Preview to the biggest game of the year...

I am gong to look into my crystal ball....

The first thing I see is a blinding yellow glow... it's as bright as an innocent rendering of the sun, drawn by a child with a Crayola crayon. Wait... is that..... it's one hundred penalty flags thrown by the officiating crew in Gillette Stadium Monday night!!!!

Unlike that child's simple utopian world he has created on construction paper, where all of the houses have triangle tops, the grass is Jets green and the sun is round with a few rays cascading down on everything, the NFL has become political, dirty and the games are fixed.

I see a large number of calls and non-calls that will all fall in the favor of the NFL's golden boy Tom Brady. I will break this down for you... here is Belichicks coaching career in a few short sentences.

He was a defensive coordinator for Bill Parcells and won a SB with the Giants. He was simply Parcells piss boy, much like his relationship with Mangini a decade later.

He was hired as coach of the Browns and did nothing but lose games, alienate his players and the fans, and was promptly fired.

Parcells took him back and he went back to the role of piss boy. He later accepted the headcoach job here when Parcells stepped down and proceeded to stab Bill, our owner and every Jets fan in the back by changing his mind and running up to New England the next day. This has never happened in the pros and it was obviously against the rules for Robert Kraft to make an offer to a coach under contract... thats why the Pats were forced to turn their #1 draft pick in 2000 over to us.

In his first year in NE Belichick looked like the average coach that he is. In 2001 our country was attacked and the NFL decided to help the Patriots make a playoff run and win the Superbowl. It was very therapeutic for our nation to see the red white and blue 'Patriots" holding up the Lombardi. There were many ridiculous calls during that season including the 'tuck rule' play that is infamous. Belichick won that Superbowl and 2 others by secretly videotaping other teams defensive calls and practices.

It's not hard to win when you know what the other team is going to do before they do it. Even Josh McDaniels, one of Belichicks most beloved piss boys, made it very clear just this past week that they were taught to cheat and coach players to play dirty (after he was caught video taping an opponents practice this season in London).

The reason the NFL defends this low life coach and his QB is because they have built up Brady as a hero and he is ultra-marketable. They need him in the playoffs every year for ratings... so they will make sure he is there. They also destroyed any evidence from "Spy Gate" because it would have made those 3 Superbowls invalid and would damage the NFL and the biggest sporting event in the world immensely. The NFL survives because of the post season. The NFL playoff system and the Superbowl are the biggest things in sports. To admit that they let this go on for so long would even open them up to legal troubles one can only imagine.

That being said, it should be clear that the Jets will not be allowed to win this game. My crystal ball is glowing yellow and I see the Patriots are handing the game ball to.... the officials after the game. Belichick is kissing the head zebra on the lips and the players are chanting "12th man!!!!" over and over again in the locker room.

I also see at least one major injury to one of our key players early in the game... can't make out exactly who, but if I had to guess I would say it is either Holmes, Sanchez, Mangold or Revis. Funny how the Pats knocked out Ward early in the Pittsburgh game and what a major impact it had on their offense. What luck!

Weak minded players like Bart Scott will be baited into "unsportsman like" penalties even if the Patriot players spit, punch, taunt, and eye gouge. Any retaliation will be flagged and only held against the Jets. The only way to combat this kind of play is to fight fire with fire. However, I can't be a fan of a team that would try to hurt other players and cheat like this. It's a real Catch 22.

I wish I could be spending this time breaking down the match ups and what would be a perfect plan for attack. But, the NFL is no longer a simple game where the winners are determined by who makes plays when they count, and who hits the hardest. Now it's all about which owners have the most pull with the commissioner and who they feel will draw the most ratings in the post season.

The Pats are the worst 9-2 team in NFL history, and they will probably win it all. Thats why they refuse to pay veteran players.... they don't have to.

Enjoy the game ya'll!!!!

Week 12: Jets vs. Bengals... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Thank God for Brad Smith!

I must be honest, I didn't watch this whole game. The Jets looked impotent in the 1st half and the ridiculous unnecessary roughness call on Drew Coleman that set up the Bengals only TD was the last straw for me. Winning is all that matters at the end of the day, and I have been preaching that for weeks. That being said, the Bengals are one of the most mismanaged franchises in al of sports and they are having an especially poor season in 2010. If the Jets wanted to be taken seriously they needed to destroy this team.

