The atmosphere with 4 days to go...

I have had some real issues with the consistency of the 2009 NY Jets. Most people felt it was a foregone conclusion that we would win week 17 vs. the Bengals. I wasn't so confident, but we won, and won big. I didn't think Sanchez was capable of winning a playoff game this season, and he played very well in Cincinnati. I was sure the game in San Diego was going to be the end of the road for us, and I was satisfied with our first season under new management. I thought we had already peaked and I was also feeling that we were lucky to have matched up with an overrated Bengals team. Well, as we all know, the Jets went to California and played even better against one of the NFL's most complete teams and their elite QB. And again, #6 got the job done.

I can say with confidence that the Saints, Colts, and Vikings are three of the most complete teams in this league and definitely deserve to be in the final four. I can say the same thing about the New York Jets. We have earned our place in the Championship game and we got their with a rookie QB. The other three teams that are still alive have elite veteran signal callers. Our opponent this week may have the best QB of all time behind center, and he is the league MVP... for the fourth time.

On paper it looks unlikely, improbable and a real long shot. As a fan, for the first time this season, I believe we can go head to head with a great team and win. This is the perfect game for us, because if we win everyone who has been attacking the Jets for 'backing' into the playoffs will have to sit down and shut up. I have been a Jets fan since the mid 1980's. If we win this game, the two weeks leading into the Superbowl will be some of the best of my life... and I am 100% sure of this.

Former Jets coach Bill Parcells once said that the whole reason he coached, the goal of the whole adventure, was to stand in the tunnel waiting to be introduced at the Superbowl. What that represents to him is opportunity. There are so many things that can go wrong in the coarse of the season and post season that can prevent any team from making it to the big game. When you get your shot it is a true miracle. It requires heart, perseverance, and a lot of luck.

I have personally waited 25 years for this chance, and some Jets fans have waited 4 decades. I am not afraid to put my faith in this team because during the past 4 weeks they have shown me that they have matured and that they are hungry... even starving.

So are their fans, lets go JETS!

Breaking down our biggest game in a decade...

I will make an attempt to analyze this weeks match up. Obviously #18 is the main weapon and focal point of everything the Colts do. It's been proven over the years that if you can get in his face and knock him down consistently, you can get him out of rhythm. We don't have an elite pass rusher, but our coach believes in giving every player a chance to rush the passer during the coarse of the game. We bring pressure from anywhere and everywhere. It will be almost impossible for Peyton to recognize every blitz and compensate properly. We should be able to get to him if we stay aggressive.

Our starters held up pretty well vs. their starters a few weeks ago, but I was frustrated by the vanilla play calling. Rushing three linemen on 3rd down and playing zone defense is suicide when playing against a genius like Manning. This guy is a once in a generation caliber athlete. Not since Jordan have I watched one player have the ability to take over an entire season. Peyton has been the MVP of this league for the better part of the past decade, even though he was only recognized 4 times.

The Colts are a much better team on paper, but a bloody nose can be a great equalizer. Manning has a plethora of targets to work with as well as two pretty dynamic running backs with Addai and the rookie Brown. We have not done anything tricky this year in the game planning department. There is no mystery here, we will try to run the ball and control the clock. The less Manning is on the field, the less damage he can do. Seems pretty simple, except for the fact that Miami played them in early 09' and their offense executed this game plan perfectly. They dominated the time of possession and came up with and"L" instead of a "W".

Our running game has really blossomed with the emergence of the powerful young rookie Greene, and the ultra reliable Jones. Our O-line has also stepped up in 09' and I feel confident calling them the best overall squad in the NFL. The way Indy shut down the Ravens rushing attack last week concerns me, but I just can't see how they will slow us down, especially if we mix in some well timed play action passes from #6, and a bunch of option plays with Brad Smith behind center. I would love to see Smith get the chance to throw the ball a few times. That 'wildcat' package could be very effective in the redzone. A few players that I feel will need to step for us are:

Lito Sheppard- He needs to stop playing lazy sloppy football and push himself to play like we all know he is capable. We won't be able to survive any big pass interference calls. The Colts will target #26 and we can't afford to give them anything.

