It is no secret that this country's politics has become intense across the ideological spectrum. Rush Limbaugh lets his listeners blow off steam and then get on with the rest of their day. But if the people who claim to worry about such things want to see a truly angry right develop in this country, they should continue to remain silent while the left tries to drive Rush Limbaugh and others out of American political life. If that happens, the NFL by comparison will look like an afternoon tea.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
A Great Jets Win, But...
Reading my Sunday afternoon Twitter feed (starting, roughly, here and working up) should give you a fair idea of the rollercoaster ride the New York Jets took their fans on (poor reception in a bar caused the non-posting of a tweet that recognized the winning TD). For the third consecutive week (and fourth time in the last six), Gang Green won a game they shouldn't have been trailing in the first place.
In Detroit, they needed a 10-point 4th quarter comeback to tie the game against an inferior Lions team -- so they could win it in OT. In Cleveland, they gave up a game-tying TD to a rookie quarterback starting his second NFL game -- and then won it with 16 seconds left in the overtime period. And today, they blow a 16-point lead to the Houston Texans in a fourth quarter that had a fumble, an interception (more on that later), blown coverage and a stupid personal foul penalty that negated a great kickoff return that would have set the Jets up in great field position for could have been a winning field goal.
Over on my Facebook page, a friend disliked my calling the Jets performance -- before the incredible game-winning drive -- a "collapse." But when you play that poorly -- in all phases of the game -- in the final quarter, what else can you call it? And this is what makes me wary of believing the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! should be favorites for the Super Bowl. As one tweeter observed, yes, the team has proven itself lucky over the last three weeks, but that is also a function of being a talented team. Every Super Bowl team can point to moments in the season when they won a game they should have lost ('01 New England Patriots "tuck rule," anyone?).
But, while the Detroit and Cleveland games might be passed off as a good team underachieving on the road, this week's was something different. Keep in mind that the last time the Jets played at home, they pulled a scoreless 9-0 stinker against the Green Bay Packers. While Rex Ryan has produced a great team spirit, his game-to-game handling leaves much to be desired -- especially in terms of time management.
The Jets trailed by a single point with 2:18 left in the game. So, why is the coaching staff having Sanchez throw home-run passes downfield? There was more than enough time to do short passes in order to get into field-goal position. The second long pass is the one that got intercepted, leading to a Houston field goal. Yes, the team came back to win dramatically, but it shouldn't have gotten to that point. The teams the Jets will face in the playoffs won't make as many errors as the Lions, Browns and Texans did in giving games back to the Jets.
Still, on a much brighter note, the chemistry between Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes is awesome to behold. Seeing them hook up for clutch late-game plays three straight weeks gives really puts beleaguered Jets fans into "you gotta believe" mode.
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In Detroit, they needed a 10-point 4th quarter comeback to tie the game against an inferior Lions team -- so they could win it in OT. In Cleveland, they gave up a game-tying TD to a rookie quarterback starting his second NFL game -- and then won it with 16 seconds left in the overtime period. And today, they blow a 16-point lead to the Houston Texans in a fourth quarter that had a fumble, an interception (more on that later), blown coverage and a stupid personal foul penalty that negated a great kickoff return that would have set the Jets up in great field position for could have been a winning field goal.
Over on my Facebook page, a friend disliked my calling the Jets performance -- before the incredible game-winning drive -- a "collapse." But when you play that poorly -- in all phases of the game -- in the final quarter, what else can you call it? And this is what makes me wary of believing the J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets! should be favorites for the Super Bowl. As one tweeter observed, yes, the team has proven itself lucky over the last three weeks, but that is also a function of being a talented team. Every Super Bowl team can point to moments in the season when they won a game they should have lost ('01 New England Patriots "tuck rule," anyone?).
But, while the Detroit and Cleveland games might be passed off as a good team underachieving on the road, this week's was something different. Keep in mind that the last time the Jets played at home, they pulled a scoreless 9-0 stinker against the Green Bay Packers. While Rex Ryan has produced a great team spirit, his game-to-game handling leaves much to be desired -- especially in terms of time management.
The Jets trailed by a single point with 2:18 left in the game. So, why is the coaching staff having Sanchez throw home-run passes downfield? There was more than enough time to do short passes in order to get into field-goal position. The second long pass is the one that got intercepted, leading to a Houston field goal. Yes, the team came back to win dramatically, but it shouldn't have gotten to that point. The teams the Jets will face in the playoffs won't make as many errors as the Lions, Browns and Texans did in giving games back to the Jets.
Still, on a much brighter note, the chemistry between Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes is awesome to behold. Seeing them hook up for clutch late-game plays three straight weeks gives really puts beleaguered Jets fans into "you gotta believe" mode.
Labels: Houston Texans, New York Jets, NFL
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Welcome back, NFL!!!
The world has been restored. Real, American football is back!
My Week #1 picks: NYG, MIA, TEN, DET, NE, ATL, CLE, DEN, HOU, STL, GB, SF, WAS, NYJ, SD -- and, yes, take it to the bank -- NO over MINN)!!
Go, Big Blue! Go, Gang Green!!
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My Week #1 picks: NYG, MIA, TEN, DET, NE, ATL, CLE, DEN, HOU, STL, GB, SF, WAS, NYJ, SD -- and, yes, take it to the bank -- NO over MINN)!!
Go, Big Blue! Go, Gang Green!!
Labels: NFL
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
New York Goes Bowling!!
|Friday, October 16, 2009
The Right Man's Burden
With all due respect to my friends (and corporate colleagues) at The Wall Street Journal, but they are off-base in today's editorial decrying the NFL's deep-sixing Rush Limbaugh's ownership bid:
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Earlier this year, the NFLPA's Mr. Smith and several player reps visited our offices and made clear their determination to win the negotiation with the league's owners. Fair enough. The group made a strong and businesslike case for their position. Mr. Smith was wrong, though, to send an email to the league's players earlier in the week, urging them to speak out on the Limbaugh bid, arguing that football "rejects discrimination and hatred."
