---main---hockey---wrestling---baseball---FOOTBALL---basketball
Feb 15'07
The Superbowl has come and gone but I didnt write about it. It was a
good game. It was just a wild and crazy game with all the rain, there
were tons of dropped balls and such. I believe I read it was the first
time its rained on Superbowl sunday. Can you imagine paying all that
money to be there and you get rained on? I would probably be looking
to sell them if it happened to me.
What’s Your Football Fantasy? – John Q. – 4/22/
Any devout fantasy football manager knows – the position that
holds the most importance on your roster is the good ole halfback. On
the ground and through the air, a solid running-back has ample opportunity
to rack up points – points which will make your advisaries drool.
Before the 2004 season, the fantasy football world had been dominated
by the usual suspects – Priest, LaDanian, and apparently any Denver
tailback – but 2004 offered a change.
Whether you are a manager in a draft-based league, or a salary cap
– a steal has to be sought in order to be prosperous. Every first
place team must have that someone who shines with even the lowest of
expectations, and prices. Someone who can make your rival managers kick
themselves for not pursuing this outperformer. In 2004, two such players
could be found at the running back position – future hall-of-famers
Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis.
These two proven veterans of the NFL are by no means slouches at their
positions, but as a fantasy football manager, you had to be surprised
by the resurgence of these two stars.
Curtis Martin is surely heading to Canton (home of the NFL Hall of
Fame), but at the incredibly old age of 31, he refused to hike his pants
up around his chest and retire down to a golf course community in Florida.
The focal point of the New York Jets offense left many astounded when
his name sat atop the list of rushing leaders for 2004 with 1697 yards,
beating out Seattle phenom Shaun Alexander by three feet. Along with
racking up the yards on the ground – Martin had 41 receptions for
a total of 245 yards giving him a total of 1942 yards for the season
– and he was able to get in the end zone for a total of 14 times.
Martin accomplished this in spite of being passed over until later rounds
in many draft leagues, and was definitely not a pricey pick in the cap
leagues.
Also bringing respectability back to the role of the veteran running
back was Pittsburgh favorite Jerome Bettis. In the off-season, the Steelers
picked up Duce Staley which almost assured the “Bus” would
be used as the second option. With this in mind, it was hard to find
a league where Bettis was sought after with ferocity – however
Jerome turned out to be one of the steals of the season. At 33, 255
lbs. (or at least that’s his listed weight), and taking a back
seat to newly acquired Staley, Bettis was able to rumble and stumble
into the end zone 13 times, gain almost 1000 total yards, and only coughed
the pigskin up once. Though these may not be the numbers produced in
his prime, the “Bus” managed to offer fantasy owners a tremendous
number-two back without having to sacrifice much.
As valuable as these two veterans turned out to be, I didn’t have
either one. Instead, the prospect of having Clinton Portis was too good
to pass up, and of course I got screwed once again. Portis was plagued
with injury, and when he did suit up, the Redskins O-line was too futile
to help anyway. The moral of the story – age is just a number.
Make sure you remember that when looking for that steal in the later
rounds. Maybe next year I will remember that and drag myself out of
the cellar – but then again, I probably won’t.
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March 2nd
Wheelin’ & Dealin’
By The Higher Opinion
With theNFL season at an end and the March 2nd festivities beginning,
it’stime for wheelin’ an dealin’. Every team in the NFL
needs at least some kind ofhelp, some more than others, which is what
I am going to discuss.
I’d like tostart with my team, the Oakland Raiders. Here is a team
in complete peril, atleast half way now. As everyone knows, the Raiders
made a deal with the Vikingsbringing in wide receiver randy Moss. This
is probably going to be the biggesttrade in the off-season, for the
talent and for Oakland. The Raiders wentthrough all of this past season
without a number one receiver and absolutely norunning game, all soon
to change. After making Randy Moss official, the teamreleased various
other players to free up salary cap space including; guardFrank Middleton,
safety Ray Buchanan, tightend Roland Williams, defensivetackle John
Parrella, and running back Tyrone Wheatley. Some of these were goodmoves
and some not so good. These guys though some in talent, but dead weightin
salary, which isn’t a bad thing as long as you replace them. One
step theRaiders are going to take is to pursue back-up Jets running
back Lamont Jordan.This is a player that can give a much-needed lift
to any team and has solidstarting potential. If traded to Oakland, look
for him to have big time numbersnext season, bearing that jinx called
health.
