On this day in 1969, QB Joe Namath lead the New York Jets to an upset win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Days before, Namath gave a brash prediction to the media guaranteeing a Jets victory. It proved to be very prophetic.
That weekend my have been the biggest of Namath's life. He never won another championship, but he made his way to the Hall of Fame and into history.
His poolside press conference is often viewed as an iconic moment in pre-game talk. He was able to ride that for the rest of his life. He will forever be known for Super Bowl III. Nothing will ever top that for him.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
They Are Calling-out Mark
It's rather disheartening to see the New York Jets implode in the media. Anonymous team sources are slamming QB Mark Sanchez, calling him lazy and a poor leader. Brian Schottenheimer has left. Tony Sporano comes in as Offensive Coordinator.
Having a guy like Tom Brady has spoiled fans around here. Everything goes so well. Success is always around. It wasn't always like that here. The Pats certainly had their QB controversies. Who is best to lead the team? They all went through it; Jim Plunkett, Steve Grogan, Tony Eason, Mark Wilson, Tom Ramsey, Doug Flutie, Hugh Millen, Scott Zolak, Drew Bledsoe and finally Brady. There are others I didn't mention.
In all of my years as a fan, I never saw players slamming their QB like they are with Mark Sanchez. In the past, maybe things were done in the locker room, but the controversy about the Pats QB never got this nasty in public. This is getting crazy.
Is this how they end up with Peyton Manning?
Having a guy like Tom Brady has spoiled fans around here. Everything goes so well. Success is always around. It wasn't always like that here. The Pats certainly had their QB controversies. Who is best to lead the team? They all went through it; Jim Plunkett, Steve Grogan, Tony Eason, Mark Wilson, Tom Ramsey, Doug Flutie, Hugh Millen, Scott Zolak, Drew Bledsoe and finally Brady. There are others I didn't mention.
In all of my years as a fan, I never saw players slamming their QB like they are with Mark Sanchez. In the past, maybe things were done in the locker room, but the controversy about the Pats QB never got this nasty in public. This is getting crazy.
Is this how they end up with Peyton Manning?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Who Was That Guy Wearing #14?
Carolina Panther's QB Cam Newton broke the season record for rushing touchdowns by a QB with his total of 14. He broke the mark set by former Pats QB Steve Grogan during the 1976 season. Grogan's record stood for 35 years and was challenged by the likes of Randall Cunningham, Kordell Stewart and Michael Vick.
Newton broke the record during his rookie season. Grogan set his mark during his second year when he also rushed 60 times for 397 yards.
Newton is very typical of today's players. During an interview, he said he had no idea who held the record and was unfamiliar with Steve Grogan. So many players have no clue to the history of the game.
These guys don't realize that the players from the last few decades built the league into what it is today. They provided this generation of players with the ability to make huge amounts of money. It wasn't like that fro Grogan and his teammates back then.
Newton broke the record during his rookie season. Grogan set his mark during his second year when he also rushed 60 times for 397 yards.
Newton is very typical of today's players. During an interview, he said he had no idea who held the record and was unfamiliar with Steve Grogan. So many players have no clue to the history of the game.
These guys don't realize that the players from the last few decades built the league into what it is today. They provided this generation of players with the ability to make huge amounts of money. It wasn't like that fro Grogan and his teammates back then.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Last Week?
I think most fans were expecting the Pats to face the Steelers on Saturday night. We were all shocked when Tim Tebow pulled off his magic one more time. The way he did it in overtime was so dramatic.
Talk shows were buzzing how Tebow had written "John 3:16" on his face with his eye-black before the game. He ended up passing for 316 yards. That was rather coincidental.
The Steelers were hurt by Roethslisberger's ankle injury, but both teams had injury issues. Watching Tebow run with the ball makes me thing of two things: he has great skills and he will eventually get hurt real bad.That is one of the many reasons why "the experts" don't think he can be successful in the NFL as a QB.
The Pats beat Denver 41-23 a few weeks ago, but it doesn't mean anything now. The Pats had a very poor start to that game on both sides of the ball.
The team now has a one game season. It doesn't get better than this.
