10 Awesomely Awesome Meaningless Meaningful Jets/NFL Thoughts

Tebow's handling of the media is getting more and more scruitny lately.

– Former Patriots Linebacker and current ESPN Analyst Tedy Bruschi had some “advice” for Jets QB Tim Tebow  this past week in telling Tebow to scale back his comments to the media.  Now, I’m certain no one will confuse me for a raging Tebow fanatic or break into my house and discover a Tebow Fathead plastered on my wall but Bruschi’s comments were simply moronic and quite confusing to say the least.  Yes Tebow is the backup QB but like it or NOT he’s a polarizing figure and is one of the most popular players in the league so expecting him to regurgitate the “no comment” line at every microphone shoved in his face is simply stupid.  Tebow HASN’T said anything contrary to what Rex or Mark has said and has been a team player thus far.  Yes Tebow mentions the word “competition” in his statements from time to time but that is because reporters are asking him “how is the competition going so far?”  What’s he SUPPOSE to say? “Well there really isn’t a competition, I just like throwing balls”???  He’s a competitor and is competing for a job like EVERYONE else on this team REGARDLESS of their positions or tenure, PERIOD!

–    When Aaron Maybin first came to the Jets after the Bills released him, he was 229 pounds soaking wet.  Maybin somehow managed to make that work for him and the Jets defense as he ended up leading the team in sacks with 6 in LIMTED snaps.  So imagine the school girl crush I have on the FACT that he’s beasting up to become even more beastly.  Maybin has reportedly packed on 20 pounds thus far and is up to 250 pounds with only 3% body fat in an attempt to become more of a complete OLB for the Jets so his snaps won’t be as limited as they were last season and in turn, giving him more chances to be an impact player and yes of course to secure a long term contract seeing as though he was tendered for this upcoming season with the Jets.  There isn’t a harder more dedicated worker on this Jets defense with more to prove than Maybin.  He’s an EASY guy to root for and that’s what I’ll be doing this fall.  What about you?

Jets OLB Aaron Maybin has focused on becoming more of a COMPLETE OLB for the Jets this season.

–    Rex Ryan continued his “LATE Public Support For Mark Sanchez” tour when he stated in an interview this past week that the Jets problems last season weren’t “all Mark Sanchez’s fault” and stated that Sanchez isn’t the only YOUNG QB that “took a step back last season” and that aside from Stafford most did.  Besides the fact Ryan is repeating talking points I’ve personally been stating since the VERY end of the season, my real issue with this is of course the TIMING.  Where was this emphatic support for Sanchez when he was getting DESTROYED during the weeks following the end of the regular season? Where was this when COWARDLY unnamed “sources” aka Manish Meta’s talking HOUSE plant named Seymour, was throwing Sanchez under the bus, backing it up over his head and repeating the process for 2-3 months????

Of COURSE the Jets offensive problems were bigger than Sanchez and in fact, I’m on record stating that Sanchez played well enough for the Jets to MAKE the playoffs last season.  ALL in my head right? Well NOT exactly  ~~>  check out Sanchez’s numbers in the FIRST Patriots game and the Raiders game;

vs the Raiders Sanchez threw for 369 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int, he had 1 rushing TD and 1 rushing TD called back (a TD that would’ve tied the game at 31) after falling a centimeter short, a QBR of 96 and a 61.4 comp%. 

vs the Patriots Sanchez threw for 166 yards, 2 TDs, 0 int, 105.6 QBR with a 61.5 comp%. 

Now I absolutely LOATHE the “would’ve” “could’ve” and “should’ve” points of views and excuses but considering the blame and blatant disrespect that Sanchez has endured from the media and unnamed sources since the end of the regular season I’d say we’re WAY past tip toeing and dancing around legitimate and VALID points that support the argument that Sanchez wasn’t NEARLY as bad as SOME want to make him out to be because of his inconsistencies last season.   In Fact,  I’d say pointing out legitimate and valid pro-Sanchez arguments is MORE than fair game, it’s essentially fighting FAIR at this point.  The point is, Sanchez played well enough for the Jets to WIN those 2 AFC games and would’ve put the Jets AFC record at 8-4 and into the playoffs as the wildcard.  The Jets LOST those 2 games NOT because of “inconsistencies” or “turnovers” by way of Mark Sanchez but because the DEFENSE gave up 171 yards, 9 ypc and 2 TDs on 19 carries to Darren McFadden and 136 yards and 2 TDs to Green Ellis but more importantly, couldn’t stop Green-Ellis late in the 4^th to give Sanchez (who just drove down the field effortlessly to hit Holmes for a 20 yard td strike on the previous possession) and the suddenly hot Jet offense a chance at a score to tie.  Again, blame is to be had everywhere on this Jets team but had the Jets WON those 2 games and the Jets made the playoffs and somehow made another postseason RUN, what would we be talking about this offseason?  One can ONLY wonder.

As much as some would like it to be, there IS no QB controversy in NY.