Other teamsin desperate need of help include the Baltimore Ravens, who
just ran out andhired some, this player being wide receiver Derrick
Mason. Mason will muchimprove a weak at best Baltimore offense and give
them the deep threat thatthey need to actually put points on the board.
The Ravens are one of thoseclassic teams with one of the best defenses
but not much of an offense, thoughthey have offensive talent, just not
enough to take them a step further tobeing more of a competitive team
and making a more legitimate playoff run.
Another keysubject is of the quarterback situation. For the past few
seasons it has seemedas though no one is in need of one but few teams
have a legitimate starter. Asquarterbacks become free agents, successful
QB’s in the past especially, havebeen offered minimal roles and
back-up positions. A few of these QB’s are KurtWarner, Jeff Garcia,
Brad Johnson, and Vinny Testaverde. These four mentionedplayers are
all free agents. Testaverde is a back-up QB at this point but asolid
one at times. After recently being cut by the Dallas Cowboys Vinny willmore
than likely end up with his former team again the New York Jets. Thiswould
be a good fit for him being there is no pressure, he knows the team,
andhe knows the playbook. All of this considering, it is also the only
place wherehe could ever get another job, outside of the Jets he should
retire. BradJohnson was just released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He
has always been adecent and mostly solid play but he needs the key components
and help aroundhim. He’s another quarterback past his prime and
is just older every year butcould still possibly contribute and make
good use for himself on a team. Oneteam interested in him is the Arizona
Cardinals. The Cardinals have very goodyoung receivers that could benefit
from Johnson’s experience. Not to mention,Arizona’s new head
coach Dennis Green coached Johnson during their timetogether with the
Vikings, they know each other well. It sounds like a goodplace for Johnson
to finish off his career so I would expect him to be a partof that team
next year and for them to sign him within the next month or so.Jeff
Garcia is another quarterback in question. After being released by theBrowns
and having an awful year, he has had some team possibilities all thoughnone
probably a starting role. His best bet at salvaging his career would
bewith the Detroit Lions. Though they have a questionable starting quarterback
inJoey Harrington, he would be reunited with former coach Steve Mariucci.
Garciaknows this coach and his system, it also gives him a good opportunity
to playand to start some games if Harrington continues to struggle,
which IM sure hewill. Teams are not banging down Garcia’s door
for a job and if he opted to goelse where for yet another year it will
probably decimate what career he hasleft. Mariucci made him so he should
stick to what he knows or prepare to haveanother horrendous year and
stay home for good. One more quarterback on my listfor the time being
is Kurt Warner. To be honest here is a “one hit wonder” if
Iever saw one but people still want to give him a chance and they still
think hehas something to offer, other than blowing a game. The Chicago
Bears areinterested in giving Warner a starting job. They would have
decent componentsaround him including the recent signing of wide receiver
Muhsin Muhammed, butWarner has been troubled by many things in the past
including, fumbles,interceptions, and no mobility in the pocket. Out
of what the Bears have nowfor starting QB’s, Warner would make
a better option. He does have experienceand wants nothing more than
to play but in the wrong system, which seems to bemost for him, it probably
won’t work out in the long run. As long as he cankeep getting Muhammed
the ball and keep his mistakes to a minimum he canprobably get the job
done for the Bears, at least in the mean time. Look forWarner to join
Chicago and more than likely fail by the end of the season.
--------
Feb. 20th
Campbell's "Choky" Soup Tainted?
