Happy New Year Jets Fans!

from New Yorkers,

Elaine and Kramer

AGAIN. Report from America's Siberia

Goddamnit. If I weren't already a yeti, this winter in Colorado would be really inconvienient.

Nothing to do but sit in the house with three feet of snow outside. Second blizzard in 8 days, we hadn't even fully gotten out of the first one. Contrary to popular belief, Colorado experiences a good amount of snow, but we actually have more days of sunshine than Florida. My buddy was skiing off his roof last week. He built a snow ramp in his backyard and made his whole yard into a little course. Videotaped themselves skiing off the roof and into a jump, like little homemade Warren Miller films. But this time 'round, this shit is boring. Nothing to do but hang out with the little Christmas trees.





And on a green note: The Jets recipe for beating the Raiders will be simple: keep the clock moving. The Raiders Defense might put up a fight initially, but they have a lame duck head coach, a lame duck offense in the middle of a lame duck season that they can't wait to be over. Randy Moss probably won't even play. Andrew Walter or the horrendous Aaron Brooks will turn the ball over, either via fumbles from sacks or by interceptions.

The Jets need to warm up for a grind-it-out type game that they will surely face the following week vs. the Colts. Fifty to sixty running plays will help Chad out immensely. I see him doing something efficient like 11-14, 205 yds and 1 td. Medium and short passes, his throws hang in the air or seem to take a while to get there sometimes.

Warren Sapp and the Raiders D is a prideful bunch, but by the third quarter they will be throwing in the towel and celebrating will be happening in Giants Stadium. 23-10 Jets, and the defense or special teams gets a score, another tune up for the second most necessary ingredient in a play-off run. Run the ball and play good defense.

It's like The Day After Tomorrow outside right now, hopefully it will melt by April and I can make it out to that eastern seaboard state from which I came.

UM, HELLO???? THE RAIDERS ARE COMING TO TOWN!

While my blogger buddies cry to each other about which celebrity is politically stupider than the next and weather or not Eddie Vedder is Canadian or not, I am going to try to bring this blog back to what it was made for...THE JETS!!!

The Raiders are all that is on my mind. The Jets delivered an awesome Christmas present for all Jets fans last week when they squeaked out a win for us with 10 seconds to go.

Now we need to ask the Jets for a Happy New Year's Eve present in a win over the Raiders. We will take another one down to the wire if need be. A blow out would be great. But a win is all we really want and need.

A win means we are in the playoffs. A loss means we still might get in but we will need a bunch of teams to lose. We win next week and we are either facing the Colts or the Pats in their houses.

But lets not get that too far up the road. We need the Jets to beat the Raiders first. The Raiders Defense is really good, despite their crappy season. Their offense has a lot to be desired about. But Leon Johnson will be coming home so he might be amped up to face his former team, that let him go.

At any rate, I think we will win but I declare a close one. I think it will come down the the foot of rocker Ted Nugent again. It could be a shootout between him and Seb Janikowski.

I say Jets 15 - Raiders 12.

Happy New Year

PS: Feel free to post but if you want to post about Eddie Vedder, South Korea, the Iraq War, Celebrities that have graduated from Harvard, or anything else having to do with anything other than the Jets, go to another blog. Simply put your desired topic in the Blogger search engine and you will find the blog of your taste.

Eddie Vedder Isn't Canadian...But He Should Be

But he isn't from California either...He's from Chicago. In fairness to Figgy's assumption as to Vedder being from the Leftist Coast, he did slide out West twice during his lifetime. Once when his mother married the man whose seed created Vedder (after he was born and already in his teens) and later on in his life when he wanted to start his rock and or roll career. I am also of the opinion that every few years the Earth shifts and anything not tied down slides out west. So in fairness to my assumption as to Eddie being a Canadian, he is sort of a nimrod. He has fronted for such bands as My Morning Jacket (Canadian), chums around with Neil Young (also Canadian), and subsequently Neil was good friends with The Band (who had 4 Canadian members). In concert he likes to wax philosophical about current events but mainly about politics. Since Vedder is a high school drop out, I have to liken this kind of behavior to a gym teacher expounding on fusion vs.'s fission. It makes me sick when celebrities think we need to be taught by them about our world...our culture or lack there of...for this reason I am officially changing Eddie Vedder's name to Canadian Eddie Vedder. Hey, it's better than Wikipedia. In their synopsis of Pearl Jam's frontman's life, they have him pushing up daisies. I just think he's a communist. I don't want him dead or anything.

Well, I have finally come out of my writer's block...sure it had nothing to do with football but what can you say when the Jets said it all on the field. I know the Jets only beat Miami but it was a must win in what has always been a hostile environment for the Jets. Pennington played well enough to win. Will it be enough to beat Indy or the Pats? No, he needs to play better than he did as does the defense and the offense as a unit. But can we beat those two in the playoffs? I think the win against the Pats in Mass. showed us we can beat them. We lost to the Colts but we played them tough in their building. Plus since then the Colts have shown the league their achilles. They cannot defend the run. Cannot. When we played the Colts Cedric Houston wasn't getting the carries he will if & when we play them again. So all is good in Jets land...no complaints here. I even got some new Jets gear for Christmas just in time for the playoffs and that's something I didn't think that I'd see when the season started. January football, even if it's just one or two games, will be sweet.

So remember two things:

Eddie Vedder is now Canadian Eddie Vedder.

&

The Jets will partake in playoff football this year.

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Chad gave all Jets fans a big present last night in the form of a big W. With a little help from his friends, namely the entire defensive squad and rocker/kicker Ted Nugent.

I set it up perfect last night. I put the kids to bed. I put the wife to bed. Then I put my Chad Pennington jersey on and put the game on in time to see the opening kickoff. I painstakenly watched three scoreless quarters and then must have fallen asleep to see all the action.

When I woke up at 1am I saw the highlights on Sports Center. However, in my half asleep and delusional state, I thought I saw a 14-0 win. I went to bed smiling. But when I woke up in the morning I saw that I missed the best quarter and the final score was 13-10. I no reason to stop smiling.

I saw enough highlights and read enough articles this morning to peice the whole game together. And I am giving three game balls away.

First one goes to the Jet Defense. These guys are playing awesome. The Dolphins really didn't make too many mistakes, but the defense still held the Fins to 10 points. Great job guys!

Second one goes to Ted Nugent. Nugent had another perfect game. You couldn't even blame him nor Ben Graham for that muffed snap. It was wet and Ben is an Aussie so you don't want to say anything bad about him otherwise he will hunt you down and chop your head off.

The third goes to Sir Chad Pennington. When Pennington plays well, the Jets win. Chad was extremely patient last night. He waited out the defense and struck when the timing was right. And some of those passes were threaded in there so perfectly.

I am really suprised he is not picked off more. He threw zero picks last night and the Jets won.

Go Jets! Thanks for the Christmas present!

LET'S GO JETS!

Fuck the Dolphins and go Teddy Nugent!

I don't have much to say, other than "Merry Fucking Christmas!" The Jets pulled out a much-needed win yesterday, and looked okay (in the second half) doing it. All they need to do is beat Oakland and they are in. If that happens, I'm going to have a playoff party at my house.

There is no reason why they shouldn't beat the Raiders. They are awful. They are traveling across the country to play a game on New Year's Eve that means nothing to them. Their coach is being fired this year. Their whole team should be gutted and replaced.

That being said, the Jets have a history of disappointing their fans and the Raiders could always want to spoil the Jets' playoffs hopes. (I know, they can still get in if they lose (with some help). Regardless, there is no way the Jets should lose to the Raiders.

Kudos to Teddy Nugent, he is really playing up to his potential, and that's great for the Jetropolitans.

On a side note, I came in third place in my FF league. Cotchery's TD helped me carry the day. (How did the field officials miss that, he was in by a mile?!).

GO JETS!!!!!!!

My new prediction:

Jets 24

Raiders 10

Why the Underdog Jets Are National Darlings

I could sense the cumulative consternation of Jets Nation Christmas night. Monday Night Football, in the thick of the bottleneck of the wild card race in the AFC, on the road in late December in Florida against a mightily-struggling Dolphins team and controlling their own destiny, the New York Jets waited until the end of the third quarter to display a pulse.

By halftime the Jets-Dolphins game score was a (jets) tittilating 0-0. Panic was that burning, runny feeling deep in the sinuses of Gang-greenies everywhere. Even I, a relocated and self-loathing Giants fan, was strenuously hoping that Pennington & Co. would get it together, dispatch the Fish (who played like they were out of water) and grab that dream of the playoffs dangling right over their heads. Tack on the fact that the Jets recently chose my hometown of Florham Park, NJ as their headquarters and that a good deal of my old friends from there are fans and you get my Bandwagon Vote.

