Here we sit, late in December with our own destiny at hand.
Oh how I miss those warm winds down in Miami. I've climbed a few coconut trees in my time. My brother and I used to smash them off the balcony of the Holiday Inn in West Palm Beach. Anyone know if GiGi's is still around? Nevermind.
Not many, not even I could have imagined the implications tonight's game holds.
The New York Jets could secure the sixth seed tonight and with a win next week they could be looking at a rematch with the Colts for the first wildcard game. If that game were today, I would take the Jets.
The Jets are gaining momentum and have been playing very well in the first half of game since the break. The Offense has the ability to take an early lead, thus forcing opponents to abandon their game plan and playing catch-up. The Defense has been allowing points, but mainly in the second half.
The games in Miami often have a large Jets fan base, so look for a small sea of green in that stands.
This is a great rivalry-no matter what I do not expect the Dolphins to give in, but don't you think that if you are a member of the Miami Dolphins that you would be indulging a little more than you would if you were a member of the Jets?
Think about it-it is Christmas, you are having a few cocktails with your friends and family, and you either think to yourself "I have a big game tomorrow, I better watch myself" or are you thinking "Aw the heck with it-it's Christmas, let's celebrate!"
Human nature is hard to avoid, and the Jets want it more, not by a little bit, by a mile.
The Dolphins are thinking about cocktails and appetizers. Trust me.
Some people may say that this is wrong-I say it is not, it is exactly the way that you or I would think. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Who cares about the game tonight? Not the Dolphins.
They, like many have discovered the true meaning of the holiday spirit. Alcohol-the only legal drug, and lots of it. It might make getting punched in the face by Nick Mangold a lot less irritating. Speaking of Nick, I'm getting his jersey as soon as it comes out.
Drink up Fish-heads, and here's looking at next year's draft!
It's Christmas, forget about the Jets and how they are going to win at their home away from home-Jets stadium south.
Hey Jets-want to know what the fans really want for Christmas?
Saturday, December 9, 2006, 01:56 PM EST
[General]
Jets vs. Bills Preview
Prediction: Jets 28 Bills 13
Playoffs. I'll say it because I know they can't.
Playoffs baby, that is what this game means and what over 75,000 fans will be thinking tomorrow when the Jets face the Bills.
When we win we will be one step closer to the playoffs where anything can happen.
Just ask the Steelers-who were 7-5 at this time last year.
They made the playoffs.
The Jets look like a playoff team-playing what many feels was a perfect first half against Green Bay.
The Jets act like a playoff team-by not mentioning the word "playoffs".
By focusing on one opponent at a time, they keep their attention to detail.
Coach Hunter, I feel your pain. I was sitting in the end zone during the "fake spike game" against the Dolphins. While the Jets were caught napping, the fans knew what was going on, we were screaming in the end zone.
That was another time, another team.
We are looking at the Jets-version 5.0.
Jet Versions-Past to Current
1966-71 1.0
1971-1978 1.5
1978-1988 2.0
1988-1997 3.0
1997-2002 4.0
2002-2005 4.2
2006- 5.0
What does all of this mean? Well, software experts will tell you-5.0 is the best version so far. It took in all on the positive aspects of the previous versions and built on them.
It benefited greatly from the 4.0 version-the new platform where every player was accountable under a new winning philosophy.
While 4.2 was a minor improvement, the overall product was unreliable-it crashed without notice and was inconsistent from year to year but there were important improvements-Vilma, Rhodes, Robertson-all parts that help make up 5.0.
I guess the message to the die-hard Jets fans is this: Do not be afraid of 5.0, it is more reliable than previous versions and is guaranteed not to crash.
Playoffs, playoffs, playoffs, the Jets are going to the playoffs and the KC Chiefs (who will be devoured by the Ravens like a "Triple Bypass Burger" from the Heart Attack Grill ((http://www.heartattackgrill.com/)) are not!
