Weekly Jets Blog: Week 3

Another week, another clutch performance by the best defense in the NFL. Rex Ryan’s hard-hitting D bailed the Jets out of a rain-soaked battle with the Tennessee Titans. But the Titans still won. The New York Titans that is. The teams honored the 50th anniversary of the AFL by wearing throwback jerseys from the early 60s, the Jets wearing the old Titans mustard yellow and blue, and the Titans donning the old Houston Oilers jerseys. The “light” rain was obviously a factor as there were 6 turnovers in the game, 4 going in the Jets’ favor. Mark Sanchez didn’t really respond that well to the weather, having two fumbles, one of which was a turnover, along with a few balls that just slipped out of his hands. His counterpart Kerry Collins, a member of the newer Titans, had his moments, but his receivers dropped a lot of catchable balls, and he was also picked off twice. This victory puts the Jets at 3-0, which no one thought would happen, and put the Titans from Tennessee at 0-3, which is shocking seeing that they started last season 10-0 and finished 13-3. Interestingly enough, the Jets were the team to hand Tennessee their first loss last year.
The Titans couldn’t return the favor to the still unbeaten Jets, who have 3 impressive wins over quality offenses. Behind star cornerback Darrelle Revis, Gang Green has shut down 2 of the best wide receivers in the game in Andre Johnson and Randy Moss, one of the best quarterbacks in Tom Brady, and a great running back in Steve Slaton. This week, they couldn’t really handle Chris Johnson, as he ran for 97 yards. But the more discouraging thing was the fact that the Jets’ defense gave up their first TD of the season, and ended up giving up 17 to Tennessee by the end. The Jets dominated the first quarter, scoring on their first drive of the game. Sanchez drove down the field decisively and efficiently, finishing off the drive with a risking 14-yard TD run. The Jets got the ball right back when Ryan Mouton fumbled during the kickoff return. The Jets marched down and took a 14-0 on a great fake to Jones which left Ben Hartsock wide open in the end zone for the TD pass. The Titans proceeded to control the rest of the half and the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Tennessee scored 17 consecutive points as the Jets offense couldn’t get any sort of run game going and couldn’t get any first downs.
The defense was revamped after losing its lead and the crowd became a huge factor for the Jets at home behind Fireman Ed’s chant of “J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets.” David Harris was the star defensively with 5 tackles, a sack, and an interception, and Kris Jenkins stuffed the quick Johnson on a number of occasions. Bart Scott had 9 tackles to led Gang Green. The Jets offense finally got on the ball after another Mouton fumble on special teams. Sanchez found Jerricho Cotchery in the end zone to give the Jets the lead after starting the drive at the Titan 23-yard line. Cotchery finished the game with 8 catches for 108 yards, and was the only receiver in the game with more than 60 yards receiving. Sanchez finished with 171 yards, 2 TDs, and one interception, but more importantly became the first rookie QB to lead his team to a 3-0 start in NFL history.
With a 21-17 lead, the Jets D continued to dominate, sending the potent Titans offense off the field after going 3-and-out several times. After a 46-yard completion to Cotchery, Jay Feely hit a 30-yard field goal to give the Jets a 24-17 lead with 11:36 left in the game. Being a Jets fan for years, you expect the worst, and realize that the Titans are more than capable of driving down and tying the score. Not on this day. Gang Green’s defense held firm and shut down the modern-day Titans. When it appeared as if the Titans had a good drive going after two 11-yard runs, David Harris picked off Collins at the 29-yard line with 4:22 to go. But the Jets offense couldn’t deliver again, going 3-and-out once more. The Titans had another chance, but Harris came up huge again with a sack of Collins just before the 2-minute warning. Collins would proceed to throw 2 incomplete passes and the Jets took a few knees to kill the clock and finish off the heart-stopper.
The heart of the struggles of the Jets offense was the running game. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington were largely ineffective. Rookie Shonn Greene, who won the Doak Walker Award for being the nation’s top running back as a senior at Iowa last season, has been hurt often and hasn’t played a down yet in the season. Rex Ryan may have to incorporate him in later in the season if Jones and Washington continue to struggle.
That superb and clutch Jets’ defense will have yet another huge challenge when they go up against the NFL’s top QB in Drew Brees and the Saints next week. Hopefully Sanchez and the offense can give the defense a little more breathing room as the Jets have to prepare for another formidable foe. There doesn’t seem to be too many free-bees on the Jets’ schedule, but hey, to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets!!!

