July 12, 2012 Leave a Comment
Oh no, the boy’s at it again! I’ve had a few too many beers tonight…enough to make me about as clairvoyant as Nostradamus and Cayce. And so, I present to you my NFL picks for 2012. Read more of this post
January 11, 2012 Leave a Comment
Brian Schottenheimer
Well Jets fans, our prayers have been answered.
At 11pm on January 10th, Brian Schottenheimer informed the Jets he would not return for the 2012 campaign.
When I heard of this news, I literally hugged a fellow Jet fan and thanked God Schotty was not coming back.
Where do the Jets go from here?
The new offensive coordinator is former Dolphins Head Coach, Tony Sparano. I like the move, Sparano brings energy and discipline to a team that badly needs it from the offensive side of the ball. Also, it never hurts taking a divisional rival’s head coach, so I like the thinking from Rex’s point of view.
Offensive Line and Assistant Head Coach Bill Callahan is not returning, he has accepted an offer from the Cowboys as the Offensive Line Coach.
Wide Receivers Coach Henry Ellard is also out.
So on the offensive side of the coaching staff we have two vacant positions.
League sources say Todd Haley is interviewing for both of the vacant positions.
I can also see the Jets landing Todd Haley as a Wide Receivers coach/Assistant Head Coach. Haley, also an offensive mind can help improve the Jets 25th ranked offense.
Haley, however, is the complete opposite of Rex, he is a strict disciplinarian and it can be hard to mesh these personalities. In addition, do you think players such as Santonio Holmes will respect the new coaching changes?
I hope so.
In my opinion this could be the most important season in the franchise’s history. I have never seen a team in such turmoil, everyday someone else comes out with an opinion on either Rex or Sanchez. I am not saying they do not deserve to be criticized, but when it comes from within, it is a MUCH different criticism.
If you’re going to say something, PUT YOUR NAME OUT WITH YOUR STATEMENT.
I am disgusted as a fan to see these reports of “anonymous” players calling out Sanchez and the Jet Organization. The only player that had the courage to actually say something and put his name out was 3rd-String quarterback Greg McElroy.
All of this back-talking only makes the Jet locker room look even worse than what people thought. Now I understand why this team failed, a lack of character. Things always go wrong in Football, it is how you respond that makes you better and shows a true medal of the team.
With the addition of Sparano and hopefully Haley, it will bring respectability to the Jets offensive coaching staff and a fresh start for the Jets Offense. Both coaches bring discipline and character to a team that desperately needs it.
December 13, 2011 5 Comments
Being a New York Giant fan can be brutal.
To be honest, I had minimum expectations for the boys in the blue this year. Currently, our defense is 29th in opposing passing yards (263.7) and 22nd in opposing rushing yards (127.9) per game.
Yet somehow we are winning the NFC East. From watching the games each week, I have noticed that there are only two players who you know will show up each week; Jason Pierre- Paul and Eli Manning. Both of them are studs. JPP is the Manning of our defense; each week you can count on him to make a play when one needs to be made. For example, 2 sacks, a FF, and a blocked FG to prevent the G-Men from entering overtime against Dallas.
However, this article is not aimed at JPP. The real hero here is Eli Manning. If it were not for Eli, I don’t think I could manage to get myself out of bed on Sundays to watch the Giants. He gives us hope, but even better, he has consistently put the Giants in situations to win. Credit is given only when it is due and you better believe that it is definitely due for Eli.
Ironically, people laughed at Manning earlier this year when he put himself in the same category as players like Tom Brady. People cited his 25 interceptions last year (which any fan knows take away ten of those because the NYG receivers had a serious case of dick fingers) and the fact that the Giants have only made the playoffs once since they defeated New England.
Regardless, any football fan knows it takes the combination of a solid offense and defense to get in the playoffs and make a legitimate run. Now I don’t want to jump to conclusions but the NYG may be the exception to that rule, especially if you look at Eli’s play over the course of this year. Currently, Eli has 25 TD’s to 12 INT’s, 4,105 yards, and a 95.5 overall QB rating. With solid numbers such as those its no question why the NYG’s are rated 4th in passing behind New Orleans, New England, and Green Bay. With that said, you must also take into account that the Giant’s are ranked dead last (32) in rushing at 3.3 yards per carry. Is it a coincidence Eli is having his best statistical season when the G-Men have absolutely no running game to rely on?
