Success

I hate losing to Boston, in all sports. I'm in excuse mode on this one, though. They get the day before the series off, and NY has extra innings and gets home close to dawn (and looked like it in the 4 error 1st game). And I thought until yesterday, the umps were kind of one-sided in Boston's favor. Last night went the Yankees way in terms of the calls. I'm actually feeling pretty good about the home stretch. Getting Cruz back is huge, and makes the BP pretty strong. I don't think they'll need to rely on Doval or Leiter in any high leverage situations now. And Williams has found his groove again pitching before the 9th inning. Given their remaining schedule, I think the Yankees still get the WC1.

McDermott & Beane look at some players like favorite t-shirts that they just can't let go of even though they're pretty past their prime.

I love how he has played, but ultimately, this isn't some sort of make or break for the team. We're talking about a 5 or 6 guy in the WR corps (and the latter only if they keep 6, which is probably unlikely). I doubt they would trade Samuel to make room for him.

Think there is any chance they keep 6 WR's?

Reading though the comments, I realize I'm a bigger Carter fan than most. Prior to his injury, he looked like a real disruptor in the chances he had last year. Seemed to always be in the backfield when he was in the game. I have high hopes.

I hate to 2nd guess an NFL coach - because no matter what, they see more than I do, and they know way more than I do. But it seems like McDermott prefers experience & 'knowing the system' over talent a bit TOO much. I'd love to see them give Strong a shot.

I know what you're saying - but I'm not talking about the actual result of the game. I think we'll just feel better if we see this team play a real game and pass the eye test of being one of the top 5 or so teams in the NFL. Granted, we've had games where we haven't looked like that every season, but I just think it will calm some nerves if we look alright. Mainly mine.

I'm more worried about how they're going to look and if we have what it takes to get to the SB this year. I'd agree that we're still set up well to have a good record and win the division. We have one of the better SOS out there.

I have felt a little of that. Probably because of that last game against Chicago. I started wondering if the fact that this team has been knocking on the door for quite a few years but never broken through is starting to take a toll on them mentally. I'm worried, but I worry about everything, all the time. We'll have a better idea of where things stand after the Ravens game. I think it will erase a lot of uncertainty if we come out & just look like ourselves that game, win or lose.

Last night was brutal - though I guess not unexpected given that the Sox had a night off, and the Yankees played extras and got home close to dawn the night before. They really need to at minimum split this series. Boston should not be beating NY as much as they have been.

Way too much pessimism on this thread. I don't think it would be like this if it wasn't for the Chicago preseason game. For starters, we have no idea how Tre is. But more importantly - as much as I love the guy - our season didn't & doesn't hinge on his good health. He was likely going to start a few games, but ultimately, he's a depth piece.

No idea where that's coming from. The Chicago preseason game? They invested heavily in the D this offseason. I think this could be one of our strongest D's in awhile.

Late October for his return? That seems extreme, but we don't really have any good updates on that. I hope that's not the case.

Some were pretty high on Strong around draft time. I saw a few "steal" comments from people who had watched him over his college career. Of course, there are probably those comments for a lot of players, but he seems to have a great skillset.

We drafted a corner in the 1st round. A 1st round corner SHOULD start. Benford, a 1st rounder & Johnson might be a very good group. It's too early to be deeming them "mediocre."