By The Higher Opinion
While Campbell’s soup may have been fine, according to Eagles
center Hank Fraley, quarterback Donovan McNabb became conveniently ill
forth quarter Super Bowl Sunday. McNabb released his own statement later
in the week saying that wasn’t the case and that he was not sick.
So which is it, what happened? Well I’ll tell you! The only illness
McNabb felt was the pressure ofbeing in the biggest game of his career.
From the start of the first quarter McNabb didn’t look like himself
but than again, nobody has ever seen him inthis position before. He
looked star struck and impatient, not to mention hison-field decisions
as well as his clock management were as bad as I’ve seen.Coach
Andy Reid didn’t help that matter much.
McNabb threw the ball 51 times completing 30 of them while never establishing
their running game, making them one dimensional. After all they only
ran the ball 17times for a total of 45 yards, mobile McNabb had none.
But to be fair, part of McNabb’s lack of success and the Eagles
lack of ground game can be put on the shoulders of their offensive line.
This offensive front was one of the betterin the NFL, for the running
game and for quarterback protection, with contributions of McNabb’s
mobility. McNabb’s mobility was also null and void during the Super
Bowl. The Eagle offensive line couldn’t get enough push it seemed
to allow running back Brian Westbrook the time and space he needed,
nordid they allow McNabb enough time to make better conscious decisions
when throwing the football. McNabb was frequently under pressure with
New England defenseman constantly in his face, blocking his lanes and
forcing him out ofthe pocket.
Despite what happened during the game, the Eagles had their chances
and blew them. Before the end of the first half, Philadelphia played
not to lose instead of playing to win. With enough time to put together
a scoring drive, Philly burned the majority of the clock preparing to
go into halftime. After a few plays RB BrianWestbrook broke a big play
for a big gain bringing the ball into New England territory. But because
of poor play calling and burning the clock it was too little too late,
time had expired leaving the Eagles without even a field goal opportunity.
Significant enough, it ended a three-point game. That wasn’t the
first time poor decisions and clock mismanagement hurt them, as if McNabb’s
three interceptions weren’t enough. In the last five minutes of
the game on their second to last possession, the Eagles played with
no urgency, taking too much time knowing the Patriots were getting the
ball back, although they did manage to put up a much needed touchdown.
But the reaper came again; this timeit was the fatal blow. On the Eagles
last drive McNabb played with no brains, no heart, no determination,
and no urgency, almost like he forgot were he was.With 46 seconds left
in the game and on the Eagles own four-yard line, the Philly quarterback
had no hurry-up offense and with no time outs he decided tocall the
team into a huddle with the clock still running, wasting valuable Super
Bowl losing time. If that wasn’t back breaking, the only pass he
did makeon this drive (to his own teammate) was completed over the middle
for a one-yard gain. That’s the worst thing you can do in that
situation, again, withno time outs and time still ticking. But under
pressure of the game McNabb didit anyway and the rest is history. The
bottom line is that McNabb had 46 seconds to get into field goal range.
This isn’t a huge amount of time but adecent chance all in the
same. Now the only thing McNabb did manage to do wasto kill 29 of those
seconds with three passes, one of which was incomplete andthe other
intercepted, not giving himself or his team a snowball’s chance
inhell. How do you do that?
Since the Super Bowl, The Philadelphia Eagles may have interest in Carolina
receiver Muhsin Muhammad and Seattle running back Shaun Alexander. If
either or both of these players ended up in Philly, it would certainly
increase their chances of not only getting back to the big game but
also winning it this time. I could only hope that McNabb could pull
himself together in these games and learn from his mistakes. But maybe
this is all he has to offer. After losing past NFC championship games
and not playing well in them, so far in his career McNabb has not been
a big game quarterback. Perhaps maybe he’s just a regular season
quarterback, nothing more nothing less.
----
Feb 5th.
A Tale of Two Cities - John Q.
There's definitely something to be said about the New York sports fan
. A true fan is devoted to their team, whole-heartedly, through the
best of time as well as the worst; with many game-time drink specials
necessary for the latter. Now, how does a true fan occupy themselves
during a playoff stretch that doesn't include their team? Simple. Develop
contempt towards other teams that are still alive and kicking.