I know that sounds like a sell-out, but I don't experience the bitterness of the Giants-Jets rivalry. I talk shit to Jets fans because of some unfortunate facility-sharing circumstances, but when it comes down to it, I like the Jets as long as they are not conflicting with my team's progress. And I believe that this is a distinction that the Jets enjoy with football fans across America outside of their division rivals, of course. That firefighter guy and the best crowd chant in the NFL has given the Jets some catchy and sentimental attachment to the nation's psyche, especially post-9/11. Throw in the classic, simple jerseys and a top-5 running back of all-time in Curtis Martin and the Jets had a great niche in the expanding exposure of the National Football League. That's great marketing, not from a billboard standpoint, but every NFL fan knows the 'J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets' chant. Commentators and nationally televised Jets home games further the endearment of it all. The rest of the league's fans are left to chant 'D-fense' and that's it. Here in Denver they chant, 'In-com-plete' but really, it pales in comparison.

Well, I think the Jets finally got to sensing that national underdog adoration in the 2nd half against the Dolphins. I sat there in Denver, watching with other transplants from Boston and Rochester and noticed them- having no allegiances at all- just start rooting for the Jets. The Boston guy was a Patriots fan! Why would he want them to win and possibly have to play them for a third time this year? The Rochester guy grew up with all Bills fans, but likes Cleveland. Sure enough, as soon as the Jets kicked a field goal to go up 3-0, they did the Jets chant.

Then the Jets seemed to notice there was game going on and they were in it.

The Jets defense should've been making Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon look like Strawberry Shortcake. The Jets offense knew it was going to have a time with the always tough Dolphins defense, but I expected their running-back-by-committee approach would move the chains, chew the clock and wear down Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas & Co. Fortunately, they did enough to win. The conditions were wet and sloppy, so that bears some reason for the ugly game.

When the game finished we started playing cards and I thought about the appeal of the Jets to the rest of the country. Jets fans got what they wanted for Christmas, a win and the driver's seat to the wild card pending a win next week over the woeful Raiders. Congrats Jets fans, the Cinderella season continues and here's hoping you that pumpkin coach doesn't show up any time soon.

All I want for Christmas is ...

Sure, I would like the above and 4 million bucks. (hey, I'm not being greedy, 4 mil is enough).

Seriously though, what I really want for Christmas is the following:

1. 2 Jets Victories and a playoff birth for our boys in green.
Can the Jets accomplish this? Of course they can! The weather in Miami will help out Chad and if the passing game is consistent and the running game gets a few yards, then they will beat the 'fins. They need to stop that dickhead Taylor from ending Chad's career as well. The Raiders scare me, because if the Jets will they will need to beat the Raiders to make the playoffs (in all likelihood) and that alone could mean the Jets' demise. We all know the Jets lose games they should win (i.e., Cleveland), and the Raiders game is, without question, one of these games. I put the pressure of winning this game on.... Mangini himself. Yes, he needs to get the players' minds off the pressure and focus them on winning. It will be a true test for the Penquin.
My predictions:
Jets 27 - Miami 14
Jets 20 - Oakland 6

2. Some goddamn respect for Jets' players.
Justin Miller is the only Jet to make the Pro-Bowl?? Ummm... hello, Laverneous Coles anyone? Kerry Rhodes??? What the fuck? That is horseshit! These two guys should have made the team, and it's bullshit that they didn't. It only shows that nobody is taking the Jets seriously this year. Fuck them. All the more reason why the Jets need to make the playoffs this year.

3. A playoff victory for the New York Jetropolitans.
This would shock the shit out of everyone and prove the Jets have more heart in their pinkies than the Giants do in their whole soulless (besides Tiki) team. On any given Sunday, anything can happen, and in my opinion, unless the Jets are playing the Chargers or the Ravens (with McNair), they have a legit shot to win.

4. Some new to look at my blogger profile so I can get past 24 "views."

And lastly,
5. World Peace.
Yeah right, I'm just hoping my son isn't drafted for WW III. Let's just hope we don't get nuked first.

That's about it. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As always, LET'S GO JETS!!!!!!

Buried By Blizzard, A Faded Football Fan Looks for the Answer

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas! I know all you Jet fans out there are sleeping soundly with images of playoffs and green gumdrops in your heads. Well, allow me the first to say, good luck! As my pathetic team has now marginalized themselves, I look forward to my other love, basketball.

As you can see, I have some time on my hands. Denver received over two feet of snow in the last 24 hours and it is still snowing! Fortunately I still have heat and electricity, or I'll have to burn books and eat my dog. Either that or send my girlfriend on foot for help. Just kidding.

But seriously, Christmas came early for Denver basketball fans. By now, I'm sure you all have seen the Nuggets/Knicks brawl footage. Growing up, unquestionably, the Knicks were my favorite team. But since I have lived in Colorado for eight years now (and have watched the Knicks deteriorate into a laughingstock) and access to games is so easy for me, I became a big-time Nugget fan. It has been fun watching Carmelo change his game and attitude ever so slightly over the last three years, but all that went into reverse during the Knick game. Did anyone see what a pussy Melo really is? Suckerpunches Mardy Collins and the RUNS AWAY to his bench. If you are going to throw a punch, be a man and face the guy you are hitting. Collins wasn't even looking at Melo, his back was to him, and Melo comes with a roundhouse suckerpunch? Frankly, I thought he'd be gone for half the season. Here were a few questions during the aftermath of the Garden Brawl:

• What were the Nuggets going to do in the very strong Western Conference without their best player?
  
• Why did he do it? Melo currently leads the NBA in scoring, has the Nuggets chasing the surprising Utah Jazz for the division lead, was a LOCK for the All-Star game and was having an MVP-type season.
• How stupid can you be? Five seconds of anger resulting in losing nearly $750,000? According to my figures Melo earns almost $53,000 per game, which equals $1086.50 every MINUTE of the game, whether he is playing or not. There are 82 games a season, not including bonus money for playoff appearances.
• What kind of image fall-out would this precipitate? Melo was opening youth centers, and donating millions to Syracuse, and the shoes and the good commercials...And what about the Nuggets catching the Jazz and making the playoffs? What about the scoring title, the All-Star game, the playoffs?

Lots of good questions were left in Nuggets fans' laps. Fortunately, Nugget management came up with the Answer:

Allen Iverson!

To quote the immortal Flavor Flav, "Yeeeaaaahhh, boyeee!"


I, for one, am very excited about this move. I realize that there may not be enough basketballs to go around initially, and I worry about players' egos. But we have a strong coach in George Karl who I think will find a way for Melo and AI to co-exist peacefully and successfully. Our backcourt of AI, JR Smith, Earl Boykins and Melo at small forward is as formidable as any in the NBA. Billups, Hamilton and Prince from the Detroit Pistons is the only other backcourt that appears as dangerous as the one in Denver right now. And they play slow-down, post-up basketball. The Nuggets are going to run so much the Phoenix Suns will look as swift as a trailer park. Boykins and AI would be IMPOSSIBLE to trap with pressure defense. And now we have THREE guys who want that last shot, Melo, Iverson and Smith. With our hustling big men, and Camby playing at an All-Star level, I'm saying that after an initial 'get-to-know-you' period the Denver Nuggets are going to take off. Wait and see.

As for football, good luck to all you Jet fans! You guys got the best schedule going in to wrap up the year. Take care of business in Miami, and I think the Broncos will beat the Bengals at Mile High, and I think I see Gang Green sneaking in there. I feel bad for you though, the AFC playoffs will be murder, hopefully you get the Pats in the first round, because its pretty damn tough the rest of the way.

I'll be pulling for you out here. Despite being a life-long Giants fan, here in Denver I root for anything New York or close to home. Plus, Florham Park became the Jets headquarters! Maybe I'll paint the building blue as a joke.

PLAYOFFS???

A few years back when Jim Mora Sr. was asked about his playoff chances during a dismal season he created one of the most famous playoff time sound bites in reacting with an aggravated, "PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?"

At the beginning of the season, one of my die hard Jet fan friends announced to me that if the Jets make it to the playoffs it would be a good year. I mimicked Mora and told my friend that we would be lucky to win 5 games. A sentiment that most level headed Jet fans shared. But guess what Jet fans? My hopeful friend must have had a premonition.

Believe it or not, the playoffs are looming for our beloved. We obviously need a few things to happen and need a little help from some friends/foes around the league. But here are some quick scenarios for you to keep in mind so you can root for and against different teams in upcoming weeks in an effort to make our Jets playoff hopes greater

The best thing for the Jets is to make it into one of the two Wild Card spots, which it looks like 4 teams are fighting for them right now. The Jets, Bengals, Jaguars and Broncos are vying for the Wild Card. The Jets are probably sitting the best spot out of any of them.

