Plus, the Patriot's passing game sort of neutralizes the Jets' best defensive player. I'm inclined to think that part of Manning's somewhat lackluster game was the essential lockdown on Reggie Wayne (1 yd.).
Panthers hire Ron Rivera. From a colleague at my former newspaper, who now works as a media specialist for the Chargers (he runs the official Twitter feed): Couldn't be happier with the decision. I think he'll be great, but now the focus needs to be finding a quality OC and QB coach. Lord knows The Jimmy needs all the help he can get.
Broncos hire John Fox. As a Panthers fan living in Denver, this is interesting. My prediction is the defense immediately becomes better, and Knowshon Moreno has a breakout season. Fox, however, will stick with Orton and refuse to play Tebow, despite fan clamoring. Regardless of what happens, in my opinion Fox was the best candidate remaining on the market. By far. Good choice for the Broncos, and he should be able to give that team something it's been lacking for years: an identity. EDIT: Also, Broncos fans -- I'm looking at you, Rob4Broncos and HotWheelz -- be prepared for the worst media relations in the history of coaching. John Fox is a walking emitter of cliches. D.J. Williams tweaked his ankle this week, and you want to know if he's out for a week or a season? Fat fucking chance. That sonofabitch is "day-to-day." There's keeping things close to the vest to maintain a competitive advantage, and then there's being a dick. Fox is a dick. He also loves to say, "It is what it is." My favorite two Fox-isms are "We picked a bad day to have a bad day," and "A punt is not a bad play."
It's almost a foregone conclusion that the defense will be better; how do you finish dead last and not get better somehow? I'm more interested to see how the anticipated switch back to the 4-3 will affect the play of guys like D.J. Williams and Elvis Dumervil. Poor D.J. hasn't played the same position in consecutive years since he was drafted, from what I can tell. And if Dumbervil goes back to being a DE, his contract is going to become a very questionable one. He was good at DE, but not that good. As far as Knowshon is concerned, I'm still cynical about his ability to be a feature back. Even before he was drafted, I've felt he was an undersized guy who doesn't have the breakout speed to overcome his lack of size, unlike Chris Johnson or Jamaal Charles. And fuck fan clamoring, play Orton. Fan clamoring is what got McDaniels fired when everyone was in the "win now or else" mentality. It's the same thing that got Belichick shitcanned in Cleveland. Fans (not just of Denver, but for any team) need to learn when to be patient and accept a rebuilding project when they see one. Orton is far and away the better quarterback, and with McDaniels' help, he's finally received the respect he deserves. If Fox can bring in an OC who can play to Orton's strengths, hopefully they can keep him there. In spite of the last few games of the season, Tebow isn't ready to be a starter. That being said, Orton's currently being shopped for a 2nd-round pick, and there's a lot of time between now and minicamps for a trade to be made. With all the teams out there in need of QB help (Arizona, SF, Tennessee, Washington, Carolina, etc), it's hard to imagine that none would try to bring in Orton for a 2nd- or 3rd-round pick. With his production over the last 2 years, that's a very good price for a top 15 QB. I love watching Fox's interviews. They're almost as funny as Belichick's. Maybe it's because I, too, am a dick, but I think "media relations" is a fucking useless attribute. Who cares if the press doesn't get what it wants? I think the fact that players and coaches are obligated to talk to the media, lest they get fined by the league, is stupid. I remember before mandatory fines were doled out, the Broncos O-line (Schlereth, Nalen, Neil, Lepsis, et al) had a "pact of silence," so to speak, that none of them would talk to the media. I understand that talking to the media is, by extension, talking to the fans as well, but fans like HW and I aren't obligated to know if so-and-so is going to play this week. It'd be nice, but my knowledge of Tim Tebow's ball hair fracture isn't going to speed up his recovery nor help him play any better when he returns. I think the fans and media have become spoiled thanks to the NFL's policy changes, and think they're entitled to know whatever it is the coaches know. Fuck that noise. Popularity is overrated, too. I want a coach running my beloved team, not a politician. That being said, Fox's hard-on for punting on 4th-and-1 will grate on my nerves before too long. Far too many coaches in this league need to show more stones in that situation and just run the damn ball. I can't wait until some balls-to-the-wall coach comes in and makes a name for himself by going for it on 4th-and-1 every single time with high success.
