According to ESPN, the Bears are sending RB Thomas Jones and a second-round pick (number 63) to the Jets for the Green and White's second-round pick (number 37). The Jets are also negotiating a new contract for Jones with "classy" agent Drew Rosenhaus.

This is an excellent trade authored by Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.  Jones solves the uncertainty in the backfield with little collateral damage.  Jones has rushed for over 1,200 yards in the last two seasons and rushed for 112 yards in the Super Bowl against the Colts. 

Now, he resurrected his career in Chicago after a horrible stint with the Arizona Cardinals where he was drafted number 1 (7th overall) in the 2000 draft.  Still, I can't label him a complete bust with the Cardinals.  That's the place where first-round draft picks go to die (take heed Matt Leinart). 

Some fans and media were very high on the San Diego Chargers RB Michael Turner, but I think the Jones deal makes more sense.  It's a greater risk/reward situation with Thomas since Turner still has to prove he can be an every down back.  Also, the Jets would have most likely parted with two draft picks for the rights to Turner. Is Jones overrated?  I thought so going into last year, but after watching him during the season and in the playoffs I think he's a quality back.  Is he one of the best backs available this year? -- absolutely.

Also, the first few days of free agency in the NFL have looked eerily similar to MLB's free agency this off-season.  Players are receiving boatloads of cash and many have iffy pedigrees.  I wanted CB Nate Clements, but is he worth the highest contract ever offered to a defensive player (that's 8 years at $80 million with $22 million in guaranteed money)?  That's a big negative -- the guy is good, but he's not Deion Sanders.  The San Francisco 49ers are already in the lead to be this year's "sleeper" pick from everyone in the know (which therefore no longer makes them a sleeper pick).  And what are the Minnesota Vikings thinking by inking TE Visanthe Shiancoe to a 5-year $18.2 million deal ($7 million in guarantees)?  The guy has 35 career receptions!  The Dallas Cowboys signed OL Leonard Davis to a 7-year deal worth roughly $50 million with $18.75 million in guaranteed cash.  The Cowboys aren't even sure if he's going to play Guard or Tackle!

I had a feeling that the Jets weren't going to be a major player in free agency once the high scratch started to fly.  With this move, however, they really don't have to go crazy and sign lesser players to ridiculous contracts.

Now, maybe the Jets can work a deal with the Bears for disgruntled LB Lance Briggs.  How does a 6th round draft pick and a box of kicking tees sound to get the negotiations going?

Also, in Jet related news (sort of), Bill Parcells will return to ESPN and join the chuckle-heads on "Monday Night Countdown."  It's too bad that Michael Irvin is not coming back next year.  How great would it have been to see the Parcells/Irvin interactions on a weekly basis?  I would have tuned in for that.  Now, I'm not too sure.

Free agency kicks-off on Friday and ESPN has its list of the top unrestricted free agents for 2007. The one name that jumps out at me is cornerback Nate Clements.  Andre Dyson did a good job manning one corner position last year, but the Jets were constantly shuffling guys on the other side.  Justin Miller, Drew Coleman, David Barrett and Hank Poteat all saw playing time, but no one was able to claim the job.  Poteat was probably the most consistent of the bunch (which really isn't saying much) and the Jets did sign him to a contract, but he's really just a stop-gap.  Signing Clements would give the Jets two legitimate corners and also weaken a divisional opponent in the Buffalo Bills.  However, Clements is looking for a contract that would pay him $18 million in bonus money alone.  Pretty steep.  Still, it's a position the Jets really need to strengthen if they want to take the next step.

Where else but Spring Training could you see Reggie Jackson, Yogi Berra, Stump Merrill and Frank Howard (who wore batting gloves the entire game for some reason) all back in uniform and in the dugout?  You could almost smell the grass and feel the sun on the back of your neck.