After this, opposition to Mr. Limbaugh emerged from Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and, most disappointing of all, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Mr. Goodell implied in a statement that Mr. Limbaugh's off-the-cuff comment in 2003 about quarterback Donovan McNabb (that the media wanted a black quarterback to do well) violated the league's "high standard."
We suspect Mr. Limbaugh would be happy to withdraw the 2003 remark, but to elevate it to racism, hatred and disqualification from doing business with the saintly NFL beggars belief. On the evidence, the NFL is the most forgiving league in sports. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, just for starters, must be thankful Mr. Goodell's "high standard" doesn't mean a lifetime ban from the NFL.
The Journal is undoubtedly correct that the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the union played a role in the
However, the paper is wrong on the chronology of player reaction and Executive Director DeMaurice Smith's further encouragement. Smith's e-mail came out after several black players -- including players on the New York Giants and Jets declared that if Limbaugh became a part owner of the Rams, they would be unlikely to sign with the team.
Last week's Daily News noted that it was less the McNabb stuff and actually more recent statements by Limbaugh that created the player reaction:
There was no other way to read Limbaugh's "Obama's America" line than he was trying to draw a direct connection between having a black president and black kids beating up a white kid (his faux black-accented "Right on, right on" hardly helped)."All I know is from the last comment I heard, he said in (President) Obama's America, white kids are getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting 'right on,'" Kiwanuka told The Daily News. "I mean, I don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play."
"I am not going to draw a conclusion from a person off of one comment, but when it is time after time after time and there's a consistent pattern of disrespect and just a complete misunderstanding of an entire culture that I am a part of, I can't respect him as a man."
Did Smith then take advantage of something that he sensed was already a problem for some of his players? Absolutely.
But if he was any union head worth his weight, how could he not?
Where the Journal is going with its conclusion is beyond me:
How is being prevented from buying a stake in a professional football team equivalent to being driven "out of American political life?" I mean, really? Rush makes a living out of making politically inflammatory statements. Occasionally those statements come back to haunt you. The NFL owners -- the vast majority of whom are politically active Republicans -- made a decision that being associated (from an ownership position) with someone likely to continue making such statements on a daily basis for years to come was a risky business proposition.
Goodell obviously saw it as problematic in the short-term because of the pending CBA, but the other owners saw that there could be long-term consequences from bringing Limbaugh on board.
How the Journal fails to see this is bizarre.
One last point: A few people wonder about a possible double-standard between Limbaugh and Keith Olbermann, who anchors NBC's "Football Night in America" on Sundays. Well, there are a few reasons:
1) Olbermann had a long career as an ESPN anchor before he wandered into his current hard-left schtick on MSNBC;
2) Possibly because of that background (and possibly because of a warning from above), the "FNIA" Olbermann is much closer to his old ESPN persona than his more recent one (as far as I know: I haven't had a chance to watch every edition of "FNIA"); he seems to know the church-state rules and doesn't bring his political controversies to Sundays;
3) Limbaugh is a much more out-sized personality and bigger political celebrity than Olbermann could ever hope to be. Limbaugh's comments get picked up and ripple through the broader media. Bringing him is in an invitation to the likelihood of much greater controversy than having Olbermann around.
4) Were Olbermann to announce that he was going to try to buy an NFL team, I'm guessing that that might not sit too well league ownership eith.
Labels: NFL, Rush Limbaugh, Wall Street Journal
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Sacking of Rush
Conservatives will inevitably be livid over Rush Limbaugh being dropped from the ownership group seeking to buy the National Football League's St. Louis Rams.
Consider the seeming hypocrisy: The league has current players either implicated or found guilty in vehicular homicide (current Rams player Leonard Little and currently suspended Cleveleand Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth), regular stabbing deaths (Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis who plead out of a murder charge), animal cruelty (yeah, you know who!), drug usage (too many to mention) -- and various other ethical and legal indiscretions.
Is it really the case -- given that "record" -- that Rush Limbaugh could be deemed persona non grata among owners? Is it really the case that those foul-mouthed rappers -- like Jay-Z -- can get ownership shares in basketball teams without a peep of protest from anyone? Is it really the case that any ownership group with Rush on it would be unable to get the necessary two-thirds approval from current owners?
The answers are yes, yes and yes.
To understand what is going on, realize that Rush and the NFL are unique in their respective fields.
The NFL passed baseball as America's national pastime years, if not decades, ago. The Super Bowl is annually the most watched TV program -- by far. This an $8 billion behemoth. (The Dallas Cowboys new stadium cost more than $1 billion alone.)
Meanwhile, with Howard Stern's abdication to satellite radio a few years ago, Rush Limbaugh is easily the most listened to -- and most influential -- talk radio host in the nation. With a daily audience of some 20 million, no one comes close.
Unfortunately, their brands are almost mutually exclusive.
The NFL is about conformity, control and image. Controversy is neither desired nor tolerated. Indeed, Roger Goodell, the commissioner in his third year has made discipline his watchword. Embarrassed by the multiple arrests coming out of Cincinnatti a few years ago, Goodell has cracked down. Suspensions for inappropriate off-field behavior has been swift and unsparing. The reason is obvious: He is overseeing a multi-billion dollar business and he cannot -- will not -- allow a bunch of athletes in the 20s and 30s ruin the public image of this golden goose.
Limbaugh, meanwhile, courts controversy. His image is big, bold and brassy. He sees himself as the truth-teller against a mainstream media beholden to left-wing biases and Democratic politics. He sees himself as a conservative, but not beholden to the Republican Party -- though he has many GOP guests and friends. He seeks the limelight and adopts a "bring it on" attitude when Democrats try to demonize him.
Ironically, his larger-than-life persona, of course, serves Democrats well, too: They get to deem him the "leader of the Republican Party," which helps their fundraising -- and his ratings. Of course, as several episodes this year have demonstrated, this can put the GOP in an awkward spot: Do Republicans agree with statements by Rush -- or distance themselves from them? Walking the fine line can be difficult.