This principle has been applied throughout the sports world for years.
As I am a fan of the beloved Mets, Jets, and Rangers, I've had ample
opportunity to grow disgust towards those teams foreign of the Empire
State. And, finally, on February 6th, the biggest football game of the
year showcases representatives from those two most appalling of sports
towns, Philadelphia and Boston.
Having done that whole "higher" education thing in an area
of New Jersey that borders the city of brotherly love, I have gotten
to know , and have befriended, many Philly Phanatics. I've been assaulted
at a Hooters restaurant during a 76er's game, which I will only accept
partial blame for. I've witnessed the fights during Flyers game on many
occasion. Through many postseasons, watching from a far like the rest
of my beloved teams, this contempt for the city has grown.
Philadelphia has grown quite a reputation in the sports world over the
past twenty years. The city that can't win the big one. Since 1975 the
Flyers have been left searching for their next Stanley Cup, beaten in
their last five attempts. More unfulfilled promise lies in the clubhouse
of those Philadelphia Phillies. For twenty-five years, that October
prize has eluded them, leaving a city desperate for a championship.
The city rallied around their most recent shot at a title when Smarty
Jones threatened to win the Triple Crown. But alas, the city fell short
again and I mustered my share of laughter. It pained me to see McNabb
and the boys climb the next rung on the ladder, but I guess the fourth
time's a charm.
So, one would think they know where I lie come the Super Bowl. But,
as that crazy chick fate would have it, the mighty Eagles are facing
off against the New England Patriots. The New England Patriots.
My greatest memory, involving a professional sports team, was of course
1986. A kid in Flushing, on a Little League team with the same name
as the Amazin's. Of course it was Mr. Buckner, thank you very much.
That series sparked a feeling of uneasiness towards those teams hailing
from bean town. Having visited the city many of times I have realized
two things: First, 'the curse' was much deserved. Second, you can drive
on the shoulder, legally! I mean people, you have not lived until you've
tried to maneuver on to the Mass Pike while Celtic O'Malley decides
he can't drive fifty-five, in the shoulder mind you.
And now we have the Patriots. The team that is villainized by all those
outside of KerryLand. A team shrouded in anonymity, designed to bore
the hell out of the average football fan. Sure, as a fan of the sport
you have to appreciate the way they go about their business, but this
can only go on for so long. Somehow, Tom Brady quickly climbed from
the seventh round of the NFL draft, to becoming the most overrated quarterback
in the history of the sport. He found a way to pull a Trent Dilfer twice
and commentators around the league are stumbling all over themselves
for a chance to prepare his Canton introduction. There are many reasons
to despise this team, but none more than pure jealousy., and that's
reason enough for me.
But, in a game where there will be no true winner from this writer's
perspective, go Pats. That's right. To all those buddies in college
that have been waiting for this opportunity of opportunities, I say,
forget it. Laying an egg on the biggest of stages, leaving a city, so
engrossed with their teams, embarrassed, and distraught, is more comforting
than the opposing outcome.
Needless to say, this year's big game doesn't offer much. It pains me
to say, but it is with deep sorrow in my heart, that I proclaim a victory
for the New England Patriots, 27-13, in what is already looking to be
a lackluster Super Bowl. On the other hand, I will be enjoying the game
down on Bourbon Street this year. With some Johnnie Black in my glass,
and a brunette distraction or two to get me through another lame half-time
show, I will try to salvage this once treasured game. The moral of the
story boys and girls; Eagles, Patriots, who cares? Get me down to the
Gras baby!
---------------
This piece (which I hope is my first of many) plays the dual role of
a purging, and a confession of sorts. I am a Jet fan. I have been for
many years (about 20). It started out when I was about 13 years old.