The Yankees kicked off the 2007 season today (Spring Training style) with a 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Legends Field in Tampa.  Chien-Ming Wang pitched two perfect innings and Johnny Damon and Jason Giambi each homered to lead the Yankee offense.  In fact, every Yankee starter reached base (except for Brian's boy Melky) before the mass exodus.

Fans also got their first look at phenom Philip Hughes and one piece of the Randy Johnson trade, pitcher Ross Ohlendorf -- both pitched well. 

But really, who cared about the outcome?  It was just great to see the Boys of Summer doing their thing again. 

As if there was any doubt.

Eric Mangini finally relented on his old school ways and named Pennington the starter for the upcoming season.  Kellen Clemens will take over as caddy which probably marks the end of Patrick Ramsey's stay with the Jets.

I could have gone either way with Mangini's decision to publicly name the starter.  We all KNEW it was going to be Pennington, but Mangini enjoyed using the "whoever gives us the best chance to win that week is who is going to play" mantra during the season.  He specifically employed it in the backfield and in the secondary, but the QB position is a little different.  Still, I wasn't worried when he didn't name Pennington as the starter after this last season.  I felt he wanted to show the team that although the 2006 campaign was successful, no player should rest on his laurels -- even the premier players.

I realize there are those who feel Pennington isn't the answer at QB, that he won't be able to bring the Jets to the Promised Land.  Hell, I wasn't sure if Pennington could survive the whole 2006 season, but he did and the Jets made the playoffs.  And yes, he can't throw the ball 70 yards down the field, but since when does arm strength guarantee wins?

And isn't that what really matters?

The Jets cut Kevan Barlow today in a move that should shock, well, no one.  Barlow was brought in to solidify the running game but instead spent more time on the bench with the emergence of Leon Washington.

That leaves the Jets with this at running back: Leon Washington, Cedric Houston, Derrick Blaylock and Stacy Tutt.

Not exactly Running Back U.  Also, I believe Blaylock entered the Witness Protection Program around week 7 and Stacy Tutt has practice squad written all over him.

However, this year's free agent pool isn't exactly stellar.  It will be interesting to see if the Jets go after a big name to carry the bulk of the workload (like an Ahman Green) or continue to utilize the running back by committee approach (that seems to be the trend now) and pick up a complementary piece like a Chris Brown or Dominic Rhodes.  I don't think a high profile back will be available when the Jets pick 25th in the upcoming draft. 

The search is on.

Yep, business as usual for the 2007 Yankees, but I have a question for A-Rod:

How does a guy who has been in the big leagues over ten years and has been a superstar for almost all of them and has been in New York for the past three years NOT know how to deal with the media?

Here's A-Rod's take on his relationship with Jeter:

"The reality is there's been a change in the relationship over 14 years and, hopefully, we can just put it behind us.  You go from sleeping over at somebody's house five days a week, and now you don't sleep over. It's just not that big of a deal."

Then why bring it up?  How will comments like this help you with the fans and more importantly with your teammates?  Also, don't you think sleepovers are a bit odd once guys reach their thirties?  You're a married man with a child -- stay home!

Now, Jeter does have a bit of Joe DiMaggio in him -- that "once you cross me, you're dead to me" attitude that fans, media and probably teammates have picked up on (just ask Chad Curtis) but he has never spoken about a problem in the relationship.  I'm sure he just loved A-Rod's comments today.

Does A-Rod believe that this sort of "honesty" will bring some fans over to his side?  If that's his plan he's dead wrong.  A-Rod will probably eclipse Jeter in every statistical category when he finally hangs them up, but he'll never supplant him as "The Man" in New York, it's just not going to happen.  If he really wanted to "be honest" he could have apologized for his comments in that stupid Esquire article (which is from six years ago) and be done with it.

Here's A-Rod's take on making the most dough:

"Whatever you say is important. People listen to you. That's pretty cool. Nobody used to listen to me before."

Yes, A-Rod, people are listening.  So please stop talking.

