Well, there's no real topic that is really jumping out to me right now. But the Rangers are 40 minutes from facing off against Montreal in the Bell Centre (God help us!). So let's recap this week.
1) That blizzard was some of the most treacherous weather I have ever seen. It really started to pick up in the middle of Tuesday. My 45 minute drive home took an hour, 15 minutes. Now even though the airports had closed, Woodfield Mall had closed, and so on, I just had a feeling we would have to come into work. The only way I would not have expected to come in was if the power had gone out. I woke up at 6, showered and dressed. I called Mike and he said we didn't have to go in. I had no idea where he was getting his information from. Earlier that morning, he had written on FB that he was going in. Apparently Keith contacted him and said we weren't going in. But I needed more than that. So I decided to text Keith as soon as we hung up. Well we winded down the call and just as I was about to press the end button, Keith calls. We indeed had the day off. Off went the khaki pants and on went the sweats.
2) The work week all in all felt quiet. The office is nice. I could deal with the changes if it wasn't for the extra 30-40 minutes of driving I have to do every day.
3) My meal out this week was a Kobe burger with cheese, shrooms, and caramelized onions. The chef apparently figured I wanted it rare. The damn thing was still pink inside. Against my better judgment, I finished the burger and just hoped my stomach would hold up. Thankfully, I'm fine.
4) The Knicks are frauds. They may even miss the playoffs. Even if they sign Carmelo Anthony or trade for him, I am convinced they can only go so far with Mike D'Antoni as their head coach. Between running an 8-9 man rotation, keeping certain players in the doghours for way too long, and the lack of defensive system, I just do not believe in this coach. They may reach the Eastern Conference finals one year or two years, but that dream of a championship will remain elusive.
5) How are there still commercials running for the Sobakawa pillow?
6) I have to find out where this Al's Italian Beef in the either Carol Stream or Glendale Heights is located...
7) Oh yeah, football. Good luck Green Bay. I am anything but excited. This isn't football, it;s a spectacle. I mean, do we need a freakin' red carpet show leading into the Super Bowl?
8) After four straight putrid Ranger power plays where they total two lovely shots, that prick Gomez scores the first goal for Montreal. It never changes.
This post is finished.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
#700
So this is post number 700. I just didn't have it in me to post after the Jets blew another AFC Championship game. After two days where I felt numb, I started to come out my haze. But, I find the best thing is to think about the game as little as possible. So it is almost 2 am and I just got home from a great time out. Macaroni Grill, Whole Foods, a $1.75 movie. Time to brainstorm.
1) I feel pretty good about the New York Rangers. 6th place in the East. I really like that this is a team. It's not a group of imports who are wearing the jersey. This is a group of players working together and playing together. My two hopes for the second half: A functioning power play and good health. And I can't wait to see Ryan Callahan back on the ice!
2) This is looking like a dead weekend. Not exactly looking forward to the NHL All-Star Game. But Henry Cloud will be speaking at Willow Creek, I may go check it out.
3) The elevator traffic at work is driving me crazy! Traveling from the lower level to the eighth floor this morning, we made five stops!
4) The cafeteria did have a weekly fish taco bar on Thursday. Shrimp, tilapia, and cod sauteed together. And I think there were six or seven toppings. I may just go for that next week.
5) Went to the gym four straight days. Feeling pretty good about that. Feeling pretty disappointed that I have to hunt for a new gym and pay for it in the next few weeks.
6) I am pumped up for St. Charles Restaurant Week! 25 percent off every eatery in the city for five days. Every one except Francesca's it seems. I definitely plan to take advantage of it!
7) I really want to remember God's presence better as each day goes along. Seriously.
8) Excited to eat my Carole's cookie tomorrow might. Oatmeal raisin with pecans. Stellar!
9) Pumped to hear Joe and Evan will be traveling to Chicago in May for Mets vs Cubs. Just when I had promised myself I would go to just one game and not get excited...
10) Four weekends till ROH's 9th Anniverary show in Chicago Ridge. I am so ready for this show!
Song pick: "Beg, Steal, Borrow" Ray LaMontagne
1) I feel pretty good about the New York Rangers. 6th place in the East. I really like that this is a team. It's not a group of imports who are wearing the jersey. This is a group of players working together and playing together. My two hopes for the second half: A functioning power play and good health. And I can't wait to see Ryan Callahan back on the ice!
2) This is looking like a dead weekend. Not exactly looking forward to the NHL All-Star Game. But Henry Cloud will be speaking at Willow Creek, I may go check it out.
3) The elevator traffic at work is driving me crazy! Traveling from the lower level to the eighth floor this morning, we made five stops!
4) The cafeteria did have a weekly fish taco bar on Thursday. Shrimp, tilapia, and cod sauteed together. And I think there were six or seven toppings. I may just go for that next week.
5) Went to the gym four straight days. Feeling pretty good about that. Feeling pretty disappointed that I have to hunt for a new gym and pay for it in the next few weeks.
6) I am pumped up for St. Charles Restaurant Week! 25 percent off every eatery in the city for five days. Every one except Francesca's it seems. I definitely plan to take advantage of it!
7) I really want to remember God's presence better as each day goes along. Seriously.
8) Excited to eat my Carole's cookie tomorrow might. Oatmeal raisin with pecans. Stellar!
9) Pumped to hear Joe and Evan will be traveling to Chicago in May for Mets vs Cubs. Just when I had promised myself I would go to just one game and not get excited...
10) Four weekends till ROH's 9th Anniverary show in Chicago Ridge. I am so ready for this show!
Song pick: "Beg, Steal, Borrow" Ray LaMontagne
Friday, January 21, 2011
Championship weekend!
