A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Jets Draft Analysis: Day One

Had I been told that the Jets would draft CB Darrelle Revis in the first round and LB David Harris in the second round, I'd have been ecstatic.

However, giving up a second rounder and a fifth rounder to move up 11 spots in the first round, and then a third rounder and sixth rounder to move up in the second round from the pick acquired from the Bears, is, in my opinion, way too heavy a price to pay.

It's 9:05 and the second round is not yet over, but Day One for the Jets apparently is.

All they have left for tomorrow are a sixth and seventh rounder. Neither DL nor OL (or any position on offense) will be seriously addressed in this draft.

Revis and Harris had both better become impact players on defense. If they do, the Jets aggressive trades up today will pay off. Otherwise, this draft will be a washout and the Jets will have made little progress toward their nearly four decade attempt to get back to the Super Bowl.
posted on 4/28/2007

 
Jets Draft Preview - Defense

Some quick thoughts about the Jets' needs on defense:

Defensive Line - The Jets are a mess at this position. It's not that their players are terrible, but that the old evil regime traded up to draft DeWayne Robertson fourth and then gave a huge contract to Shaun Ellis. Robertson and Ellis eat up salary cap space vastly disproportionate to their contributions on the field. This makes it difficult for the Jets to invest much more in their defensive line. Releasing Ellis or Robertson would not be viable - while both are overpaid, the cap hit would be too prohibitive.

The current regime compounded the team's problems at DL by giving a big free agent contract last year to Kimo von Oelhoffen, who proceeded to do nothing in '06. Unlike Robertson and Ellis, von Oelhoffen could be a salary cut casualty prior to the 2007 season.

This offseason, the Jets' biggest free agent signing was that of ex-Cowboys backup defensive end Kenyon Coleman, who apparently came highly recommended by Bill Parcells. The Jets also signed former Dolphin DE David Bowens, who in the Jets 3-4 scheme is likely to primarily play outside linebacker in pass rushing situations rather than defensive end.

Along with offensive line and cornerback, the Jets will likely use a first day pick to draft a defensive lineman.

Defensive backs - Kerry Rhodes emerged at free safety last season, while Erik Coleman's performance at strong safety slipped considerably. 2006 3rd round pick Eric Smith got increased playing time late last season, and will likely challenge Coleman at strong safety. The Jets can use another safety, but unless a top player slips and is unexpectedly available, are unlikely to use a first day pick on one.

In contrast, cornerback is a major need for the Jets. Andre Dyson had a solid 2006 season before his late season injury allowed Tom Brady to expose the rest of the cornerbacks as much less than mediocre.

Former 2nd round pick Justin Miller has been a major disappointment at corner, and would be a complete bust if not for his strong kickoff returns. David Barrett was hurt much of last season, and was ineffective when he played. Drew Coleman was getting some playing time before his missed tackle in the open field resulted in a crushing Bears touchdown. Hank Poteat, who started late last season, is an okay dime back, but not an NFL starter.

Bottom line is that the Jets badly need a CB. If one of the top ones is available at number 25, the Jets will likely select him. However, unless they can package Barrett or WR Justin McCareins to move up a few slots, I don't see the Jets trading up in the first round by giving up an additional draft pick. Unlike Terry Bradway, Mike Tannenbaum seems to recognize the value of accumulating rather than relinquishing draft picks.

Linebacker - 2006 was a surprising season at linebacker for the Jets. While former 1st rounder Bryan Thomas excelled after being moved to outside linebacker, Jonathan Vilma's game slipped in the new 3-4 system. With Thomas, Bowens, and the returning Victor Hobson, the Jets seem to be okay on the outside. The Jets are reportedly trying to trade inside linebacker Eric ("Late Hit") Barton, and it's possible that they will release him rather than pay his large salary. If those are indeed the Jets' plans, it's possible that they will use a first day pick - and conceivably even their 1st round pick if the top corners are all gone - on an ILB.