New York Jets: The Jets are 8-6 and have two games left. They play a 6-8 Miami team and a 2-12 Raider team. If we win those two games, we should be in the playoffs. However, a few losses amongst the following teams would only help.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are currently 8-5, and have won the last 4 in a row. However, they face Indianapolis tonight. Then they play Denver and finish up with Baltimore. In my opinion, if the Bengals get past Indy tonight they are going to be the team we need to root against more than anyone. Denver and Baltimore are not doing so hot these days. The Bengals are hitting their stride a little bit and could very well win the next three.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The fact that the Titans caught them with their pants down this weekend was huge for the Jets. However, I hope karma doesn't work against us on with Jacksonville, since we forgot to show up when we played them earlier this week.

Denver Broncos: Figgy's team is currently 8-6 as well. However, they have their hands full against Cinci and Al Gore and the San Francisco 69ers. What we really need the Broncos to do is beat the Bengals and then lose to San Fran. They are starting a rookie QB and have the chips stacked against them the most out of any of these Wild Card contenders.

What we really need to focus on our side of the street. And that means we need to win this weekend against Miami, in Miami.

This will not be an easy task. I predict a low scoring game. Lets hope Mangini's game plan includes shutting down the run and confusing blitz packages against Ron Farrington.

Jets 16 - Dolphins 10

Jets Playoff Hopes...

Courtesie of Yahoo Answers:

The loss to Buffalo derailed the Jets' plans to make it to the playoffs this year. While they are not mathematically eliminanted, the plug is about to be pulled. I will assume that they will not catch NE for the divison lead. Fighting for the final two playoff spots, they have two teams ahead of them in record, and two teams tied with them for the same record. Of these four teams they own the tiebreaker only against KC (better conference record). Jacksonville has a one game lead and has beaten the Jets already this year, so essentaily the Jags have a two game lead with three to play. Barring a complete meltdown from NE and assuming the Jags are in, the Jets need to win out and hope that Denver and Cinncy don't make it to 10-6. Denver and Cinncy both play in week 16, so this makes it even more challanging for the Jets. Denver needs go 2-1, Cinncy needs to go 1-2, and/or the Jags need to go 0-3.Also if NE goes 10-6 (1-2) or 9-7 (0-3) and the Jets win out, the Jets will win the East.

First of all, thank you to the person who did that work. I was trying to figure it out on my own and had the Jets winning their division. But that was the good olde Jets fan in me trying to will a playoff birth for my Jets. Sometimes I think the NFL powers that be rely on this blog for their processes and procedures. So in my delusional Jets fan mind, I think that if they rely on this blog to see who is in the playoffs then I could put the Jets as having home field advantage all the way through the playoffs and they would beleive it. I was going to have them playing the Raiders every week of the playoffs and then having them playing the Raiders in the Superbowl.

Ok sorry, now back to reality. The Jets are in a weird spot right now. They basically need to do their part and win all of their games here on out. That is all they can control so they need to focus on what they can control.

As for all the other scenarios, lets put that in a Higher Powers hands. So lets say a prayer, "Baby Jesus, if it be your will, please let the players and coaches from the Jags, Cheifs, Broncos and Bengels get sick and lose all of their remaining three games. Perhaps a good way would have them eat at Taco Bell and get E-Coli that way nobody would know you were involved. And Baby Jesus, it if be your will, perhaps you can turn Chad Pennington into a young Brett Favre or Joe Montana. 1989 Montana would do or 1995 Favre would be nice. And if you are bringing back 1989 Montana would it be at all possible if you could bring back 1983 Joe Klecko and 1985 Mark Gastinau. And perhaps after we win the Superbowl, Baby Jesus, could you arrange to have a Death Match between 1985 Gastinau and 1977 Rocky Balboa at Madison Square Garden and donate all the proceeds to the Unruly Jets Fan Fun for Retarded People? Please make the check out to Unruly Jets Fan, I will make sure it gets to the right place. Thank you baby Jesus!"

Listen Jets fans. We have a lot to be grateful this season with the way the Jets have exceeded all of our expectations. So lets not get too crazy if the Jets don't make it to the playoffs. AND LETS GO NUTS IF THEY DO!!!

We need to go into it one game at a time. Next up, Minnasota. Now lets buckle down and go into the land of 50 lakes and fuck some shit up!!!

Jets 31 - Mini-Assholes 10

Write it down!!!!

NFL Predictions, everyone!

It is that time of year. Time to lay it all on the line for the big playoff push in the National Football League. And if you are lucky enough to have a team in contention, even better. That does, however, skew your ability to pick with neutrality. Case in point:


Figgy the Mick's playoff predictions! Take it to the bank, sell the farm and kick the bucket, even Berman's picks aren't this good.

In the AFC, these are the division winners:
West - Chargers
South - Colts
North - Ravens
East - Patriots

wild cards-Jacksonville and Cincinnati


In the NFC, division winners:
West - Seahawks
South - Saints
North - Da Bears
East - ughh, Cowboys

wild cards - Atlanta and the New York Football Giants


Here's how this biased commentator sees it shaking down:

Cincy goes to the Colts (who fall to the 3 seed) in which Indy wins a close one. Cincy runs for 175 yds and two TD's but Palmer throws a late pick to seal the deal.

Jacksonville travels to New England where Tom Brady performs his usual playoff magic. Jax is eliminated for the second year in a row at Foxboro.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

Colts go to the Ravens and Peyton winds up running for his life. Jamal Lewis and Mike Anderson pound the ball, keeping the Colt offense off the field. Still, its a close one that the Colts lose. Baltimore is headed to the AFC Championship.

The Patriots go to play the San Diego SuperChargers, who finish the regular season as the NFL's best team. The Pats push them to the limit, but San Diego squeaks by thanks to NFL MVP LT. Expect a trick play from the ever-dangerous Patriots.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Baltimore travels to San Diego and lets everyone know who the dominant defense is. The Chargers D can't penetrate the massive Baltimore O line and Steve McNair plays an efficent game, no turnovers. San Diego turns it over twice, Rivers not ready yet, and Marty chokes down the stretch one more time.





Now for the woefully outclassed NFC:

The Falcons travel to the Cowboys, but Mike Vick puts on another amazing performance. They get one running back healthy, but still the Dallas D does just enough to win the day, Cowboys by four points.

The Giants start their revenge tour in Seattle, where they had the most horrid performance of the season in Week 3. Revenge for Eli, Tiki and company. Giants by 7.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

The Cowboys travel to the Saints....and get blown out again by the league's best offense. Saints by 17!

The G-men hit the Windy City to take on the Monsters of the Midway. THIS time Rex Grossman is yanked by halftime, but to no avail. Griese can't win the day, the Giants win by one point capturing a massive upset. Plaxico and Shockey have a TD each.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

The Saints prove too much for the Giants. Reggie, Deuce score and Brees has two TD's. Saints win by 10.

SUPER BOWL 41

Ravens bring the Saints back down tom Earth. Ray Lewis gets another ring and Steve McNair gets his (well-deserved) first. Ravens 20, Saints 17.

Playing quarterback in New York is dirty business. Because both professional football teams from the Big Apple are suffering from highly schitzophrenic seasons I have decided to do a background check on the Giants' and Jets' field generals.

As you can see, I have captured them at their best. It appears that Eli Manning had a a pretty normal college experience. He's got Goldschlagger written all over his face. But where are the girls?! Dude, you are the quarterback of a major college football program! There should be bras on the ground and panties stretched over your drunk-ass head. What can you say though, I guess at Ole Miss it is still fun to draw a penis on somebody's face - goes to show the level of academic standards - even though most boys grow out of that by 9th grade.

Look at Chad Pennington posing with his illegitamite son and a Aryan afro. Just look at him. I wouldn't 'out' him like this under normal circumstances, but he is not producing for the Jets and thus the smear campaign and character assassination has begun. Jets fans expect less out of their quarterbacks, but even so - Chad's on the hot seat.

Though their fans and chants are endearing, c'mon, the Vietnam War was raging the last time the Jets won a Super Bowl. They had to borrow a Giants coach (Parcells) just to get to an AFC Championship game in 1999, which they lost. During the 1980's and 1990's managing games was enough to have winning seasons in the AFC. Not anymore. Clearly, the class teams of the National Football League are in the AFC. The Jets are going to need a smart, efficent offense (like the West Coast short passes and throws to the fullback and running back) and a punishing defense. Chad is certainly smart enough, but is his arm up to it?

