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, January 24, 2010
Today's Word
J-E-T-S, JETS! JETS!! JETS!!!!
UPDATE: Alas, it was not to be. For most Jets fans, perhaps the most foreboding statistic shown on CBS right before halftime was "Jets defense had never given up a touchdown in the last two minutes of the first half." That stat, of course, was shown right after Peyton Manning had driven the team 90 yards to make the score 17-13 in the last two minutes. Instead of the Jets up by 11 and getting the ball to start the third quarter, the Colts grabbed confidence and momentum.
Of course, Shonn Greene getting hurt on the first play of the third quarter didn't help. But that explained why the Jets couldn't score in the second half. The big story is that the Colts adjusted on the Jets defense -- Manning was barely touched from late in the second quarter through the rest of the game. That allowed the best QB in the game to pick apart the Jets secondary -- by going everywhere Darrelle Revis wasn't. The "secondary" receivers -- Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie -- took over the game.
So it goes.
But Jets fans have to feel better about this off-season than any in recent memory. Mark Sanchez didn't justt "manage" the game. He helped the team truly win the first half. He's going to look and play even better in his second year -- barring injury, of course. Greene will be better. One assumes Leon Washington will be back as well. The offense will be more efficient and explosive all around.
Rex Ryan has really infused the organization with a new confidence and energy. 2010 can't come soon enough!!
Labels: New York Jets, NFL Playoffs
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Ryan King
Yes, there are a lot of other, more important things going on in the world. However, I have to take a quick moment to note the great sports event that occurred yesterday. The historically sad-sack "same old New York Jets" beat the San Diego Chargers, 17-14 -- their second consecutive win on the road.
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Interestingly, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez now has more playoff wins than Dallas Cowboys veteran Tony Romo (who got crushed in Sunday's early game against the Minnesota Vikings).
However, the man responsible for this turnaround (in fairness, the Jets' record this year was the same as last -- 9-7 -- except this time it was good enough to make the playoffs) is rookie coach Rex Ryan. He's been brash and cocky about his team all season long. Two weeks ago, he said the Jets should be considered Super Bowl favorites -- a description disputed even by all-time Jet god Joe Namath.
But now, after dispatching the arguably hottest team going into the post-season -- the Chargers -- and having produced the team with the number one defense and running, nobody can really ignore Ryan's pronouncements.
Even better -- with rookie QB Sanchez and running back Shonn Greene and other great young players like shutdown corner Darrelle Revis -- this looks like a team that's going to be around for a few years. Ryan has done more than just coach a couple of great games -- he's resuscitated a franchise.
Will they beat the Colts next week? It'll be tough, but Indy only scored 20 points on the Ravens (for whom Ryan was defensive coordinator last year) -- and the Jets have a better defense than Baltimore.
To borrow an old phrase of the New York Mets, "Ya gotta believe."
Labels: Mark Sanchez, New York Jets, Rex Ryan
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
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Brett's All, Folks!!!
Yeah, we've been down this road before, but this time it looks like it's for real: Brett Favre, has told his agent to let the New York Jets know that No. 4 is, ahem, "packing" it up forever. It's hardly a surprise, at this point.
And, unlike last year, when Favre arrived almost out of the blue, with great expectations (probably a bit too great) all around -- the feeling now is, thanks for the year, Brett. There were some good times and there were some disappointments. The Jets have a new coach, have a good running game and a not-bad defense. Sure, we now no longer have a real quarterback, but, hey, why be greedy?!?!
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And, unlike last year, when Favre arrived almost out of the blue, with great expectations (probably a bit too great) all around -- the feeling now is, thanks for the year, Brett. There were some good times and there were some disappointments. The Jets have a new coach, have a good running game and a not-bad defense. Sure, we now no longer have a real quarterback, but, hey, why be greedy?!?!
Labels: Brett Favre, New York Jets
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