NCAA Football Week 4 Matchup of the Week

No. 9 Miami @ No. 11 Virginia Tech: This ACC clash has huge national implications. Behind Heisman Trophy candidate QB Jacory Harris, Miami (2-0) has beaten No. 18 Florida State and No. 14 Georgia Tech. A matchup against No. 10 Oklahoma next week will be their 4th straight game against a Top 20 program. Virginia Tech (2-1) has beaten Marshall and No.19 Nebraska after a tough loss to No. 5 Alabama. They are led by their own Heisman Trophy candidate QB in Tyrod Taylor, who shut up his critics last week in the Hokies’ impressive win over Nebraska. This matchup could also have a huge impact on the rest of the ACC. The winner will temporarily pull ahead of the rest of a strong pack, including No.18 Florida State, No.22 North Carolina, and barely unranked Georgia Tech. Miami can finally turn their program back into the national title contender it was at the beginning of this decade, but Virginia Tech is dangerous. If they can get an early lead, their defense can shut you down the rest of the game. I think Harris and the Hurricanes’ defense will step up today, get the big conference win, and take another step towards returning their school to glory.

Weekly Jets Blog: Week 2

Gang Green lived up to the hype. After a week of bragging to the media that the Jets would beat the rival Patriots, Rex Ryan and the Jets actually pulled it off. Mark Sanchez threw a touchdown pass to Dustin Keller in the 2nd half, which was the only TD in the game, to lead the Jets to a 16-9 victory over the Pats. This win was Gang Green’s first against the Patriots in the Meadowlands since 2000. Coach Rex Ryan had done plenty to amp up this rivalry by saying he wasn’t going to kiss Pats coach Bill Belichick’s rings, and by calling Jets’ season ticket holders and asking them to make a lot of noise in order to make things harder for Pats QB Tom Brady. Brady struggled, throwing for 216 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception by Darrelle Revis. The Jets defense still hasn’t given up a touchdown this season, but they have big challenges in Tennesse and New Orleans in the next two upcoming weeks. Both teams are very capable when it comes to offensive categories. Nevertheless, the Jets defense hasn’t shown any signs of being afraid or intimidated, especially after facing and shutting down one of the game’s best QBs in Brady. Besides the Sanchez TD pass, the only other scores were three field goals by New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski, and three field goals by New York kicker Jay Feely. Mark Sanchez has shown signs of greatness in his short time with the Jets, despite some rough spots. On the first play of the game for the Jets offensively, Sanchez was sacked and fumbled the football. He came back in the 2nd half, regained his composure, and led the Jets on that TD drive that proved to be the deciding points in the game. Sanchez has lived up to the hype while shutting up his critics, and has shown very good form and decision making so far this season. Rex Ryan’s new swagger and identity for the Jets seems to be paying off, but they’ll have many more challenges ahead of them, included a rematch with Brady and the Pats Week 8 in Foxboro. Maybe this upstart new coach, stellar and precocious rookie quarterback, and this grinding defense can lead the Jets to their first playoff appearance since 2007, where they were eliminated by the Patriots. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!!!