The defense and special teams played well, but the offense was horrible. After 11 games Greene still looks like he just isn't capable of stepping up to this once in a lifetime opportunity. I have a hard time believing this team has enough discipline to make a real playoff run. They are confident, talented and hungry. They are also one of the sloppiest teams in the NFL.

I am also disgusted by how players like Scott run their mouths after games. Multiple Jets defenders told the press that they considered the Thanksgiving Night game to be 'Easy". Why degrade your opponents and drag the whole franchise down? We traded away a high character guy like Vilma only to bring in an underachieving loudmouth like #57.

But, most of all I am disgusted by the officiating in the NFL and how there always seems to be a ridiculous call at a key moment that puts the Jets in an impossible situation. The aforementioned call against Coleman for unnecessary roughness was the straw that broke the camels back. Coleman did absolutely nothing wrong on that play... he didn't lead with his helmet.. didn't launch himself... he didn't even knock the receiver off his feet. He simply touched him with his shoulder.

That was a 3rd down play and gave the Bengals a 1st and goal on the 5 yard line instead of forcing a field goal attempt. The zebras are controlling the outcomes of games with these ridiculous calls. The NFL is truly becoming unwatchable. That call has seriously diminished my interest in this game.

One final note. After yet another inexcusable missed field goal and an extra point that bounced in off the upright the Jets have publicly started to work out kickers. I can say this much... If we make the playoffs we are not going to be a dominating team. This team plays down to it's competition. We will most certainly require at least one game winning field goal in the post season to stay alive and Folk is not capable of that. He is emotionally ill-equipped to handle the pressure of kicking at this level. Case closed.

Favre gets his second Head Coach fired in 3 years...

The washed up attention whore... and future HOF'er know simply as #4 has been playing like #2 all season. Brad Childress made a deal with the devil last year because he, his GM and owner thought they were smarter than the NY Jets brain-trust that let Favre walk after only one lack luster season in 2008. We also dumped our gum chewing head coach and moved on to bigger and better things. The Vikings ate our leftovers and now they have a bit of a tummy ache.

Was it fair that Childress was fired? Yes. Was it smart? No. The 2010 season has been one big abortion for the Vikings and now this offseason they have to rebuild all over again. Brad knows how this league works and his firing is proof positive. You are only as good as your last game. Thats why he went for Favre and Moss... and it almost worked. He will get another shot and probably do very well.

The Vikings need to find a head coach and QB... the two hardest and most important positions to fill. Luckily they do have some real talent on that team, so if they can land the right guy to steer their ship maybe they can make it to the conference championship game next year with a rookie QB and be 8-2 @ this time in 2012 heading back to the playoffs. That sounds pretty far fetched, except for the fact that the Jets have done exactly that. There is life after Favre.

What I would do now is bench Brett and focus on Tarvaris Jackson. If Jackson can finish the season strong the HC position in Minnesota could lure back some of the elite coaches who have stepped away from the game. Even a guy like Parcells would probably bite for the right price. But, you need a QB in place. No big name is going to want to develop some rookie. If Jackson bombs out then the Vikings do whatever is necessary to land Vick. Just like when Cunningham resurrected his career in the Dome, Vick would be the missing piece to the puzzle up there. Either way, you need to know what you have in Tarvaris, and you need to know now.

The Jets have ended the seasons of few teams recently including the Broncos, Lions, Browns and Texans. The coaches of the first 3 teams will probably survive and get another shot in 2011 (even Mangini). But I would have to think that the Texans are ready to move on and let Gary Kubiak go back to being a coordinator and stop masquerading as a head coach.

I like a lot of things about the Texans and most importantly they have a legitimate QB. I think Schaub is a C+ or B- QB, but he is the real deal none the less. Again, this makes the position of HC very attractive for an established name. I think the ownership in Houston needs to clean house and make a dramatic move. The move I am going to suggest will be astronomically expensive, but I think it's a lock to win a Superbowl (or at least a playoff birth which this franchise still hasn't accomplished).

The combination of Marty Schottenheimer as GM and Bill Cowher as HC would be extremely effective. They could not only change the culture down there and tweak the roster, they could build a coaching staff that would help lead the team for years to come. I can't begin to imagine how much these two legends would cost... but they could get the job done... any other candidates are a roll of the dice. This dynamic duo is cash money.... literally.

