Have the NY Jets Reached the Rich Kotite Moment?

I have read in the New York papers and at other internet sport sites that Rex Ryan maybe on his way out as the Jets head coach. This will be a good thing. I like many life long Jets fans were so elated when Woody Johnson hired the boisterous coach.

The Jets went to the playoffs, Mark Sanchez was Ryan's "boy" to groom to be the New York version of "Tommy Boy" and life was grand. Then things went south quickly. The Jets finish 8-8 and out of the playoffs in 2011 and then the Jets brain trust thought they needed Peyton Manning and pursue the HOF QB, only to be rejected and in doing so, damaged the fragile Sanchez. To make matters worse, the Jets hired Tim Tebow and all his hype, further damaging the fractured psyche of their young quarter back.

The Jets are at a crossroads and Sanchez and the QB situation is just one reason for the failure of the Jets. There are holes and gaps in every area of the team, from the GM on down. The Jets will finish the season today, but in reality the season is just starting for the Jets. A new season with a different brain trust and a different cast of characters.

Lets Go Jets 

The Knicks What a Surprise

I have been following the Knicks for a long time, before it was chic. When the player's names were Komives and Bellamy, before DeBusschere, Reed, Frazier, Barnett, Bradley and Monroe were household names, I was watching the Knicks when ever they were on the road.

In those days there was no TNT or ESPN there was only WOR channel 9 in NYC and because of blackout rules home games were never shown on TV and I never had the opportunity to see the Knicks in person until
I played at the Old Garden and then the New Garden, which stands on 33st. and 7th ave during my HS basketball playing days at Saint Augustine's HS in Park Slope.

The Knicks watched us play, in a near empty MSG, prior to their own game, which was the night cap of the basketball double header. Meeting Willis Reed in the runway to the court after our game was finished is still fresh in my mind, as is seeing the MSG marquee with the names of the teams in lights on the December night.

This year's team, led by the Brooklyn born Carmelo Anthony is off to the best start since forever and they remind people of a time when the Garden would be rocking, from well before the game started, to the final horn.

Red Holzman would be proud of the current Knicks' team play and defense. The 69/70 championship is evidence of what those two concepts can do to a team, of course Holzman had a future HOF at every position and one on the bench and no bigger presence than Willis Reed. In Reed, Red had the last line of defense and on offense a player who could shoot as well from the outside as well as dominate inside. In one February game that season against the Baltimore Bullets, Reed had 36 points and astonishing 36 rebounds. During that 69/70 season Willis was selected MVP of the All Star game, the League MVP and MVP of the NBA Finals. 

Melo is this years version of Willis Reed and as the 69/70 team revolved around Reed, this years team revolves him. The supporting cast is crucial clog in the Knicks' early success. JR Smith is playing the best basketball of his career coming off the bench.

I like this team and I like Woodson and his coaching style. Today's game is a big test for the Knicks as they play the now winners of 4 in a row Lakers in La La Land. Today, maybe Knick fans get to see Amare Stoudemire who has not played one minute this season and has been rumored to be ready to play. There are many fans who are wondering what Stoudemire's role will be and will he be happy playing second fiddle to Melo.

Lets Go Knicks

Happy Christmas

I want to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.


Peace



Mike

Havoc

Havoc, that's the name of the intense pressure the Virginia Commonwealth University men's basketball team subjects their opponents to, from the opening tip off, to the final buzzer. Coach Shaka Smart has his young men running and hustling non stop creating "Havoc".

Last night's victory over long time rival Old Dominion University was evidence Coach Smart has the Rams in late season form, pressuring and harassing ODU for a 83-70 victory. VCU led by as many as 20 point against an ODU team in the mists of a 6 game losing streak. ODU made runs against the Rams, only to be repelled time after time. The Monarchs were coming off their worst home loss in school history against the other entry in the A 10, The University of Richmond 80-53.

ODU was led by DeShaun Painter's double double of 26 points (career high) and 10 boards. The VCU combination of Troy Daniels and Treveon Graham accounted for 47 of the Ram's 83 points. Daniels was lights out from beyond the arc scoring 24 points on  a school tying 8 three pointers. Graham was his usual self, aggressively driving the paint for 23 points on 7-13 shooting and 9 rebounds. Briante Weber was all over the court with 8 points, 9 boards, 10 assist and 5 steals with only 1 turnover in 31 minutes of play.