NCAA Football Week 3 Matchup of the Week

Texas Tech @ No. 2 Texas: This matchup is between two huge conference rivals with something to prove. Texas Tech came into this season without their star quarterback Graham Harrell (graduation) and their superstar wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who was drafted 10th overall in the NFL Draft. QB Taylor Potts and the Red Raiders easily beat down on pathetic opponents in their first two weeks, so they still need to prove that they can beat a legitimate opponent before they can get into the Top 25. The 2nd- ranked Longhorns from Austin are more than legitimate. Led by Heisman Trophy contender Colt McCoy (QB) and his roommate in wide receiver Jordan Shipley, Texas has beaten their first two opponents by an average of 35 points, which was the same average by which Texas Tech beat their first two opponents. Texas also has a lot to prove. Texas Tech spoiled the Longhorns BCS hopes with a huge upset in Lubbock on a last second TD pass to Crabtree. McCoy and the Longhorns return with just as good or maybe a better team this year. A key factor may be location. This time Texas gets the Red Raiders at home. McCoy, coach Mack Brown, and thousands of Longhorns’ fans have not forgotten last year’s last second humiliation. I say Texas gets their revenge in convincing fashion. But I’m not ruling out an upset. If the Red Raiders’ defense, led by 6’ 7” tattoo-covered Brandon Carter, can give Colt and company a hard time, maybe Potts can lead the Red Raiders to a huge upset, an upset much larger than last year’s.

Weekly Jets Blog: Week 1

The New York Jets started the regular season against the Houston Texans this weekend. The Texans were predicted by many to have a breakout year and reach the playoffs this season. They are led by last season’s number 1 receiver in the NFL, Andre Johnson, as well as the number 2 running back in the AFC, Steve Slaton. QB Matt Schaub has shown signs of a great quarterback, but is injured every season and misses significant time. A sign of his success was 6 game winning streak at home coming into this home opener with the Jets. The main story was Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez, who made his rookie debut as the Jets QB. The big question was whether or not Sanchez could show good poise, presence, and swagger in his first NFL game.
Sanchez certainly did that and more, showing his confidence while leading the Jets to a 24-7 win over favored Houston on the road. Sanchez overcame his first game jitters as Jets coach Rex Ryan won his debut as a member of Gang Green. Sanchez finished his fine debut performance by going 18-31, while throwing 272 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception. Thomas Jones bounced back after a rough first half, only 1 rushing yard, to finish with 107 on the night, highlighted by 2 touchdowns. The Jets receiving corps had a grand day, headed by tight end Dustin Keller (94 receiving yards) and Jerricho Cotchery (90 receiving yards). The factor that won the game for the Jets, however, was their merciless defense. Lito Sheppard had a huge interception to seal the victory in the 4th quarter and David Harris ended a monster day with 11 tackles and a sack. Kris Jenkins applied lots of pressure on Schaub and the Jets forced Slaton to fumble the ball after the Texans had been driving well. Jamaal Westerman also had a sack on a night when the Texans couldn’t sack Sanchez. Gang Green was constantly putting pressure on Schaub and the defense didn’t give up a single point to the Texans’ offense. New York shut down the explosive Slaton and Johnson, holding Slaton to 17 rushing yards and Johnson to 35 receiving yards. The one time the Texans did score was on a very bizarre play. John Busing had picked off a pass from Sanchez and was being brought down after a small return when the Jets stripped the ball away from him. However, instead of the Jets picking up the ball, Dominique Barber recovered for Houston and ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.
One of the keys to the success of Sanchez was his ability to execute on 3rd down. The Jets were 10-18 on third down conversions compared to the 3-10 mark for Houston. Sanchez and the Jets also converted on 4th down, going 2 for 2 on 4th down conversions. Sanchez’ day was highlighted by his first TD pass, a 30-yard strike to Chansi Stuckey in the 2nd quarter. After taking a knee to run out the rest of the clock in the 4th quarter, Sanchez jumped around, happier than a little kid after his first win in peewee football. Mark Sanchez got to keep the game ball, which he obviously deserved. Sanchez not showed that he could have poise and presence in a tough game on the road, he showed that he had the swagger and confidence of a winning quarterback. Many Jets fans probably remember another young Jets QB with swagger and confidence. That confident young QB won the Jets only Super Bowl title. We don’t know if Mark Sanchez can ever become anything near Joe Namath, but we do know this. Sanchez is here to win. The days of the Jets being a laughing are well over. This team is re-shaped with some new great talent along with a lot of experience from veterans. Sanchez may not win the Super bowl in his forst year, but with the teammates he’s got around him, a spot in the playoffs is certainly not out of the question. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!!!