Hey man, I want to see Fox succeed. He took the Panthers to unprecedented levels. I'll always have love and respect for both him and Jake Delhomme, regardless of the past couple years. It's not like 2010 was his fault, the Panthers ownership stripped him of all his proven veteran leaders and gave him an inferior product. I'm just saying, as a fan of the team Foxy led for nine years, he WILL at some point get under your skin with his unwillingness to talk. Maybe not this year, maybe not next, but eventually, you'll get sick of his smug demeanor. The bidding war for assistants between Carolina and Denver will be interesting. The Panthers love Tyke Tolbert and Jim Skipper, but do does Fox, and Skip has been with him for years and years. Fortunately, the Broncos are similarly infatuated with Rick Dennison. I can see Ron Meeks following Foxy to the Broncos as DC. Both teams are in desperate need of talented OCs, as well, and I'm sure they'll be targeting some of the same dudes. So, for the next few weeks, Rob, go fuck yourself. Also, before you get all wet over DeAngelo Williams, I have two words for you: Franchise. Tag.
I had a dream last night it was the Bears and the Patriots in the Superbowl. I just wanted to have a written record of this for when it becomes true.: here is how it was bespoken unto thee. Packers will beat Falcons because of turnovers, the Bears will maul the Seahawks. Then the Bears will once again spank the Packers, not getting beat by Jordie Nelson twice. Steelers will beat the Ravens because Joe Flacco is that guy and Troy P. is playing, Patriots will beat the Jets because there is only one Revis Island and Cromartie talked (unless Brady goes all revenge and starts throwing at Cromartie all day, he can make big plays). Patriots will beat the Steelers well because, they beat the Steelers and their offensive line is as tough as wet toilet paper.
You know, I don't like to talk shit about how great my team is going to play or whatever, because I am a firm believer in the power of the jinx. Now, this post is coming from a Patriots fan, just as a general disclaimer. If I were a Jets fan, I would be asking myself what the fuck the coach is thinking: Yes, you guys got your asses beat 45-3. Why would you talk shit about Brady? Why would you say the game is only a chess game between you and Belichick? You're going into Foxboro with that? That's like telling Phil Jackson you're going to out-coach him. That's like telling Michael Jordan he's nothing special. What happened when Michael Jordan used to get pissed off? He'd drop 50 on the other team, and the Bulls would end up slaughtering the other team. I mean, fuck guy, you don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't get Brady riled up like that. Sometimes you just need to prep your guys and play the game.
Rex knows that they got absolutely stomped by the Pats in week 13, so by saying it's a chess match between him and Belichick, he's taking that responsibility off of the players and putting it on himself. The Jets already beat them once this season so it's not like they need any convincing that they can win on Sunday. But he's probably thinking that by saying it did and will come down to the coaches, it minimizes the feeling among the team that they were just completely outplayed in pretty much any facet of the game. After everything that's gone on this season, what would make you expect Rex to tone things down now? He's said whatever the fuck was on his mind all year and for better or worse, they've gotten this far. It's not like the Brady, Belichick and the rest of the Pats don't know that everyone on the Jets fucking hates them. Plus he called out Peyton last week (admittedly to a lesser extent) and he didn't exactly go out and light us up for 400 yards and 3 TDs.
If Rex toned it down it could be seen as backing down by some. I'm with jets22 on this one. I I can't believe I just said that and this weekend of all weekends. As for the pic I think that's hilarious but if anything Rex should be Jabba the Jet. Also, Wes Welker was pretty funny taking shots at sexy rexy's foot fetish in an earlier interview. Not that theres anything wrong with liking feet. I hear monkeys give great foot jobs. So there. LETS GO PATS!