We are 44 hours away from the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers kicking off the AFC Championship game. Right now, I know the Jets have a chance to win. Obviously, that is where my heart is. But my logic has me leaning towards Pittsburgh. I really don't feel like writing a huge preview so I will write three things that will likely happen depending on the outcome of the game.
The Jets will win if...
1) ...they rush for at least 100 yards. Pittsburgh has as good a run defense as there is in football; they allowed 63 rushing yards per game and 100 yards total twice all year. One of them was against the Jets, when Troy Polamalu did not play. But the Jets o-line has to block that front seven of Keisel, Hampton, Hood, Timmons, Farrior, Harrison, and Woodley. Not expecting 10 yards or any long runs, but Greene and LT need to pick up a good 4-5 yards per run.
2) ...Mark Sanchez keeps them in the game early. In both of these playoff wins, Sanchez has throw inaccurately in the first quarter. If he misses a few passes, that's one thing, but he cannot turn the ball over. The Steelers secondary is shaky and if the Jets can protect Sanchez, I think a quick start can play a major role.
OK, I am going with my heart. Jets 23, Steelers 17. The Lamar Hunt trophy is coming to NYC!
The Jets will win if...
1) ...they rush for at least 100 yards. Pittsburgh has as good a run defense as there is in football; they allowed 63 rushing yards per game and 100 yards total twice all year. One of them was against the Jets, when Troy Polamalu did not play. But the Jets o-line has to block that front seven of Keisel, Hampton, Hood, Timmons, Farrior, Harrison, and Woodley. Not expecting 10 yards or any long runs, but Greene and LT need to pick up a good 4-5 yards per run.
2) ...Mark Sanchez keeps them in the game early. In both of these playoff wins, Sanchez has throw inaccurately in the first quarter. If he misses a few passes, that's one thing, but he cannot turn the ball over. The Steelers secondary is shaky and if the Jets can protect Sanchez, I think a quick start can play a major role.
3) ...Rashad Mendenhall does not turn the corner. In Week 15, Mendenhall ran for 99 yards on the Jets and he gained most of his yards when he ran outside the tackles. The Jets have to limit that.
The Jets will lose if...
1) ...the Steelers secondary receivers beat the Jets DB's. Sanders, Brown, and Miller have to be watched by, I would guess, Coleman, Cole, Lowery, and Pool. The Jets covered the Patriot receivers exceptionally well last weekend and they need to do a great job again.
2) ...they don't knock Ben Roethlisberger down. Unlike Manning and Brady, Big Ben seems to thrive on getting hit. So when the Jets hit the 345-pound girl beater, they better hit him flush and knock him down.
3) Nick Folk attempts a kick longer than 25 yards. I pray if it comes down to him kicking in the 4th quarter that he is kicking to the north end zone.
And I get to pick Danielle up and drive her in, that should be quite a trip!OK, I am going with my heart. Jets 23, Steelers 17. The Lamar Hunt trophy is coming to NYC!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Live game blog-second half
5:19: 2nd and 2, they stop Woodhead. On 3rd down and 1, DeVito and Pouha explode into the o-line and Harris and Scott stop BJGE short. At least four Jets fought their way into the backfield on that run!
5:32: After two first downs (Edelman is making some plays), Brady airs one out to Tate, but it's incomplete. On 2nd down, Calvin Pace with a tremendous pass rush as he belts Brady's elbow. Ball comes lose, but Pats recover. No matter, Jets force the punt. Thankfully Cromartie let this one bounce. Jets will start from their own 25. I really feel one more touchdown could really start to put it away.
5:41: A lot of ground and pound on that last drive. And the running game looked great. But they start going to the pass and it falls short. And another terrible punt. The Jets are giving the Patriots every opportunity to win this game.
5:47: This is what I'm talking about. Gronkowksi for 37 and now Branch catches his first ball to covert a 3rd and 12 and finds him again for 16. Time out Jets. I am scared.
5:52: Fucking Crumpler TD, 2-pointer works. 14-11. The offense, and especially their maligned coordinator, has to decide if they want a damn shot at the Super Bowl.
5:58: Cotchery wants a Super Bowl! A 58 yard run following the sideline catch. And on 3rd and 4 from the 7, a perfect fade pass that Santonio Holmes makes an amazing falling catch on. That was the response this team needed! 21-11 with 13:00 to go.
6:07: Second Pats fumble that they recovered. Opportunities lost. Ok, another third down for the Pats. How is Darrelle Revis giving up completions to Branch all of a sudden? 6 minutes and counting.
6:13: Sacked Brady five times. The Pats had 3rd down just now and Brady had to double clutch five times before throwing an incomplete pass over the middle in the direction of Mr. Woodcock. 4th and 13 from the Jets 34 coming up. This is so damn close...
6:16: Branch drops it! Jets take over! Holy crap!
6:22: Three runs and a punt. And Edelman returns it all the way to the Jets 40. Time to be scared again. Three first downs on three plays. They are playing it safe and it is failing.
6:30: The d forces two incompletions and then Coleman takes Welker down for no gain off a swing pass. The Pats try to get the field goal off, but the two minute warning comes first. Two time outs left for each team.
6:31: The field goal is good. 21-14. I wonder if they would consider trying an onside kick.
6:33: They onside kick in the middle Cromartie picks it up! He takes it down the sideline all the way to the Pat 25!
6:41: Been to busy celebrating. Greene takes it off the edge into the end zone and the Jets are gonna fucking win! 28-14.
6:42: Deion Branch catches one in the end zone for 13 yards with 25 seconds left. 28-21. Onside kick coming again.
6:44: Eric Smith falls on it, and the Jets can take a knee. Jets win!!!!!!
6:59: This is the second round but it is as meaningful a win for any of my teams since the Mets won the pennant and maybe moreso. Maybe the most meaningful since the Rangers won it all. It is that important. Pittsburgh, here we come...