The mere possibility of the Jets drafting an ILB in the first round brings back memories of Chris Russo's tirade on WFAN on draft day 1989. Russo went nuts went the Jets picked Jeff Lageman. While many continue to include Lageman on their lists of Jets draft blunders, in reality he had a very stellar NFL career.
posted on 4/26/2007

 
Yom Haatzmaut

Past posts related to Yom Haatzmaut include:

Rav Soloveitchik, Charedim and Yom Haatzmaut

My Yom Haatzmaut Confusion

Religious Zionism and the First Flowering of Our Redemption

Tommy Lapid to Arabs Mocking Yom Haatzmaut

Chag sameach ... or, if you prefer, have a good day. And don't forget to have a Happy Nakba Day on May 15.
posted on 4/24/2007

 
Jets Draft Preview - Offense

I'm pressed for time, so following is a barebones analysis of the Jets' needs in advance of this weekend's NFL draft. I'm starting with the offense today (largely because the offense is much more set), and hope to have time to cover the defense later this week.

QB: With Patrick Ramsey's offseason release, Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens will enter 2007 as the Jets starting and backup quarterbacks. Ex-Raider Marques Tuiasosopo is now the number 3 quarterback, though the Jets will likely bring someone else in to compete for that role. It's unlikely the Jets will draft a QB; at most, they will invest a 5th round pick on someone they feel has high upside.

RB: With the acquisition of Thomas Jones and the emergence of Leon Washington during his rookie season, the Jets also know who their number 1 and 2 running backs will be. Cedric Houston would, in my opinion, be fine as the number 3 RB, but it appears that Jets brass may not agree. The Jets will likely bring in another RB to compete with Houston. RB is another position at which the Jets may use a second day pick or bring in a third-tier free agent. They are very unlikely to use a pick in the first three rounds on a RB.

FB: With the departure of former 3rd round pick B.J. Askew and the signing of Darian Barnes, the Jets can use a fullback, and I'm sure that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer appreciates a top fullback after spending several season in San Diego, where Lorenzo Neal has helped make Ladanlian Tomlinson the NFL's best RB. While ex-Jets QB Ray Lucas is calling on the Jets to pick top FB prospect Brian Leonard of Rutgers, I doubt that's going to happen. Leonard has already declared that he seems himself as a tailback rather than a pure fullback, which is exactly what happened with Askew, who was always only an average blocker and never got the chance to carry the ball. If the Jets trade WR Justin McCareins for a fourth round pick, I wouldn't be surprised to see them use that pick on LeRon McClain, who is more of a pure blocker.

WR: The Jets reportedly are working on dealing McCareins, which would leave them with a hole at the third receiver slot behind Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. It's possible that Brad Smith or Tim Dwight will assume that role if the Jets do trade McCareins. Overall, WR is not among the Jets' top needs, but if a top speedy wideout is available when the Jets make one of their late second round selections, it's possible the Jets will draft him.

TE: Chris Baker had a strong 2006 season, doing a nice job in pass protection and making plays on offense when the Jets (too infrequently) threw the ball to him. Some believe that the Jets are high on Greg Olsen, the top receiving TE in the draft. If Olsen is still around at number 25 and the top cornerbacks are all gone, it's possible the Jets will select him.

OL: Even after selecting left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold in the first round of last year's draft, offensive line remains the Jets biggest need on offense, with the Jets other offensive lineman a mix of mediocre (at best) journeymen and aging veterans. Likely, the Jets will pick up a guard either in the second or third round, and it wouldn't be surprising if they also use a late round pick on another offensive lineman.
posted on 4/23/2007

 
MSG Maariv: What Would Superfeldman Do?

I was feeling pretty good as the second period of last night's Rangers vs. T(h)rashers game came to an end. Along with Judah H, I was at Madison Square Garden in center ice seats purchased just before the opening faceoff. Brendan Shanahan's fantastic goal late in the period had tied the game at 2, and the Rangers were in middle of a power play, with the momentum having shifted in their favor despite rather mediocre play and rather terrible officiating.