Here are my questions for our cleanup blogger, Stop Mike Lupica or SML at http://www.stopmikelupica.com/:

1.  The Yankees strength is their offensive firepower, but outside of the top of the order (Damon and Jeter) and the number 9 slot (whoever is on first), what would be the best way to fill out the everyday lineup?

2.  This off-season saw the Yanks trade Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson for young arms.  Will any (like Humberto Sanchez or Ross Ohlendorf) make an impact on the Yankees in 2007 or will Philip Hughes be the best bet to make the claim as the Yanks new young gun this year?

3.  What do you expect out of Carl Pavano this season?  Also, if he has a strong Spring Training, should the Yankees consider trading him while his value would be at its peak?

Remember to check out the answers to these questions and more at http://www.stopmikelupica.com/

Here are Brandon's questions.

Question the First:

1. Tell me why Joe Torre should be coaching this team after going six years without a championship, and will he be back next year?

Have you no shame?  Not only should Torre be manging this team, but he is the only one who can manage this team.  And the reason is this: pressure.  Torre's been able to handle the expectation of winning from the fans, media, owner and the players themselves.  Oh sure, there have been, in varying degrees, the David Wells's, the Ruben Sierra's (in his first go-round and your boy), the Jeff Nelson's, the Raul Mondesi's, the Giambi steroid fiasco and now the A-Rod saga, but one player never divided the team.  Over 162 games since 1996; that says a lot.  Just look at what T.O. did in his stints with San Francisco, Philadelphia and Dallas.  And the Yanks are a team loaded with superstars and super-egos.  If guys like Lou Piniella or Bobby Cox managed this team, their heads would have exploded by now.  Managing is more than knowing when to pull a pitcher or when to hit-and-run.  It's managing people (including the owner) and getting the most out of them.

However, familiarity does breed contempt and it is true that the Yanks haven't won The World Series in six years.  Maybe I'm being too loyal (something that may be Torre's fatal flaw), but making 11 straight post-seasons and winning 4 championships still carries a lot of weight with me.

As far as coming back for 2008:  I think Torre will be managing for as long as he wants (or until the Yanks miss the playoffs).

Question the Second:

2. If this current team is missing something (i.e. player, manager, GM, intensity, youth), what is it?

The starting rotation is just OK.  They have three starters and then question marks.  They also lack a reliable bridge to Rivera so pitching is the biggest weakness, but that goes for every team in the league.  As far as an intangible quality -- I think it can sometimes be overrated.  Ideally, you would like to get a mix of veteran guys infused with youthful players to give the team balance, but I feel winning creates chemistry, not the other way around.  Now, did they get a shot in the arm last year with the emergence of Melky -- Yes.  Was his return to the bench the reason they lost to the Tigers? -- I don't think so.

Still, I think the biggest intangible is the "rift" between A-Rod and the team.  If Jeter embraced Rodriguez during his slump (like he did for Giambi during his), this whole "A-Rod is a bum" thing would have been squashed.  So maybe that's what's missing, as sad as it sounds -- a hug and a pat on the butt from The Captain to A-Rod.  I'm telling ya, the line between sports and soap opera is being obliterated.

Question the Third:

3. For the last several years, the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry has reached an all time high. Especially after the 2004 choke job by the Yanks that reversed the curse. Is the rivalry still as strong as ever? Are the Sox still the Yankees' number one competition. If not, who is? Finally, does the regular season even matter anymore?

I think now it's a real rivalry, in the strictest sense of the word.  A rival is supposed to beat you occasionally.  Before it was just wondering how the Yankees were going to tear out the hearts of the Red Sox -- not if.  2004 will always make me sick to my stomach.  I thought I knew what it was like to experience disappointment in sports, but nothing compares to that series.  For at least two weeks after the collapse, the air smelled funny, food had no taste, life had no meaning -- and I was 30 years old!  I don't want to know how I would have reacted if I were 19 or 20 (or younger).