5:32: After two first downs (Edelman is making some plays), Brady airs one out to Tate, but it's incomplete. On 2nd down, Calvin Pace with a tremendous pass rush as he belts Brady's elbow. Ball comes lose, but Pats recover. No matter, Jets force the punt. Thankfully Cromartie let this one bounce. Jets will start from their own 25. I really feel one more touchdown could really start to put it away.
5:41: A lot of ground and pound on that last drive. And the running game looked great. But they start going to the pass and it falls short. And another terrible punt. The Jets are giving the Patriots every opportunity to win this game.
5:47: This is what I'm talking about. Gronkowksi for 37 and now Branch catches his first ball to covert a 3rd and 12 and finds him again for 16. Time out Jets. I am scared.
5:52: Fucking Crumpler TD, 2-pointer works. 14-11. The offense, and especially their maligned coordinator, has to decide if they want a damn shot at the Super Bowl.
5:58: Cotchery wants a Super Bowl! A 58 yard run following the sideline catch. And on 3rd and 4 from the 7, a perfect fade pass that Santonio Holmes makes an amazing falling catch on. That was the response this team needed! 21-11 with 13:00 to go.
6:07: Second Pats fumble that they recovered. Opportunities lost. Ok, another third down for the Pats. How is Darrelle Revis giving up completions to Branch all of a sudden? 6 minutes and counting.
6:13: Sacked Brady five times. The Pats had 3rd down just now and Brady had to double clutch five times before throwing an incomplete pass over the middle in the direction of Mr. Woodcock. 4th and 13 from the Jets 34 coming up. This is so damn close...
6:16: Branch drops it! Jets take over! Holy crap!
6:22: Three runs and a punt. And Edelman returns it all the way to the Jets 40. Time to be scared again. Three first downs on three plays. They are playing it safe and it is failing.
6:30: The d forces two incompletions and then Coleman takes Welker down for no gain off a swing pass. The Pats try to get the field goal off, but the two minute warning comes first. Two time outs left for each team.
6:31: The field goal is good. 21-14. I wonder if they would consider trying an onside kick.
6:33: They onside kick in the middle Cromartie picks it up! He takes it down the sideline all the way to the Pat 25!
6:41: Been to busy celebrating. Greene takes it off the edge into the end zone and the Jets are gonna fucking win! 28-14.
6:42: Deion Branch catches one in the end zone for 13 yards with 25 seconds left. 28-21. Onside kick coming again.
6:44: Eric Smith falls on it, and the Jets can take a knee. Jets win!!!!!!
6:59: This is the second round but it is as meaningful a win for any of my teams since the Mets won the pennant and maybe moreso. Maybe the most meaningful since the Rangers won it all. It is that important. Pittsburgh, here we come...
Live game blog-first half
The last time I did this was the victory in San Diego. It worked, I'm doing it again.
3:32: Teams on the field. Not feeling good about Brad Smith's injury keeping him inactive. And if they want to establish the run, why bench John Connor, your young rookie fullback?
3:45: Despite a big first down pass to Cotchery that got the ball into Pat territory, that would be it. Sanchez with a bad overthrow on 3rd down and they have to punt.
3:52: Pats driving and I'm terrified. And Harris with a HUGE INT on MR BRADY! Of course, the offense goes nowhere. And Folk misses a layup.
4:05: Pats drive all the way down, thanks to a huge Alge Crumpler reception. Cromartie can't even cover a 400-pound tight end. Ellis sacks Brady on 3rd down, but Shayne Graham shows Nick Folk how to kick a field goal. 3-0 down, 1:12 left in the first.
4:15: First quarter over, Cro with a great kick return, Jets with a first down after a 3rd and 5 conversion. Cotchery again.
4:17: And the drive dies again. Mark Sanchez had Dustin Keller on a post pattern and threw too far ahead. This guy cannot complete a pass over 15 yards. He looks as bad as he did in Indy. At least Chad had poise.
4:21: The blitz is working GREAT! Coleman demolishes Brady and third down and another punt is forced. The Jets are going to start just inside midfield. They really need to establish some offensive momentum.
4:26: Sanchez with an amazing sideline pass to Braylon Edwards for 37 yards. That converted a third down, Jets are on the NE 8. And two plays later, Tomlinson makes a great over-the-shoulder catch, and takes in a 4-yard TD! 7-3 Jets!
4:33: Another 3 and out! Always nice to see Woodcock get eaten up for a negative play. 7:30 remaining.
4:45: LT drops the wildcat snap. I never want to see it again. And the Pats get called on pass interference, which extends the drive. The pace of the game is nice and slow, just how the Jets want it. Another 3rd and 4 following two Greene runs. Holmes makes a 5-yard catch that Belichick challenges. But the ball never hit the ground, and the drive keeps going on with 5:45 left. But it dies. Braylon Edwards knocking a pass away from Santonio Holmes, seems someone ran the wrong route. And Weatherford punts another ball into the end zone. The kickers have been terrible this game.
4:54: Pats get a 1st down, but have to punt yet again. Gronk has no idea where he is. On the fake punt, Chung drops the ball! Jets take over on the NE 37. And Tomlinson immediately runs 17 yards to the 20! This is amazing!
4:57: Another 3rd down! And Braylon Edwards takes two Pro Bowlers, McCourty and Chung, to the cleaners! 15 yards for the touchdown! 14-3 with 33 seconds left in the half!
5:03: Mankins with a personal foul, preventing any chance at a field goal. It is halftime now. I know the game is a long way from over. But this first half went as well as could be expected. The fans are mad, the Pats offense has no rhythm. And the Jets are grounding and pounding.
3:32: Teams on the field. Not feeling good about Brad Smith's injury keeping him inactive. And if they want to establish the run, why bench John Connor, your young rookie fullback?