Ha-ha!
There-I laid it on the line and said it. I believe in my team. So shoot me Skip and Rob and Steve and Rich and Matt and H and Balls and Rodger and Mike and Scott and John and Pete and Bill and Rob and Mike and Jeff and JT and Vincent and JT (2) and Troy and everyone else who doesn't want to put it in writing, I will, I have I have said it all along-the Jets are a whole new team, the past is in the past and the future lay ahead with a yellow brick road that leads us to our Oz-the Playoffs, and a shot at the ultimate glory-Superbowl XXI.
For everyone who doesn't believe, now is your chance because this boat is sailing tomorrow at 4:15 p.m. eastern standard time, and anyone not onboard will be waiving from the docks as this mighty ship sets sail from the dock in East Rutherford NJ.
The very docks that Tom Coughlin will be waving goodbye from in a few weeks-but heading in a different direction.
The only thing lame about the Jets is how the current front office refuses to publish any pictures of our new cheerleaders. It leaves me no choice but to look elseware for some talent.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006, 07:51 PM EST
[General]
Evolution 101
The birth of a Dynasty does not start suddenly; it starts slowly and builds momentum. It grown silently in the dark when nobody is looking and it overtakes its opposition, devouring its competition. I have been sent by the football wizards to bear witness to the evolution of this dynasty. I was a believer from the start.
There has been a lot of talk that this is a new team rising from the ranks, not some big name high power team everyone is talking about, not the talk of the NFL, not a very fashionable team, but a team of character, strength and tremendous discipline.
The thing is, it is not just about discipline, it is something else, intangibles that other teams don't seem to pick up on. Tom Coughlin, he has discipline. Ray Handley had it as well. So did Al Grough (still does) but it is not just about discipline, it is about attention to detail.
Not many people will get that. Ever wonder why? If I took the time to tell you about attention to detail this blog would be as interesting as a bag of flour.
I don't think that Eric Mangini deserves all of the credit; he did inherit a lot of Bill Parcels crew he leaves behind when he departs. He left the Patriots with quality players, and he left the Jets in the same way, with Bryan Thomas, Shaun Ellis and Chad Pennington just to name a few. The ground was fertile, rich soil to grow a team.
The point is that the Jets were a Bill Parcels team from 1998 until 2002, so many of the players that were drafted at that time are still on that team.
So Eric Mangini was looking at a lot of familiar faces. Just ask Mo Lewis, who played with the Jets under Bill Parcels and now works as a strength and conditioning coach.
The trap was laid, the plan was there and Eric Mangini executed perfectly, up to this point. He saw the framework was already there with this team, that the problem was performance, execution, discipline and attention to detail.
Heading into the playoffs race we seem ill prepared, undermanned and outgunned.
There was the 41-0 shellacking the Jaguars put on us, and the loss to the 2-5 Cleveland Browns in week 7, and the 10-0 shutout loss to the Bears.
Not exactly the signs of a dominant team on the rise in the NFL.
Is this a new team since the bye week? Since then they have not allowed a touchdown in the first half of any game, and have not allowed any opponent more than 14 points.
Eric Mangini, Bob Sutton and Brian Schottenheimer have it covered.
Want a peek at our future? Ask some of our first round picks like Nick Mangold or Leon Washington. Go ask De'Brickashaw Ferguson or Kerry Rhodes what the future holds for this team.
If this year doesn't turn out the way I think it will, at least take rest in knowing that the Jets will be about ten million under the salary cap next year, so between the draft and free agency the Jets are going to get the guys that they need to build a Dynasty.
As for this year? They will not only make the wildcard, but I predict they will beat their wildcard opponent. Who will that be? Could it be K.C.?
It is always hard to imagine myself rooting against Bret Farve.
I have seen the Jets beat him twice, and it is uncomfortable-sort of like watching someone beat Santa Clause in a one on one basketball game.
