Football Jets

The 2011 New York Jets season is finally here. After the lockout and the crazy free agency period the games are on and the NFL is ready to entertain us every week for months. The Jets are living the high profile life right now. People everywhere are talking about them, of course that is almost automatic when you have Rex Ryan as head coach, but still people everywhere are putting the Jets in the conversation as possible champions.

And why wouldn’t they? The Jets have won 4 playoff road games the past two seasons, they have competitive AFC Championship games, they boast one of the leagues best defenses and they of course have a throng of high profile players.

One of those high profile names was the free agent acquisition of Plaxico Burress. Here is where I throw out the lame joke, “I hope the Jets didn’t shoot themselves in the foot” with this signing. Opinions vary widely on what will be Plaxico’s production during the 2011 Jets season but he did make a high-light reel catch during the pre-season but he is 3 years removed from making his last touchdown catch, albeit it was a Superbowl winning touchdown catch.

Most of the other big names are back again with LT, Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes powering the offense and Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Bart Scott locking down what could possibly be the NFL’s best defense. The defense finished ranked third in the league last year which followed the number one ranking during Rex Ryan’s rookie year as head coach. The offense can at times look great, and at times look very pedestrian. This has been the case with the offense throughout the preseason and pretty much throughout the Mark Sanchez era. Sanchez is young though, most third year quarterbacks are just getting their first opportunity to start in year three, Mark Sanchez has already tied the NFL record for most playoff victories by a quarterback.

So the 2011 New York Jets season will be exciting. The New England Patriots are going to be very good again, the Buffalo Bills should be vastly improved, and the Miami Dolphins… well let’s just say Tony Sparano has done a magnificent job keeping the Dolphins mediocre – which has been an absolute delight to see for New York Jets fans.

As for my 2011 New York Jets season prediction I am going to concur with Head Coach Rex Ryan and say that the Jets are going to the Superbowl.

The New York Jets had an epic victory at the expense of their most hated rivals, the New England Patriots. Rex Ryan made it personal between him and Bill Belichick and on this day he out coached him by a wide margin. The Jets defense dominated this game and Mark Sanchez had a magical performance throwing three touchdowns.

28-21. A score for the ages, in what is according to Rex Ryan the second biggest game in franchise history. The fact is, this next game against the Steelers will push this win to third, because the game against the Steelers is for the right to go to the Superbowl in Dallas.

Talking smack is cool now! With this being a copycat league, won’t the Rex Ryan and New York Jets players smack talk become the ‘in’ thing to do in the NFL?

Pretty boy Tom Brady is starting to lose his charm after two years straight of being knocked out of the playoffs in their first game, both at home. But tonight, new stars of the AFC shown brightly.

LT played another heck of a game,  scoring his third touchdowns in the playoffs.

Shonn Greene had a heck of a game, running for the score that broke open the game late.

Santonio Holmes made a historic, epic reception in the corner of the endzone, then got his two feet in bounds a split second before landing out of bounds. Holmes once before made an immaculate catch, a pass from Big Ben while playing for Pittsburgh in the Superbowl. That day he won the game for them, and tonight his incredibly difficult touchdown catch adds to his legacy of making the biggest plays at the biggest moments.

Jets Defense played so well, frustrating Brady,  sacking him several times, forcing fumbles, producing some hard hits time and again, and catching a game changing interception early on.  Smith, Scott, Ellis, Revis and Cromartie amongst others had amazing performances. This was a total team effort, and truly the Jets defense stepped up.

Jerricho  Cotchery had a huge catch and run that was so timely.

Braylon Edwards had a huge catch that got Sanchez in a groove.

Mark Sanchez again played great. 4 playoff wins in his first 2 seasons. This kid played at an ultra high level. The offensive line protected him well and gave him time to make some fantastic decisions and throws.

The Offensive Line played strong, allowing the Jets running backs the opportunity to gain yards repeatedly by running the football.

The coaches coached great. From exceptional special teams, to the variety of offensive play calls, to the perfect mixture of defensive blitzes and strong pass coverage choices the New York Jets coaching staff did a fantastic job.

The list of great performances today goes on and on. This was a total team effort.

The AFC Championship Game against Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh for the right to go to the Superbowl in Dallas.