Talk shows were buzzing how Tebow had written "John 3:16" on his face with his eye-black before the game. He ended up passing for 316 yards. That was rather coincidental.
The Steelers were hurt by Roethslisberger's ankle injury, but both teams had injury issues. Watching Tebow run with the ball makes me thing of two things: he has great skills and he will eventually get hurt real bad.That is one of the many reasons why "the experts" don't think he can be successful in the NFL as a QB.
The Pats beat Denver 41-23 a few weeks ago, but it doesn't mean anything now. The Pats had a very poor start to that game on both sides of the ball.
The team now has a one game season. It doesn't get better than this.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Waiting For Tebow Time
Today's game between the Steelers and Broncos will be the biggest of Tim Tebow's career. Much has been said and written about the comebacks he has lead this year. Many say, he can never be a NFL QB because of his throwing style.
He can put those stories to rest with a win. If he loses, we will hear the same stuff all over again. There is a lot on the line for his future with this game.
I hope the Broncos win today. I would rather see them play the Pats than the Steelers.
He can put those stories to rest with a win. If he loses, we will hear the same stuff all over again. There is a lot on the line for his future with this game.
I hope the Broncos win today. I would rather see them play the Pats than the Steelers.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Final Game For Some
It's playoff time, my favorite time of the season. Every bit of preparation has come down to this game. Four teams will have their seasons ended. From the hot days of summer, we have come down to this.
For some, this will be the last game of their football career. Others will be on some other team next year. It's a chance for players to build a legacy. Who will step up big? Who will get hurt? All of this will be determined tonight and tomorrow night. There are some great match-ups. If the Bengals win, they play the Pats next Saturday night in Foxborough.
You never know how it will end.
For some, this will be the last game of their football career. Others will be on some other team next year. It's a chance for players to build a legacy. Who will step up big? Who will get hurt? All of this will be determined tonight and tomorrow night. There are some great match-ups. If the Bengals win, they play the Pats next Saturday night in Foxborough.
You never know how it will end.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Winning One For Tony
TE Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons will be trying to achieve one goal which has eluded him throughout his outstanding career when his team plays the New York Giants on Sunday. The future Hall of Famer, who holds a slew of NFL records for tight ends, has never experienced the feeling of a playoff win.
Gonzalez, 36, might have 12 Pro Bowl selections in his 15 year career, but his team has never made it past the first round.
Prior to the 2009 season, he asked the Kansas City Chiefs to trade him. His preference was to the New York Giants where he felt his chances were best to make it to the Super Bowl.
He ended up in Atlanta where he continued his stellar play. In fact, the Falcons, signed him through the 2012 season.
Gonzalez knows that the clock is ticking away. There are not many chances left to get his ring, but first his team needs to win a game.
Gonzalez, 36, might have 12 Pro Bowl selections in his 15 year career, but his team has never made it past the first round.
Prior to the 2009 season, he asked the Kansas City Chiefs to trade him. His preference was to the New York Giants where he felt his chances were best to make it to the Super Bowl.
He ended up in Atlanta where he continued his stellar play. In fact, the Falcons, signed him through the 2012 season.
Gonzalez knows that the clock is ticking away. There are not many chances left to get his ring, but first his team needs to win a game.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Making a Decision
Offensive Coordinator Bill O'Brien missed practice today because he was being interviewed for the head coaching job at Penn State. O'Brien has become a hot commodity this post-season. His sideline argument Tom Brady probably helped his standing. He is also in consideration for the job with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Most coaches aspire for the head position. About the only thing certain is that they will get fired at some point. It happened to Coach Belichick in Cleveland. It's happening now to several coaches around the league. The same coaches get recycled somewhere else
Not everyone succeeds as a head coach. Just ask Charlie Weiss, Romeo Crennal and Josh MacDaniels.
Most coaches aspire for the head position. About the only thing certain is that they will get fired at some point. It happened to Coach Belichick in Cleveland. It's happening now to several coaches around the league. The same coaches get recycled somewhere else
Not everyone succeeds as a head coach. Just ask Charlie Weiss, Romeo Crennal and Josh MacDaniels.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
LaDainian
The season ends very abruptly for many teams. It's over before you know it. We all thought the Jets would go to the Super Bowl, at least Rex Ryan was preaching that.