However, lets not forget Eli Manning’s unbelievable fourth quarter play. This year alone, he has led the Giants to five 4th quarter comebacks and is tied with Johnny Unitas and his older brother with 14 fourth quarter touchdowns in a season; yet Eli still has three games left. Interestingly, Eli Manning is ranked fourth in fourth quarter or OT game winning drives since 2004 with 20; behind Peyton Manning (26), Ben Roethlisberger (25) and Drew Brees (23).Oh wait, did I mention he is in front of Tom Brady (18) ?
This year, Eli Manning has a 117 QB Rating in the fourth quarter which is ahead of Aaron Rodgers (112.6). It just goes to show you how well Eli Manning is playing, especially when the game is on the line . He is what Tyson Chandler was to the Mavericks, the X- Factor.
Not convinced of Eli’s legitimacy as an elite quarterback in this league? Let’s take a look and see how our good old friends Kevin Boss and Steve Smith are doing. Last season, Kevin Boss had 531 receiving yards and 5 TD. This year, he has an epic 288 receiving yards and 2 TD’s.
Steve Smith, when he was healthy, broke the record for most receptions by a Giant (107) and pulled in 1,220 yards and 7 TD in 2009. In 2010, although he was hurt, played in 9 games and had 529 yards and 3 TD’s. This season, although he was put on IR for a bruise on his knee that he mad microsurgery on, he also played in 9 games but only had 124 yards and 1 TD (which came against the Giants; makes me cringe ever time I think about it).
Now lets compare them with how Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Jake Ballard are doing. Currently, Cruz (1,150 yards and 7 TD) & Nicks (1,023 yards and 6 TD) are both top ten in the league in receiving yards; 3 and 9 respectively. Meanwhile, Jake Ballard has 589 yards and 4 TD’s.
Did I mention that Victor Cruz and Jake Ballard were both un-drafted free agents as well? There is no question, Eli Manning makes his players better.
Eli Manning is critical for the NYG’s success. Our defense is atrocious, yet we sit at 7-6 ahead of the Dallas Cowboys following a nightmare schedule (if you didn’t notice the Giants just recently faced SF, NO, & GB).
Yet the reason we are at 7-6 and not 2-11, is Eli Manning. It is shocking that he still does not get the respect or coverage that he deserves. Yet that’s in part due to the incredible QB play by Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers who are on the verge of breaking Dan Marino’s single season passing yard record (5,084).
Oh wait, isn’t Eli also on track following his 400 yard game against the Dallas Cowboy‘s last Sunday?
There are no definite things in life except death and taxes. Yet on the New York Football Giants you can definitely expect Chris Canty to be blocked 100 yards up the field and you can definitely expect Aaron Ross to suck, however, you can definitely count on Eli Manning to make a play when it is needed and to put the Giant’s in a position to win the game.
Yet for some reason he has not been able to shake the “baby face” criticism nor will he be noticed in a sea of other unbelievable Quarterbacks. Therefore, Eli Manning will always be the MVP we’ll never see.
December 13, 2011 2 Comments
JPP is a stud
In their most important game of the season, the New York giants were able pull off a thrilling comeback to beat the Dallas Cowboys 37-34.
Down by 12 with just under 6 minutes left in the game, the Giants, powered by Eli Manning, were able to score 15 unanswered points and regain control of the NFC East. Once again Eli Manning proved that he is indeed “Elite”, throwing for 400 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 INT and leading the Giants on two consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to cap an improbable win for the G-Men. Jason Pierre Paul aka JPP made big plays all night, sacking Tony Romo twice, forcing a fumble, and blocking a Dan Bailey field goal that would have sent the game into overtime. JPP is quickly becoming one of the most feared and versatile defensive players in the league in just his second season and should be a big time player in this league for many years to come.
If not for Aaron Rodgers, Eli would be in the running for MVP
Despite the big victory in Dallas on Sunday night, the Giants still have a lot of work to do if they plan on making the playoffs. The giants defense has been dreadful the past three weeks allowing opposing quarterbacks to throw for a combined 1,080 yards, 12 TD’s, and just 1INT. Two weeks ago Aaron Rodgers drove down the field :58 seconds and put the the Packers in position to kick the game winning field goal, and if not for JPP tony Romo would have done the same thing, but this time with :46 Seconds. If the Giants plan on making the playoffs this year they need to fix the problems they are having on defense. The pass rush has not been there consistently in the second half of the season, the linebackers are struggling to stop the run, and the secondary can’t cover anyone. You can count on Aaron Ross being burned at least twice a game, and Prince Amukamara‘s youth and lack of playing time have been evident these past three games. The Giants play the Redskins, the Jets and than they close the season with a crucial game against the Cowboys. The G-men must fix the problems on defense and continue to get MVP like performances from Eli Manning if they have hopes of getting into the playoffs and making a deep run.
