.  As it stands, he’s a burden to both the coaching staff and the bullpen as well as a distraction to the rest of the team.  And, if he’s a starter, take off the shackles and let the guy pitch.  He’s a big, strong kid; let him act like one.

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Are the Giants Ready for Prime Time?

There’s usually very little coming out of Giants’ camp during the preseason, as Tom Coughlin has fashioned a successful, all business style over the course of his tenure.  The tranquility was disturbed somewhat this week as DE Osi Umenyiora stormed out of camp; apparently as a reaction to criticism during a film session.  Umenyiora returned, accepted full responsibility and apologized but, on the heels of two straight, sub-par performances in the exhibition season,  Big Blue fans have to be a little concerned about the Jints’ readiness heading into Opening Day; especially if Eli Manning’s receivers continue to struggle.

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Michigan Football Coach in Hot Water

Tough week for Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez.  First, he learned he was the subject of a University investigation after current and former players complained to officials that they were practicing far beyond the time limits set down by the NCAA.  Two days after a tearful press conference (Thanks again, Dick Vermeil) where he denied the charges, he was hit with a lawsuit by a bank charging that he failed to pay back $3.9 million on a loan for a struggling Virginia condominium complex.  Not exactly the way you’d like to prepare for your season opener.  I think I’ll take Western Michigan and the points.

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Jets Fans Know Better

Cheap Seater and long suffering Jet fan, Lou Ricciardi, chimed in last week on the Mark Sanchez – Kellen Clemens QB battle and how he would have decided it.  Have to say, it’s a shame Rex Ryan didn’t have a chance to sit down with Ricciardi because his logic is flawless.  “A loss to Houston, whose team is on the rise with some of the best pass rushers in football,  followed by tough home games and likely losses to Pats and the revenge-seeking Titans, makes me think Clemens was the wiser choice to start”, said Ricciardi.   “An 0-3 start under Clemens, with a subsequent move to Sanchez, appeals to me a lot more than a  confidence-crushing, winless September for the rookie, with no where else to go but Clemens to continue a lost season.”  Excellent points all around but it’d be hard to convince Ryan and his staff that their optimism is not shared among the fan base.

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Notre Dame Football’s Weis Under the Gun

“Best Wishes to Charlie Weis in the 5th Year of his College Coaching Internship”, reads a sign just across from the Notre Dame campus.  Apparently posted by former Irish players from as far back as the 60′s, it is simply signed, “Linebacker Alumni”.  Weis has been good natured about it, thanking his anonymous critics for their good thoughts but, there’s no mistake that Weis is on the hot seat this year.  It’s expected that anything less than a BCS Bowl appearance will cost him his job.   The journey begins Saturday vs. Nevada, a much better team than the San Diego State squad that almost walked out of South Bend with a win last year.  It’ll be interesting to see how Weis, now acting as his own Offensive Coordinator, reacts to a slow start by QB Jimmy Claussen.

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