I used to think that football was boring and I only associated it with
what middle-aged men did when they were together. When I was about 13
I started playing sports, and football was a sport that I was pretty
good at. At the time, I loved defense and running backs, which I still
do. My local team had some exciting defensive players (Gastineau, Klecko,
Sack Exchange etc.) and a great running back Freeman McNeil, so I was
set. Green wasn’t exactly my favorite color, but I figured I was
in it for the long haul. Besides, I like to be different and everyone
around me liked the Giants, so it was a natural. Unfortunately, I had
no idea what kind of ride I was getting myself into.
As you football fans may have seen on Saturday, the Jets blew another
one. So I proceeded to do some internet research and came up with this
list that I found on Jetsinsider.com, I provided you all with a link
further down in the article if you are interested, along with a link
to the 1986 Jets stats. Man, I loved that team.
1986 Team Stats:
http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/stats.nsf/Annual/1986-nyj
In the spirit of the Jets blowing another game, listed below are the
12 worst moments in Jet history.
Listed below are what I think are the 13 worst moments in Jet history
as voted by the fans on the Jets Insider website. Let’s face it,
13 might as well be a lucky number for the Jets.
They are:
13. 1970.
This is the year after their wondrous and lone Super Bowl victory over
the Indianapolis Colts. This is before my time so I can’t give
too much insight other than they lost in the playoffs to the Chiefs.
12. Mark Gastineau brain-freeze:
This moment, unfortunately, is burned into the deepest recesses of
my mind. I remember it like it was yesterday...There I was lying on
the floor with a pillow, watching the game. As usual, when the Jets
were playing, I had a kind of Jerry Tarkanian moment where I was biting
the corner of the pillow (please, stop with the gay-porn references)
intermittently screaming at the TV.
The Jets were about to win 2 games in the playoffs after losing their
last 5 games of the season. EVERYONE wrote them off, and they deserved
it. Ken O’Brien (as was the team) was having a really great start
to the season, the Jets started out 10 and 1!!! The Giants meanwhile,
I believe had started out 10 and 2. It was a great year to be a NY football
fan.
The Jets had just gone up by 10 points with either 4 or 5 minutes to
go. They were attempting to make a last-ditch effort to get back into
the game. It was an improbable 3rd and 25, Kosar drops back...Gastineau
pressuring up the middle, and he throws a lame duck that was incomplete.
I LOSE it. I’m going nuts, my mom in the next room thinks I’m
crazy, which I was, and then…it happens: The ref’s mike comes
on says the three words that would ring in my head for years to come,
“Roughing the quarterback”. Gastineau wasn’t even CLOSE
to hitting him within the allotted two steps. 15 yard penalty, automatic
first-down. The Browns eventually go on to score a touchdown and eventually
tie the game to send it into overtime. After which
they win it on a field goal by Mark Mosely. He was one of those old-school
straight-kicking kickers. He looked like he had a club foot, which I
still think should have been illegal.
11. 1995, again, in general.
This was a Rich Kotite year, he actually had a decent run with the
Eagles before coming to the Jets. Unfortunately, even though Jets management
saw that Eagle players stopped playing hard for him, management still
thought it was a good idea to sign him up.
10. 2005. Jets miss 2 field goals and lose to Steelers.
Hey, you may have seen the game. I haven’t had any confidence
in either one of our kickers, and it came back to bite us in the ass.
Kicking is one of the more underrated parts of the game, until it hurts
you. Just ask Scott Norwood and Bills fans.
9. 1976. The Jets lose John Riggins to free agency.....BEFORE free
agency!!
John Riggins was their best player at the time. I barely remember him,
but I saw enough that I loved the way he ran the ball. Punisher the
defense at every step. He was the first Jets running back to ever gain
a 1,000 yards but they lost him the next year to free agency. The Jets
never got anything in return. And the hits just keep on comin’.
8. 1984 supplemental draft.