I love the Jets, but it is always a treat to watch Bret Farve play the game of football. He is what the game is all about.
Chad Pennington will never be a Brett Farve. The good new is that he doesn't have to be-our team is not built on any one player-right? As long as he isn't terrible, as long as the ugly side of Chad doesn't make the trip to Lambeau Field.
I checked the weather and lake effect snow is predicted for today to be heavy at times. I have experienced such snow squalls and they can be a force to be reckoned with.
Bret Farve, A.J. Hawk, Lambeau Field and the lake effect snow are just a few of the things to be on the lookout for today, but the larger picture is what we in Jets land have to look out for.
The New York Jets have been all over the place this season, a Jekyll and Hyde team that has not yet put together enough wins to be called consistent.
Even though the Jets have won six games this season they still have not hit my mark of 8-8 and are in danger of missing the wildcard because of a loss to Cleveland and the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs.
The Jets can't afford to loose this game-it is a must win situation. They have to win out to prove that they are for real, to make the playoffs and to secure Eric Mangini as Rookie Head Coach of the Year.
When the Jets beat New England they showed that they had potential, when Chicago shut them out they showed they were inconsistent.
When Jacksonville crushed them they showed this project could take years to turn this around. When they lost to Cleveland they showed us they were the same old Jets.
In order to erase the ghosts of seasons past we need to put our mark on the month of December. We need to own this month, finish strong and make our own mark on every team we play. The die-hard fans that doubt the team, the New York media, the NFL, they all need to know that the New York Jets are for real.
If we can win out we are for real. Don't just go out to Lambeau field and beat Brett Farve just to have it mean nothing.
I saw plenty of photo opportunities from the Texans game for the Jets to take some pictures of the flag girls for their web site. If they did, they aren't sharing them.
New York is the toughest place to play football. Here is an example.
If I were to tell you three weeks ago that the New York Jets would face their two toughest opponents back to back and split those games, you would have felt good about it.
So why are there so many bad feelings from the fans going into this game? Why is everyone so upset with an onside kick attempt? What is causing the rumblings in Jet Nation? The answer is obvious.
The fans are afraid that their quarterback may be letting them down, that they may be looking at a quarterback controversy, or another change to face the unknown.
Chad has got to perform today and for the rest of the season, he has got to get it together right now.
I know that a lot of this falls on Chad as our team leader, but let me ask you, who is our Quarterbacks coach? What role does he play in all of this?
Where is Brian Schottenhimer's role in all of this? How about the organization-the front office?
Chad Pennington has performed well for others, so why not now? What piece of the puzzle has changed that has gotten Chad so out of place?
If the team says his arm is fine, then the team has to be to blame, not necessarily Chad, but his supporting members.
The writing is on the wall-a loss today would almost certainly put the Jets out of the playoff race and result in the chain of events that would lead to Kellen Clemson starting at least two (maybe four) games this season.
Okay, that is everybody's fears, but that may not be the reality of the situation.
The reality may be that Chad simply had a few bad games this season and next year in the same system he will be a whole lot better. He has no mentor on the team, he is the leader and he will be fine. This is our third defensive coordinator in as many years, so give the guy a chance because he is basically carrying this offense on his back. They have to step up together as a team and win three in a row to build some momentum.
I'm saying this could be a "one or done" deal.
Win this one or you are done.
If Chad has a good day we are going to be fine, if he is a mess we may see a switch at halftime.
One or done, the "boo-birds" will be at the stadium today folks.
Notes: The New York Jets not so recently added flag carriers to their web site. The fans at the stadium seem to enjoy them-especially when they put down the flags and pick up their pom-poms.
You won't find their own section on the New York Jets web site, and they have been rotating the same pictures since the Detroit game in October. How can the organization be missing the boat on this one? If I were running the team I would be promoting the heck out of them, personal appearances and all in the same manner as, well the Houston Texans!
Say hi to Marisa and Larisa, the twins from the Texans squad.
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