Getting out of their division alone will take some doing, New England, Buffalo and Miami play each other extremely well, regardless of their records. And after that the Jets have to clear the Colts, Jaguars, Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Broncos, Chargers and Chiefs - all perenially competitive teams. I don't think Chad has better days ahead of him, they are behind. As maddening as Eli's play is sometimes, he's still a young guy with the prime of his career ahead of him.

Both are cerebral, team players. Chad's shortcoming isn't his fault and is a physical one. Eli, however, has all the tools, the pedigree and a prestigous organization to command, now he just needs to seize permanent confidence and control. Plus, if the Giants trade Plaxico for Randy Moss and draft a complement back to Brandon Jacobs to replace Tiki, they will be competitive for years to come.

Lets Face It, We Need a New QB

I love Chad. How could anyone not. But he is just not getting it done.

I am sorry, but I cannot deal with his inconsistent play. He turns the ball over too many times. He looks like a retarded deer when he runs with the ball. He throws the ball like I do with my left hand.

We need someone who can throw different passes than a little dinker to the running back or a lob pass to the side line.

Last weekend, Favre was throwing his passes to Donald Driver like he was trying to throw it through his chest. When Chad first game up from college, he did have some zip on the ball. We need a QB who has a little bit of that.

I think Chad is done. He has had two shoulder surgeries on his throwing shoulder. He should really just hang it up and be a QB coach on this staff.

I don't know if Clemens is the man either. He reminds me of Brooks Bollinger a little. And although I liked Brooksie, he just is not an NFL franchise QB. But I hope Clemens is the man. We wasted a 2nd rounder on him. Hopefully he is a Tom Brady or a Tony Romo sitting in the wings.

Games like yesterday's Bills game just depress me. I know this whole season is a bit of a pleasant surprise. And if we lose every game from here on out, it is still a success given what we had when we came into this season.

However, we need to think of the future. We have some great cogs on our roster. Guys like Nick Mangold, D'Brickashaw, Jerrico Crotchery, Kerry Rhodes, Jon Vilma and Bryan Thomas are the solid players we can build upon. Now we need a general at the helm. We need a RB too, dont get me wrong. But we need a QB, and Chad is not it.

It pains me to write something like this about Chad, it really does. But my patience has worn out. So keep your eyes open on the Free Agent Market and listen to see if Mel Kiper thinks there are any good college QB's coming up. Chad's head is officially on my chopping block!

I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS - WILL THE JETS WIN THIS SUNDAY AND WHERE IS GADFLY?

Let's deal with the most pressing issue. Where the fuck is Shea Gadfly? Sure, he has time to work, go to the motherland and put the occassional posting on his other great blog, but where for art thou on this blog, Gadflyeo? And I'm sure he has to spend time working for the man and earning a living, but really now, what is more important than this Jets blog? I can't write good blogs. All of the sudden Unruly is getting serious and talking about racism in America, I mean, what the hell is going on?

Regardless, the Jetropolitans have a huge game this week against their bitter division rival, Buffalo. Thankfully, it's home. This game is a must win. It will give the Jets more credibility (they still aren't getting their props, maybe because they don't have much of a running game and their running defense is suspect) and perhaps solidify their chances of making the playoffs. Only Minnesota, Miami and Oakland are left after Buffalo. The Jets should and can win all of those games. There is no question they have an easy schedule, but that doesn't mean they won't do something in the playoffs. Shit, crazier things have happened.

I have faith in Kerry, Chad, Jericho and whatever RB starts next week. (I don't even have to comment on Coles, the guy is solid every week). As far as the Bills go, Gore is tough and ran all over the Jets last time they played, and Losman is spotty, but you never know. Lee Evans has become a threat and their defense isn't too bad. Speaking of defense, I hope the Jets can make some tackles and play like they did last week in Green Bay. If they do, the Bills are not winning.

My prediction:
Jets 24, Bills 20

Let's Go Jets!!!!!!!

Yo, for real, you's a racialist!

A few months back I was driving home from a work event in Massachussets when I was listening to Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Radio. The topic of discussion was the Knicks debacle. Going against my golden rule to never be one of these pathetic callers on talk radio I picked up the phone and dialed the number they repeated 10 times.

Since I had a four hour ride in front of me, all I really wanted to do was have something to keep my mind off the long drive. So I was going to tell Stephen, who I thoroughly enjoy listening to, that this Knicks team is young and they need to stick with Coach Larry Browns "system".

While I was on hold for 40 minutes, and feeling like the biggest loser for calling. During that time they changed the topic from the Knicks to racism in sports. Apparently Bryant Gumble, who is a bigger idiot than these pathetic talk radio callers, had caused some sort of a stir about some border line racism thing that I cannot even remember. It was so stupid that I couldn't even believe that Stephen A. brought it up.

So as I was listening to Stephen A. rant about racism in sports I started to boil up a little bit. I could not stop thinking how pro sports is probably the best neutralized of racism in America. The producer of the radio show jumped on my phone line while I was on hold and asked if I could talk about this topic. I gladly ablidged.

Finally Stephen picked up the phone and said, "OK Unruly, what's on your mind?" I blurted out, "Stephen, there is no better neutralized of racism in America than sports." I went on to tell him that I am a middle-American white guy from middle class New Jersey and that when I watch football or baseball or basketball I do not view these guys as white or black. I just picture them as Michael Strahan or Duane Wade or Bernie Williams.

Stephen, who is a black man, replied with something to the effect that racism is alive and well and we all need to keep talking about it and then it will finally go away. Right when he was about to hang up I blurted out that with all due respect the topic of racism is boring. Not to demean any victims of racism and their feelings, but it gets way to much publicity.

But, I really thought about what he said. And respect his position that racism is alive and well. I really do not know what it is to be black and dealing with race issues. And I know racism is alive and well. And in some parts of the country I am sure it is worse than other parts.

However, I disagree with the idea that we need to keep talking about it. Perhaps Stephen needs to keep talking about it, but I really do not think that if we all keep talking about it that it will somehow magically disappear.

Last year, Morgan Freeman was on 60 Minutes. The interviewer brought up the topic of racism. Now, Morgan is a very mature, wise old black man who has probably seen it all. He casually replied, "Racism will disappear when we stop talking about it."

I think Morgan is right on target. The less we talk about racism the more it will go away. I believe people like Bryant Gumble and Stephen A. Smith publicly bringing up racism just adds logs to the fire.

Recently the Rev. Jesse Jackson publicly called out to all rappers to stop using the "n" word in their music. I thought this idea was great and right in line with what Morgan Freeman was saying. But then the next week Jackson was standing next to Al Sharpten on TV saying the NYPD are racists. He is not helping anything to do with stopping racism.

Now I know coming from a white person, victims of racism will poo poo anything I am saying. And I cannot stand before African-American people from a mountain top and say, "we cannot talk about racism any more." It still does exist. And I think some black people need to talk about it, probably in the confines of a psycho-therapist to get through their own personal issues with it.

The only person who I can control is myself. And you can only control yourself. So I stop talking about racism and you stop talking abour racism, it will eventually disappear. So stop talking about it. Now!

Plus, it is the damn Muslims that are creating all the problems in the world. Just kidding!

The NFL (The Not Fun League)

I gotta admit that I stole the title of this post from Max Kellerman over at ESPN...I like the guy and usually agree with him even though he's a total egomaniac (so am I)...see link in title and give him a look, join his army, or just listen to a real sports fan who still realizes that boxing is the most manly sport.

Anyway, it just seems that football which is the self proclaimed most popular sport in our great country has lost a lot of it's edge. As witnessed in the Giants humiliating loss to the Titans this weekend, guys don't even know if they can hit the QB anymore...even when he's still holding on to the ball? Yep, it's true and even though this is a football site and I am more of a baseball fan, I don't think anyone can argue this fact with me. Something has to give as it has become glaringly obvious that the league is crumbling from within and no one in charge now knows how to fix it. Where have you gone Paul Tagliabue?

Quarterbacks are now built like linemen. You see guys who are 6-5 plus with girth. And yet if you blow a kiss at them from ten feet away you might get flagged for unecessary and unwanted contact. Forget the fact that my personal QB, Chad Pennington, can't sustain a real hit without being sidelined for most of the season. Most of the game callers in the league can...and should have to the same way everyone else on the field does. Besides, what other position has as many guys paid just to protect them? Shouldn't that be a reason you CAN hit the QB? I'm not talking about hitting the QB ten seconds after the whistle blows. But isn't their a big difference between hitting a guy when a play is going on as opposed to when the play has been blown dead? I think there is but the NFL isn't sure...they should make up their mind once and for all. Remember this is a league that has made the ponderous decision to use instant replay taking away the human element, second guess itself into outlawing it, realize this might have been a bad decision and bring it back yet tweak the rules so it can be only used during certain points in the game...I guarantee they change it again. Only basketball has changed it's rules as many times as football.