I'm so ready for this weekend. I can't sit still. Had a friend call me to go meet up with another, which they had scheduled for 6pm tomorrow. I said no way. When she asked why I said, "It's the playoffs. I haven't been watching all season to miss even one playoff game let alone the Packers one." For fuck sake, what is wrong with people?! And she's one of those only interested in football when it's the Superbowl and they throw their annual party people. It bugs me. I hate going to SB parties at friends houses. I end up missing parts of the game because someone or worse yet their little snotball kid is between me and the TV, let alone missing the commercials because everyone decides that's a good time to get a refill or piss. I'm getting kinda angry just thinking about it and I'm not even going anywhere this year. I can't even go to the bar to watch the playoffs because I get so loud, I'd piss off all the regulars. In closing......GO PACK GO!!! I'll be home yelling and screaming at the TV with my cheesehead on. Shut up.
Guys, unless Rex Ryan is planning on strapping on some pads and playing, it isn't on the coaches. Lose by 2 because you fucked up a play call, that's on the coaches. 45 to 3 is on the players, and I'd be saying that no matter whose team was playing. If you lose by 6 touchdowns it can't be pawned off on the coaching. I'm definitely looking forward to the game and I know it won't be another 40+ point beat down.
I'm with you in that everyone on the Jets got stomped in week 13, both players and coaches. Ineffective play and ineffective coaching. What I meant to say is that Rex is taking some media pressure off of his players.
Even Mr. October agrees with me... OK, I guess I agree with him, but I posted before I read it, so fuck him:
I'm so excited for this Sunday I have two Patriots shirts I'll be wearing at the same time. Once the Pats score their first touchdown, I'm going to take the first one off to reveal another, even cooler Patriots shirt. I made sure to invite 3 Jets fans over to my Sunday party. I cannot wait. Oh and Wes Welker's interview was the best deadpan insult delivery targeted to another team. Hilarious. Not gonna lie though, Mrs. Ryan is fuckable for a puma. But since she's married to the Jets coach, it'd be a hate fuck.
Are you fucking serious? Did you not watch the KC or Arz games? Or even forget those games. Orton was the ultimate stat padder. When the game was close, he was king 3 and out. Down 17-0? Well then he was fucking Peyton Manning. He was the opposite of clutch. Was all of it his fault? No. But he never elevated the teams play like Tebow did. Or turned a broken play into a big play. And god help me if he had to scramble. It was like a retard running with a baby. In conclusion, good guy, good luck in Minnesota.
Tebow started just 3 games. THREE! Let's not wax that halo of his just yet. I want to see him go a full season under center before making proclamations about his ability to rally a team. And this was never about padding stats. Orton didn't pad shit in Chicago, but he still managed, or at least as much as a QB could with such a terrible coaching staff, O-line, and receiving corps. Playing under McDaniels simply reaffirmed what people who were paying attention already knew: Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. Not a great one, but a good one. Give him the right tools, and he'll succeed. I'll never understand how the same level of credit that's withheld from Orton is often attributed to Eli fucking Manning, in spite of Manning's love for leading his receivers into hard-hitting defenders during crossing routes. Don't even get me started on that "but he led the Giants to a Super Bowl" bullshit... And forget about scrambling. Outside of Vick and Roethlisberger, few QBs are good outside of the pocket. Maybe Jay Cutler, except...oh, right, he still sucks. Think anyone cares what Peyton looks like when he scrambles? Of course not, because he shouldn't (and usually doesn't) have to. Word is that Skipper, and several others, will be joining Fox very soon: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.milehighreport.com/2011/1/15/1936583/carolina-panthers-running-backs-coach-jim-skipper-expected-to-head" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.milehighreport.com/2011/1/15 ... ed-to-head</a> I haven't heard much on Denver's OC search, but apparently Mike McCoy will be retaining that position for the time being: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/1/14/1934559/mike-mccoy-chiefs-oc-target-expected-to-stay-with-broncos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2011/1/14 ... th-broncos</a>. Dennison is also expected to return as Houston's OC next year. You can keep Magazu, though. I'd rather not see a return of the ZB scheme.
The thing about Tebow is that, just like a lot of people predicted, he fell back into his old throwing motion once he started playing. Ask Byron Leftwich if a shitty throwing motion can hurt you in the NFL.