Week 11: Jets vs. Texans You don't have to be perfect all the time...

...only when it counts. We could easily be below .500 right now if not for the last second heroics of #6 and #10.

For the past 3 weeks they have been stealing victory from the plates of our opponents. And, if you count the big play at the end of the Broncos game... Sanchez and Holmes have been making it happen when the game is on the line ever since Santonio has returned from suspension.

Mark was absolutely perfect on that final game winning drive. He was 4 for 4 as he scrambled around in the pocket buying time and making the right decisions. For those of us who have stuck with this young man ever since he was named starter last season this most recent game winning drive was the most rewarding.

He is learning a lot playing with a guy like Holmes. He is developing that look in his eyes. The precision of the long pass to Edwards along the sideline that set up the game winning pass to Holmes was breath taking. So was the lack of hesitation. He saw the opening and took it, he and his receivers took the win. Thats how you win games in this league.

Mark is playing conservative smart football at the right times, and he has learned how to let it fly when the time is right. That is so hard for young signal callers to learn. I think it is safe to say that when the pressure is on, the game is starting to slow down for him... and thats how the great ones play. Mark has a lot of growing to do, but even the most negative and cynical Jets fans have to be excited.

Does our passing game look good? Coming off another 300 yard 3 TD game with over 200 yards combined from #10 and #17??? Ummmm yes. Are there still concerns? Yes. Dustin Keller has been invisible for weeks and Shonn Greene is starting to look like he was a one hit wonder last year. I am not overly concerned about Keller (except for the fact he is killing my fantasy team) but Greene is a problem.

If you can't run behind this line.... you are not the real deal. After 10 games I was not expecting 2 starts, 1 TD 3 fumbles and a 4.1 yard average. Our coaches have scaled back LT's role a bit in an effort to jump start Greene. So far there are little signs of life. McNight is about as raw a rookie as I have ever seen, and I don't expect him to be touching the ball very much. We have rolled the dice on Greene. LT is doing a great job, but if he goes down our highly ranked rushing attack is history.

On the defensive side of the ball there is also good news and bad news. The combo of Revis and Cromartie is starting to become very effective accept for the fact that they generate no turnovers. They both can lock down receivers and are physical freaks, but teams have been making runs on us late in games because they aren't scared of these guys. They frustrate QB's but don't make them hesitate to take shots. That being said, I'll take em'.

Our D-line is pretty solid especially considering the loss of Jenkins. I think the real problem is with our LB's. Guys like Scott, Taylor and Thomas are old and slow. They can be effective rushing the passer, but they are being asked to cover way too much. Because of the overall weakness of our other CB's Rex is forced to be more conservative with his blitz packages. If Pool and Wilson could step up and start making plays our DC could unleash the hounds.

These aren't things that can't be fixed. The good thing about the regular season is that you can develop players and tweak weaknesses that other teams expose. If you keep progressing and recognizing where you can better, ideally you peak as you head into the playoffs. The trick is to pull out the close ones so that there are still games to play in January.

Brodney Pool, Kyle Wilson and Shonn Greene... your team needs you to start to make impact plays that force the other team to adjust. Things will open up for the players around you if you start showing up to play and not just watch the game. I still have some faith that we can pull it together... and if we start to hit on all cylinders... as Rex once said to the entire NFL: "I think it's going to be more than you can handle."

Week 10: Jets vs. Browns... When the game is on the line....

... you throw the ball to this guy (please see above photo).

Two weeks in a row the Jets pull off an exciting overtime win, on the road, thanks to a clutch play from Sanchez and Holmes. No team in the history of the league has ever won back to back road overtime games. Another exciting note from this game was the solid play of our offense. The running game looked solid, Mark had 299 yards and 2 TD's and we ran 97 offensive plays (WOW!).

I will not waste anytime addressing our HORRIBLE field goal kicker because I have been clear week after week that he is definitely our achilles heel. I am sure he will cost us games... I just hope it's not in the playoffs. He simply can't take the pressure on the NFL. But, I digress.

We have looked out of sync since the game in Denver. We were sloppy in 2 road games and also in the debacle against the Packers in our house where we were shut out. Luckily we went 3-1 over that stretch, and have the best record in the NFL... including 5-0 on the road and 3-0 in our division. This is the formula for how you assure your team a spot in the playoffs.