December 12, 2011 7 Comments
With the Monday Night Football match up between Seattle (5-7) and St. Louis (2-10) I’m thinking it’s okay to look at Week 14 in Review and look forward to Week 15.
Aaron Rodgers is Perfection
1.) Packers Stay Perfect, Demolish Raiders 46-16 – Aaron Rodgers, you are ridiculous, even when the Raiders get away with 12 men on the field, he still hits Jordy Nelson for a Touchdown down the sideline. This is the best team I have seen in my lifetime and could the best team in NFL History period.
The Green Bay Defense forces 5 Turnovers (4 INT, 1 Forced Fumble returned for a touchdown). However, the one negative I saw from Green Bay was watching Wide Receiver Greg Jennings getting carted off the field. Regardless of the thumbs up he gave to the fans as he was being carted off, it is still a concern, and Head Coach McCarthy is classifying the injury as a sprain. Yet, who else in the NFL can withstand losing their #1 Wide Receiver and not miss a beat? It’s the Green Bay Packers.
Urlacher gets Tebowed
2.) Tebow Mania continues, Broncos edge Bears in OT 13-10 - Oh my Lord… (As Tebow would say) but this game was unreal. Tebow shuts up naysayers once again as the Broncos improve to 8-5 and 7-1 with Tebow as the starter. Marion Barber played like a complete idiot. First, Barber, runs out of bounds to stop the clock in regulation which gave the Broncos a chance to tie and force the game to OT.
Then, Barber fumbles the ball away in OT (after making a GREAT catch to put the Bears in position to win). I mean how DUMB can you be Marion? You might have just cost your team a wild card spot for the playoffs. Broncos looking up, while the Bears watch their promising start to the season disappear along with their playoff hopes.
Jacobs Celebrates in The Star
3.) GIANT Comeback – How big was this win for Big Blue? With both wild card teams winning (Detroit and Atlanta improve to 8-5) and controlling their destiny in the balance, Giants come up BIG and steal one at Dallas.
Giants were down 34-22 with 5 Minutes left, Eli makes an incredible comeback (Leads NFL with 7 this season) which included a 400 yard and 2 Touchdown performance. However, the Giants run game behind Brandon Jacobs 101 yard 2 touchdown performance set the stage for Eli’s comeback.
When the Giants can run the ball like they did last night, watch out. Jacobs is a bruising back that can dictate the pace of the game. Throughout the game Jacobs had 1-2 runs each drive when he just DESTROYED a Cowboy defender or two; that is imposing your will.
From the Cowboys point of view, you lose the division lead, a home game to your rival, and one of your most important players in running back Demarco Murray for the season. We will see what the cowboys are made of in these final 3 games; will they fade like they have in the past? Or will they rally around Romo and turn it around? We will see.
Yates Gaining Belief Every Game.
4.) Texans Clinch Division in Impressive Fashion Beat Bengals 20-19 – The Texans just keep winning, they comeback from 16-3 down on the road and mount a furious comeback in the final seconds to steal one in Cincy. No Mario Williams, No Matt Schuab, No Andre Johnson, no problem.
You have to respect what this team is doing, with their best players out; the Texans have not missed a beat. Rookie quarterback T.J Yates leads the Texans 80 yards, and capped the drive with a 6 yard Touchdown pass with 2 seconds left in the game. Yates throws for 300 yards along with 2 touchdowns and a INT.
I am impressed with this team, they are rallying around Yates and it shows to their character as a team, maybe if the other team in Texas had as much heart and toughness as the Texans, they would have taken care of the Giants last night. Wade Phillips is LAUGHING right now and so am I. The challenge for this team will be maintaining the level of play they are at and if Yates can manage his way to a Super Bowl?
Jets have to get back to "Ground and Pound"
5.) Jets Destroy Chiefs 37-10, Get help, End day 6th Seed in Playoffs. – Say what you want, the Jets have quietly taken care of business these past 3 weeks and find themselves in position to take the final spot in the playoffs. After getting help from the Packers, Texans, and Saints, the Jets are now in the driver’s seat for the final playoff spot.
Now the only stat I’ll take from this game is Shonn Greene’s performance. 24 Carries, 129 yards, and one touchdown. If the Jets can consistently start running the ball like they have the past three weeks, this team will be a force in the playoffs (again). I don’t know what it is with this team, but they turn it on in December and play clutch, I LOVE that.
The defense looked great (I know it was the Chiefs) but it was important that they did not play down to the Chiefs level and took care of business early. The Jets have a tough two game stretch against Philly and the Giants, these two games will tell me where the Jets stand.
