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!

Vilma needs to step up to the plate now more than ever.

I'll just state the obvious - The Jets need to win this Sunday. If they don't, their season will take a turn for the worse. The Dolphins are not good, despite every "expert" picking them to go to the Super Bowl (along with the Giants, ha ha) in the preseason. That being said, they are not a bunch of push-overs. No, that term could be used for the Jets "defense" at this point though.

Indeed, the Jets D needs to step it up, and that means Vilma needs to get the troops organized. Like Ray Lewis, Vilma has the opportunity to go down as one of the best defensive players ever to grace the field (minus the murder charges, we hope!). Vilma needs to take control of the D, get them pumped up and prove he is their leader. If he does that, then maybe they will play better than they actually are. Shit, if a bonafide leader told me I was fucking awesome and nobody could run over, block, or stop me from getting to the QB I would believe it. By that, I mean if Vilma leads by example, so the other players will have no reason but to follow him.

Vilma's gotta be that guy. Vilma can set an example by being everywhere on the field. Jevon Kearse used to be that guy, he ran all over the field and tracked down ball carriers like he had GPS on those bastards, no matter where they were on the field, Kearse tracked them down. Vilma has to be like that, and if he can't be there, he has to instill the belief in this montly crew that they can fuck up any offensive player the other team has.

I know that football is more physical than mental, but if the Jets defense has a strong leader who fucks people up and gets them amped up, then maybe the mental will make up for the physical. Because from what I've seen, the Jets D doesn't have the talent to stop Rutgers' offense. I know that isn't the case, but they are just not playing up to their potential.

Leaders can really turn things around. It's obvious on offense, but the same can be said about defense. As I mentioned, Ray Lewis is a leader. Vilma needs to first play his balls off on every play. From there, the other guys should want to be like him or at least not disappoint him by fucking up. If they make good plays Vilma should be the first to congratulate them, or at least make sure he does in the huddle. I know there are a lot egos on a football team, but if Vilma can make it so his teammates look up to and/or are afraid of him then he can turn this defense around. He needs to balance by having them fear and respect him. They should fear his wrath if they fuck up (I'm not talking a beating, but he should express some verbal disappointment in them). And they should respect his take on the offense and his senses about every play. If he tells a player to move a few feet to the right that player should listen. I know the coaches are suppossed to coach the guys and yell at them for screwing up, but coaches don't play the game. As Yogi probably once said, "Only the players play the game." That being said, Vilma can do what a coach can't do, he can say to a teammate, "Man, you let me down when I got blocked by two guys and you missed that tackle. You need to step it up." Vilma needs to be the Field General that Ray Lewis was and still is.

Let's hope this week Vilma sets the tone and the Jets stop the potent offense (right) of the Dolphins. God knows the competition is only going to get better as the season goes on. Let's not forget that the Jets offense isn't going to score 30 points a game, especially with a QB who has a fucked up shoulder and no running game of which to speak.

I sincerely hope that Vilma takes command the Jets Defense starts stopping offenses, or it could be a long season.

By the way, Let's Go Mets!