Speaking of basketball, football mirrors it in many ways. I know the NFL has tried to cut down on excessive celebrating. They have gone to great lengths to be the epitome of class. Yet, I constantly still see guys after routine tackles flexing and guffawing. What would happen, if after a guy hit a game tying home run in baseball, ran around the bases, grabbed his bat, then went out and spiked the bat on the pitchers mound? The league would fine him but his teamates would also hate him, he'd get beaned in the head and his value would decrease to the point of being non existent. In the NFL guys get penalized 10-15 yards, they get hit with a fine and their teamates love them. Pretty classy eh? The NBA as well as the NFL has tried to tone down the thuggery. Why? If you dress a slut in a Sunday dress, she's still a slut. I say dressing street thugs in a suit is ridiculous. Telling them not to wear headphones in public is just naive. Asking them not to hide cell phones in the uprights is nonsense. Stop trying to be classy. Bring on the penalties and the fines. Encourage the reckless nature of the sport because that is the NASCAR mentality of the sport itself. Ebrace your inner thuggery. Be the fun league again.

Just some sidenotes:

1.) Why is it that baseball is accused of being some sort of front runner in the athlete enhancement drug taking culture...Am I supposed to forget how unnatural it is for guys to weigh 350 lbs. and run around on a field for three plus hours every weekend. Be honest, embrace your inner thuggery, football fans.

2.) How is it that a sport where coaches drive through fast food lanes naked has such good PR? I mean, have you seen the latest edition of SI? Why football rocks? I'm sorry but it is a little sickening to me that I have to see Brett Favre (Something About Mary still makes me laugh a little Brett) on the cover wearing a hoodie like he's Muhammed Ali. SI, the biggest sports magazine in the country...mid season, trying to convince it's readers why football is the greatest singular thing that has ever happened to this country. It's borderline confusing. It would be totally mind numbing if it weren't so obvious what it's really about in the long run. Like Wu Tang Clan once said, "Cream get the money, dollar dollar bill y'all." Embrace your inner thug.

3.) Sorry for the anti-football rant guys but baseball is still three months away. My St.Peter's Peacocks got raped by SHU the other night (I owe Fakehead some dollar dollar bills on that one) and if the Jets don't show some fire this weekend (against the above mentioned Brett Faaaaaa-Vraaaahhh) it could be a while before there are any good sports to watch. I might even have to start rooting for Georgetown basketball...the horror. But now that I have gotten it all off my chest I can honestly say:

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

PS - Unruly, I can honestly side with you and say that I have always liked the Jets for being less thuggish than other teams. Besides Broadway Joe (who could back it up) and Keyshawn (who sometimes did), the Jets have never been a team to showboat. Go Jets, win this one with quiet dignity...like you knew you would all along!

TURKEY BOWL RECAP

The Jets Rock and the Giants BLOW!

Hardy fucking har to all those Giants fans!!!!! They lose to a rookie QB and now they have the same record as the New York Jetropolitans!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Jets!!!!!!!!

It was a great game all around, but Kerry Rhodes did it again! The man continues to impress. Of course, another great game by Coles AND Cotchery (quickly becoming a great WR) showed why the Jets are no joke.

On to Green Bay and that old man QB!!!!

Go Jets!

Who cares about celebrities, and thank God the Jets don't have any wanna-bes.

I cannot stand celebrity worship and/or news. It makes me insane. "Oh my God, TOMKAT got married!!!!!" "Oh my, Rosie said some shit about Kelly Ripa!" "Holy cow junior, Kramer is a racist!" I made the mistake of paying attention to "Access Hollywood" or "Extra" (they are both the same show at different times on different networks from what I can tell) when it was on when I got home from work last night.

Why do we all give a shit????? It makes no difference on our lives whether Tom Cruise's baby really exists, whether Rosie said what about who or whether Clay Aiken is a homosexual or who cheats on who or who is getting divorced and blah, blah blah. It's all nonesense. There are big problems in the world, (I don't know, Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Crime, etc.) and most people want to know what is going on with Britney and that scumbag she married and decided to have 2 kids with. Who give a fuck? Don't even get me started on MTV, the network (videos, anyone? thanks anyway) that capitalizes on the fact that normal people are dying to be famous by being outrageous (aka - Real World, Super 16 or whatever it's called, Laguna Beach, etc).

That being said, ESPN tries to do the same thing. They run their highlight shows and love to show fights, homeruns, touchdown dances, stupid things people do or say, and so on. They try to make athletes into celebrities. Granted, they want people to watch their show. I don't have a problem with that. What I have a problem with is the athlete who becomes a wannabe celebrity. Case in point: T.O. The guy is so controversial and nuts he got thrown off the Eagles and now every single story (besides the recent QB controversy) is about Parcells and TO. "Did TO piss off the Tuna?" "Did Parcells take a shit and smell up the bathroom and TO got upset because he went in after him?" Fucking play football!!!!!

That is the one good thing about the Jets. They don't have any wannabes. L. Coles is a solid guy who isn't showy. Chad could be more showy if you ask me. Curtis was the man, a solid citizen. (Now they don't have a RB). At least the Jets can say that they don't have an idiot who tries to take all the headlines on their team. And that, my friends, is a good thing.

As for the celebrity nonesense, Kramer is an idiot and not funny if he can't handle hecklers without dropping the "N" bomb, Rosie is a fat loser for saying Kelly Ripa is homophobic because she didn't like that Gay Aiken put his hand over her mouth to stop her from talking(who would, the guy probably touched a little boy with that hand, even if he isn't gay, (not that there is anything wrong with it) the motherfucker is Michael Jackson, Part 2, a creepy motherfucker indeed), and I hope that everyone who hosts, produces and directs Extra and Access Hollywood gets cancer and dies. The only problem is, like zombies, there will be more idiots to take those idiots place when they are finally dead. It will never end. I could go on about how "Celebrity" is bringing this country down, but why bother. My buddies don't want to hear it and I probably just turned off the other guy who reads this blog.

Go Jets!

My predictions:
Jets: 27 Texans: 20

Clay Aiken: Gay

Tom Cruise: Straight

Rosie O'Donnell: Fat bigmouth (Sorry, that's just a fact).

Either I need to be drunker or just get better seats, but going to games ain't always what it's cracked up to be.

Why is it almost every time I go to a sporting event (mostly football games) I get so Goddamn annoyed? Well, because of stupid, crazy, retarded fans. I'm not talking about real retarded people either. They don't have a choice in the matter. I'm talking about the guy who has to stand up on every fucking play in the upper level, even when it is 2nd and 7 midway through the first quarter and the Bears have the ball. I'm talking about the hard high five slappers. I'm talking about the drunk assholes who can't handle their intoxication. I'm talking about the losers on their cell phone the whole game or people who read the paper during the game. (Hey, do that shit in the parking lot you stupid bastard!).

So, my day started at 10:30 am, when I was picked up by my buddy and we were suppossed to meet one of his buddies at the Stadium. I drove and we got to the Stadium around 11:15, and the parking Nazis wouldn't let me park in any of the main lots. I was stuck in a huge traffic jam for almost a half hour just trying to park. Finally, I end up in Lot C, which is a great lot for the racetrack, and a mile walk to see a football game. So, after getting a phone call that my the other guy who was suppossed to take the third ticket bailed out, I proceeded to meet my brother at his tailgate spot a mile away. It was a 2 beer walk, past AT LEAST 300 open spaces in other lots.

Luckily, we arrived just in time for some burgers and had some food and drink while my brother and his friends had a conversation with Mary Jane to get ready for the big game. My buddy and I did not partake. Regardless, we make the trek to our gate and found out that the "NFL on FOX" show was filming live at the stadium. This was more annoying than the parking lot traffic jam, as dozens of idiots gathered behind the taping to scream, yell and be fucking idiots in an attempt to get on TV for a second. Plus, the spillage went into the lines going into the gate. So my buddy and I wait for 20 minutes and the line into the stadium does not even move. We look behind us and we were the last ones on line because everyone behind us flanked the gate by the side. It was just dumb.