If the post season were to start today the Jets would be the top seed in the AFC because we own the tie breaker with the Pats. This week we played well... and if playing perfect in the regular season was the true formula for winning it all Tom Brady wouldn't still be having nightmares containing the numbers "eighteen" and "one". The 2010 NY Jets don't quit, and our upcoming opponents are taking note... trust me.

Our running game is ranked 3rd overall averaging over 150 yards per game and the one two punch of Tomlinson and Greene is finally starting to click. Mark has 2,000 yards with 12 TD's and 6 INTs. The defense has been a bit inconsistent, but the loss of Jenkins and Revis for the first half of the season has had a lot to do with that. Now that Revis and Pace are back to 100% I think all of the pieces will fall into place as we head into December. Some fans are disappointed with the sloppy play and penalties from the first 9 games, but I see it from a different perspective. If we were able to go 7-2 with out some key players and playing sub-par football, we have a real chance of making a Superbowl run if we play up to our potential.

Rex and Schotty have also been under some fire because of questionable coaching calls. I believe that our OC has been a bit too aggressive with the passing game, but if Mark should finish with 3,500+ yards and 20 TD's with only 10 INTs in his second year... that would be pretty amazing. I think Schotty is trying to make a name for himself by calling fancy personnel packages and passing too much. This doesn't serve the teams or Marks best interests.

But, on his resume he helped to develop Brees in San Diego, coached Pennington to the CBPOY award with the Jets, worked with Favre for an entire season, and has now developed Sanchez into a functional NFL QB. If we win the big game this year Schotty will be pursued by a lot of teams as a QB guru. I have no problem with him leaving and Calahan taking over as OC. He and Rex will ground and pound Greene to the rushing title in 2011.

Rex has made some in game decisions that can be looked at as ill-advised. He got blamed for the fake punt against the Packers (which he had nothing to do with) and he also came under fire this past week in Cleveland. With 35 seconds on the clock and 2 timeouts he decided to let the clock run out and go to overtime. We had good field position and if we would have lost that game this call would have been a bigger story... a huge one actually.

This is a winning business and we have the best record in football. Rex is more than an entertainer in press conferences and a motivator in the locker room. He is also one of the top 3 defensive minds in the NFL. Anyone that understands defense that well also has offensive expertise by default. I don't know if any team has better combo of motivator and strategist as head coach. He needs to work on some of his in game calls, but he is also only a season and a half into his head coaching career... as is our QB. I think they are both doing pretty damn well if you grade their performance by wins and losses.

Santonio Homes and Jericho Cotchery are players who have proven over the years that they have a competitive fire that only increases when the game is on the line. #89's 1st down catch in overtime is one I will never forget as a jets fan. On 3rd down Cotchery lined up in the slot and ran a route that was cut short because he injured his groin muscle half way through the play. He was in major pain and stated hoping on one foot.

Meanwhile our QB was scrambling trying to avoid the Browns pass rush. Mark could see that J-co was hobbled but he was also the only viable target. He pointed to him and then delivered an off target laser. Most receivers with two healthy legs wouldn't have been able to stretch their bodies out and grab the ball in mid air while falling to the ground. And, I can't think of any other that would have even attempted it moments after suffering an injury.... especially one that painful. Cotchery caught that ball because thats the way he is wired. he cares about his team and winning as much as he does about his own well being.

Holmes comes up big in big moments just like Cotchery, but with different motivation. Holmes believes he is the best player on the field at any given time. He expects the ball to be in his hands when the game is on the line and doesn't even consider anything but making the play. The final drive of Superbowl XLIII will be remembered for all time. Holmes simply plays on another level in those situations.

He is not a top 10 receiver in this league, but with the game on the line he may be #1. The way he out-willed the Detroit defenders two weeks ago setting up a chip shot game winning field goal was one of the best plays of the season... until it was completely eclipsed by his heroics in Cleveland one week later. He snatched the ball out of the air and split 3 defenders effortlessly on his way to the endzone. It was a sight to see.

Next week we will get a very clear look at where our defense is. Are they a championship defense, or just a bunch of big talkers. The Texans have struggled this season when it comes to winning. They have been the exact opposite of the Jets... losing games in the final seconds instead of pulling them out. However, they have not struggled moving the ball. They have an excellent passing game and a solid running game.