Sean Ellis- I was so inspired by his performance in San Diego. He breaks his hand in the first quarter and only misses a couple series' before returning with a cast. I can tell you that I am sure he came back because he knows that our young defense looks to him as a leader. We need him out there. Broken hand or not, his presence alone will make us better.

David Harris- He's one of my favorite Jets, but he needs to improve his coverage skills. He is a great young LB, but he will get exposed quickly this Sunday if he isn't ready to rumble.

Braylon Edwards- I was so disgusted by the way he watched the ball sail over his head on the INT this past week. He needs to step up more than any other player on this squad. If we are going to win this week, and move on to the big game, we are going to need him to make some big plays when it counts. I hope he knows how lucky he is to be out of Cleveland and here in NY.

Two other players I would like to see get some touches are Danny Woodhead and David Clowney. These guys can contribute and cause some mismatches. This is the week to pull out all the stops. I have faith that our NY Jets can pull off the improbable upset, and no matter what anyone in Indianapolis is saying, the last team they want to face this week is the Jets. We have nothing to lose, we are overflowing with confidence, and we are playing and coaching without fear right now.

If we beat the Colts this week, I hope every 'expert' in the media that proclaimed their confidence about how we would have had no chance to win if Manning would have stayed in the game a few weeks ago, will admit that they were wrong and we are the better team. In the spirit of Broadway Joe, lets shock the world!!!

... where credit is do

I have spent almost an entire year expressing my disdain for Rex Ryans 'all or nothing' approach this season. As a rookie headcoach in the biggest media market in the world his big talking was very dangerous. By the end of November it stated to look like Rex might have talked himself out of a job. The team was losing game after game vs. inferior competition. Sanchez was struggling and I was not only worried about 2009, but I was looking ahead as well.

I called for Mike Tannenbaums job when it looked like there was no chance of making the playoffs this season. Things have worked out better than anyone could have predicted... everyone except for Rex Ryan. Coach made it clear from day one that our goal as a team was to win the Superbowl. He did nothing but express his overwhelming confidence in this squad, including his rookie QB.

I went on record regarding what a mistake I thought it was to start Sanchez from day #1. History tells us that rookie QB's are mistake prone and their ego's can be very fragile. Again, I was focused on the long term instead of today. Rex has his team playing like a well oiled machine, and he does an outstanding job of making sure they take things one game at a time.

I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. Mr. T and Rex have pulled a rabbit from a hat in 2009, and they have laid the ground work for a very bright future. As a fan you have to be excited about the next 3-4 seasons. We have some great young players and coaches. We have hit some homeruns in the draft, and the decisions to hire Rex and retain Shotty as our offensive coordinator were brilliant.

I will always have a opinion as a fan, but I must say... being dead wrong has never felt so good!

Jets sweep the Bengals and then stomp the Chargers

I was away on business from the January 3rd until January 17th. I wasn't able to update this blog but I did keep up with gang green and boy how things have changed in 14 short days. We have gone from a team that needed a win just to have a shot at the post season, to the final four and a rematch with the Colts. Winning in Cincinnati and following that up with a win on the west coast is certainly no small accomplishment. Our Jets have overachieved and they go into next weeks game with nothing to lose.

The past two weeks will be looked back upon as a true turning point in the history of this franchise. We have a stable of young players that make up an excellent nucleus. Players like D'Brick, Mangold, Revis, Harris, Sanchez, Greene, Keller, Cotchery, and Leonhard are all 27 years old or younger. These are all pro-bowl caliber players. We also have a nice group of role players like Erik Smith, Lowery and Strickland who are also young.

