The RantBack Digital Mailbag is a periodic feature where SportsRantNY readers get to pose questions, make comments or just get something off their chests. Last names are withheld to protect the innocent.
“Now that the Giants have created an annual Kicker No Show Game (last year, week 2 against the Commanders, and this year week 3 against the Chiefs), do NFL teams have players/kickers, on the Taxi Squad that they can activate before a game if someone goes down before the game starts? Do they still have Taxi Squads. Or is that something I remember from the back of an old football card that no longer exists?” — Billy Z, Brooklyn, NY
Not sure if the term “Taxi Squad” got cancelled, but it’s now called the “Practice Squad”. Each NFL team is allowed 53 men on their roster and 16 players on their practice squad. There are no limitations to what positions can be kept on the practice squad, though it is very rare for teams to keep a punter or kicker around unless there is an injury to the starter.
Rather than examining the rules of football, let’s look at what happened in each of these two specific cases. In 2024, Graham Gano injured his hamstring on the opening kickoff. Last week, Gano aggravated his groin during pregame warmups.
Injuries happen, and due to the value of a roster spot, it is not feasible for teams to carry reserve kickers to protect themselves from a freak pregame injury. However, in both cases Gano was on the injured report heading into the game with groin issues.
Based on that, the blame squarely lies with GM Joe Schoen, HC Brian Daboll and the team’s training staff for leaving the Giants in a vulnerable position. As the saying kind of goes, “Fool me once — lose the game. Fool me twice — change the topic by making a QB change.”
“Do you think that Devin Williams should be the Yankee closer? He had a rough year so far, but lately…he is better than most. And trade Volpe… he sucks. — Carl F, Manhattan, NY
No —the New York Yankees’ closer in October is David Bednar. Since shaking off his ‘first game in pinstripes’ jitters, he’s steadied the back-end of the bullpen. Bednar has pitched 9.1 innings in September, striking out 11, allowing just 5 hits and converting all 6 of his save opportunities.
Meanwhile, Devin Williams has settled into the 8th inning role he originally mastered while setting up for Josh Hader with the Milwaukee Brewers. In his last 8 appearances, he’s back in his comfort zone. He’s pitched 8 innings, struck out 12, and has allowed just 4 hits and no runs.
As I’m fond of saying, “regular season stats do not guarantee October results”, but the Yankees top relievers seem to be getting hot at the right time.
Finally, speaking of getting hot at the right time, your man Anthony Volpe was 9 for his next 24 after receiving a cortisone shot to alleviate the pain associated with his torn labrum. He’s going to at least get a chance to see if he can regain last October’s stroke.
ICYMI “No Soto, No Problem — Yankees October Lineup is Deeper”
“I heard Mike Brown talking about making changes to the offense and taking the ball out of Brunson’s hands more. Why would you take the ball out of your star player’s hands? Especially since you’ve previously experienced success with it in his hands? Please… make it make sense. Explain it to me like I’m 5-year-old! — Keith J, Woodbridge, NJ.
Young Keith, basketball is a really simple game. Work hard on defense, fight to get rebounds, and share the ball with your friends on offense. If you are the best player on the team, that’s great. You will have the ball more than your friends, and you’ll get to take the last shot. But it’s important that your friends get to touch the ball too. That’ll make them happy and give your team a better chance to win.
You didn’t ask, but I’ll also give older Keith something to think about too:
- In 82 regular season games the 2024-25 New York Knicks averaged 27.5 assists per game.
- In 18 playoff games, those same Knicks never had more than 26 assists in any individual game.
Jalen Brunson is Mr. Knick. He’s going to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. But Mike Brown’s Knicks, on paper, are much deeper than a year ago. If they spread the ball around, there’s a good chance the Knicks won’t be playing as many close games. That would serve Brunson well, so he can hit the postseason fresher than in years past.