The Jets need to be much different team next year. The whole Santonio Holmes scenario will never go away unless they are prepared to eat his contract.
Lost in all of this is maybe the end of LaDainian Tomlinson's carer at the age of 33. Time has caught up to him. He squeezed out two more years with the Jets where they didn't expect a lot from him.
In the last game of the season, LT carried the rock to pass Jerome Bettis for 5th place on the NFL all time leading rushers. He has 145 TD's.
If it's over, he had a great career and is on his way to Canton, although he never won a championship. They might hold that against him in the first round ballot. It happens to a lot of players.
The Jets need to be much different team next year. The whole Santonio Holmes scenario will never go away unless they are prepared to eat his contract.
Lost in all of this is maybe the end of LaDainian Tomlinson's carer at the age of 33. Time has caught up to him. He squeezed out two more years with the Jets where they didn't expect a lot from him.
In the last game of the season, LT carried the rock to pass Jerome Bettis for 5th place on the NFL all time leading rushers. He has 145 TD's.
If it's over, he had a great career and is on his way to Canton, although he never won a championship. They might hold that against him in the first round ballot. It happens to a lot of players.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Forever Jason
It's too bad that the retirement of Jason Taylor went unnoticed. He played 15years in the league and never won a ring. He is the classic "boderline hall of famer" who played so well in this era, but played for lousy teams with the Miami Dolphins.
So many players talk about winning a title with a team. It doesn't happen for so many. The league is very tough to stay around and keep playing. Jason did it for 15 years. He was one of the best.
The fact that he never won a championship should not take away from his legacy, but in the end it does. Fame is defined by winning championships. Brady has done that so far, but he is getting older.
So many players talk about winning a title with a team. It doesn't happen for so many. The league is very tough to stay around and keep playing. Jason did it for 15 years. He was one of the best.
The fact that he never won a championship should not take away from his legacy, but in the end it does. Fame is defined by winning championships. Brady has done that so far, but he is getting older.
Monday, January 2, 2012
11,000+ and Counting
Offensive Linemen go through their careers with little notoriety. It's not a glamorous position, but it's very critical to the success of every team's offense.
Center Cassey Weigmann leads active OL in consecutive games started with 175. He is truly an iron man as he has not missed an offensive snap since the second game of the 2001 season. It's hard to believe that anyone could play over 11,000 snaps in the NFL without ever coming out of the game.
The 16 year veteran started on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts in 1996. He has spent time with five different teams, including two stints with Kansas City. He missed the playoffs again this year, but shows no signs of slowing down.
Center Cassey Weigmann leads active OL in consecutive games started with 175. He is truly an iron man as he has not missed an offensive snap since the second game of the 2001 season. It's hard to believe that anyone could play over 11,000 snaps in the NFL without ever coming out of the game.
The 16 year veteran started on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts in 1996. He has spent time with five different teams, including two stints with Kansas City. He missed the playoffs again this year, but shows no signs of slowing down.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Brady Owes Them
If Tom Brady reaches the 5,000 yard passing mark he will be forever grateful to his receivers who lead the league in yards after the catch (YAC).
Going into the finale, Brady has 4,897 yards of which 2,483 have come after the reception. This has often resulted in big plays and first downs. The Saints trails the Pats with 2,295 YAC.
The Pats have three receivers among the top twenty leaders with Wes Welker 1st with 736, Rob Gronkowski 2nd (644) and Aaron Hernandez 20th (431).
This statistic can never be underestimated in its importance. Coach Belichick has often cited it as being very crucial to keeping the offense on the field.
Without his three core receivers, Brady never has a chance at 5,000 yards.
Going into the finale, Brady has 4,897 yards of which 2,483 have come after the reception. This has often resulted in big plays and first downs. The Saints trails the Pats with 2,295 YAC.
The Pats have three receivers among the top twenty leaders with Wes Welker 1st with 736, Rob Gronkowski 2nd (644) and Aaron Hernandez 20th (431).
This statistic can never be underestimated in its importance. Coach Belichick has often cited it as being very crucial to keeping the offense on the field.
Without his three core receivers, Brady never has a chance at 5,000 yards.
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