Day 27: Henne, Braylon, MLB playoffs and more

HEADLINES

1) The Miami Dolphins were 0-3 under Chad Pennington. After a thrilling win over their rival Jets, they are 2-0 under Chad Henne. Are the Dolphins now a playoff team with Henne under center?

Ben: I wouldn't say they are a forsure playoff team, because of how loaded the AFC is. Henne improves the passing game of the Dolphins because he can air it out, but they still have issues to catch back up in the AFC playoff race. That 0-3 start really hurts them, especially since the AFC has so many good teams. Colts, Patroits, Ravens, Bengals, Broncos, Jets, and even Houston could be trouble for Miami to get past. I like what Henne offers, but I wouldn't say they are a for sure playoff team with Henne under Center.

Boz: Absolutely. I loved what Chad Henne did last night for the Dolphins, picking apart what everyone said was a tough defense. The Dolphins ran and ran and ran for the first three quarters of the game and then let Henne loose in the fourth quarter and he shredded the Jets defense apart. The Dolphins have one of the best running attacks in the game but what they lacked before was a quarterback who could throw the deep ball. Chad Pennington was a good quarterback and he won games but his arm just wasn't strong enough. Henne can throw the touch passes like Pennington, but can also throw the deep ball, which we saw in the long touchdown to Ted Ginn. With Henne under center, I think you'll see Ginn and Devone Bess put up bigger numbers to go along with the strong running game. I'm not saying they will, but the Dolphins definitely have a shot to win the AFC East.

2) Braylon Edwards had five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in his debut for the New York Jets. Last week Ben and I both said that the Browns got the better of that trade. Do you still feel that way?

Ben: Yes. The Browns got, potentially, 4 players in the deal, and while the Jets only got one. Now, while I feel like Edwards needed a change of scenery I don't think he has drastically changed as a player. I still think he'll need to improve his concentration as well as his overall performance from beginning to end of the season. The Browns can make a huge improvement on their team in the next draft, as well as getting a solid 3rd receiver and special teams player.

Boz: I'm going to say no and say that the Jets got the better of the trade. I don't think that it's a coincidence that the Jets put up 27 points and the Browns complete two passes in the first game since the trade. I think Edwards feels rejuvenated in New York and actually feels wanted with the Jets organization. A change of scenary can be good for any player and it seems good for Edwards. It's evident that the Browns miss the down-field threat as Derek Anderson (who said he had a chemistry with Edwards) only completed two passes on Sunday. Watching the game last night, it looked like the Jets were thrilled to have Edwards. However, you did see him drop one ball when he got the pass interference call (although it wasn't pass interference). Despite the dropped pass, I think he'll have a big year for the Jets.

3) The Phillies were the final team to clinch a spot in the league championship series by defeating the Rockies, 3-1. The losing teams in the divisional series only won one game. Are you upset that the divisional series went so quickly? And who do you have in the world series?

Ben: I'm mainly upset because the LCS don't start until Thursday and Friday. That's what bothers me. For the life of me I can't understand why there is such a delay in the end of one series to the beginning of the next. What is the point? Just get these started. I've got the Dodgers and the Yankees in the World Series, with the Yanks winning in 6.

Boz: No. All four series went by very quickly with three sweeps and the other series only going four games. However, there were a lot of good, close games within those series. It just seemed that all those close games were won by the same team. Looking at the overall result of the series suggests that there was little drama, but looking at each game shows that quite a bit of drama actually took place during these series.

Looking forward to the world series, I like the Dodgers coming out of the NL in six games. I think Los Angeles has all of the momentum and that there pitching is actually better than what everyone was saying before the playoffs started. Plus, they have Joe Torre. In the AL, I think the Angels can compete with the Yankees, but ultimately the Yankees take the series in seven games.

4) New York Yankees' manager Joe Girardi has stated that he is contemplating a three-man rotation for the ALCS against the Angels. Do you agree with Girardi's strategy?

Ben: Yes. You need 2 good pitchers to win the World Series, and if you can get 3 solid starts you are in great shape. Look at 2001 with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks. If Girardi thinks that his horses, Burnett, CC, and AP could get through the series healthy -- he'll be in the World Series in no times.

Boz: It's tough to say. I've never been a believer of a three-man rotation in a seven game series but if anyone can pull it off this season it's the Yankees. The guy that would be going on short rest would be C.C. Sabathia and he has shown before during his stint last year with the Brewers that he can go on three days rest. I understand that Girardi is attempting to avoid starting Chad Gaudin or Joba Chamberlain and keep them both in the bullpen. I think that this move could work for Girardi and the Yanks but if they continue to win, they'll eventually need a fourth starter.

OVER/UNDER

1) The New England Patriots have once again agreed to terms with retired linebacker Junior Seau. Over or under five games before Seau is hurt?

Ben: Under. He's like 90, he can't handle the rigors of the NFL anymore. Just go on IR and be done with it Junior.

Boz: OVER. Only because I think the Patriots aren't going to use Seau as a starting linebacker and are only signing him to add some extra depth to their roster. They've been depleted by injuries a bit. I believe they are going to continue to let the younger kids try to prove themselves and that Seau is just providing depth and leadership. It couldn't hurt to have Seau around to help teach younger linebackers.

2) Brad Lidge seemed back on track as the Phillies closer during the NLDS. Over or under two saves during the NLCS against the Dodgers?

Ben: UNDER. Lidge wasn't exactly electrifying against the Rockies and I don't think the Phillies are even going to win 2 games against the Dodgers -- now, Lidge might blow 2 games, but he won't save 2.

Boz: PUSH. I'm taking the first official push on The Sports Desk and saying that Lidge gets exactly two saves during the NLCS. I earlier predicted that the Dodgers would win in six games, meaning that the Phillies win two games. I got Lidge saving both of those wins.

3) It seems more and more likely that Raiders' head coach Tom Cable will face suspension for assaulting another Raiders' coach. Over or under three games missed for Cable?

Ben: OVER. He'll be fired shortly.

Boz: UNDER. I'll say the suspension will be two games. The details from the guy punched seem pretty dramatic and of course the details from Cable were the exact opposite. Cable has to be suspended, but not more than two games. The Raiders are the worse team in football and won't miss him anyways.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 31st Birthday Jermaine O'Neal. I loved O'Neal with the Pacers, and he was truly an amazing defensive low post player. O'Neal was a little raw coming out of high school to the pros, but he improved with the move to Indiana, and really became a legit post man in the middle of his career. His career is almost over, but he was impressive in the midst of his run with Indy.

Boz: Happy 47th Birthday to Jerry Rice. The pride of Mississippi Valley State is still my favorite player all-time in the NFL and is the best wide receiver to ever play the game of football. He holds almost every statistical record for wide receivers and his records, awards and honors are too long to even try to list here.