I don't think we can outscore them in a shoot out, and frankly our team is not designed that way. We shouldn't have to play their game. We should simply pound the rock and eat up the clock. We will need a few sacks and at least one turnover to insure a W this week. It's time for #24 to start to earn his big pay raise he cried about all summer. Shutting down Johnson is no small task, but if he is the best CB in the league I would like to see him register his first INT of the season... in week 11.

Another interesting story line will revolve around Brad Smith. He is a good special teams player and is lethal in the Wildcat. But, with Cotchery out for a couple of weeks Smith will now step into the slot receiver spot. Actually I would expect to see him and Edwards out wide and Holmes in the slot in 3 WR sets, but the question is can he make an impact? There is some simple math to consider for the NY Jets in 2011.

They will have some big salaries already on the books... guys like Revis, Sanchez, Pace, Mangold and Ferguson soak up a lot of dollars. We will also be trying to resign Harris, and LT will probably also hang around one more year. We will simply not be able to afford Edwards, Cotchery and Holmes together. Cotchery is already a substantial cap hit, and Holmes won't sign a hometown discount. Even Edwards is going to need to be paid based on his performance so far this season. He has been explosive on the field and is catching everything thrown his way.

Everyone is assuming that Edwards and or Holmes will be gone in 2011. But, I am 100% sure Mr. T and our coaches will be paying close attention to the way our offense looks and operates with #17, #10 and #16 on the field together. I love #89, and he may be my favorite current Jet, but he may also be the odd man out next year.. as crazy as that may sound right now.

Week 9: Jets vs. Lions All's well that ends well

Our receivers need to do a better job catching the ball... our OC needs to call more fluid plays... and our defense needs to start getting to the QB, creating turnovers and scoring. If we plan on making the playoffs and making a run at the big game the next 8 games need to look different than the first 8. That being said, we are 6-2 and in first place.

I want to take a quick look at the 2nd half of the season, but lets give this past weeks game a little attention first. I think the two guys who need to shine moving forward are Kyle Wilson and Shonn Greene. We spent a first round pick on Wilson this year and traded up to score Greene last year. He essentially cost us two draft picks just like Revis and Harris. He needs to step up like they have.

#31 and #24 shut down both sides of the field. It is remarkable how Calvin Johnson, who has been having a big year, was a complete non-factor... another prisoner on Revis Island. If our 2 top corners can become the shut down book ends Tannenbaum envisioned back when he traded for Cromartie during the offseason, we will be very hard to game-plan against. Unless, of coarse, we can't establish a solid nickel back.

The Lions simply attacked Coleman all day and Burleson racked up over 100 yards. Rex made excuses for his secondary again, calling Burleson an excellent reciever. There is no excuse for letting a C- slot receiver look like Wes Welker. I know Rex is loyal to his guys, but he needs to start calling them out. If Wilson can't step up in nickel packages, fans must start to ask if this guy is a waste of a 1st round pick.

As for the offensive side of the ball our OC finally gave some touches to Greene. He averaged 4.6 yards per touch and LT made the game tying play, turning a check down pass into a big gain. We need to see if Greene can be the man or not. He needs at least 15 carries and LT should have about 10 carries, as well as at least 5 targets in the passing games. Holmes, Keller and Edwards showed their big play ability. Cotchery has played horribly for the past few games and is starting to look like the odd man out.

We have 3 very winnable games ahead of us. We face a terrible football team that is coming off two mind boggling wins. Cleveland stomped a mud hole in the Saints and Patriots asses. Some may be surprised, but I have predicted both of these teams missing the playoffs... maybe the Browns are just exposing how overrated they are. This team is full of our rejects, not the least of which is their headcoach. We should dominate this team in all three phases.

We then have two games at home, and the weather will start to become an advantage... even if our home crowd isn't. The Texans and Bengals are garbage. If we struggle against these teams... at this point in the season... any dreams of the Superbowl will start to look foolish. The next 3 games after that will define our whole season. We will face New England in their house, the Dolphins in our house and Pittsburgh in the "big catsup bottle".

