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

 
Week 3

Some random thoughts on last night's win:

1. Dustin Keller may be on the verge of breaking the Jets first round jinx in drafting tight ends.

2. Matt Slauson does not look ready to start at left guard. Right now, he's the weak link on offense.

3. The Jets need to give the ball to Shonn Greene more, so as to establish their between-the-tackles run game.

4. The Jets destroyed their early 4th quarter drive (following Eric Smith's blocked punt) with penalties.

5. Smith and Jim Leonhard have been disappointing at safety. Maybe the Jets miss Kerry Rhodes.

6. The Jets were lucky to win. Had they insisted on a ground and pound game and handcuffed Mark Sanchez, they would have lost.

7. Darrelle Revis and Calvin Pace were both missed.

8. The run defense was solid - and that may have been the difference in the game.

9. Steve Weatherford has had a really good start to the season.

10. Rex Ryan should have challenged the early 2nd quarter pass caught by Davone Bess with a foot out of bounds. The Dolphins were down 14-0 then. They went on to score a TD and gain the momentum.

11. The Jets offense should be really solid when Santonio Holmes returns - so long as they stay healthy at RB and TE.
posted on 9/27/2010

 
The Mets' Way Forward

Kevin Towers should be the new GM. Bobby Valentine should be the new manager.

I've been a strong critic of Omar Minaya since 2005. I've been calling for Valentine's return since 2004.

The Mets have now hit bottom. Their won-loss record may be better this year than last, but there's little reason to believe that they will be competitive in 2011.

I only went to one Mets game this season. I think 1984 was the last time I only went to one game.

The Mets caught a huge break when Valentine's deal with the Marlins fell through. Bobby V not only is the best available manager - by far - he is also the only man who can bring both accountability to the team and excitement to the fan base.
posted on 9/20/2010

 
Week 2

1. The Jets looked headed for a blowout loss after being dominated early in the game and being fortunate to be behind only 7-0. Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards then came up big in the Jets' second quarter touchdown drive.

2. After the Jets got the ball back, despite the offense clicking, they foolishly ran the ball on 3rd and long, giving the ball back to New England late in the quarter. Predictably, the Patriots quickly scored a touchdown.

3. The Jets ensuing field goal drive was key. Nick Folk's 49 yard kick gave the team and the fans confidence entering into halftime, despite the four point deficit.

4. The Jets' defense - and Antonio Cromartie especially - looked a lot better in the second half after the departure of Darrelle Revis. The huge gaps in middle of the field closed, and Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez didn't do much in the second half.

5. The Jets defensive line still can't get much QB pressure, but they continue to stuff the run.

6. On offense, Dustin Keller, LaDainian Tomlinson and Sanchez were outstanding in the second half. When Santonio Holmes arrives in week 5, the Jets will have numerous receiving options.

7. Good call by the Jets going for it on 4th and a foot late in the 4th quarter.

8. Watching the Jets yesterday, it seems likely that last week's offensive debacle was more the fault of the coaching staff than Sanchez. We'll find out next week, when the Jets go on the road to play a tough Dolphins defense.
posted on 9/20/2010

 
Week 1

I don't expect to post after each game, but last night deserves a post-mortem:

1. The Jets offense reverted to the form it took during weeks 4 through 14 of the 2009 season. Shonn Greene's fumbles were back. Mark Sanchez was not trusted to pass downfield. While dumping off to RBs is sometimes necessary, clearly Sanchez was overcoached into doing so way too often. It's difficult to understand why Sanchez is being paid $10 million a year to be a game manager.

2. There's no question that Hard Knocks gave away some of the Jets' scheme. The Jets revealed that David Clowney would not have been active and thus was deemed expendable. They also cut Laveranues Coles, and proclaimed that Tony Richardson would stay because they remain a "ground and pound" team. You didn't need a great football mind to realize what the offensive game plan would look like.

3. This game plan might have worked if the Jets had occasionally exploited the Ravens safeties playing 5-10 yards from the line of scrimmage. Yet Sanchez was too afraid to make mistakes, and with no number 3 receiver during Santonio Holmes' suspension (at least while Coles remains away), neither Braylon Edwards nor Jerricho Cotchery could get open.

4. Antonio Cromartie was dreadful. Kyle Wilson wasn't good either, but he's a rookie in his first game.

5. The Ravens repeatedly picked up Jets blitzes, and the Jets' DL could not get much pressure on Joe Flacco after the first quarter.

6. I doubt Kris Jenkins will play football again. While he will be missed, the Jets' run defense did not seem to suffer last night and I tend to think that the impact of his loss will be exaggerated.

7. While the officiating crew seemed to make some questionable calls, the 14 penalties, drops, and Dustin Keller's moronic stepping out of bounds to end the game are indicative of an undisciplined, unfocused team.

8. Rex Ryan has a much better football mind than Herm Edwards, but his friendly approach to players is concerning. The head coach should be the bad cop, not his assistants.

9. A few weeks ago, I caved in and bought a pair of season tickets on eBay. They're in the upper deck, at the 40 yard line. The new stadium is very underwhelming. No cell phone service, very hard to get to the upper deck other than via the stairs (and it is seven flights up), huge parking lots. There was nothing wrong with Giants Stadium other than its name and the colors of the seats.

10. Thanks to Jewboy for driving up from Baltimore to meet me last night, and for heeding my friendly advice and not provocatively wearing a Ravens jersey or cap.
posted on 9/13/2010