On the surface, the Rush-NFL story seems to be about race: All NFL owners are white; more than 65 percent of the players are African-American. And black New York Giants players declared that they could never play for a Limbaugh-associated Rams team -- even though their former defensive coordinator is currently the head coach:
"All I know is from the last comment I heard, he said in (President) Obama's America, white kids are getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting 'right on,'" Kiwanuka told The Daily News. "I mean, I don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play."
And this racially-charged incident wasn't a one-time thing. What Limbaugh can't escape is his ill-fated and brief time as an ESPN Sunday "NFL Countdown" analyst in 2003. That was when he infamously declared that Donovan McNabb wasn't "that good from the get-go" but was celebrated as a great player because the media and the NFL wanted to see "a black quarterback doing well." As it happens, McNabb was wrong on both counts -- his estimation of McNabb's talent and on the level of racial "boostering" in the media. That had been the case a few years before, but not then. It was an old story.
After the Giants players spoke out, Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith started soliciting opinions from other players.
But behind this black and white saga playing out in public, the real drama was going on in living color -- and the color was green.
It's not a coincidence that Goodell zeroed in on that 2003 LImbaugh's incident Tuesday when he made it quite clear that Rush's role with the ownership groups was exceedingly problematic. McNabb isn't just a good player; he's also a good person -- someone who's never been in trouble on or off the field. He is, yes, a role model -- the opposite of the bad boys that Goodell has been forced to discipline over the last few years (including McNabb's now-teammate, Michael Vick).
If Limbaugh could make race a feature of commentary on his first go around connected to one of the NFL's broadcasting partners, what could the league expect if it became partnered with him? Goodell could immediately envision weekly -- if not daily -- politically-charged comments coming out of Rush's mouth. Why not? That's what Rush does -- and does quite well. It's what his 20 milliion listeners expect. They don't listen to him holding his tongue on anything. And again, this has been one of his best years for having his message spread beyond his radio listeners. His statement that he hoped President Obama's agenda would fail resonated throughout the media; his speech before the CPAC conference was covered live by CNN and Fox: NBC's "Today" had a two-part interview this week. He is at his peak.
Goodell's nightmare would be regular headlines of, "NFL owner Rush Limbaugh charged the Obama administration with..." Even worse, the controversial Limbaugh brand would be attached to the conformist "American as apple pie" NFL -- just as Goodell would begin sitting down with the aforementioned Mr. Smith to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement with the players!
It's highly unlikely that Goodell even bothered to poll the owners on whether to let the Checketts-Limbaugh alliance continue. The NFL ownership is heavily Republican (ironically, late Rams owner Georgia Frontiere was one of the few Democrat owners); but they weren't any more likely to permit agreement with Limbaugh's politics imperil their golden goose -- any more than they would allow one of the privileged athletes playing for them.
And so, the Limbaugh-NFL union comes to an end before it even began. This was a potential merger of two hugely successful individual entities that were too big to succeed together.
On the bright side, they still get to remain number one -- separately, though still quite profitably.
Labels: NFL, Roger Goodell, Rush Limbaugh
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Nice Weekend
New York Yankees in the ALCS for the first time since 2004.
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New York Giants are 5-0 for the first time since 1990 (they went on to win the Super Bowl, the following January). Admittedly, they benefited from their scheduled opponent, the Oakland Raiders, evidently missing the team plane, because they certainly didn't show up Sunday.
Boston Red Sox swept out of the playoffs (admittedly, I had mixed feelings about this: Part of me was rooting for a lengthy Sox-Angels series with the starting roster of both teams ending up on the disabled list by the end. Still, we'll take this). Bonus: Loud-mouth Jon Papelbon blowing two-run lead in the top of the ninth!
New England Patriots lose to Denver -- and Tom Brady loses a fumble that looked not a whole lot different than that infamous "tuck rule" play from a few years back.
Okay, Gang Green: Time to keep the good vibes going tonight!
Labels: New York Yankees, NFL
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Very Good Sunday
New York, New York!!
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On any given Sunday, both New York football teams could win games against hated division rivals -- and both be 2-0!!
The Jets holding a Brady-run Pats team without a touchdown (first time since December '06) -- and ending Brady's personal 21-game regular season winning streak. Sweet!
And for the night game: The Giants went into Dallas and beat Jerry "Ozymandias" Jones in the new palace! Extra sweet!!! Oh, well, a billiion-dollar venue will pay for itself in no time!!! Heh. It was also good to seee that Tony Romo was in full playoff form. Heh-heh. (Conversely, I will take Eli Manning over any other QB in the NFL to orchestrate a game-tying/winning drive in the final two minutes; he becomes the Iceman when the game's on the line.)
And for the channel-switchers out there, the Emmys were actually great tonight as well -- proving that I didn't follow the request of very funny Neil Patrick Harris' opening number, "Don't Touch That Remote":
(The above video may self-destruct because of copyright issues before you see it. Take my word for it -- funny.)
Labels: Emmys, Neil Patrick Harris, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL
Monday, January 12, 2009
Blue Sunday Over Big Blue
I'm seriously hating Plaxico Burress today.
Yes, I know he wasn't solely responsible for the New York Giants' wretched performance Sunday. It wasn't his fault that Eli Manning was overthrowing open receivers. It wasn't his fault that the Giants defense -- for the third game this season -- couldn't sack Donovan McNabb once (though they did force one intentional grounding/safety). It wasn't his fault that Tom Coughlin reverted to the ultra-conservative style that had bedeviled him and the team so many times in the past (What? After realizing that the Eagles weren't giving up any short-term yardage, why not try a trick play involving your quarterback passing -- and no, not the dumb "wildcat" snap to Derrick Ward in the fourth quarter?) It wasn't his fault that kicker John Carney, near-perfect all season long missed two long, but makeable, field goals.