3:45: Despite a big first down pass to Cotchery that got the ball into Pat territory, that would be it. Sanchez with a bad overthrow on 3rd down and they have to punt.
3:52: Pats driving and I'm terrified. And Harris with a HUGE INT on MR BRADY! Of course, the offense goes nowhere. And Folk misses a layup.
4:05: Pats drive all the way down, thanks to a huge Alge Crumpler reception. Cromartie can't even cover a 400-pound tight end. Ellis sacks Brady on 3rd down, but Shayne Graham shows Nick Folk how to kick a field goal. 3-0 down, 1:12 left in the first.
4:15: First quarter over, Cro with a great kick return, Jets with a first down after a 3rd and 5 conversion. Cotchery again.
4:17: And the drive dies again. Mark Sanchez had Dustin Keller on a post pattern and threw too far ahead. This guy cannot complete a pass over 15 yards. He looks as bad as he did in Indy. At least Chad had poise.
4:21: The blitz is working GREAT! Coleman demolishes Brady and third down and another punt is forced. The Jets are going to start just inside midfield. They really need to establish some offensive momentum.
4:26: Sanchez with an amazing sideline pass to Braylon Edwards for 37 yards. That converted a third down, Jets are on the NE 8. And two plays later, Tomlinson makes a great over-the-shoulder catch, and takes in a 4-yard TD! 7-3 Jets!
4:33: Another 3 and out! Always nice to see Woodcock get eaten up for a negative play. 7:30 remaining.
4:45: LT drops the wildcat snap. I never want to see it again. And the Pats get called on pass interference, which extends the drive. The pace of the game is nice and slow, just how the Jets want it. Another 3rd and 4 following two Greene runs. Holmes makes a 5-yard catch that Belichick challenges. But the ball never hit the ground, and the drive keeps going on with 5:45 left. But it dies. Braylon Edwards knocking a pass away from Santonio Holmes, seems someone ran the wrong route. And Weatherford punts another ball into the end zone. The kickers have been terrible this game.
4:54: Pats get a 1st down, but have to punt yet again. Gronk has no idea where he is. On the fake punt, Chung drops the ball! Jets take over on the NE 37. And Tomlinson immediately runs 17 yards to the 20! This is amazing!
4:57: Another 3rd down! And Braylon Edwards takes two Pro Bowlers, McCourty and Chung, to the cleaners! 15 yards for the touchdown! 14-3 with 33 seconds left in the half!
5:03: Mankins with a personal foul, preventing any chance at a field goal. It is halftime now. I know the game is a long way from over. But this first half went as well as could be expected. The fans are mad, the Pats offense has no rhythm. And the Jets are grounding and pounding.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
More Sat night random musings
1) I should not have brought that Gino's East meaty legend pizza. It's really good! I don't know if I can go back to the spinach pizza now...
2) I was sick basically all week, the second time in less than two months. And I used two sick days within a month after not using any for two years. I hate doing that. And I would really like to get rid of this nagging cough.
3) Got to the gym today for just the second time in 11 days. The running wasn't easy, what else is new? But I felt pretty good about my lifting, especially my shoulder and leg workouts.
4) As much as I would like to see a hockey game in Montreal, it will never be a Rangers game. Something ridiculously bad always happens when the Rangers go there.
5) And so I have worked my last day in Hoffman Estates. Didn't shed any tears as I walked away, but I know I will miss the shorter commutes and the days when the gym was not an expense.
6) Can the Mets sign Chris Young already?!
7) I'm just waiting for 40 degrees...
8) Pumping myself up...Trying not to get too worked up, but this is special...Never know when it will come again.
9) Where ya at, T-Rich!
10) I hope she'll still want me by the time we finally see each other.
2) I was sick basically all week, the second time in less than two months. And I used two sick days within a month after not using any for two years. I hate doing that. And I would really like to get rid of this nagging cough.
3) Got to the gym today for just the second time in 11 days. The running wasn't easy, what else is new? But I felt pretty good about my lifting, especially my shoulder and leg workouts.
4) As much as I would like to see a hockey game in Montreal, it will never be a Rangers game. Something ridiculously bad always happens when the Rangers go there.
5) And so I have worked my last day in Hoffman Estates. Didn't shed any tears as I walked away, but I know I will miss the shorter commutes and the days when the gym was not an expense.
6) Can the Mets sign Chris Young already?!
7) I'm just waiting for 40 degrees...
8) Pumping myself up...Trying not to get too worked up, but this is special...Never know when it will come again.
9) Where ya at, T-Rich!
10) I hope she'll still want me by the time we finally see each other.
Thoughts going in
Tomorrow is the game. It is probably the biggest game the New York Jets have played since I have been alive, even though it is a divisional round game. But it is in New England and against the team I hate the most in football, the Patriots.
Every preview I hear basically says that the Jets have next to no shot at winning this game because they remember 45-3, because of the great Patriot offense and that the anointed one hasn't thrown an interception in 300 attempts. People don't seem to remember he threw five passes in the Packers game where a ball hit a Green Bay defender right in the hands and fell harmlessly to the turf. So that little streak is bogus. And more people seem to be interested in talks trash better as opposed to breaking down the individual matchups. Last I checked we don't get points for throwing the best verbal barbs.
Obviously for the Jets to win, a few things have to go right. The first is Mark Sanchez playing cool and calm throughout. I have no doubt that the offensive line will protect him against the Patriots defensive line. But Bill Belichick is excellent at scheming and will do everything possible to keep the second-year QB uncomfortable. So what I want to see from Sanchez is completing those quick slant passes. Know when to run with the ball like he did on that drive in Indy last week. But with 1 TD and 7 INT's in his two previous visits to Gillette Stadium, he'd better figure it out quickly.