The rivalry will always be heated among the fans.  Between the players? -- eh, not so much.  Money has a way of erasing loyalties.

The Red Sox are still the competition within the division just by default.  The Blue Jays are improved, but still not on par with the Yanks and forget about the O's and Devil Rays.  I think the Red Sox are going to regret inserting Jonathan Papelbon in the starting rotation -- Joel Pineiro is NOT the answer at closer.

And the regular season does matter!  The marathon nature of baseball is to weed out the so-so and inferior teams so that only the elite remain.  Yeah, I know the Cardinals won the World Series with an appalling 83-78 record last year, but that's the beauty of sports -- the unpredictability!

My questions to the blogger hitting cleanup still to come!

I'll go on record and say the Yankees did the right thing in keeping A-Rod at the end of 2006.  Yes, the fans were in his head (again), he had another bad post-season (in fairness, he wasn't the only one), and he was dropped to eighth in the order - probably the biggest slap in the face he's ever received in his pro career.

Still, I believed the Yanks, if they traded him, would not acquire anything comparable to what they were giving up and they would also miss his offensive production.

Now, I'm not too sure.

I'm going to ignore the stories of the near mini-riot caused at Barnes & Noble.  A-Rod's at the point where he can screw up a cup of coffee.  Or the fact that he's written a children's book about an underdog kid named Alex (I know - ridiculous) who battles through adversity to become the President of the United States or something.  These things will disappear at the start of the year.

But this opting-out-at-the-end-of-the-year-thing isn't going to go away.  It's going to last all season.  So not only will A-Rod have to answer questions about his hitting in the clutch, fielding, relationship with his teammates, etc. this season, he will also be peppered repeatedly about his contract status.  So far, A-Rod is saying the right things:

"My situation and my only goal is to win a world championship, and I'm going to take it day to day. And that's about it."

I'd like to believe that, but we all know it's about money.  And what team in baseball has the most money?  Yep, the Yanks.  Oh, want to play on a contender?  Yeah, that's the Yankees too.  So, A-Rod will be asking the Yankees to give him more money after his four years of "uneven" service?  That will go over well with everyone.

The only way this doesn't become a distraction is if the Yanks start out hot and run away with the AL East.  Also, A-Rod has to have an MVP-type season and become the driving force in the lineup, culminating in getting the winning hit in the seventh game of the World Series and delivering championship number 27 to the Bronx.

Piece of cake.

I'm still rooting for you A-Rod.  Even though you make it really, really, really tough.

Will Peyton Manning finally win the Super Bowl?  Will Rex Grossman manage NOT to lose the Super Bowl?  Will Devin Hester be the X-factor in the game? Will the coin flip be Heads or Tails?

All these questions (and more) were answered tonight as the Colts outlasted the Bears 29-17 in soggy Miami.  Sure, the game was sloppy.  Sure, I didn't care who won the game.  Sure, I was watching another Super Bowl without my Jets on the field, but I couldn't help feeling a bit depressed after tonight's game.

Because I am now entering The Dead Zone in sports.

Oh sure, Spring Training is only a few weeks away, but the Boys of Summer are still two months from lacing the spikes up for real.  Yes, I will read every Spring Training report about the Yanks - updates ranging from Pavano's butt to Torre's lineup decisions, but it's still not enough.

I envy basketball and hockey fans (all 8 of them) who are either rooting for their teams to win games or win more ping-pong balls.

For the past two weeks I was sick of hearing about Grossman and Manning.  About Dungy and Lovie.  About the Bears and Colts.  Now, there's a great big void.  A void that won't be filled until early April.  And with the wind chill hovering around -15 degrees tonight in New Jersey, April seems like a million years away.

Oh, well.  I guess I could always watch the Pro Bowl next week.