No, there were plenty reasons on the field that caused the Giants to lose (they didn't get the ball into the endzone once). But, it can't be ignored that the Super Bowl champions weren't the same after Burress' self-inflicted shooting and subsequent arrest. As many people have said, he was Eli's security blanket -- having the height and large wingspan to bring in Manning passes that less-talented (and shorter) wide receivers just can't get to (there were at leasst two passes that were an inch away from a receiver, where one thought, "Burress would have gotten that ball."
And, for that matter, even if Burress wasn't getting the ball, he was being double-teamed enough that it opened up passing and running lanes for other players.
That's a significant weapon to lose -- like the Steelers losing a Hines Ward down the stretch.
And besides that, arguably, neither Antonio Pierce nor Ahmad Bradshaw (in the club with Plaxico that fateful night) were the same down the stretch.
Thus, the epitaph for such a truly promising season for the New York football Giants this year: A foolish wide receiver shot himself in the leg and helped inflict a fatal wound to his entire team.
Thanks, Plax. Literally, couldn't have done it without you. And, disappointing as the end of this season was, this isn't such a great idea either.
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Yes, I know he wasn't solely responsible for the New York Giants' wretched performance Sunday. It wasn't his fault that Eli Manning was overthrowing open receivers. It wasn't his fault that the Giants defense -- for the third game this season -- couldn't sack Donovan McNabb once (though they did force one intentional grounding/safety). It wasn't his fault that Tom Coughlin reverted to the ultra-conservative style that had bedeviled him and the team so many times in the past (What? After realizing that the Eagles weren't giving up any short-term yardage, why not try a trick play involving your quarterback passing -- and no, not the dumb "wildcat" snap to Derrick Ward in the fourth quarter?) It wasn't his fault that kicker John Carney, near-perfect all season long missed two long, but makeable, field goals.
No, there were plenty reasons on the field that caused the Giants to lose (they didn't get the ball into the endzone once). But, it can't be ignored that the Super Bowl champions weren't the same after Burress' self-inflicted shooting and subsequent arrest. As many people have said, he was Eli's security blanket -- having the height and large wingspan to bring in Manning passes that less-talented (and shorter) wide receivers just can't get to (there were at leasst two passes that were an inch away from a receiver, where one thought, "Burress would have gotten that ball."
And, for that matter, even if Burress wasn't getting the ball, he was being double-teamed enough that it opened up passing and running lanes for other players.
That's a significant weapon to lose -- like the Steelers losing a Hines Ward down the stretch.
And besides that, arguably, neither Antonio Pierce nor Ahmad Bradshaw (in the club with Plaxico that fateful night) were the same down the stretch.
Thus, the epitaph for such a truly promising season for the New York football Giants this year: A foolish wide receiver shot himself in the leg and helped inflict a fatal wound to his entire team.
Thanks, Plax. Literally, couldn't have done it without you. And, disappointing as the end of this season was, this isn't such a great idea either.
Labels: New York Giants, NFL, plaxico burress
Monday, December 29, 2008
Chad, Bill & Poetic Justice
Not so much football stuff around RT this year, given how big politics was. However, I couldn't let the regular season end without a couple of reflections concerning one of the local teams -- and related matters.
Who would have thought that the biggest winner of the big Green Bay Packers-New York Jets Brett Favre trade would be -- the Miami Dolphins!?!?
Both the Packers and the Jets miss the playoffs: The Packers went from playing in the NFC championship game to a 6-10 record.
And Chad Pennington -- discarded by the Jets --leads a team that went 1-15 a year ago, returns to the Meadowlands, beats his former team and lays claim to the AFC East title!!! To paraphrase Barack Obama, only in American sports is such a story even possible!
Look, I'm a Jets fan. I was ecstatic over the Favre trade. But, even at the time, I was wistful over the departure of Chad Pennington. Chad was the anti-Favre. In the media spotlight of New York, he always kept a low profile. He didn't have a rocket arm. But all he did -- in the limited context of the New York Jets -- was win. Every year he was completely healthy, he took the Jets to the playoffs. Indeed, he's the only quarterback to take Gang Green to the playoffs three times. Oh, and the last time the Jets won the AFC East -- 2002, when they won the division on the last game of the season, beating, yep, Bret Favre and the Green Bay Packers.
Cheers to Chad Pennington. I wish him well during the AFC playoffs.
The fact that the Dolphins managed to edge out the New England Patriots is all the sweeter! Indeed, here's an interesting fact. Except for the New York Giants (NFC East champions with home-field advantage through the playoffs), every one of Miami Dolphins VP of football operations Bill Parcells' former teams missed the playoffs this year! Jets (1997-2000 -- the last year as GM only, when he first drafted Pennington) -- out. Patriots (1993-1997) -- out (even with an 11-5 record). And, sweetest of all, Dallas (2003-2006) -- out (and, by the way, Terrell Owens -- the Philadelphia Eagles in)! Bill Parcells may not be the patron saint of poetic justice, but he seems to play him in the NFL.
Of course, Parcells -- being Parcells -- may decided one year in Miami is enough: There's a report that he has an opt-out clause that could have him leaving Miami for...Detroit? Oakland? the Jets again? Who knows? Regardless, the NFL's ultimate turn-around artist could walk with his $12 million fully guaranteed -- and be a free-agent again! Parcells, coming back to the Jets? Could it be? Would him coming in -- with Eric Mangini blessedly gone -- be enough to get Favre to stick around for another year? Dare we to dream?
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Who would have thought that the biggest winner of the big Green Bay Packers-New York Jets Brett Favre trade would be -- the Miami Dolphins!?!?
Both the Packers and the Jets miss the playoffs: The Packers went from playing in the NFC championship game to a 6-10 record.
And Chad Pennington -- discarded by the Jets --leads a team that went 1-15 a year ago, returns to the Meadowlands, beats his former team and lays claim to the AFC East title!!! To paraphrase Barack Obama, only in American sports is such a story even possible!