Alas, my excitement was tempered when a young man wearing a kippa approached to tell us that there would be a maariv minyan outside Gate 66. There were 15 minutes left in the intermission, and I was concerned that I would miss, God forbid, part of the third period.

And I had one other concern.

WWSFD?

What would superfeldman do?

Not nearly as pious as superfeldman, I reserved my zealotry for the game and decided to walk to Gate 66 for maariv. I figured that someone required to say the kaddish prayer for a deceased relative needed to organize the minyan, and didn't judge the person unfavorably for going to a hockey game despite the risk that a minyan might be hard to find.

I quickly walked toward Gate 66, and could see that 6 or 7 frum men were congregated, but not yet 10. With the line for beer surprisingly short, I therefore was able to purchase a 22 ounce mug of Bass Ale (Utz kosher pretzel included) without missing baruchu.

It turns out that nobody said kaddish after maariv. More than 15 people joined the davening, which I found to be quite uncomfortable if not inappropriate. I did not like it when passersby wondered aloud "what the f*** are these guys doing" during shema. Nor when the security guard asked us to move someplace else to clear a path just as we started shemonah esrei.

On a positive note, my beer did not spill despite the habitual shuckling that I carefully kept to a minimum. Thanks to the minyan, I kept my sefiras haomer streak alive. I made it back to section 123 before the third period started. And the third period was filled with all the excitement and anxiety of playoff hockey, until the Rangers finally won and ended the series.

Does all of this mean that davening at MSG is okay?

I don't know. That's a question only superfeldman could possibly answer.
posted on 4/19/2007

 
NHL Strips 1994 Rangers Of Stanley Cup

The Zionist Conspiracy has learned that the National Hockey League has decided to strip the 1994 Stanley Cup from the New York Rangers.

The move comes 13 years after Rangers players chose "Heave Ho" as their team's slogan.

"There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women trying to make their way in this society," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in announcing the decision. "Over these last 13 years, we have met with leaders of the women's rights movement, who remain deeply hurt by the highly insensitive slogan of the New York Rangers," Bettman explained.

At Madison Square Garden, workers feverishly removed Mark Messier's jersey from the rafters. Messier's previously retired number 11 will now be assigned to forward Marcel Hossa, who had been wearing number 81.

Outside Nassau Coliseum, chants of "1940" could be heard from both Islanders fans seeking to buy tickets to Games 3 and 4 of the Islanders first round playoff series.

The Rangers, who lead their first round series against Atlanta 1-0, have now gone 67 years without winning a Stanley Cup. Many Rangers fans blame Messier for disappointingly failing to lead the team to a championship.
posted on 4/13/2007

 
Five Years After The D.C. Rally

This Sunday will be the fifth anniversary of the 2002 pro-Israel rally on Capitol Hill, an event that remains one of the best in American Orthodox Jewish history, despite the failure of very many to recognize this.

After the Pesach bombing in Netanya's Park Hotel, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his cabinet decided to call up 20,000 reservists and wage an unrelenting war on terror emanating from Judea and Samaria.

The Bush Administration, while expressing the standard words of sympathy for dead Jews, opposed Israel's decision. Bush demanded that Israel withdraw. When it didn't, he repeated in a sharp tone: "I meant what I said to the prime minister of Israel. I expect there to be withdrawal without delay."

Following a wonderful spontaneous rally at the United Nations led by Rabbi Avi Weiss, it was clear that there was huge grassroots support - indeed need - for a major rally on behalf of Israel. On April 15, 2002, 200,000 or more Jews - not all of whom, but a majority of which, were Orthodox - came to Washington on a Monday to demand that the Bush Administration stop making a distinction between its own post-9/11 war on terror and Israel's war against Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The National Mall was packed, and for at least one very unusually hot April afternoon, it didn't much matter what kind of kippa we wore, how exactly we were dressed, or where we were from.

When Agudah balked at supporting the rally, charedim from Flatbush showed their best colors by using their own common sense, driving to Washington in droves, and expressing justified fury toward an out-of-touch leadership.