The second thing is defensive coverage on the Pat tight ends, Gronkowski and Hernandez, as well as Woodhead/Woodcock, or whatever Joe Theismann called him. The Jets linebackers are excellent at tackling but not at pass coverage and this is where many teams have exploited them for most of the season. Now last time, the Jets had only been without captain Jim Leonhard for three days. Now there are no excuses. This is on safeties Brodney Pool, James Ihedigbo, Eric Smith, and Dwight Lowery. And this especially goes on third down.
Third, as simplistic as it sounds, it matters that much more: turnovers. As much as I despise them, New England turned the ball over ten times this season and that is impressive. When the Jets beat New England in Week 2, they forced three Patriot turnovers. I think plus-one is absolutely necessary.
Fourth, a good start. The Jets are notoriously slow starters and if they fall behind by more than ten points, I don't think they can come back. They need to keep running the ball against this inexperienced defense and not force Sanchez to throw deep.
I never envisioned the Jets holding Indianapolis to just 1 TD last week, but they did. They played a "bend, don't break" defense and they Jets were able to score just enough points to win the game. And Adam Vinatieri made three field goals indeed. This week, it's Shayne Graham and it's outdoors. I'll take my chances with field goal attempts all night long. I think if the Jets limit New England to two TD's and three FG attempts, I would take it. So the question is, can the Jets offense play well enough to win this one. I know they have the talent. But will they execute?
Five Jets who need to play huge (Besides the obvious)
1) Jason Taylor/Calvin Pace
2) Brodney Pool
3) Santonio Holmes
4) Shonn Greene
5) The entire defensive line
Pick: Jets 27, Patriots 20
Every preview I hear basically says that the Jets have next to no shot at winning this game because they remember 45-3, because of the great Patriot offense and that the anointed one hasn't thrown an interception in 300 attempts. People don't seem to remember he threw five passes in the Packers game where a ball hit a Green Bay defender right in the hands and fell harmlessly to the turf. So that little streak is bogus. And more people seem to be interested in talks trash better as opposed to breaking down the individual matchups. Last I checked we don't get points for throwing the best verbal barbs.
Obviously for the Jets to win, a few things have to go right. The first is Mark Sanchez playing cool and calm throughout. I have no doubt that the offensive line will protect him against the Patriots defensive line. But Bill Belichick is excellent at scheming and will do everything possible to keep the second-year QB uncomfortable. So what I want to see from Sanchez is completing those quick slant passes. Know when to run with the ball like he did on that drive in Indy last week. But with 1 TD and 7 INT's in his two previous visits to Gillette Stadium, he'd better figure it out quickly.
The second thing is defensive coverage on the Pat tight ends, Gronkowski and Hernandez, as well as Woodhead/Woodcock, or whatever Joe Theismann called him. The Jets linebackers are excellent at tackling but not at pass coverage and this is where many teams have exploited them for most of the season. Now last time, the Jets had only been without captain Jim Leonhard for three days. Now there are no excuses. This is on safeties Brodney Pool, James Ihedigbo, Eric Smith, and Dwight Lowery. And this especially goes on third down.
Third, as simplistic as it sounds, it matters that much more: turnovers. As much as I despise them, New England turned the ball over ten times this season and that is impressive. When the Jets beat New England in Week 2, they forced three Patriot turnovers. I think plus-one is absolutely necessary.
Fourth, a good start. The Jets are notoriously slow starters and if they fall behind by more than ten points, I don't think they can come back. They need to keep running the ball against this inexperienced defense and not force Sanchez to throw deep.
I never envisioned the Jets holding Indianapolis to just 1 TD last week, but they did. They played a "bend, don't break" defense and they Jets were able to score just enough points to win the game. And Adam Vinatieri made three field goals indeed. This week, it's Shayne Graham and it's outdoors. I'll take my chances with field goal attempts all night long. I think if the Jets limit New England to two TD's and three FG attempts, I would take it. So the question is, can the Jets offense play well enough to win this one. I know they have the talent. But will they execute?
Five Jets who need to play huge (Besides the obvious)
1) Jason Taylor/Calvin Pace
2) Brodney Pool
3) Santonio Holmes
4) Shonn Greene
5) The entire defensive line
Pick: Jets 27, Patriots 20
Sunday, January 09, 2011
A blur of jubilation!
I am sitting at my desk on a Sunday afternoon thinking I should probably take a nap.
I have to admit that even on Tuesday morning, when I was buying the tickets for Saturday night's AFC wild card game between the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, it felt weird. The memories of last year's disappointing defeat in the championship game still stung in my noggin. But when Jerome offered to go with me and split expenses, I thought it seemed like a good idea.
After hearing Joe and Evan's opening monologue on WFAN, I left home at 9:20 and hit no traffic on my hour-long journey to Chicago. I picked Jerome up at the Wellington subway stop and drove around the corner to Oakdale St to Carl's apartment to retrieve my Jets hat that I had left at Rebel bar weeks earlier. Then we headed down 90-E to 65-S for 3.5 hours of driving to Indianapolis. I did not plan to stop at all during that entire trip. As we approached Lafayette, Jerome mentioned he wanted to try Chik-Fil-A for grub. I wasn't sure how to take it, maybe I was a little disappointed. I wanted to try Shapiro's deli in Indy and their peppered beef deli sandwich I saw on the Food Network. But certainly we could do worse than Chik-Fil-A, so I agreed. I wolfed down a spicy deluxe with extra pickles and waffle fries, though it took 10 minutes to get my food! Maybe it was my Nick Mangold jersey and they decided to screw with me...
We got to downtown and the temperature was around 27 degrees, so we ruled out outdoor tailgating. For 20 bucks, we parked on Meridian St, two blocks east of the stadium and walked to Claddagh, the same Irish pub I have 15 minutes from my house. When we walked inside, were a little surprised to find 50 Jets fans already partying and drinking. Now it was only 2:30, about six hours before kickoff!