Two players who are not on that list are Braylon Edwards and Leon Washington. I just don't know if these players will be with us in 2010. Washington is a big question mark because of his major season ending injury. We may also have a shot at signing Reggie Bush if he is dumped by the Saints this offseason. If we have a choice I would probably chose Bush, for reasonable money. As for #17, I have been so disgusted with his lackadaisical approach to the game, I would like to see him set free once the season is over. I have seen enough... Edwards will only slow down Mark's progression instead of help it. Edwards= Fail.

But, before we start thinking about our bright future we still have a game to play this coming Sunday at 3pm. As a die hard NFL fan I always tell people my favorite day of the year is 'Championship Sunday'. For the first time in a decade I will get to see my Jets play for 60 minutes to see if they can win a golden ticket to the biggest game of them all. Wow, what a feeling.

#24 continues to prove week after week that he is the REAL defensive player of the year, and I was also surprised to see Marvin Lewis win coach of the year after going 9-7 and taking an early exit in the playoffs. Oh, well... there is only one trophy that Rex and Revis have their eyes on... the Lombardi.

Sanchez and Ryan have shown amazing growth during the past month and I am one thrilled Jets fan. Mr. T has secured his spot thanks to the group of young players he has targeted over the past 4 years. I disagreed with much of his vision for this team, but results are what matters, and he couldn't ask for much more from his 2009 squad.

My number one concern going into the season was our defensive line. When Jenkins went down I basically wrote off our defense. I am shocked at how veterans like Ellis have stepped up and how Pohua and Douglas have held it down. That group has been the most pleasant surprise of 2009 for me.

Quick note about todays game...

I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I believe the NFL controls the outcomes of key games by manipulating penalty calls and non-calls (Ok, I guess there is no way to NOT sound a little crazy saying that).

The reality is this... The NFL will make more money as a whole if the Steelers make the Playoffs instead of the NY Jets. A post season game featuring the defending world champs is going to generate more revenue any way you look like at it.

The Steelers just beat the Dolphins and they need Baltimore or the Jets to lose to get in. If Baltimore wins I want to go on record at 4:30pm on 1-3-2010 as saying the Refs will do everything in their power to prevent the Jets from winning.

Mark my words!

Instant franchise CPR...

There are a number of NFL franchises who are turning blue in the face and could certainly use a little mouth to mouth. When an team in this league gets off track, righting the ship can take years. Unlike the NBA where you can sign 2 or three key free agents, or MLB, which currently has no salary cap, resurrecting a program that is on life support is a long complicated process in this league.

Here's a list of teams that are adrift without a compass and desperately need a new captain (OK, I am officially tapped out of analogies lol): Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Bucs, St. Louis Rams, and Seattle Seahawks.

The Chiefs, Lions, Bucs, Browns, Seahawks and Rams have all made major changes in the past 12 months and probably won't make any moves regarding the GM/Headcoach positions. The Titans and Panthers both have long tenured coaches and all signs are that they will stay with them.

The Redskins and Bills seem to be the only two teams mentioned above who are openly in the market for new coaches. Washington has already hired a new GM.

The title of this post is INSTANT franchise CPR. Even though there is no 'overnight' solution, I feel that the 2010 offseason is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this group of struggling teams. Coaches like Cowher and Shannahan can alter the destiny of any team and they are only two of over a half dozen elite NFL coaches who are unemployed and available.

My quick fix is a very simple one. The team of Marty Schottenheimer and Bill Cowher would be as close to sure thing as you will get in this league. Marty as GM or "Team President" and Cowher as headcoach would be a killer combo. They have a long history and I am sure they would love to work together. Now, the next question is this: what team would be the best fit for them?

If I were those guys I would make a move for the Houston Texans. They have a ton of young talent on the defensive side of the ball, and their division is in flux. The Jags and Titans are teams that are searching for an identity and the Colts will eventually hit the wall... Manning can only continue playing at this dominate level for so much longer. With my 'dream team' GM/headcoach combo of Cowher and Shotty the Texans could become a perennial playoff team instead of always coming up one or two games short every season.

