Ranger Danger?

Not at all, but there's no excuse to never put forth your best effort. The Rangers' unbeaten streak to start the season ended Wednesday, but it's not the fact they lost, but how they lost that angered coach Tom Renney. A big reason why the Yankees failed to make the playoffs is that they took way too many nights off, swinging at every pitch and playing while looking at the clock. By the time Joe Girardi nipped this in the bud (read: Robinson Cano), it was too late. Renney and the Rangers vets know victories aren't earned by your name or merely stepping on the ice.

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Coming out tonight for MMAJunkie.com is a feature on Keith Jardine and his fight against Brandon Vera at UFC 89 this Saturday in Birmingham, England. Jardine's trainer, Greg Jackson, provided me an excellent interview, which serves as the crux of the piece. "The Dean of Mean" himself also knows how important this fight is. He's 2-2 in his last four fights. His wins were specatular, his losses two devastating knockouts both lasting less than a minute. The first loss came to Houston Alexander, an opponent Jardine complained wasn't marquee enough and stepped into the octagon thinking it'd be a breeze. Both parties promise a different Jardine on Saturday, one that we'll all have to watch to find out. I'll post the link once the story is live.

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I completed my first article for Jets Confidential this week. The monthly publication devoted to all things Gang Green has hired me to compose monthly "Where are they now?" features. Dedric Ward was a popular wide receiver and special teams player who posted his best years as a Jet. He's a disciple of his college coach, Terry Allen, and the legendary Bill Parcells, and provided insight to the philosophy he applies today.

“A lot of times you have coaches that think they have all the answers and will do it their way regardless of what the players think,” Ward said. “But I think if you take the player’s opinion into consideration, it’s only going to be best for everybody in the long run.”

Ward doesn't get any press, but it's a safe bet that he's a big part of why the Cardinals are 4-2 and off their biggest win since forever, an overtime thriller over the Cowboys.