Coach Smart showed his intensity when he got into the face of a couple of players late in the game because of their careless ball handling. As well as VCU played, there were still defensive lapses and ODU out rebounded them 40- 30. What should be a concern for coach Smart is the lack of production from 7 footers Reddic and Haley a combined 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Both need to step up for the Rams to go deep in a A 10 Championship and the NCAA tournament. On the positive side, VCU had 19 assist and Coach Smart must be happy about how the Rams moved the ball around the court.

VCU's next opponent will be the University of Alabama and Coach Anthony Grant, who will be coming home to play against a Rams team he helped build. The 6-2 Tide will get a taste of Havoc.

Lets Go Rams

The Volunteers Get Their Man, Maybe

The University of Tennessee hired Butch Jones to become the head coach of their football team. Jones left the University of Cincinnati for a Tennessee program that has seen its better days. Jones will be the forth head coach in as many years and will have to have a golden tongue to convince Patterson, Hunter and Bray to stay for their senior season.

Jones who is known for a high octane offensives will have a Big East Championship to dangle in front of the offensive stars of the Volunteers and all three could use another year with an offensive coach that can show case the trio to the NFL. Hunter who is already the #1 Wideout in some NFL scout circles will be the hardest to convince to stay. Both Bray and Patterson could use another year with a top of the line offensive mind such as Jones.

Jones has been successful at both head coaching stops prior to today's Tennessee hire, first at Central Michigan and then at Cincinnati, where he was 16-4 the last two years and Big East Champions. If Jones can not convince Bray and Co to stay, the Volunteers are not just left holding the bag, there are young hungry players ready to bleed Big Orange given the chance.

Tennessee Mr. Football, Austin Sanders was headed to Nashville for the TSSAA All Star game this weekend and next week he flies out to California to participate in a national all star game representing Bradley Central HS. Ohio State has shown interest in Sanders since the Tennessee firing of Derek Dooley, but for Sanders playing for the Volunteers is a childhood dream. Sanders already bleeds Big Orange, will not be going to any school other than Tennessee. I am sure Sanders will be one of the players new head coach Jones calls to reassures about his future at the University of Tennessee.

Lets Go Vols

It's McElroy Time in NYC

The NY Jets reached deep into their bench yesterday and came out winners 7-6 over the Arizona Cardinals as Greg McElroy led Gang Green to their only score of the day. Rex Ryan finally saw enough of the inconsistent and overrated Marc Sanchez, pulled him after his third interception late in the 3rd quarter. 

McElroy, the ex Alabama QB with a National title under his belt has sat on the sidelines for most of his two years of service on the Jets. Yesterday, he was given his chance at leading the Jets and that is exactly what he did, moving the Jets to their only score with his first NFL touchdown

McElroy was 5/7 in his passing for 29 yards and a 95 QB rating compared to Sanchez who was 10/21, 97 yards and 3 INTs and 4.4 QB rating.

I have said form the beginning of the season, the best QB on the Jets was the kid from Alabama, a proven winner and leader. Rex Ryan's Jets have an outside chance to make the playoffs and Greg McElroy is the only one of the three QBs on the Jets that gives them a chance to win the last two games of the season.


Lets Go Mets

It's Sunday NFL Football Time

The NFL will be on today and fans and players will arrive at stadiums all across America. Thousands of fans will watch their favorite team, cheering and moaning throughout the afternoon and into the evening as their teams win or lose.

I do not think the Jets are on today in Tennessee, so I will be spared watching a meaningless game. Many fans and players of the Kansas City Chiefs must be feeling not only sad, they must be wondering what does the game of football really mean in light of yesterdays tragedy.

I do not know what was going on in the life of  Jovan Belcher but I do know professional football players risk permanent injury to their bodies every day they put on their pads and the pressure to succeed pushes many to use ban substances to help their chances of staying in the league. The recent reporting of retired players suffering with sever physical and mental conditions has exposed the NFL to scrutiny over the handling of older ex players. Sports are entertainment and nothing more, an escape from the realities of daily mundane life, they are not real and yet we place so much importance on players and teams winning at all cost for what a championship! It really does not mean a hill of beans.