Look, I'm a Jets fan. I was ecstatic over the Favre trade. But, even at the time, I was wistful over the departure of Chad Pennington. Chad was the anti-Favre. In the media spotlight of New York, he always kept a low profile. He didn't have a rocket arm. But all he did -- in the limited context of the New York Jets -- was win. Every year he was completely healthy, he took the Jets to the playoffs. Indeed, he's the only quarterback to take Gang Green to the playoffs three times. Oh, and the last time the Jets won the AFC East -- 2002, when they won the division on the last game of the season, beating, yep, Bret Favre and the Green Bay Packers.
Cheers to Chad Pennington. I wish him well during the AFC playoffs.
The fact that the Dolphins managed to edge out the New England Patriots is all the sweeter! Indeed, here's an interesting fact. Except for the New York Giants (NFC East champions with home-field advantage through the playoffs), every one of Miami Dolphins VP of football operations Bill Parcells' former teams missed the playoffs this year! Jets (1997-2000 -- the last year as GM only, when he first drafted Pennington) -- out. Patriots (1993-1997) -- out (even with an 11-5 record). And, sweetest of all, Dallas (2003-2006) -- out (and, by the way, Terrell Owens -- the Philadelphia Eagles in)! Bill Parcells may not be the patron saint of poetic justice, but he seems to play him in the NFL.
Of course, Parcells -- being Parcells -- may decided one year in Miami is enough: There's a report that he has an opt-out clause that could have him leaving Miami for...Detroit? Oakland? the Jets again? Who knows? Regardless, the NFL's ultimate turn-around artist could walk with his $12 million fully guaranteed -- and be a free-agent again! Parcells, coming back to the Jets? Could it be? Would him coming in -- with Eric Mangini blessedly gone -- be enough to get Favre to stick around for another year? Dare we to dream?
Labels: Chad Pennington, New York Jets, NFL
Monday, December 08, 2008
Two Football Thoughs Thots
Following a rather all-around pathetic gridiron performance Sunday from the New York metropolitan teams, one can make these observations:
1) Obviously, the Giants would have been better off if Plaxico Burress had shot Eagles running back Brian Westbrook in the thigh. (One extra note: Burress' replacement at starting wide receiver -- Dominick Hixon -- had as much butter fingers on a sure-fire long-bomb touchdown as Burress had on his Glock).
2) The New York Jets played like the entire team was stoned -- not just recently-arrested driving-under-the-influence-of-MJ DE Shaun Ellis.
So much for that "all-NY Super Bowl" talk from a couple weeks ago (hey, if the Carolina Panthers win tonight, they conceivably can get home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, since they play the Giants later in the season).
UPDATE: Obviously, after running this blog for three and a half years (and having had some version of "Ragged Thots" in literary existence for more than ten years), it's now impossible for me to spell the word t-h-o-u-g-h-t-s properly, thus the nice typo in this post's headline! Sigh.
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1) Obviously, the Giants would have been better off if Plaxico Burress had shot Eagles running back Brian Westbrook in the thigh. (One extra note: Burress' replacement at starting wide receiver -- Dominick Hixon -- had as much butter fingers on a sure-fire long-bomb touchdown as Burress had on his Glock).
2) The New York Jets played like the entire team was stoned -- not just recently-arrested driving-under-the-influence-of-MJ DE Shaun Ellis.
So much for that "all-NY Super Bowl" talk from a couple weeks ago (hey, if the Carolina Panthers win tonight, they conceivably can get home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, since they play the Giants later in the season).
UPDATE: Obviously, after running this blog for three and a half years (and having had some version of "Ragged Thots" in literary existence for more than ten years), it's now impossible for me to spell the word t-h-o-u-g-h-t-s properly, thus the nice typo in this post's headline! Sigh.
Labels: New York, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
A B*tch Called Karma
Now if the Patriots had pulled Tom Brady earlier out of those many blowouts they inflicted last year, his back-up might be better prepared now to take over now that Brady's lost for the season. Kinda sucks, eh?
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Labels: New England Patriots, NFL, Tom Brady
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Snarky Transvestites from Planet X (or my preseason NFL rankings)
Now that I have your attention...
With the rest of the world watching Obama's coronation, it seems like an appropriate time to offer my NFL preseason rankings. This is how the teams look going into this year:
ELITE
Patriots: The only team that comes into this season with an elite ranking. Sure, they lost the Super Bowl, but they still have Brady and Moss and Welker and Maroney and a good offensive line and a decent defense. I don't think they'll go undefeated again, but they are THE team to beat.
EXCELLENT
Colts: This team just looks ready to break down. If Manning goes down, so do the Colts. But until they do, they have to be considered an excellent team.
GOOD
49ers: The Cinderalla Niners will shock a lot of people this year, and are my pick for NFC Champ. Frank Gore does his best Marshall Faulk impression, while J.T. O'Sullivan becomes this year's Kurt Warner in Mike Martz's offense. Watch WR Josh Morgan too, who has had a nice preseason as a 6th round pick. If Mike Nolan can get some defense going on this team, they could be scary good.
Cowboys: There is nothing wrong with the Boys. They have the talent. They will be the team to beat in the NFC, but I see them losing in the playoffs again. They have no character, but plenty of characters.
Panthers: If Delhomme stays healthy, this team goes far. Welcome the newest running back sensation, Jonathan Stewart. Like the 49ers, the only question in Carolina is the defense.
Jaguars: With another year under QB David Gerrard's belt, the Jags will challenge the Colts for division dominance.
Chargers: This team is still good. But with OLB Shawne Merriman playing on two torn knee ligaments, expect the defense to take a hit.
AVERAGE
Texans: I have seen more than a few prognosticators call for a big year from the Texans. While I think they will be better, they have too many guys with injury histories, starting with QB Matt Schaub, and including running backs Ahman Green and Chris Brown. That said, their defense is quite respectable. But they have to show me they can stay healthy if they are to rank any higher than this.
Broncos: This is the year Jay Cutler enters the ranks of elite quarterbacks. The running game should be servicable with Selvin Young. The defense is still a question mark though.
Steelers: The Steelers should be challenged for the division title by the Browns this year. The Steeler defense gives them the edge.