The New York Jets dominated the Houston Texans for three quarters. Mark Sanchez, LT, the wide receivers and the defense were all playing great. And then the 4th quarter began.

The New York Jets collapsed. In a span of what seemingly was just a few minutes, the Jets in front of their home fans at the New Meadowlands Stadium let a 23-7 lead disappear. In fact, after a Texans field goal, touchdown, touchdown, and another field goal the Jets were losing 23-27 and the game was all but over. The Jets had fumbled and thrown an interception and had basically given the game away to the Houston Texans.

That is if this was the Same Old Jets team that fans in New York and New Jersey had gotten used to. The Same Old Jets team finds a way to lose, in some very amazing and creative ways.

But.

This is Not the Same Old Jets team.

This team is led by Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez, LT, a top defense and some of the most talented wide receivers on the planet. They all know that no matter what the situation is, this team can score in crunch time, this team can win in the 4th quarter, and this team can make remarkable plays when they matter most. With 50 seconds to go, and no timeouts, Mark Sanchez found LT a couple times, then unleashed a bullet deep ball to a sideline streaking Braylon Edwards who just for a moment was open deep. The all-of-a-sudden-this-season sure handed Braylon Edwards caught the ball and was knocked out of bounds at the 6 yard line with just 16 seconds to play. At least the Jets will have a chance to win the game. Well, one play later, Sanchez under pressure floated a game winning fade pass to the ultra clutch, Santonio Holmes for the touchdown that made the New Meadowlands stadium erupt.

The wide receivers of the Jets are fantastic.

Santonio Holmes, who the Jets traded a 5th round draft pick to Pittsburgh for has made a huge go ahead game winning score or set one up in each of the last 4 Jets victories.
Braylon Edwards has been sensational as he continues to be one of Mark Sanchez’s favorite targets. Edwards career was marred by dropped passes and off the field issues before coming to the Jets. He has totally changed around his image, and his speed and his skills are quickly becoming an integral part of the passing attack every single game.
Jerricho Cotchery is sure handed, and that “groin” grab pass he caught last week against the Detroit Lions was a spectacular highlight, even with the feelings of sympathy all Jets fans had for that sort of injury.
Dustin Keller, who has been quite as of late is often the tight end that emerges with a huge catch when the Jets need someone to make a big play. He can take over games.
Brad Smith is the all versatile guy that can do it all, and we are happy he does it all well.
LaDainian Tomlinson isn’t a wide receiver, but his ability to catch balls out of the backfield and then make people miss tackles against him make him ultra valuable. His 7 catches for 71 yards against the Texans all came at very opportune times.

The New York Jets play the 2-8 Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving Day. Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Carson Palmer will be a lot to handle for the Jets defense. But after watching Buffalo score 49 unanswered points against the Bengals today I am guessing the Jets offense is gonna have a field day. Happy Thanksgiving to All!

The Jets are producing one of their best seasons in history and their victory Sunday against the upstart Cleveland Browns has made the cliche “Good teams find a way to win” the Jets new motto. Luck, fortune and a rabbit’s foot were all on the side of the Jets as they pulled off another improbable win in overtime. The New York Jets are now are with New England as the National Football Leagues only teams with 7-2 records, making both of them the best teams in the NFL.

Did I mention the Jets beat the Patriots already this season, so that would make the Jets the current BEST TEAM in the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns two weeks ago went into the Superdome in New Orleans and embarrassed the defending NFL Superbowl champions. Last week, the same Cleveland Browns team hosted the New England Patriots and embarrassed Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. So this Browns team, which no one expected to be very good, had seemingly come on as of late. The Jets moved the ball up and down the field all day against them and the Jets defense got some timely stops, especially in overtime. The Browns had 3 overtime possessions, including their first one in which the Browns fumbled in field goal range. That was just one of the luckier moments for the Jets.

The Jets kicking which during the first half of the season was looking good, has all of a sudden became a serious problem. Nick Folk missed three field goals including one in overtime and a chip shot late in regulation. Expect the Jets to see which free agent kickers have been home practicing and Rex Ryan just might have a new kicker before next week.