–  Will someone tell the HACKS over at ProFootballTalk that the only QB controversy in Jets camp is between Tim Tebow and Greg McElroy?  Also can you please share with them that trying to utilize Darrelle Revis’s quotes as “PROOF” that there is a QB controversy between Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow is something HACKS would do.  Revis comments were accurate, that a stirring up of a FICTIONAL controversial competition by media HACKS WILL certainly cause a problem within the organization but the only people that want a “controversy” is the lame media HACKS that is looking for something juicy and slightly COMICAL (in a sad way) to write about.  Every respectable analyst or HOF QB that chose to SPEAK on the matter has already stated who the best overall QB on the team is and that was ignored by the HACKS.  Rex Ryan has stated publicly and emphatically that Mark Sanchez is the guy, he has never stated that Mark Sanchez is “the guy FOR NOW” you know, like he did with Wayne Hunter?  He’s boasted about Sanchez’s arm strength during OTAs and raves about how much sharper he looks.  In no WAY has Rex even HINTED at it being some sort of controversy and this FEEBLE attempt by the HACKS over at PFT to undermine Rex’s words to attempt to stir up some sort of “controversy” is LAME and it smells OLD.

–   The Dolphins signed Chad OchoCinco to a one year deal.  I’m certain this decision had NOTHING to do at ALL with Hard Knock ratings.  Personally if I were the Dolphins and was going to sign a WR that played in my division last season, I’d of went with Plaxico Burress, at least he’d of given you a very effective redzone option.  Chad doesn’t do anything special and can be taken out of games early.  I applaud the Patriots who I called for weeks ago to make the move of releasing him and giving him a chance at getting in someone’s camp I just don’t like this particular move for Chad or the Dolphins.  Dolphins signing Chad has me wondering just why in the world they traded Brandon Marshall? I truly don’t get it.

***shrugs***

– Braylon tweeted this past week that his doctors had given him a “clearance” to resume football activities. That sounds good but something tells me his injury is far more severe than he his letting on at this point.  There’s NO way, if I’m the Miami Dolphins, I sign Chad over a healthy Braylon Edwards, NONE.  That speaks volumes about Edwards’s injury imo and Jets fans should deal with the fact that Edwards shouldn’t be a Jet this season as his injury is a huge risk at this point.  I still say bring him in for a workout and let them test the knee but I’m personally NOT expecting Braylon to be a Jet this season and it may be for the best.

Jets would probably be wise to pass on Braylon.

– To suggest that TE Dustin Keller has been a VITAL part of the Jets offense since his arrival in 2008 would be an understatement.  Although I’m also one to believe he was MISSUSED and UNDERUTILIZED by former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer during that same time period as well BUT for the MOST part he’s essentially been the reliable security blanket for QB Mark Sanchez these past 3 seasons all while maturing into one of the leaders in the Jets locker room.  Keller’s 2011 numbers stack up to some of the best in the league, check it; out of 49 possible TEs, Keller was 9th in receptions with 65, 6th in yards with 815, 8th in yards per game with 50.9, 10th in first down catches with 39 and though Keller only caught 5 tds in 2011, he was targeted a team high 21.3% of the time by Sanchez, which was actually good for SECOND in the NFL behind only Saints TE Jimmy Graham and both Keller’s 2011 catches (65) and receiving yards (815) totals were team highs, so to suggest that Keller hasn’t been a vitally important component within this Jets offense the past 3 seasons would be a misguided argument to say the least.  As much as I love Keller, who is going into the final year of his rookie contract and appreciate the strides he’s made for the team, I DO believe the Jets should wait at least one more season before extending him.  The Jets have brought in Tony Sparano, a new offensive coordinator with a totally different philosophy than his predecessor, a philosophy that is predicated around the run and that requires the WRs and TEs to be able to be consistent and adequate blockers and as great a receiving TE Keller is, he’s at BEST a mediocre blocking TE and frankly we need to see how he steps up and “produce” in Sparano’s system before extending him for the long term.  It’s easy to make the case for a contract extension on behalf of Dustin Keller but the logical and wise business decision would be to take the wait and see approach with him. I for one am confident that Keller is talented enough to show the Jets management this season just how valuable he is not only to Mark Sanchez but to the entire organization.

Jets WR Chaz Schilens has impressed early on in minicamp.

–   At 6’4 225 Jets WR Chaz Schilens isn’t exactly a slouch that can easily be overlooked, forgotten or ignored but that’s exactly what we have been guilty of since Schilens was signed by the Jets back in March.  Schilens of course wasn’t exactly the big free agent name that Jets fans were looking for so it isn’t exactly hard to understand the lack of enthusiasm and excitement re his signing.  The “knock” on Schilens was that although he is talented and has the attributes to succeed, he’s injury prone.  Well, that was the “knock” on Safety Brodney Pool when the Jets signed him as a free agent 2 seasons ago yet Pool managed to not only remain healthy for the Jets but was actually a pretty solid safety during his time with the Jets. Fact is; Schilens is a big target with very solid upside.  He has quickness and is a very good route runner and depending on if he’s UP for the challenge, I see NO reason why he can’t be an adequate redzone target.  With the injury bug hitting starting WRs Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill during minicamp, I’m certainly looking forward to Schilens stepping up and showing us what he’s capable of because if he is hungry and is capable of being that redzone target that Plax was last season but better at getting opened between the 20s UNLIKE Plax, I’d say the Jets offense will be able to surprise A LOT of people this season including themselves.

– Media blast Santonio Holmes for pulling himself out of OTA’s last week.  Santonio NOW has a pulled hamstring after being pushed too hard last week.  Me thinks Santonio knew just what in the heck he was talking about/doing when he left OTAs last week and me thinks the media will try to demonize him no matter what and will at TIMES end up with EGG on their faces like that have NOW.

–  Incase you’ve YET to see my production of Mark Sanchez’s 2011 highlights…..ENJOY