We manged to find a little room and started chatting with folks. I met a guy named Jason and imagine my surprise when he told me he lives in west Aurora. When I told him I lived 20 minutes away, we both stared at each other as if to say "We live this close together and we met in Indy of all places?" I met a group of 7 or 8 people from Long Island. I met a really cool and funny girl named Robin. One older guy tried to set me up with a Chicago girl from that group named Christine. Despite the Jets apparel she was wearing, apparently, she's also a Cowboys and Cubs fan. I couldn't quite grasp that combination of three teams. I even recognized a few people from last year's tailgate like Al, who looks like Steve Somers after a weekend of heavy drinking. I met another couple where the husband is a Jets fan and the wife is a Colts fan. A guy named Adam Ramirez brought me a Fat Tire beer to accompany the Smithwick's and three Bass's I had already poured down my throat.
Jerome actually mentioned how he noticed how so many Jets fans had made their presence felt in the town and had basically taken the bar over. Said he was impressed with us. I know he would not say that just to say it, he would not BS me, so I was pretty proud of that and proud of my fellow Jets fans. He took off around 6 for the stadium. I kept chatting with a lot of guys and we screamed "J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets" at least a dozen times. I think I was already hoarse by the time I left Claddagh around 7.
With five beers in me, and not sure which way to walk, I followed the crowds and somehow stumbled to the stadium. I found my spot in the 15th row of section 632, in the southeast corner. The stadium was showing the final moments of the Seahawks victory over the Saints and the Colts fans' applause was quite loud when Seattle secured the upset. Guess they are still a little upset about the last Super Bowl, I can certainly understand that. Rex Ryan came out ahead of the Jets players and he was booed rather loudly as he rumbled across the field towards the Jets sideline.
I would describe my honest feeling going in to this game as a mixture of excitement, hope, and nervousness, with a touch of dread. I knew the Jets could give the banged up Colts a better game than they did last year. And the passing attack is far better than it was with the addition of Santonio Holmes. But with the Jets defense not playing not as well as it used to, that kept me feeling cautious.
The first half went pretty slow. The first eight possessions were all punts. I was more than fine with a low scoring game, except I knew how quickly the Colts could strike and I knew the Jets would have to get going at some point. Mark Sanchez was overthrowing most of his receivers and I was not feeling good about him at all.
Then with 5:30 left in the half, Peyton Manning finds Pierre Garcon crossing over the middle of the field, and hits him in stride for a 57 yard TD. 7-0. Was uneasy, but I knew the Jets were getting the ball to start the second half, so I was just hoping for a score before halftime. And they drove the field well as Santonio Holmes caught two passes for 29 yards. But three straight times, Sanchez overthrew Dustin Keller, the last one getting intercepted.
When the first half concluded, I headed to the outside concourse and called Amy. I wasn't thrilled, but I knew the game wasn't over. More than anything, I was frustrated with the Jet offense's inability to get anything going. Bless her heart, she calmed me down a little, but I decided to stay in the concourse and watch the game from there instead of from my seat. Going into third quarter, I was happy to be within a score, but I knew the Jets could not afford to fall much farther behind. They had to make a statement on their opening drive and that's exactly what they did. Antonio Cromartie with a 40 yard kick return. Ten plays, 63 yards, 5 minutes, finished off by a LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard TD run. 7-7. The Colts come right back with nine plays that lead to an Adam Vinateri field goal, and the Colts led 10-7. But I noticed that the Jets seems to be playing more and more physical. I think everyone in the stadium knew the Colts would not pull away late like last year. This would be a struggle.
And then the Jets began the ultimate drive of the game. 17 plays over 10 minutes, capped off by Tomlinson's second 1-yard score. With ten minutes left, the Jets led by 4. Using their bend-don't break-defense, the Jets allowed two 3rd down conversions, before finally getting a stop on their 14. Vinatieri came in for a chip shot field goal and the score was 14-13 Jets.
So with 4:37, the Jets needed two first downs for the win. Two Shonn Greene runs set up 3rd and 5. On that play, Mark Sanchez rolled to his right and found Holmes all alone and he dropped the ball. That was a huge blow to me. A great opportunity that had been wasted. So Steve Weatherford punts, but after he kicked the ball away, one of the Colts players ran into him and basically throws him to the ground. Roughing the kicker, automatic first down for the Jets. I was floored. Two runs set up another 3rd and 5. From their own 35, Sanchez unleashes a bomb down the right sideline. Braylon Edwards had a step on the DB, but the ball was overthrown. A lot of people hated that play call. It was a great chance to put the game away, it just didn't work. So I will not blame Schotty for the call, because it should have worked and it almost did.
I went back up the stairs to my seat and got my jacket. With 2:36 and from their own 20, Manning goes to work. He finds Jacob Tamme on two straight plays for a pair of first downs. I headed back downstairs, I was feeling unlucky standing there. So it was back to the concourse. A 12-yard pass to Blair White put the ball in field goal range. Up 1 point and with that kicker, I am feeling very queasy by now. But the defense did hold up and that set up a 50-yard field goal attempt with just one minute on the clock. He drilled it and it probably would have been good from 70 yards. 16-14 Colts.
When Vinatieri made the kick, I was upset. But I honestly felt if the Jets could get a good kick return, they could win. They were driving the ball very effectively in the second half and they had all their timeouts. Cromartie takes the ball from the end zone all the way out to the 46. So basically, the Jets needed to pick up 20 or so yards over 45 seconds for a reasonable attempt, albeit from a somewhat unreliable kicker in Nick Folk. Braylon Edwards caught a 9 yard pass over the middle, and Holmes caught another one near the sideline for an 11 yard gain, putting the Jets on the Indy 34. Tomlinson ran for two and Indy inexplicably calls their final timeout with 29 seconds left. Even Peyton Manning was shown on the sideline looking completely baffled with his hands up in the air. The next play shows why Rex Ryan is so different than Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini, Rich Kotite, Al Groh, etc. and so many other Jets coaches who couldn't get the job done well enough. He not only coaches to win, he knows when to take a chance. Sanchez throws deep and Braylon Edwards makes a tumbling sideline catch for 18 yards.