NCAA Football Week 2 Matchup of the Week

No. 3 Southern California @ No. 8 Ohio State: These two perennial powerhouses are back for a huge showdown in Week 2. USC blew out San Jose State 56-3 in their season opener last week. But more important than the outcome was the grand debut performance of freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who threw for 233 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. Coach Pete Carroll as well as all other Trojan followers hope that Barkley can achieve greatness and success, success enough to add him to the long list of great USC QBs this decade, including Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, John David Booty, and Mark Sanchez. His lack of experience may hurt USC when they play they vicious defense of Ohio State. The Buckeyes are led by a young quarterback of their own, sophomore Terrelle Pryor. In his second year, Pryor is trying to prove his leadership and passing ability to critics, even though he’s already shown his grand running ability. Ohio State barely squeaked by Navy 31-27 in their opener. The bad part for OSU is the fact that USC’s defense is much faster and stronger than the one at Navy. Ohio State struggles in big non-conference games, having lost their last four games against ranked non-conference opponents. One advantage for Ohio State could be vengeance and motivation. Buckeye players and fans still remember the 35-3 beat down given to them by the Trojans last season. It will all come down to which young quarterback can show poise and leadership against a tough defense. I like USC in this one. Coach Carroll obviously knows a good QB when he sees one, and I don’t see Ohio State ending their big game struggles anytime soon. If you have trouble putting away Navy, you’re in for a long game against USC.

NCAA Football Matchups of the Week: Week 1

No. 5 Alabama @ No. 7 Virginia Tech: This early matchup of Top 10 teams is extremely intriguing. The Crimson Tide from Alabama and the Hokies from Virginia Tech have two of the top defenses in the country. Leading Alabama’s star defense is monster nose tackle Terrance “Mount” Cody, who can easily blow through any offensive line and who has slimmed down to 354 pounds (he used to be 380). The Tide did lose star quarterback John Parker Wilson and dominant tackle Andre Smith on offense. Greg McElroy will take over in his first year at quarterback and will have to deal with playing against the tremendous and intimidating defenses of the SEC all year. For the Hokies to succeed against that brutal defense, QB Tyrod Taylor must excel and put their defense in a good position to win. Alabama needs to win big games like this because every lose they suffer could not only hurt their chances against No. 8 Mississippi and No.11 LSU in the race for the SEC West title, but could also put them out of a chance to go to the national title game now that so non-BCS schools are getting more recognition. A victory would mean a lot not just for the Hokies who are part of a much tougher ACC Coastal Division, but for the ACC itself, who thinks they deserve a better reputation among the other main BCS conferences as well as better representation in the BCS bowl games. Alabama wins to prove the SEC’s dominance over the ACC.

No. 13 Georgia @ No. 9 Oklahoma State: Despite losing star quarterback Matt Stafford and star running back Knoshown Moreno, the No. 13 Bulldogs may have a productive offense with QB Joe Cox and star wide receiver A.J. Green. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs, like most other teams in the SEC, will pride themselves on defense. Oklahoma State returns an offense prolific enough to challenge the Georgia defense. Senior quarterback Zac Robinson is expected to have a breakout year after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Cowboys also return juniors Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter. Bryant is easily the best wide receiver in college football, but he seems to struggle a bit when the games mean more. Hunter is one of the nation’s top running backs and should put up another season with great numbers in the defense-lacking Big 12. Speaking of Big 12 defense, Oklahoma State’s D had been horrendous over the past few years, but that might change this season with new defensive coordinator Bill Young and a more aggressive approach. If that Cowboy’s defense can hold Cox and the Bulldogs to a reasonable score, and if Hunter and Byrant can step up to help Robinson, Oklahoma State could pick up a huge non-conference win. Oklahoma State will top this SEC power, especially with the knowledge of what an early loss does to a team that has to compete in the same division of a conference as Texas and Oklahoma.