Finally, we get into the game and get to our seats, and there are Bears fans everywhere. I had a Bears fan with his son/daughter (couldn't tell, hope the kid turns out all right) behind us, and the little kid was constantly kicking the empty chair in front of him/her and the thumping resonated to my seat, which was next to the empty chair. I kept turning around, waiting for the idiot father to tell the kid to stop, but he and his dumb Urlacher jersey was too focused on the game. So, instead of going apeshit, I simply put my arm around the empty chair so the kid had to stop because he/she was kicking my arm and noticed what he/she was doing. Then, thankfully, two old guys showed up and didn't want to walk to the other side of the section so we let them sit next to us and now the kid had somebody in front of him/her and could no longer kick the chair. At least if he/she did I didn't notice or care.

Regardless, the game was exciting, but not exciting enough for two drunk high-fiving idiots to stand up every five minutes, which they proceeded to do so the rest of us couldn't see. I have no problem with standing and often do during games, but only when it is an important time in the game. These two stood on every play, until they tired out towards the end of the game, when standing was probably a good idea.

Then there was the yelling. Fuck this, fuck that, no concern for women or children at all (even kids who kick seats shouldn't hear that shit). Then the ribbing, or abuse, of the Bears fans. It started out jovial, and it turned nasty. I have no problem with some ribbing of fans, it should be hard to wear an away team's jersey in Jets Stadium, but you don't have to yell at them every time the Jets make a play. The fan has nothing to do with the players on the field. (That about sums up this blog). Bears fans were having shit thrown at them, it was insane. Then, the one Bears fan who was too loud and way too drunk, started threatening to fight everyone around him. The Jets fans would have gladly taken him up on it. So the guy starts "mother fucking" everyone around him, and on come the pretzels, peanuts, etc. etc. Then, the yellow jackets came and took him away. That was great to see actually, because that guy was a real dickhead. I even yelled at him that it wasn't 1985 and there wasn't going to be any "Super Bowl Shuffle" this year. (Which, by the way there isn't, there is no way the Bears are winning the Super Bowl with Rex Suckman at the helm. Rex Grossman is NO Jim McMahon).

Regardless, I enjoyed the game but all the other shit is just too much. I thought about when I could bring my kid to a game, and the answer is when he is 16 years old. By then he will know every swear there is and I won't feel like I will have to kill anyone who says something to him or throws something at another fan and it hits him. It's a shame. Maybe the behavior in the lower seats is better, I don't know. But the upper tier is like the inmates running the prison. I don't think, no matter how intoxicated I used to get, that I ever acted like some of these guys. It just ruins everyone's experience.

Will I be back? Fuck yeah. I love the Jets and I love to tailgate and watch games in the cold weather. I also want to attend with Unruly and Shea GF. Next time I'll maybe I'll just drink more I guess. Then I won't be too annoyed, and I only have to worry about falling off the tier. Of course, falling wouldn't be too bad if I landed on a fan from the opposite team. Then some idiot would just comment, "Wow man, who threw a body at that Bills' fan?"

Get up and throw a touchdown pass you wuss!

I will write a little more about the game this week, but all I can say is that the Jets should have won!!!!! They had a couple of oppotunities and their defense (for once) stepped it up!!!!! I was proud of they way they hung in there, they were just waiting for the offense to do something. It failed them.

A few notes:

Kerry Rhodes continues to impress. The guy is a gamer with heart.

I forgot how good L. Coles is. He makes some amazing moves after he catches the ball. I'm glad he's back in green and white.

Cedric Houston? I don't feel like looking up how to spell his name, but for some reason he got a lot of touches and he wasn't that bad. Mangini must have read some scouting reports. It just goes to show that he doesn't have confidence in any of his backs, no matter what they do in the week prior.

Chad. He blew. Again. Can he please step it up? The Jets should have beaten the Colts, Bears and for God's sake the Browns. I blame Chad for two of those three losses. (Of course, my opinion means nothing).

I'll try to write about the behind the scenes stuff later, like how the drunk Bears fans got tossed and how I almost threw a little kid off the upper tier. (I would of course never do that, but I'll explain later).

All I can say is, they better beat the fucking Texans next week!!

HEY JETS - "YOU CAN DO IT"

Yes, the Jets can beat the Chicago Bears, just like they beat the Pats last week. How will they get this done? Well, the first thing that needs to happen is Chad needs to play like Patriot game and Titan game Chad, and not Jacksonville game and Cleveland game Chad. Chad needs to step it up, becaues the Jets "O" lives and dies with him. Maybe Mangini mixes it up a little more with Barlow and Washington this week, whatever works!

The second thing that obviously needs to happen is the Jets need to pressure Grossman so he fucks up. Blitz him at least 2 out of 4 downs so he feels some heat. Grossman cannot take the heat, so he is going to get the hell out of the kitchen. AKA, he is going to throw picks, made bad decisions and look like, well ... Rex Grossman. The guy isn't good and never was. The Bears win despite him most weeks. Regardless, I am going to the game and I'm write a report, win or lose, after the game.

In the meantime, Go Jets!!

Jet Notes

He's Baaaack!









Vinnie Testeverde's wife kicked him out of his house for the second straight November. Last season he came out of his retirement to join the Jets after Pennington and Jay Feidler got injured. This time, he comes out to join...and get this...THE PATRIOTS!!! Hey, no love lost here. Good for Vinnie! I am glad he can still find work. I loved him and 1998. I did not like him so much in 2005. The reason the Pats picked him up is they really have no back up QB. They have one other QB besides Brady on the roster. A second year guy from USC. His name doesn't matter at this point, ok.

The Patriots Game

No need to throw salt in their wounds, but that was fucking awesome!!!

The Bears Game

This is going to be trouble. I don't know how the call this one. So if any betters are relying on this blog for betting advice, I would hold off on this one. The Bears do have an awesome Defense. And their Offense is getting it done. But what's worse is the Jets are playing all over the map. I know they just beat the Pats, but don't forget they also lost to the Browns. They should have won that game.

Barlow

Hey, he looked good last week. And my man, Leon Washington was very quiet. Barlow looked like a real NFL back last week. Lets hope he keeps it up.

Pennington

His little lob passes to the left are just a tinsy bit nerve racking. But he is looking ok.

Gadfly, your on the fan, what are your thoughts?

Pack the Caa at Havad Yad!!!

Right now I am writing from my hotel room about a half hour south of Foxboro Stadium. I am definitely in enemy territory. I am sitting here thinking of how sweet it will be if my Jets can pull a win over the Patriots this weekend and how I would be able to rub it into the faces of my New England based co-workers.

As I sit here at my computer I am pondering that their are a few challenges in being employed by a Massachusetts headquartered company. The first thing to get used to is the fact that they do not believe that the letter "r" is in the alphabet. So it takes about five years of working with these people to understand their language.

The second is...actually the language thing is probably such challenge that it takes up to bullet points.

The third is being a Jets fan base in New Jersey dealing with the constant guff from the "three time Superbowl champion New England Patriots" fans! Puke!!!

I am really not sure where to begin and don't want to make this blog that long. Let me just run off on a tangent on Belechick's "system" and see where that goes. Patriots fans have no player loyalty. You have to hear how they callously just let players go. They didn't even care that Viniteri didn't get re-signed, they didn't even fain a protest when Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weiss take other coaching jobs and they practically packed Superbowl MVP Dione Branch's bags for him when he was holding out for more money.

These fans are completely bought into the fact that Belechick can just "plug in" another player. I think Belichick has gotten away with his "system" for a while but I believe his time will come up soon. I do not think you can let a clutch kicker like Viniteri get away. I hang my hat on the fact that their will be a game where the season will be on the line this year where it will come down to a missed field goal. I will wait to tell my co-workers "I told you so." until that date.

What the fans don't realize is that soon Patriot management are going to raise ticket prices by $50.00. The first hint of kibitsing, they will take their tickets away and sell them to some rich snot nosed half fan from East Boston.

At any rate, I know this blog is all over the place. I think I am too emotionally connected to this game to articulate anything other than that I want the Jets to pull a huge upset Sunday.

My prediction: Jets 21 - Pats 17.

PS: I have been here for a day and a half and three people on the street have called me "Sully". I AM NOT EVEN IRISH!!!

ONE MORE STRIKE TO GO!!!

This Jet fan is starting to despise Mr. Bill Belechik. I never hated him before this year. But he is just getting under my skin. And this has nothing to do with the fact that new JETS Blog, blog, blog poster, Caymus 67 has started rubbing his Pats fan finger in our faces.

What is really has to do with two major snubs Belechick he sent our way. It started when he first departed. You remember, Belechick excepted the Jets job and then a day later quits. And without any good reason. However we Jet fans said, "Hey good for you Bill. And there was no sour grapes from us Jets fans. Probably mostly because we knew his track record as a head coach in Cleveland, which was horrendous, and didn't want any of that here in Jets Nation.

Then he goes up and wins three Superbowls. Hey, good for you Bill. We Jets fans were nothing but gracious and rooted for our AFC East brother each time. We really did.