Browns: The best team not to make the playoffs last season should be able to slip in as a wild card this year. If the Steelers slip, the Browns should move in for the division title.
Redskins: Every year they come loaded for bear, and every year they disappoint. This team will surprise, possibly even shooting the Cowboys from the top.
Packers: Without Favre, the Packers aren't bad. The problem here is QB Aaron Rodgers' injury history, plus his attitude.
Vikings: Adrian Peterson starts out strong, then gets hurt. This team's success rides on Peterson's ship.
Giants: No Osi, no Strahan. Welcome back to Earth G-Men.
Eagles: Donovan McNabb's last season will end early with his annual injury. Next year, he goes to Chicago.
Seahawks: This is the most boring team which still manages to win a lot of games. Holmgren is a good coach, but even good coaches can't make filet mignon out of hamburger.
Bills: The Toronto Bills just sounds wrong, much like "Bills win the Super Bowl" sounds wrong.
Bengals: The Bungles should be a little better this year, but they still have no defense.
Jets: You weren't honestly expecting that adding Brett Favre instantly makes this sorry team a playoff contender? After this season, Jet fans will long for the carefree days of Chad Pennington and Herman Edwards.
Titans: QB Vince Young needs to age a little more quickly. In his defense, they haven't exactly given him any receivers. At least he should be able to have a running game (LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson) to take some pressure off him.
Saints: Reggie Bush = bust (and I don't mean the Canton style either).
Lions: This is the year WR Calvin Johnson breaks out. Unfortunately, the rest of the team is still stuck in neutral.
Buccaneers: This will be Jon Gruden's last year as the Bucs coach (because he will be fired), so expect it to be like a bad "Chuckie" movie.
Bears: If you're Lovie Smith, and when you have to choose between quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman, you walk down to the front office and say, "You're killing me guys!"
Raiders: If you want to have some fun, listen to coach Lane Kiffin's press conference, and try to interpret the subtle messages Kiffin is sending to Al Davis. The sad thing about the whole Kiffin-Davis divorce-in-the-making is that this team isn't that bad. QB Jamarcus Russell should be fun to watch, and Darren McFadden should be a great running back. The defense is decent too. But this team has no chemistry.
BAD
Falcons: The Matt Ryan era begins in Atlanta. This team looks like it just might generate some offense, but don't expect miracles. The Falcons have a long way to fly.
Cardinals: Matt "Hollywood" Leinart can't seem to unlodge Kurt Warner from the starting quarterback job, which is a sad commentary on this team's front office. I would tell Cardinal fans to expect a long year, but they should be used to that by now.
Rams: It will take more than one season of rebuilding to revive this team.
Ravens: Quoth the Raven, "Not this year..."
Dolphins: Hey Dolphin fans! Get used to hearing this: "And the punting team comes out..."
Chiefs: Remember that great draft the Chiefs allegedly had? Unfortunately, they didn't get a new coach. This team will actually get worse. If you enjoy watching Herm Edwards blow his stack in press conferences, you will love this season.
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With the rest of the world watching Obama's coronation, it seems like an appropriate time to offer my NFL preseason rankings. This is how the teams look going into this year:
ELITE
Patriots: The only team that comes into this season with an elite ranking. Sure, they lost the Super Bowl, but they still have Brady and Moss and Welker and Maroney and a good offensive line and a decent defense. I don't think they'll go undefeated again, but they are THE team to beat.
EXCELLENT
Colts: This team just looks ready to break down. If Manning goes down, so do the Colts. But until they do, they have to be considered an excellent team.
GOOD
49ers: The Cinderalla Niners will shock a lot of people this year, and are my pick for NFC Champ. Frank Gore does his best Marshall Faulk impression, while J.T. O'Sullivan becomes this year's Kurt Warner in Mike Martz's offense. Watch WR Josh Morgan too, who has had a nice preseason as a 6th round pick. If Mike Nolan can get some defense going on this team, they could be scary good.
Cowboys: There is nothing wrong with the Boys. They have the talent. They will be the team to beat in the NFC, but I see them losing in the playoffs again. They have no character, but plenty of characters.
Panthers: If Delhomme stays healthy, this team goes far. Welcome the newest running back sensation, Jonathan Stewart. Like the 49ers, the only question in Carolina is the defense.
Jaguars: With another year under QB David Gerrard's belt, the Jags will challenge the Colts for division dominance.
Chargers: This team is still good. But with OLB Shawne Merriman playing on two torn knee ligaments, expect the defense to take a hit.
AVERAGE
Texans: I have seen more than a few prognosticators call for a big year from the Texans. While I think they will be better, they have too many guys with injury histories, starting with QB Matt Schaub, and including running backs Ahman Green and Chris Brown. That said, their defense is quite respectable. But they have to show me they can stay healthy if they are to rank any higher than this.
Broncos: This is the year Jay Cutler enters the ranks of elite quarterbacks. The running game should be servicable with Selvin Young. The defense is still a question mark though.
Steelers: The Steelers should be challenged for the division title by the Browns this year. The Steeler defense gives them the edge.
Browns: The best team not to make the playoffs last season should be able to slip in as a wild card this year. If the Steelers slip, the Browns should move in for the division title.
Redskins: Every year they come loaded for bear, and every year they disappoint. This team will surprise, possibly even shooting the Cowboys from the top.
Packers: Without Favre, the Packers aren't bad. The problem here is QB Aaron Rodgers' injury history, plus his attitude.
Vikings: Adrian Peterson starts out strong, then gets hurt. This team's success rides on Peterson's ship.
Giants: No Osi, no Strahan. Welcome back to Earth G-Men.
Eagles: Donovan McNabb's last season will end early with his annual injury. Next year, he goes to Chicago.
Seahawks: This is the most boring team which still manages to win a lot of games. Holmgren is a good coach, but even good coaches can't make filet mignon out of hamburger.
Bills: The Toronto Bills just sounds wrong, much like "Bills win the Super Bowl" sounds wrong.