The rally itself wasn't so great. There were inspiring speeches, but also far too many politicians and hacks. There were visible demands that Natan Sharansky and even bereaved dad Seth Mandell stop their speeches short, so that leaders of the AFL-CIO and the Urban League could inform us that "a two-state solution" would solve the world's problems. Indeed, by the time Rabbi Mandell made it to the podium and presented extraordinarily moving words, hours into the rally, most were already heading home. The rally wasn't enough of a rally and was too much of a respectful Jewish event.

The highlight of the rally was the awful speech by then Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, a man who many of us and many of our enemies thought and still mistakenly think to be pro-Israel. Those of us in the front loudly chanted "no double standard" and "no more Arafat" throughout Wolfowitz's idiotic rambling, and offered cheers when he stated "in conclusion," a few minutes before he mercifully left us alone to bring peace to Iraq. I am proud that the C-Span video of the rally shows a young foolish George Washington University student demanding that I shut up because "I would like to hear what Mr. Wolfowitz has to say." I told him that I was there so that Wolfowitz would hear what I have to say.

And while I may be the only person who believes this, I am sure that Wolfowitz and other leaders of the Bush Administration heard exactly what we had to say, and that dozens or more Israelis who are alive today would be dead if not for our presence at the rally. Bush stopped demanding an immediate withdrawal. A few weeks later, Sharon did acquiesce and withdrew most of the IDF soldiers from Judea and Samaria. But when more Israelis were murdered in bombings in Gilo and French Hill, the IDF returned and has remained there since without serious U.S. objection, and Bush ended all ties to Yasser Arafat.

After the rally, I took the Metro to Silver Spring, where I retrieved my car and headed home. All the way through, even on the New Jersey Turnpike, the highways, the gas stations and the rest areas were full of observant Jews. I turned on the news to find little coverage of the rally, but there was good news: Leading Fatah terrorist Marwan Barghouti had finally been captured by the IDF.

"I hope," I told my (now) wife, "that Israel doesn't one day release Barghouti."
posted on 4/13/2007

 
Jets Schedule Comments

The Jets' 2007 schedule offers pros and cons. Here are some thoughts, with the pros first:

1. Enduring three "three-days yom tovs" won't be easy, but the reward is that Jets fans won't miss a single game, and can daven on Rosh Hashanah without worrying about the Jets' score. (The Mets may be another matter.)

2. The Jets play six home games in their first ten games, allowing season ticket holders to enjoy the late summer and early fall weather, with the brutal Giants Stadium wind likely only coming into play for the final two home games.

3. The Jets are on the road for week 2, against the Ravens. That's good because week 2 falls out on Tzom Gedaliah, and Jets fans do not want to be subjected to an Al Sharpton like attack from superfeldman.

Now for the cons:

1. Following a suggestion by Jewboy, I had been thinking about driving down to Baltimore for the Ravens game. The idea of rattling the Ravens fans and the New York-phobic Baltimore frummies alike was quite appealing. Alas, even without superfeldman's self-righteous protests, a road trip on a fast day just isn't feasible.

2. Late season home games may be uncomfortable for fans, but they're good for the Jets. While in 2006, the Jets went 6-2 on the road, 2007's opponents are much stronger.

3. The early season schedule is difficult. The first seven games are home vs. New England, at Baltimore, home vs. Miami, at Buffalo, at the Giants, home vs. the Eagles, and at Cincinnati. In the past, the Jets have often gotten off to a slow start against good teams and could not recover.

On the other hand, in a sense, the early season schedule could prove to be a blessing. If the Jets can start strong despite the schedule, perhaps they can become real contenders.