The Pats have Pittsburgh, Indy and Detroit over the next 3 weeks leading into the showdown with us week 13. If we are 9-2 and they are 7-4 we have to go for the kill shot. I have been on record about how I don't feel the Pats are an elite team anymore, but the games still need to be played. If we are relatively healthy we should have at least 10 wins by week 14.

The AFC East has a sick schedule in 2010, and there are 3 very competitive teams within the division. This is a tough mountain to climb, but the rocky journey may be what prepares us to make a championship run in January. The next 3 weeks will show if we can be disciplined and start to dominate, or if the past 8 weeks have been all hype. I would like to see Rex stop making excuses for his players and coaches and start to demand better results.

Week 8: Jets vs. Packers The sky is falling!!!!!!!

1) The sky is falling.

2) Bradford, Freeman and every other young QB all look better than Sanchez.

3) "Playoff?!?!!? Playoffs?!?!?! I just hope we can win a game:"-J.Mora

4) Our WR's are garbage and we should try and claim Randy Moss.

5) The Patriots are the best team in the league.

I would like to start out addressing #1, and thoroughly cover each one of these totally non-hysterical concepts.

1) Bullshit!

2) Bullshit!

3) Bullshit!

4) Bullshit!

5) Bullshit!

We have an excellent team including our coaching staff. That was simply a bad game vs. one of the leagues top 5 teams. When two top five teams face off the game usually comes down to inches and few miscues. Obviously the defense did it's job. The fake punt thing was not a disaster because we held them to 3.

Sanchez struggled in the first half but pulled it together and was making good decisions in the second half. That is an important quality to have as an NFL QB. Many times I have watched Tom Brady throw a INT or have a few bad drives just to come back and start lighting up the opposing defense. It's cliche, but a short memory is vital in this business. .

The game came down to dropped passes and a really weak home crowd. I feel there is an excellent chance that both the Packers and jets will continue to improve as the season progresses. Neither team has the best record in their respective conferences, but I still believe they will face off in the Superbowl. If we get another crack at the Pack I think there will be a much different outcome.

Steve Weatherford made a bonehead decision, but he has been having an outstanding season so he gets a pass. You must admit that took so real balls. As long as he understands that he has to check with the sideline before doing that again this shouldn't be a problem moving forward.

Sanchez has been struggling for the past few games because Shotty wants to run a high flying offense and turn Mark into the next big, elite QB. This process takes time, but our OC has his next job in mind instead of focusing on what is best for the NY Jets. If our offense moves up to the top 5 and Mark starts to be regarded as a success story from the draft it could equal huge dollars for Scotty this offseason.

There will be some amazing coaching vacancies in 2011 and I am sure he wants to be on the top of every owners list. We know how to win with this offense. Running the ball is not sexy but it is necessary to open up the passing game. Mark was playing very well and looking like he had our system mastered from week 2 to week 5. We faced two good division rivals during that stretch who already have a ton of film on Sanchez. The reason he sliced them up was because we were running the ball 1st and passing when wee needed to.

It sparks the O-line and forces the defense to start to pull players from coverage and put them in the box. I think LT and Greene can become the best one/ two punch in the NFL if Schotty would just pound and ground. I am confident that Rex will step in and we will get back on track. If Schotty can't accept the harsh reality of what the formula is for us to win consistently I have no problem with dumping him and letting Bill Calahan take over as OC. He is an O-line guy and will have no problem running the ball 30+ times every Sunday. That being said, we lost a game that produced zero TD's for either team. It sucks, but this happens in the NFL. Suck it up and focus on beating the Lions.

The best way to deal with a loss like this is by keeping an eye on the big picture. We are 5-2, 3-0 in the division... the defense is starting to really take shape and we are pretty healthy. I feel just as confident that we will bounce back from this loss as I was about week one vs. The Ravens.

My only long term concerns are Nick Folk, who I have been very clear about regarding how useless he is, and our home-field advantage or lack there of. If our stadium was only 70% filled this week I have major concerns going forward. Rex has tried to make it as clear as possible that we need to establish the New Meadowlands as one of the worst places to play in the whole league. So far we seem to be the only team who has been struggling there.

For the record, if you line up any QB drafted in the past 5 years the only guy I would want leading our team is Mark Sanchez. This kid is smart, accurate, loyal, a natural leader and he cares about winning. He puts football first in his life and loves being a NY Jet. He's my guy!