The Jets let the clock run to three seconds and take their final timeout. And in comes Nick Folk. This kicker has taken a lot of abuse from Jets fans who never wanted to lose Jay Feely. I felt differently. I liked Feely, but I never got over those two missed field goal in Indy last year. Especially the second one, which propelled the Colts TD drive late in the first half from which the Jets never recovered. I held hands with two other Jets fans. The snap from Ton Purdum was good, Weatherford held the ball in place. And Folk drilled the ball right in between the uprights as the clock read 0:00. The Jets had won 17-16.
I jumped and screamed, with some restraint, and extended my arms out like wings and "flew" through the concourse just like Holmes does when he scores. I ran up to every person wearing green I could find and hugged them. That game was so exhilarating and that much more so, considering last year's disappointment. I even took pictures of people with the field and scoreboard in the background. But this was probably the most obnoxious that I got. I looked around me and saw the "All In" signs that the Colts fans had been waving the whole game. So several times I screamed "All in is now All OVAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Jerome and I decided to wait a while before leaving to let the traffic dissipate a little. We went back to Claddagh, which by now, was twice as busy as it had been when we left. There were about 20 of us trying to fight our way inside at the same time. Together, we started chanting "ALL IN, ALL IN, ALL IN!" I was surprised to see a lot of Colts fans inside, even more than there were before the game. We each had a beer (I threw in a 5-hour energy) and took off around midnight.
We drove four hours, stopping just once for gasoline and a Dasani. I dropped Jerome off on the west side around 2:20 am. I pushed on, stumbled through the front door off my home in St. Charles at 3:15 am and passed out in bed wearing my long johns and my green Play like a Jet! t-shirt. Nothing could have been more appropriate.
I have to admit that even on Tuesday morning, when I was buying the tickets for Saturday night's AFC wild card game between the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, it felt weird. The memories of last year's disappointing defeat in the championship game still stung in my noggin. But when Jerome offered to go with me and split expenses, I thought it seemed like a good idea.
After hearing Joe and Evan's opening monologue on WFAN, I left home at 9:20 and hit no traffic on my hour-long journey to Chicago. I picked Jerome up at the Wellington subway stop and drove around the corner to Oakdale St to Carl's apartment to retrieve my Jets hat that I had left at Rebel bar weeks earlier. Then we headed down 90-E to 65-S for 3.5 hours of driving to Indianapolis. I did not plan to stop at all during that entire trip. As we approached Lafayette, Jerome mentioned he wanted to try Chik-Fil-A for grub. I wasn't sure how to take it, maybe I was a little disappointed. I wanted to try Shapiro's deli in Indy and their peppered beef deli sandwich I saw on the Food Network. But certainly we could do worse than Chik-Fil-A, so I agreed. I wolfed down a spicy deluxe with extra pickles and waffle fries, though it took 10 minutes to get my food! Maybe it was my Nick Mangold jersey and they decided to screw with me...
We got to downtown and the temperature was around 27 degrees, so we ruled out outdoor tailgating. For 20 bucks, we parked on Meridian St, two blocks east of the stadium and walked to Claddagh, the same Irish pub I have 15 minutes from my house. When we walked inside, were a little surprised to find 50 Jets fans already partying and drinking. Now it was only 2:30, about six hours before kickoff!
We manged to find a little room and started chatting with folks. I met a guy named Jason and imagine my surprise when he told me he lives in west Aurora. When I told him I lived 20 minutes away, we both stared at each other as if to say "We live this close together and we met in Indy of all places?" I met a group of 7 or 8 people from Long Island. I met a really cool and funny girl named Robin. One older guy tried to set me up with a Chicago girl from that group named Christine. Despite the Jets apparel she was wearing, apparently, she's also a Cowboys and Cubs fan. I couldn't quite grasp that combination of three teams. I even recognized a few people from last year's tailgate like Al, who looks like Steve Somers after a weekend of heavy drinking. I met another couple where the husband is a Jets fan and the wife is a Colts fan. A guy named Adam Ramirez brought me a Fat Tire beer to accompany the Smithwick's and three Bass's I had already poured down my throat.
Jerome actually mentioned how he noticed how so many Jets fans had made their presence felt in the town and had basically taken the bar over. Said he was impressed with us. I know he would not say that just to say it, he would not BS me, so I was pretty proud of that and proud of my fellow Jets fans. He took off around 6 for the stadium. I kept chatting with a lot of guys and we screamed "J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets" at least a dozen times. I think I was already hoarse by the time I left Claddagh around 7.
With five beers in me, and not sure which way to walk, I followed the crowds and somehow stumbled to the stadium. I found my spot in the 15th row of section 632, in the southeast corner. The stadium was showing the final moments of the Seahawks victory over the Saints and the Colts fans' applause was quite loud when Seattle secured the upset. Guess they are still a little upset about the last Super Bowl, I can certainly understand that. Rex Ryan came out ahead of the Jets players and he was booed rather loudly as he rumbled across the field towards the Jets sideline.
I would describe my honest feeling going in to this game as a mixture of excitement, hope, and nervousness, with a touch of dread. I knew the Jets could give the banged up Colts a better game than they did last year. And the passing attack is far better than it was with the addition of Santonio Holmes. But with the Jets defense not playing not as well as it used to, that kept me feeling cautious.