The second snub came when the Jets hosted the Pats in game two. Magini surprised all of us by having the Pats on the ropes. Even though he couldn't pull off the win. But after the game, Mangini graciously shook Belechick's hand and Bill responded by giving him the old "dead hand" and turned away.

Fuck you Bill! Give your former water boy some kudos. Who cares if he went to a team that you didn't want to coach for. Perhaps you didn't get along with that current management. That is not Mangini's fault! And plus, there is a different owner now. In my opinion, you need to get yourself right with Mangini. You really need to give Mangini some credit and stop being a jerk.

But more than that, if you are an asshole to Mangini you are messing with us, the Jet Fans! You are starting a war in a way. And one more dickhead move and you will be forcing a full out war with the Jets and all of us Jet Fans!!!

You have proved that another snub is on its way. So bring it on Bill. And we hope Manning kicks your ass this weekend.

And the only way you will redeem yourself is to show our boy Mangini some respect. And that doesn't mean you do your kissy kissy special on him either.

My Favorite Martin!

Thank you Curtis Martin for all the memories. Thank Curtis Martin for being a Jet. Thank you Curtis Martin for always being a work horse all those years. Ok I am about to cry.

I also want to thank the Jets for strategically arranging all the other players around Curtis Martin that brought all of those Superbowl rings to our beloved Jets. Curtis, seriously thank you a million times for giving it your all. I am embarrassed that you had to end your career as a Jet and no rings.

OK, lets move on...

...because we have Leon Washington baby! And he is the only real thing to tune in on Sundays for.

And if in two years he doesn't work out...

...the Jets can draft two time Hiesman Winner (by the time that draft comes) Ray Rice from Rutgers.

Not quite bullshit, and Chad, put your fucking arms down.

Chad Pennington held his arms up in a "TD" pose after throwing a pass to Chris Baker on the Jets' last possession yesterday and he wouldn't put them down. It was almost as if he was trying to will the officials to call it a TD. Guess what, they didn't. Put your arms down, it's embarassing. But not as embarassing as the way Chad played during 3.8 quarters of the game yesterday. Or as embarassing as the Jets' defense played for every Browns' possession but the last two.

Yes, the play at the end of the game should have at least been reviewed, it looked like Baker could have come down in bounds and it's horseshit. But, why are the Jets struggling to TIE this game on their last possession? They should have won, straight up, no theatrics necessary. Chad, again, played like complete shit. The defense let Drougghns (sp, I don't feel like checking) run all over them for most of the game. Then, at the end of the game, they managed to stop the Browns twice (coupled with an awesome punt by our new favorite Jet). The announcers and the crowd didn't like the conservative play-calling by the Browns on their last two possessions, but you know what? I think it was smart! They probably thought, let the D stop the Jets, because their offense is just God-awful! The Browns were playing the odds that Chad was going to fuck up or get sacked. Granted, Chad made a great move to avoid the sack and threw a good ball, but where was all that in the first three quarters?

Another question, how many times are the Jets going to depend on a Justin Miller touchdown? They must all pray everytime he touches the ball that he scores because half the time they are desperate for points. Thank God they have him!

It was an awful game, and I don't know what else to say about the Jets' defense. Obviously, the new scheme is not working. Maybe when they get two other All-Pro LBs besides Vilma and a D-Line that can pressure the QB it will work. Unfortunately, that's not the case this year.

So, into the bye week with this loss hanging over their heads. They need to win the games they should win. And God forbid when they play games that they should lose, it's going to be a blood bath. (Bears, anyone?)

So, like I've said before, it's not a surprise to me when the Jets lose a game like this. I am a negative bastard as it is, so I expect them to lose games like this and I'm really happy when they win. So, it may be bullshit about the ref's call at the end of the game, but it's not bullshit they lost, that's for damn sure.


Random Notes

Rugters? Since when do we care about Rutgers? Because they are from Jersey? Please, don't get me started on Rutgers. I went there for one semester and it is the stupidest set-up in the world. Buses to other campuses? I loved riding the bus with a bunch of smelly kids and being late to classes that the school schedules too close together. Then, parking was a nightmare because they don't give you passes to all the campuses, so you get a bunch of tickets! Fuck Rutgers and their awful football team. I have three predictions for Rutgers football:
1. They are going to get destroyed by both West Virginia and Louisville (I am still in shock they beat Pittsburg).
2. Rice is not going to come close to a Heisman, and he showed that he couldn't do shit on the prime time stage, (not saying he isn't a good back, he is, but come on, a Heisman???? Anyone can pile up yards against Navy and fucking South Florida and whatever high school teams Rutgers plays).
3. Coach Schiano will be coaching the University of Miami by next season. (If not next season, the following, the guy thinks he is a good coach).

Bonus prediction - if they play anyone halfway decent (a team with more than 7 wins) in a bowl they are going to lose that as well.

"Write that down" as Jeremy Shockey would say. I'll eat my words if that isn't the case at the end of the college football season.

Beat it, Mondays blow.

BULL SHIT!!!

The Jets did not deserve to win this game with the atrocious play of Pennington and the horrendous play calling. But this was a touchdown according to the NFL rule book. The referee's fucked this one up!

Mangini Names His Running Back!!!

With the success Leon Washington is having, reporters hounded Eric Mangini this afternoon if he would be considered for the starting job this week vs. the Cleveland Browns. Here's how the press conference went:

Reporter: Coach, In the last three games Leon Washington has nearly 300 yards rushing vs. Kevan Barlow's 100 yard rushing over the same time frame. Is it safe to say that Leon Washington is your starting running back now?

Mangini: Well, we also have Cedric Houston and Derrick Blaylock to consider too. Every week our runningbacks will have an opportunity in practice prove who will be the starting runningback.

Reporter: Yes, but coach, Washington is electric out there and provides the spart it looks like the Jets really need.

Mangini: You also need to consider what a professional Kevan Barlow is and how he manages the game and how tough a back he is. There are a lot of factors other than yards and "spark" as you say. Plus Houston and Blaylock are in the running as well. It will be a game time decision.

Reporter: How close is Curtis Martin to coming back?

Mangini: He is fairly close. He needs to be cleared by the doctors and then we'll work him out and go from there.

Reporter: Hypothetically, if Curtis did come back and he was in the same condition he was say, in the 2002 season where he rushed for 1,600 plus yards, would he be considered the starter?

Mangini: Well, with Cedric Houston coming along, Barlow's tough running style and the success of Washington we'd have to see who would battle it out between the two. Plus you cannot forget about Blaylock. It would have to be a game time decision.

Reporter: What if Martin comes back, he is 2002 condition and he has bionic legs, would he be considered the starting runningback?

Mangini: It would between Houston, Washington, Barlow, Blaylock and Martin again.

Reporter: Consider if Houston was not on the roster, Leon Washington and Kevan Barlow are dead, you got Curtis in 2002 condition with bionic legs and he is morphed with Barry Sanders, would Martin be considered the starter?

Mangini: We'd have to create a paper mache runningback so Curtis would have someone to compete for the starting job with. And only after a week of practice would we consider a starter. We had a paper mache running back up in New England and he was a pretty tough competitor. Plus I wouldn't put it past Barlow to come back from the dead. So between Paper Mache, Curtis and Back from the Dead Barlow, it would be a game time decision.

Reporter: Who would start if the only two players you had were Back from the Dead Barlow and Paper Mache, who would you start?

Mangini: Well, considering coming back from the dead is usually not that easy to bounce back from, I would have to say Paper Mache.

Reporter: So it is Paper Mache as your running back?

Mangini: Yes, Paper Mache.

The Ghost of Leon (Hess)!

These Jet wins are getting hard to watch! Especially at the end. I mean I will take the win, don't get me wrong. But we are making shaky offenses look like the 1989 49ers.

But we Jet fans do have a lot to cheer about. Especially in a season where sports writers didn't pick the Jets to finnish with more than 2 wins. So here we sit in second place in the division.

Currently the Jets are 2-1 in the division. Here's how the rest of the division looks: The Pats beat the Bills yesterday to stand alone at first place with a 4-0 division lead. Bills drop to 3rd place with a 1-3 division record. Miami lost yesterday to the Packers, despite Joey Harrington's 62 throws. The Dolphins fall to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the division.

Below are yesterdays Game Ball Awards:

Most Consistent Quarterback Award - Chad Pennington: Chad went 16-22 with 189 yards and 1 TD. He also threw 1 pick. You can't beat him up too bad, but it would be nice to see him throw for more than 200 yards if we want to put teams away. That is only one part of what we need to do to finnish teams off earlier in games. The other part is to play defense. However, Chad did what he does best in this game, and that is not screw things up.