This is part of the conspiracy theory some believe that exists against
the Jets. The Eagles get Reggie White, and the Giants get Landeta, Mo
Carthon etc. Who did we get? Jerry Holmes and Ben Rudolph? Of course
you haven’t heard of them, they were Jets, and we have the mutant
ability to absorb ambient radioactive particles in our sun’s rays
and transform them into selecting bad players. Holmes was actually a
kind of decent, hard-hitting corner back.
7. 1982 AFC Championship Game.
This is when I was just coming into my own as a Jet fan, and start
down the road of taking my lumps. My brother-in-law actually went to
see this game and took his girlfriend at the time even though she was
crazy over Gastineau. The Dolphins (those bastards) actually wet their
natural grass field so that it would slow down the Jets’ high-powered
offense, which was led by Richard Todd. Don Shula should rot in hell.
6. 1981 Playoff Game at Shea.
Game starts out with the Jets fumbling opening kickoff, Bills recover
and RETURN FOR A TD!! Downhill from there.
5. 1983 College Draft.
The Jets have a chance to draft Dan Marino (You may have heard of him)
and instead take Ken O’Brien with their number one pick. ‘Nuff
said.
4. 1979. The Flying Lawnmower Game.
I never heard of it either..It’s crazy. Apparently the halftime
show featured a finale of a lawnmower so powerful, it could fly. Anyway,
the guy operating it starts buzzing the crowd, and he loses control
of it and it crashes into the stands hitting 2 fans!!! At least they
were Patriot fans. Unfortunately, one of the guys ends up dying from
his resulting injuries. Go Gangreen!!
3. 1992 Season. Bad, bad year.
This is the year that couldn’t finish quick enough. Ok, let’s
list the bad things that happened this season:
a. Al Toon retires due to a severe concussion whose symptoms never go
away. The Denver Broncos knock out arguably our best receiver of all
time. Athletic, graceful, tough as nails, with the most beautiful set
of hands. Really, really sad. Except if you put it in perspective with...
b. Dennis Byrd is partially paralyzed after he collides in a freak accident
with teammate Scott Mersereau. They were trying to sack the QB and both
just somehow collide with one another. He eventually walked out onto
midfield with crutches about a year later, but never plays again. This,
after he had a very promising start to his career as an undersized defensive
lineman.
c. The Browning Nagle experiment fails. Browning Nagle seemed like he
was going to be the quarterback of the future after having a great pre-season.
After the Jets lose the home opener and Nagle passes for over 300 yards,
he stinks it up for the rest of the year and fades into oblivion.
2. 1998 AFC Championship Game.
I still dream about this game.....The Jets are in the AFC Championship
Game for the first time since 1982 (see number 6) and are leading 10-0
at halftime. This was the team featuring Bill parcels as the head coach
and the rebirth of Vinny Testaverde. Great team. Yeah, they lose anyway.
1. 1994. The Fake Spike Game.
In case you don’t know which game this, Dan Marino motioned like
he was going to spike the ball near the end of a big football game between
the Jets and their heated rivals, the Dolphins. He instead throws an
8 yard touchdown pass to win the game, catching Jet defenders (wink)
asleep. The Jets would have been in a first place tie with the Dolphins
if they win the game (at 7-5). Instead, they lose the rest of the games
left in the season and go on to win just one out of their next 16 games.
This was such a downward spiral that only the legendary Bill Parcells
could bring this franchise out of their losing stupor, 3 years later.
I believe that my woefully dysfunctional relationship with the Jets
is, in part, a penance for being a Yankee fan. Or, it’s perfect
if you believe in living your life with a fair amount of Ying and Yang.
The only silver lining I can take away from this latest playoff collapse
is that the Jets are a young and pretty talented team that seems to
have finally gotten the hang of the college draft. Plus, we have a pretty
good grasp on the whole salary cap thing (unlike the Knicks, and unlike
the Yanks who don’t care). Good luck to everyone who still has
one of their teams in the playoffs.
If you’re interested in seeing the Jets insider 12 worst moments
in Jet history, click below:
http://www.jetsinsider.com/features/full_story.asp?storyid=43
Lou Siffer