The first half went pretty slow. The first eight possessions were all punts. I was more than fine with a low scoring game, except I knew how quickly the Colts could strike and I knew the Jets would have to get going at some point. Mark Sanchez was overthrowing most of his receivers and I was not feeling good about him at all.
Then with 5:30 left in the half, Peyton Manning finds Pierre Garcon crossing over the middle of the field, and hits him in stride for a 57 yard TD. 7-0. Was uneasy, but I knew the Jets were getting the ball to start the second half, so I was just hoping for a score before halftime. And they drove the field well as Santonio Holmes caught two passes for 29 yards. But three straight times, Sanchez overthrew Dustin Keller, the last one getting intercepted.
When the first half concluded, I headed to the outside concourse and called Amy. I wasn't thrilled, but I knew the game wasn't over. More than anything, I was frustrated with the Jet offense's inability to get anything going. Bless her heart, she calmed me down a little, but I decided to stay in the concourse and watch the game from there instead of from my seat. Going into third quarter, I was happy to be within a score, but I knew the Jets could not afford to fall much farther behind. They had to make a statement on their opening drive and that's exactly what they did. Antonio Cromartie with a 40 yard kick return. Ten plays, 63 yards, 5 minutes, finished off by a LaDainian Tomlinson 1-yard TD run. 7-7. The Colts come right back with nine plays that lead to an Adam Vinateri field goal, and the Colts led 10-7. But I noticed that the Jets seems to be playing more and more physical. I think everyone in the stadium knew the Colts would not pull away late like last year. This would be a struggle.
And then the Jets began the ultimate drive of the game. 17 plays over 10 minutes, capped off by Tomlinson's second 1-yard score. With ten minutes left, the Jets led by 4. Using their bend-don't break-defense, the Jets allowed two 3rd down conversions, before finally getting a stop on their 14. Vinatieri came in for a chip shot field goal and the score was 14-13 Jets.
So with 4:37, the Jets needed two first downs for the win. Two Shonn Greene runs set up 3rd and 5. On that play, Mark Sanchez rolled to his right and found Holmes all alone and he dropped the ball. That was a huge blow to me. A great opportunity that had been wasted. So Steve Weatherford punts, but after he kicked the ball away, one of the Colts players ran into him and basically throws him to the ground. Roughing the kicker, automatic first down for the Jets. I was floored. Two runs set up another 3rd and 5. From their own 35, Sanchez unleashes a bomb down the right sideline. Braylon Edwards had a step on the DB, but the ball was overthrown. A lot of people hated that play call. It was a great chance to put the game away, it just didn't work. So I will not blame Schotty for the call, because it should have worked and it almost did.
I went back up the stairs to my seat and got my jacket. With 2:36 and from their own 20, Manning goes to work. He finds Jacob Tamme on two straight plays for a pair of first downs. I headed back downstairs, I was feeling unlucky standing there. So it was back to the concourse. A 12-yard pass to Blair White put the ball in field goal range. Up 1 point and with that kicker, I am feeling very queasy by now. But the defense did hold up and that set up a 50-yard field goal attempt with just one minute on the clock. He drilled it and it probably would have been good from 70 yards. 16-14 Colts.
When Vinatieri made the kick, I was upset. But I honestly felt if the Jets could get a good kick return, they could win. They were driving the ball very effectively in the second half and they had all their timeouts. Cromartie takes the ball from the end zone all the way out to the 46. So basically, the Jets needed to pick up 20 or so yards over 45 seconds for a reasonable attempt, albeit from a somewhat unreliable kicker in Nick Folk. Braylon Edwards caught a 9 yard pass over the middle, and Holmes caught another one near the sideline for an 11 yard gain, putting the Jets on the Indy 34. Tomlinson ran for two and Indy inexplicably calls their final timeout with 29 seconds left. Even Peyton Manning was shown on the sideline looking completely baffled with his hands up in the air. The next play shows why Rex Ryan is so different than Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini, Rich Kotite, Al Groh, etc. and so many other Jets coaches who couldn't get the job done well enough. He not only coaches to win, he knows when to take a chance. Sanchez throws deep and Braylon Edwards makes a tumbling sideline catch for 18 yards.
The Jets let the clock run to three seconds and take their final timeout. And in comes Nick Folk. This kicker has taken a lot of abuse from Jets fans who never wanted to lose Jay Feely. I felt differently. I liked Feely, but I never got over those two missed field goal in Indy last year. Especially the second one, which propelled the Colts TD drive late in the first half from which the Jets never recovered. I held hands with two other Jets fans. The snap from Ton Purdum was good, Weatherford held the ball in place. And Folk drilled the ball right in between the uprights as the clock read 0:00. The Jets had won 17-16.
I jumped and screamed, with some restraint, and extended my arms out like wings and "flew" through the concourse just like Holmes does when he scores. I ran up to every person wearing green I could find and hugged them. That game was so exhilarating and that much more so, considering last year's disappointment. I even took pictures of people with the field and scoreboard in the background. But this was probably the most obnoxious that I got. I looked around me and saw the "All In" signs that the Colts fans had been waving the whole game. So several times I screamed "All in is now All OVAHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Jerome and I decided to wait a while before leaving to let the traffic dissipate a little. We went back to Claddagh, which by now, was twice as busy as it had been when we left. There were about 20 of us trying to fight our way inside at the same time. Together, we started chanting "ALL IN, ALL IN, ALL IN!" I was surprised to see a lot of Colts fans inside, even more than there were before the game. We each had a beer (I threw in a 5-hour energy) and took off around midnight.
We drove four hours, stopping just once for gasoline and a Dasani. I dropped Jerome off on the west side around 2:20 am. I pushed on, stumbled through the front door off my home in St. Charles at 3:15 am and passed out in bed wearing my long johns and my green Play like a Jet! t-shirt. Nothing could have been more appropriate.
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