My 'dream team' would be pretty expensive, but in a league where players like Hanesworth and Reggie Bush collect HUGE contracts for minimal impact, why not invest in a one two punch like these two no nonsense coaches.

Houston may end up 9-7 and will probably give their coach another chance in 2010, however I think that is a big mistake. Another great landing spot for Bill and Marty would be in the windy city. Chicago needs a change and my guys have the perfect demeanor for Illinois.

Week 17: Still alive... Jets vs. Bengals

I would like to say that if we lose this week the NYJ's 2009 season could still be considered a success, and have that be the truth. All things considered, a .500 record... a #1 overall ranked defense... and the #1 rushing attack in the game are accomplishments to be proud of for a team with a rookie QB and headcoach. Especially considering we played most of the season without Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington.

This season has been a real roller coaster ride, and I called for the firing of our GM back when we lost for the second time to Miami. I didn't see anyway we could make the post season, and that would have been three years in a row without an appearance. Well, the planets aligned, and the perfect storm is forming off the coast of northern NJ as I write this.

There can be no moral victory Sunday night. The whole country will be watching, and for many people this will be there first real look at our new leadership. Rex and Mark need to deliver. If the Bengals lay down and hand us the game, we still need to play turnover free football. Even against their back ups it is possible to lose. We dropped a close game to Buffalo... in our house... against their back up QB only a couple of months ago.

Circumstances have raised the bar for the 2009 NY Jets. The only acceptable outcome is to be the #5 seed in the AFC, and to make an appearance in the wildcard round. That being said, winning in the post season with an inexperienced rookie like Mark is not very realistic. With the Giants already bowing out of the playoff race, a win tomorrow will give the Jets fan base, players, coaches, and most importantly their owner confidence that we are moving in the right direction. The offseason should be a positive one, and we should be able to snag any free agents we set our sights on.

I don't want to jump too far ahead. History tells us that teams with turnover prone, inexperienced QB's don't usually fair very well in the ultra intense playoff environment. The fact remains that once the playoffs start it's a brand new 4 game season. You have to be in it to win it, and our golden ticket is waiting for us... do we have what it takes to finish the job?

#6 is far from my main concern moving forward. He simply needs to protect the ball and continue to play well on 3rd down. He won't be asked to do much. Mark Sanchez only becomes a real factor if we get behind and have to start to play catch up. I am more worried about our "#1 defense" and their tendency to shut down in the final minutes of the game. If our coaches are holding them accountable, and if they are being honest with themselves about how they have choked multiple times this season, then they have a real chance to turn it around and become a force in the playoffs.

I am also concerned about the fact that we are not battle tested. We had a pretty easy schedule overall. We lost important games to mediocre teams over and over in 2009. We lost close games to teams like Jacksonville and or only loss of over 5 points was vs. the Pats in their house. We only got our butts kicked once, and I would be happy to write off games like the 2 last second losses to Miami as growing pains if it wasn't for the Atlanta game and how are defensive players and coaches seemed to clock out on the final drive... only two weeks ago.

Rex needs to call the defense just as aggressively in the last 2 minutes of the game as he does during the first 58. Our secondary needs to make the big play when the game is on the line, and our front seven needs to dig in at the end, instead of sucking wind.

I would blame the Saints game, the first Buffalo game and second Miami game on #6. The first Miami game, the Jacksonville game, the second Pats game and the Atlanta game are all on our defense.

As fans, we will get a clear picture of where this franchise is headed in the coming years tomorrow night. I believe our Jets won't let us down, and I would love to have a shot at the Brady Bunch in the wildcard round. To beat New England, then stomp San Diego and have a re-match with the Colts in the championship game would make every previous disappointing moment as a Jets fan all worth it.

And since I am using my imagination, what if we go on a run like the 05' Steelers, or the 07' Giants and come out of the wildcard to end up winning it all? To open up the new stadium as champions as the Giants try to rebuild and find an identity...

Well, a boy can dream... can't he?