Bengals: The Bungles should be a little better this year, but they still have no defense.
Jets: You weren't honestly expecting that adding Brett Favre instantly makes this sorry team a playoff contender? After this season, Jet fans will long for the carefree days of Chad Pennington and Herman Edwards.
Titans: QB Vince Young needs to age a little more quickly. In his defense, they haven't exactly given him any receivers. At least he should be able to have a running game (LenDale White and rookie Chris Johnson) to take some pressure off him.
Saints: Reggie Bush = bust (and I don't mean the Canton style either).
Lions: This is the year WR Calvin Johnson breaks out. Unfortunately, the rest of the team is still stuck in neutral.
Buccaneers: This will be Jon Gruden's last year as the Bucs coach (because he will be fired), so expect it to be like a bad "Chuckie" movie.
Bears: If you're Lovie Smith, and when you have to choose between quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman, you walk down to the front office and say, "You're killing me guys!"
Raiders: If you want to have some fun, listen to coach Lane Kiffin's press conference, and try to interpret the subtle messages Kiffin is sending to Al Davis. The sad thing about the whole Kiffin-Davis divorce-in-the-making is that this team isn't that bad. QB Jamarcus Russell should be fun to watch, and Darren McFadden should be a great running back. The defense is decent too. But this team has no chemistry.
BAD
Falcons: The Matt Ryan era begins in Atlanta. This team looks like it just might generate some offense, but don't expect miracles. The Falcons have a long way to fly.
Cardinals: Matt "Hollywood" Leinart can't seem to unlodge Kurt Warner from the starting quarterback job, which is a sad commentary on this team's front office. I would tell Cardinal fans to expect a long year, but they should be used to that by now.
Rams: It will take more than one season of rebuilding to revive this team.
Ravens: Quoth the Raven, "Not this year..."
Dolphins: Hey Dolphin fans! Get used to hearing this: "And the punting team comes out..."
Chiefs: Remember that great draft the Chiefs allegedly had? Unfortunately, they didn't get a new coach. This team will actually get worse. If you enjoy watching Herm Edwards blow his stack in press conferences, you will love this season.
Labels: NFL
Thursday, August 07, 2008
B-R-E-T-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!
RT contributor Ed McGonigal's nightmare, got even worse -- sports media's favorite boy toy, No. 4 will play this season in the country's biggest media market.
Jet fans are ecstatic, however, one wonders whether Favre's iron man streak of games started will survive an improved, yet inexperienced Jet offensive-line unit.
One major farewell salute though to Chad Pennington. He's the loser in the Favre merry-go-round. The Jets will either release or trade him within hours. Pennington never had the strongest arm, but he was a classy, gutty QB who took the team to the playoffs three times in his career -- even surving Herman Edwards not-so-imaginative offensive schemes. Happy trails, Chad.
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Jet fans are ecstatic, however, one wonders whether Favre's iron man streak of games started will survive an improved, yet inexperienced Jet offensive-line unit.
One major farewell salute though to Chad Pennington. He's the loser in the Favre merry-go-round. The Jets will either release or trade him within hours. Pennington never had the strongest arm, but he was a classy, gutty QB who took the team to the playoffs three times in his career -- even surving Herman Edwards not-so-imaginative offensive schemes. Happy trails, Chad.
Labels: Brett Favre, Chad Pennington, NFL
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Somebody Tie Ed Down...
...before the McGonigal man goes for his gun rack on this news.
Hey, Brett, when you're one funny movie cameo was ten years ago, you're officially no longer cool. How can we miss you, if you WON'T STAY AWAY!!!
Besides, guess who will wanna come back -- just to get one more gimme sack?
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Hey, Brett, when you're one funny movie cameo was ten years ago, you're officially no longer cool. How can we miss you, if you WON'T STAY AWAY!!!
Besides, guess who will wanna come back -- just to get one more gimme sack?
Labels: Brett Favre, NFL
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Ed's Long National Nightmare Is Over
RT's NFL blogging partner-in-crime, Ed McGonigal is a happy man today:
Brett Favre is finally hanging them up!
Brett, as Ed pointed out to RT readers a few months back, is to sports media what Barack Obama is to the political journalists.
On a completely unrelated note, doing a bit of Googling, I discovered that there is another Ed McGonigal, one who lives above the Mason-Dixon line. And, what a coincidence, this one is making a career out of what I do on the side -- stand-up comedy! Small world!
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Brett Favre is finally hanging them up!
Brett, as Ed pointed out to RT readers a few months back, is to sports media what Barack Obama is to the political journalists.
On a completely unrelated note, doing a bit of Googling, I discovered that there is another Ed McGonigal, one who lives above the Mason-Dixon line. And, what a coincidence, this one is making a career out of what I do on the side -- stand-up comedy! Small world!
Labels: Brett Favre, Ed McGonigal, NFL
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Michael Strahan, Political Comic
This will undoubtedly be the last football-related post at the site for a while (at least from me). I just couldn't let this little nugget pass. It's from the Giants post-parade victory rally at the Meadlowands on Tuesday:
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Strahan brought the house down when he did a Howard Dean imitation recountingSorry, but you don't usually find this sort of politically-aware wit in your average football player (forgive me if I'm trading in stereotypes). For that matter, how many non-political geeks remember the Dean Scream? Guess that means Strahan is a political junkie, something of which I was not previously aware. Anyway, this little riff makes me want even more for him to return next year -- or at least have him signed up for "Hardball"!
the Giants' amazing string of road wins that led to the Super Bowl.
"We went to Tampa, we went to Dallas, we went to Green Bay, we went to Arizona," Strahan yelled. "Aaaaahgh."
Labels: Michael Strahan, New York Giants, NFL
Monday, February 04, 2008
Specter of Spying
The Super Bowl is done and, for all intents and purposes, the football season is over. However, a "specter" still lingers over the game -- GOP Arlen Specter's letter, revealed last week, to Commissioner Roger Goodell that demanded an explanation as to why the NFL destroyed the Patriots' infamous "Spygate" tapes. It's quite natural for most people to say, "Why on earth is Congress butting its nose into this, months after the issue was settled -- and in the middle of Super Bowl week at that?"