Overall, the 2007 schedule certainly looks tougher than last season's relatively soft one. To contend again for a playoff berth, the Jets will need improved play and to again avoid major injury, especially to their quarterback.
posted on 4/13/2007

 
Don Imus

I don't have time to post thoughts about the controversy surrounding Don Imus' racist statements about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Instead, the following is from an August 20, 2003 post about Imus, following the horrific bombing of the Jerusalem number 2 bus returning from the Western Wall:

On his radio program this morning, Don Imus interviewed Tom Rose, publisher
of The Jerusalem Post. The interview was fine until toward the end, when Imus
mentioned (without name) Goldie Taubenfeld, a chasidic mother of 13 from New
Square, New York, who was killed in yesterday's bombing, with at least one of
her daughters wounded. Rumors suggest that a 6-month-old child of Mrs.
Taubenfeld was also killed, but at this time that has not been confirmed.
Derisively referring to Mrs. Taubenfeld, Imus asked Rose:

"What was that woman thinking? I mean, what'd she say to herself, let's go
to Jerusalem and get on a bus?"

Instead of objecting to Imus' offensive statement, Rose meekly responded that the woman was probably an immigrant to Israel who needed to ride the bus to get around. Not only is that factually inaccurate, but it suggests that one needs to be defensive about riding buses in Israel, something most visitors frequently do.

UPDATE: It has now been confirmed that six-month-old Shmuel Taubenfeld was killed in the suicide bombing. The family had come to Jerusalem for a wedding.

A few days later, I posted about a chasidic man whose son married Mrs. Taubenfeld's daughter and who sat across from me in shul the following shabbos. In a subsequent post, I wrote that "this man was crying during the services, and initially I figured that either he was extremely pious, or a bit eccentric, probably both. But then during a break in the Torah reading, he told me that his son's wife's mother and infant brother - visiting Jerusalem from New Square - were on that bus and were murdered in the bombing, with a sister seriously wounded."
posted on 4/11/2007

 
Chag Sameach

Happy Pesach to all of my Jewish readers, and may the non-Jewish ones enjoy tonight's NCAA Championship and tomorrow night's Rangers vs. Islanders game.

Will this Pesach be different from all the others? It will be for me, if my in-laws allow me to indulge in the bottles of kosher Pinot Noir that I have purchased for the seders, rather than insist on allocating all such wine to Elijah and his massive kiddush cup, leaving me only with the house Joyvin extra sweet red wine.
posted on 4/02/2007

 
Judaism and the Iraq War

The Jerusalem Post reports that Agudah has issued a statement supporting the Bush Administration's policy in Iraq, and criticizing the Reform movement's opposition to the Iraq war. The report states that according to Agudah, the Reform position "is neither a legitimate expression of halachic Judaism nor reflective of authentic Jewish values."

Agudah is right about that, but then neither is Agudah's support for the Iraq war reflective of either halacha or "authentic Jewish values."

This is a political issue, not a religious one. Individuals can and should form their own view about Iraq and other divisive matters, without being told by their rabbis - regardless of whether those rabbis are Orthodox or Reform - what their opinion should be.

Of course, this observant Jew is on record as being opposed to the continued occupation of Iraq, because I believe that our efforts, while well intentioned, have completely and irreparably failed, that there is no national interest in maintaining an occupation force that stands in middle of a brutal civil war, and that it is immoral to continue to send soldiers to die and suffer wounds in light of such failure and lack of national interest.

I do not purport to base my position on halacha or on "Jewish values," and nor should Agudah or the Reform movement.
posted on 4/02/2007

 
Mangini's Departure

With Passover starting tomorrow night I have little time to write about Eric Mangini's shocking decision to leave the Jets "for personal reasons."

The Jets will have to act quickly to fill their head coaching void. Brian Schottenheimer will likely be a lead candidate. At the very least, the Jets must ensure that Schottenheimer remains offensive coordinator. Otherwise, the Jets will have their fourth OC - and fourth system - in four seasons.

As for Mangini, I have little interest in the speculation regarding his decision. However one feels about Mangini's announcement, few can argue that he has left the Jets better than when he replaced Herm Edwards after the '05 season.

With less than three weeks until the draft, the Jets must move forward. Whether the Jets again spiral backwards will depend on their decisions in the weeks to come.
posted on 4/01/2007