On Tuesday's MLB.com, Mike Mussina hinted at everything but a Code Red for the MIA righty, but still believed that a healthy Pavano would contribute to the staff.  Pavano's attitude and commitment (not to mention his shoulder, back, butt, etc.) are still question marks with his teammates and coaches (and fans) as we head into the new season.  Let's see if Carl is up to the challenge of actually pitching and winning back the respect of his teammates.

Mussina also weighed in on the Randy Johnson deal and about Johnson's stint in The Big Apple.  Is this the same Mike Mussina who pouted and locked himself in his hotel room when the Yanks kicked off the 2004 season in Japan?  The same Mike Mussina who notoriously gives YES reporter Kim Jones a hard time during interviews?  Seems strange to me that Mussina is offering up all this information.  I guess crossword puzzles can get a bit boring.

In any event, my advice for Pavano is to sort things out with your teammates early in Spring Training.  It might save you some "unpleasantness."

Tuesday's Star Ledger reports that Parcells could make a return to the Jets front office, an office he "retired" from after the 2000 season.  Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum still leans heavily on the Tuna for advice and Eric Mangini has stated that Parcells was one of the head coaches whom he has called for counsel.

Does this mean that Parcells will return in an official capacity?  Probably not.  The Tuna could still offer his sage without the obligation and commitment that a front office position could create.  If Parcells needs to be around the game (which will probably happen sooner rather than later), he could always become another talking head on an NFL pre-game show.  I'm sure they would offer more cash for his presence.

And isn't that what the Tuna has always been about?

Today's New York Times reports that retirement is not an option for Bernie and that the 38-year-old outfielder wants to remain a Yankee.  But with no starting job for him in the outfield and Melky heading up the reserve roll, it seems as if Bernie's 16 years in the Bronx are over.  The only way he could contribute would be to play first base (and break up the ugly two-headed monster of Andy Phillips and Doug Mientkiewicz, potentially the worst first base combo in the history of the Yankees), but that's extremely remote.

This news isn't exactly shocking or unexpected, but it's still something I was reluctant to face.  Bernie is the last link to the "bad years" and a list of names that only a true Yankee fan would remember.  Guys like Alvaro Espinoza, Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens, Eric Plunk, Andy Hawkins and the man who almost sabotaged Bernie's career before it started, Mell Hall.  Those Yanks were led into battle by Stump Merrill, a name that still cracks me up.

Yankee fans have become spoiled (myself included).  The idea of not playing in October seems now incredibly foreign to me, but I would have given my right arm for just a glimpse of post-season glory in the late 80s and early 90s.  Bernie was there with us.  He persevered through the lean years when the upper deck of the stadium was empty and the team was 20 games out and nobody cared what the Yankees did.  He was a guy who didn't taste success early, but battled his way into becoming an All-Star.  He's the only player who really witnessed the best of times and the worst of times in New York during this current Yankee run.

But time marches on.  Bernie's gone from the skinny kid with the glasses to the grey, old Yankee.  If 2006 was Bernie's swan song as a Yank, he has nothing to be embarrassed about: .281, 12 HR, 61 RBI in 420 ABs.  There's always the possibility that Bernie will move on to another team for the 2007 season.  I really hope that doesn't happen, but it's hard to tell a guy when to hang up his spikes.

But that's OK.  I'll always know where he came from.

Honestly, is this really going to get Roger Clemens to run back to the Yankees?  "His" old number is now available so Cashman's phone is going to ring?  C'mon!!  Am I to believe that if "his" number wasn't available, he would have jilted the Yanks and signed with Boston?  Not to mention, Clemens originally wore number 12 when he first arrived in New York.

I think it's going to take a different number, one with a bunch of zeros at the end, to lure the husky Texan back to the big city.

Also in the good news department: offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer withdrew his name from the Miami Dolphins head coaching position and will remain with the team. Schottenheimer had a solid first season with the Jets.  He employed a ton of shifting, formations and packages and really got the most out of this offense. 

The future looks bright.