Well, Gregg Easterbrook kept following this story -- the destroying of the tapes -- from early on. He's mentioned it a few times in his "Tuesday Morning Quarterback" column on ESPN.com. Over the weekend, he brought everyone up to date, why the league appropriately has egg on its face -- and has some 'splaining to do.
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Well, Gregg Easterbrook kept following this story -- the destroying of the tapes -- from early on. He's mentioned it a few times in his "Tuesday Morning Quarterback" column on ESPN.com. Over the weekend, he brought everyone up to date, why the league appropriately has egg on its face -- and has some 'splaining to do.
Labels: New England Patriots, NFL
Pigskin Pick'em Playoffs - Final Results
And the winner of the Pigskin Pick'em Playoffs is (drumroll please):
Congrats Bill! Sometimes, playing the "homer" works!
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Bill Barker - 9
Audio Dave - 8
Robert A. George - 8
EdMcGon - 6
David Stefanini - 6
J. Mark English - 2
Congrats Bill! Sometimes, playing the "homer" works!
Labels: NFL
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Perfect Game Beats Perfect Season
"18-1...18-1....18-1..." was the chant going through the streets of New York tonight.
(Along with that always-dependable standby, "Boston sucks!")
Sorry about that, Pats.
My friend David Bernstein called this the best Super Bowl of our lifetimes. He may be right. I can't think of a better one recently. Hey, it's the first time in the modern era that an unbeaten team has been knocked off in the Big Game.
This was a game very reminiscent of Super Bowl XXV, when the Giants beat the offensive juggernaut Buffalo Bills, 20-19.
In a nice bit of irony, the Giants also did to the Patriots what the Pats did to the Rams during their first championship run: They kept the offense off the field and off-balance. They kept the ball out of Randy Moss' hands (though it looked for a while like Wes Welker was going to be the Giant-killer). They pressured Tom Brady like he hadn't been all year (and as they did to Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo and Brett Favre previously). Five sacks.
Eli Manning had the ball twice in the fourth quarter and delivered touchdowns twice. (Wow. Is this Archie Manning's revenge on the NFL, or what? After suffering with the horrific New Orleans Saints his entire career, his two sons win consecutive Super Bowls -- and consecutive game MVPs, to boot!)
Brady, meanwhile, had the ball with the game on the line and couldn't deliver. (Does he dump Gisele in the next couple of weeks -- or does she dump him?)
14-6>18-1
Wow.
UPDATE: Ten things we learned from the Giants' Super Bowl win. The Manning-escape-from-Pats-rush-and-throw-to-Tyree-who-made-insane-sky-high-catch is a play for the ages. It's that play that solidified the MVP for Manning. As two friends mentioned, otherwise, a great case could be made for Justin Tuck who had two sacks, a forced fumble and was in Brady's face all night.
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(Along with that always-dependable standby, "Boston sucks!")
Sorry about that, Pats.
My friend David Bernstein called this the best Super Bowl of our lifetimes. He may be right. I can't think of a better one recently. Hey, it's the first time in the modern era that an unbeaten team has been knocked off in the Big Game.
This was a game very reminiscent of Super Bowl XXV, when the Giants beat the offensive juggernaut Buffalo Bills, 20-19.
In a nice bit of irony, the Giants also did to the Patriots what the Pats did to the Rams during their first championship run: They kept the offense off the field and off-balance. They kept the ball out of Randy Moss' hands (though it looked for a while like Wes Welker was going to be the Giant-killer). They pressured Tom Brady like he hadn't been all year (and as they did to Jeff Garcia, Tony Romo and Brett Favre previously). Five sacks.
Eli Manning had the ball twice in the fourth quarter and delivered touchdowns twice. (Wow. Is this Archie Manning's revenge on the NFL, or what? After suffering with the horrific New Orleans Saints his entire career, his two sons win consecutive Super Bowls -- and consecutive game MVPs, to boot!)
Brady, meanwhile, had the ball with the game on the line and couldn't deliver. (Does he dump Gisele in the next couple of weeks -- or does she dump him?)
14-6>18-1
Wow.
UPDATE: Ten things we learned from the Giants' Super Bowl win. The Manning-escape-from-Pats-rush-and-throw-to-Tyree-who-made-insane-sky-high-catch is a play for the ages. It's that play that solidified the MVP for Manning. As two friends mentioned, otherwise, a great case could be made for Justin Tuck who had two sacks, a forced fumble and was in Brady's face all night.
Labels: New York Giants, NFL, Super Bowl, Super bowl XXV
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Pigskin Pick'em Playoffs - The Super Bowl
I was going to do a long post, completely overanalyzing the Super Bowl. Fortunately, the New York Giants have saved me the trouble by shooting off their mouths. For example (the following quotes are from the New York Post's website):
Or even better:
How about a quote from Giants chairman Steve Tisch, when asked to predict a winner? (quote from Northjersey.com)
All analysis of this game is moot. The Patriots will win, and it might even get ugly.
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As he pulled his car up to the Giants Stadium tunnel to unload his bags, [Plaxico] Burress was asked...a direct question: Are you ready to make history? "You better believe it," the towering Giants receiver said.
And then, as he entered the stadium and turned left toward the Giants locker room, Burress was asked for his prediction. Burress never hesitated, flatly stating "23-17."
He didn't identify the winning team. He didn't have to.
Or even better:
Next came Michael Strahan...The same question: Are you ready to make history? "Yes sir," said Strahan, who for 15 years has chased the dream of winning the Super Bowl.
"History will be ours."
How about a quote from Giants chairman Steve Tisch, when asked to predict a winner? (quote from Northjersey.com)
"I'm not going to give you the score...We'll have more points than they do. That's my score."
All analysis of this game is moot. The Patriots will win, and it might even get ugly.
Labels: NFL, Super Bowl