Stellar Running Back Award - Leon Frickin' Washington: In last weeks blog I criticized Mangina that he should be getting Leon the ball 18-20 times a game. Mangina gave the ball to Leon 20 times this week. I am glad Eric reads my blog! The rookie responded by carrying the ball for 129 yards and 2 TD's. His longest was a 23 yarder. That is over 6 yards a carry!!! And he looked EXPLOSIVE at times. He really should be getting the ball 22-25 times a game. Plus, they should throw it to him out of the backfield more (that is another thing that will put teams away earlier).

Hot Receiver Award - Jerricho (The Crotch) Crotchery: The Crotch caught 7 passes for 79 yards yesterday afternoon. I also have to give kudos to Mangina credit for throwing it Crotchery's way. This kid is looking good. He is coming into his own and looking better and better with every passing game (no pun intended).

Defense Award - Eric Coleman / Dwayne Robertson: Coleman had 9 tackles and 1 assist. He is good. Seems to be the only guy making tackles in the defensive backfield. Robertson actually gets some props this week too. He only had 4 tackles but also added 1 sack and a fumble recovery. It feels good to see Robertson get on the stick a little. Although, he still plays like a 6th round pick, not the 3rd pick in the draft (not that I am harboring any resentments).

Ted Nugent Award - Mike Nugent: Mike Nugent will get this award every time as long as he doesn't screw things up. I personally have no faith in this kid at this point, and I know I am not alone in that thought. But he went 1 for 1 with a 33 yard fieldgoal and 3 for 3 in extra points. I feel this kid is shaky so I try to build him up with this award every time. Great Job Ted, I mean Mike!

The Vagina Award - Eric Mangina: Even Eric Mangina deserves an award this week. Although I would love to see him finnish teams off better, something he hasn't done yet, he is doing a pretty good job. As the season was about to start and he was being so secretive with his QB starting job and all the hub bub about that, I began to get very skeptical. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by Mangina's winning ways. Overall, I couldn't ask for more, given what the expectations were at the beginning of the season.

Great Job to all the Jets!

The Chad in You!!!

A few Sundays ago, the Jets had 8 seconds left against the Colts trailing them 31-28. I stood up in my living room and uttered toughly, "C'mon Chad!". My almost four-year-old son, responded "Whose Chad?". I briefly thought to myself, "One day son...one day I will tell you about Chad." But I was too fixed on the dwindling clock and what the Jets were going to do to respond at all.

Then Pennington took the snap. He lightly scampered back to the pocket and flung it over the middle to Leon Washington. "What's this!", I thought. Leon Scampers to the right side of the field and was about to get tackled but flings it backward to Brad Smith. "A trick play!", I announced in exuberation (as if to shake loose some more of the 'Same Old Jets' powder that all Jet fans are doused in). I couldn't believe it. Brad Smith runs a few yards. As he is about to be tackled, he turns to the left side of the field and throws a sideways bomb. On the receive end was Chad Pennington.

As Chad came into the picture, I squealed, "Chad!" As if to say, "HOLY SHIT, I LOVE THAT GUY!". My kid again says, a little bit louder this time, "Whose Chad!" Chad ultimately threw the ball to Coles, and Coles to Nick Mangold who ultimately fumbled and the Colts recovered and the game ended. But I almost was taken back by the Jets on that play. And I was even more taken back by my own admiration to Chad Pennington.

Then last week, as me, my trusty little Jet fans (my son & daughter), my wife and my brother all watched the Jets Game, a funny little conversation came up. A conversation that I noted comes up every time the Jets are on, no matter who is there. My wife started by saying, "You just have to like Chad Pennington." My brother added by saying, "Chad is just a total professional. A true leader. The guy is the ultimate team player."


Then I replied, "How can you not like Chad!" Then I sat there and thought to myself how funny it is that I have never really heard anyone trash Chad Pennington. Even in the papers, on talk radio or on TV. Everybody seems to like Chad.

And it is funny. He is really not that great. I mean he is known as not throwing very hard. He really doesn't have great stats at all. This is his seventh year and he has only thrown more than 10 TD's in three seasons. Even in college, he played for Marshall in what many consider a weak college division.

So why do we all like Chad Pennington so much? I will tell you why. Chad reminds us of us. There is a little bit of Chad in all Jet fans and there is a little bit of all us Jet fans in Chad.

I remember when Vinnie Testerverde was the starting QB and sort of mentoring Chad. Vinnie would throw a TD pass and Chad would be on the sideline, pumping his fist, like he threw it. Then when Testeverde came to the side line, Chad would be high-fiving him in congratulations.

And I remember his press conferences in those days. He sat in the wings like a total professional. There was a time when Testeverde was slipping and it was clear Chad's time had come but the couching staff was still holding him back. Chad still stayed professional and waited his turn. And when his turn came, he made the most of it.

Chad is also a fans player. No one seems to be more amped up for games than Chad. I love it when I see Chad flailing his arms and the side line, trying to get his teammates all fired up. It is just great! He is doing what we fans are doing at home and in the stands. There is nothing like seeing your team leader down there doing everything he can to win, even when the defense is on the field.

Now again, Chad is not Joe Montana. I would love it if he were to get even close to that point. But at this point, it doesn't look like it will ever happen. But I and most Jet fans love Chad. And there is no one at this point I would have out there then a healthy Chad Pennington manning the helm.

This week we face the lowly Lions. The Jets better stick it to them hard. Especially on Defense. And they are without there stud Defense Lineman. So we have a few things going our way already. I hope the Jets will show up this week. But I know, Chad will show up!

GO JETS, GO CHAD!!!

Ok, We'll Take It!!!

I didn't like the way the Jets finished this game. I am not crazy about the fact that Leon Washington is not getting more carries. I wasn't agreeing with Magina's play calling at times. But guess what? WE WON!!!

So I am not going to get that crazy. We did do a lot of good things which I will address below in the Game Awards section. But we Jet fans do have something to cheer about. We are 3-3 and 2-1 against division opponents. Buffalo lost to Detroit yesterday. New England had the day off.

Our division will really start to materialize in the next few weeks. Next week, Buffalo faces New England. The Jets play Detroit, followed up by Cleveland and then a Bye week. Then we come out of the Bye against the Pats. Then after the New England we have to face the Bears. I don't want to get too much ahead of myself. But after the Bears we have a bit of a cush schedule facing teams like the Texans, Green Bay and the Raiders. We could be looking really great at that point.

At any rate, I really have to calm down. If I really be honest with myself, with all things considered, the Jets really had five very suprising games this year. The only game that really shouldn't have been a surprise given what we had coming into this season (i.e. New Coach, Sore Shoulder QB, No Runningback, etc) was the 0-41 game vs. the Jags. So before I go into a blog that I will convince myself that the Jets will end up 13-3 this season, let me back track a little and get to the game we just played.

Here are the GAME AWARDS:

GAME BALL: This is a no brainer, Leverneas Coles. Coles had 5 catches for 106 yards and 2 TD's. If it weren't for L.C. as me and Chad like to call him, we would be 0-6.

CLUTCH PLAYER: Leon Washington gets this one. He is electric. He averaged 4.4 carriers on only 11 carriers including a 12 yarder and a 9 yarder. Those are the type of runs that keep the offense on the field and avoid 3 and outs. I am baffled as to why he isn't getting 18-20 carriers a game.

CONSISTENT AWARD: This is a new category especially developed for Ted Nugent. Ted went 2-2 on field Goals and 2-2 on extra points. This kid is much more of a head case than he lets you believe so we need to feed him with pats on the back as we can. So we will try to award him as much as possible for the rest of the season. When the season is over, then we can blog about how we want his head on the chopping block.

AUSSIE AWARD: This award goes to Benny Graham. I have always loved this guy. I thought this ex-rugby player would be the first to lay out the punt returner after he punts the ball. But the guy is 33 years old and kicks the hell out of the ball. So you still got to love him anyhow. He averaged 43 yards per punt on 7 punts. Although, I do not like the fact that we punt that many times, at least he isn't shanking them a la every other punter we ever had. At any rate, the runner up for this award is Brad Smith. I don't think Brad is an Aussie but he is kicking ass on special teams. Although, he is making some stupid penalties on the Jets trick plays. He is still going to be good.

CHAD PENNINGTON AWARD: This award goes to Chad Pennington. If nothing else for doing what Chad does best, playing mistake free for the most part. Although, he did get sacked twice and did this turn around things after he fakes the snap a few times (which I don't get) which takes about an extra two seconds, he didn't throw any picks and did a good job.

GOOD JOB JETS!