In the end, the wide receiver who seems to be saving his best stuff for clutch, overtime moments broke free of a tackle and split a couple would-be-tacklers en route to the game ending touchdown with just seconds left in overtime. If Santonio Holmes does not score there, the Jets would likely have ended up tying the Browns and nobody likes a tie.

The Jets are lucky, but good teams put themselves in positions to be lucky or make their own luck or whatever other ‘luck’ based cliche you want to throw out there.

The 2010 New York Jets team is a blend of talent and intrigue you would only dare ensemble if you were directing the next Hollywood blockbuster.

1. A star who once shined so bright on the biggest stage, known for one of the greatest catches in Superbowl history, Santonio Holmes. Holmes won’t make his appearance during the opening credits, he has a 4 game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
2. 2009′s most fast rising star, Darrelle Revis is holding out for more money despite a $120 million offer.
3. One of the greatest stars of all time, LT is trying to rediscover his former glory.
4. Another fresh face and troubled star, Antonio Cromartie has tabloid written all over him as he arrives in NY. The drama begins when you have seven kids in five states, and child-support issues.
5. The trash talking funny man Rex Ryan whose quotes are so entertaining.
6. Charismatic young quarterback Mark Sanchez who has a bit of Brett Favre recklessness to his game.
7. Over-paid and under-performing first round draft pick Vernon Gholston who doubtfully will ever live up to his hype for even one play.
8. Braylon Edwards who evidently has seriously more memorable dropped passes than passes he has caught
9. There is also some real TV talent in Jason Taylor, his moves on “Dancing With the Stars” should help land him a starring role in this show.
10. The fans who love them.

The entire NFL world is talking about the New York Jets moves during the 2010 off-season in which several marquee players have been added to the roster. It seems the Jets are on the verge of winning a Superbowl, and the Jets management have added several pieces that might put them over the top.

Ladainian Tomlinson was added as a free agent to replace Thomas Jones. At first it appeared he would be signing with the Minnesota Vikings backing up Adrian Peterson. But after visiting New York, LT was wined and dined by Rex Ryan and decided to hopefully revitalize his Hall of Fame career wearing green.

Teammate of LT and one of the players in the Charger’s doghouse following the upset loss against the Jets in the playoffs was Antonio Cromartie. The Chargers traded Cromartie to the New York Jets at the begin of the off-season. Cromartie is a superb athletic specism whom the Jets hope to regain his pro-bowl form opposite Darrelle Revis. As a cornerback, Cromartie had a bunch of interceptions a couple years ago when the Chargers played more man-to-man defense but his impact was minimal last year when the Chargers played more zone defense.

Santonio Holmes won a Superbowl with the Steelers, even earning Superbowl MVP honors for his amazing fourth quarter that included a diving catch from Ben Roethlisberger that gave the Steelers the lead for good. Holmes fell out of favor with the Steelers with several off the field incidents including substance abuse problems for marijuana. The league has imposed a 4 game suspension which will be served the first month of the season. Holmes only has a 1 year left on his contract, but he should be a huge offensive weapon for Mark Sanchez. With Holmes opposite Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery in the slot and Dustin Keller at tight end the Jets seemingly should have a strong passing game in 2010.

Jason Taylor signed as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins. Taylor has said some pretty awful things about the Jets and their fans in the past while playing for the Dolphins. A very controversial signing, hopefully the Jets faithful can welcome Taylor after he sacks a few quarterbacks.

Kyle Wilson was drafted by the Jets in the first round. Wilson was arguably the best cornerback in the draft, and played a pivotal role for the very successful Boise State program. Along with Cromartie and Revis, Wilson gives the Jets an unbelievably talented secondary in what is now become a passing league.

Joe McKnight, the USC running back, was drafted in the third round by the Jets. Jets cut Thomas Jones after the season ended and cut Leon Washington immediately following the Joe McKnight draft pick. McKnight will be a force on kick returns and is very similar to Washington’s skill set. Washington will be missed, but coming off a terrible broken leg the Jets felt it better to move on and traded him to the Seattle Seahawks, ironically coached by ex-USC and ex-NY Jets coach Pete Carroll.

All of these players plus the entire Jets team will be featured in this year’s Hard Knocks show on HBO.