Finally

Look, I'm very grateful to have a job.  It's a rough economy and they aren't as easy to come across, especially in something that you love.  With all of that said, I don't want to see anyone lose their job.

However, thank you to the New Jersey Devils organization for waking up and releasing John MacLean of his coaching duties.

I've written on here numerous times that MacLean had to go.  It was not an easy decision for Lamoriello to make.  MacLean's been with the Devils since the 1980s (minus a few years at the end of his career when he bounced around to a few other teams) but this isn't a sentimental business.  It's a business.  And the proof is in the pudding.  The team is 9-22-2.  20 points.  Last in the league.  Only 59 goals scored, last in the league.

The main question is what took so long.  Really, what took so long?  Lamoriello has fired two previous coaches within the last two-three weeks of the regular season when the team was about to WIN the division because he didn't like a change.  Those teams were set for home ice advantage in the playoffs and the coach was outed.  This coach has the team almost eliminated in December and held onto his job for that long.  Shocking.

So now what?  Jacques Lamaire comes back as the interim head coach and the Devils move on.  We play the Islanders tonight, the typical laughing stock of the NHL and now a team with the same number of points as us, and we trudge forward.  For 90 points, it would require a 35-14 record the rest of the way.  Impossible?  No, not really.  Likely, no, not really.

Just Knock It Off

And I'm not telling the Jets players, coaches, fans, or anyone else in the organization to knock it off.  I'm looking directly at the media in this country.  Get off this team's Johnson.  Seriously, back up and get off.

It's quite simple what's going on: Jealousy.  All the other NFL fans are jealous of the Jets.  And the rest of the country is jealous that we're New York.

Ok, I can hear everyone now ranting about 'why would I ever be jealous of the New York Jets?'.  Pretty simple actually.  First off, we have a coach that most NFL players want to play for.  He's boastful, confident, and proud.  And he'll tell you that, over and over and over.  He's not shy or paranoid.  He'll tell you the truth, plain and simple.  Secondly, because of all of that, the Jets have been thrust into the national spot light.  Admit it, you want your team to be there.  You want your players and logo to be flashed across the country.  The Texans, the Bengals, the Rams, the Bucs?  None of those teams are even close to the media spot light.  Another reason?  We're winning.  19 regular season wins in just under two full seasons, with a first time coach and a 24 year old quarterback, plus two playoff wins last year.

The rest of the country, outside of this tri-state area, hates New York.  We have everything.  We're everything people strive to be.  People want to come here.  We have every nationality in the world living within our quarters.  College students in the Southeast, South, West, Mid-America, everywhere... all you do is hear how they want to 'make it' in New York.  The Big Apple.  The Lime Light.  So yes, everyone that is not here, everyone who is in their own 'home' is immediately jealous of us.  We just continue to have to light shine on us and you can't handle it.

This Jets team is reminding me of the 1986 New York Mets.  Everyone hated them.  They were too arrogant.  Too cocky.  They'd go to bars after games, drink, start bar brawls, go home to pass out, show up at the stadium the next night hungover, and win!  They'd trash hotel rooms on the road.  They'd fight each other on their own plane just because there weren't strangers on the flight.  But, in the fall of 1986, they were World Series Champions!  They didn't give a damn what people though about them and neither do these Jets.

0o0o0o0 Braylon Edwards got a DUI... That's his error, but guess what, he's not the only athlete or person to get a Duie.  o0o0o0o Rex Ryan got caught giving the middle finger to people in Miami... He's a human who had just been spat on, that guy is lucky all he got was a middle finger. 0o0o0o0o0 the Jets players got caught whistling at a beat reporter... Ask any good looking woman, wearing extremely tight clothes, to work in a locker room setting and they would all expect to have a few cat calls come their way.  0o0o0o0o a coach tripped a player during the game... So what, happens more often than we think. 0o0o0o0o Rex and his wife still have fun and love each other after 22 years of marriage and taped themselves with a weird foot fetish.... why is this even a story??

Jealousy and boredom.  That's all this stems from.  People hate that the Jets are good and want to knock us as much as possible.  To all those Giants, and Patriots, and Dolphins, and all other fans who have an issue with this... suck it.  I'm going to get a god damn snack.

Near Attack

Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump.  Those were the audible sounds coming from my chest late Sunday afternoon as Big Ben was getting dangerously close to the Jets end zone to win the game.  On first down, and second down, and third down the defense did a fantastic job limiting the Steelers offense and creating looong 4^th downs for them to have to convert.  And convert they did.  Over and over again.  All the way down the 10 yard line.

First play, rocket pass to the back of the end zone, between two Steelers, and an incomplete pass.  Heart’s pumping a little bit more.  Two seconds left.  One more play.  One final chance for Ben to stab the Jets.  Second play, scramble to the left, throw to the back corner, incomplete.  Jets win!  22-17 victory, in Pittsburgh.  10-4 record.  Control of our playoff lives.  Win and we’re in.  Two games to get that win.

There were plenty of things to be grateful for from Sunday’s complete victory, things that will help wash away the bitterness from the last two games.  Sanchez played a strong, turnover free game.  The running game was able to move the ball against the great Pittsburgh defense.  Braylon Edwards for 100 yards.  Brad Smith for 97 yards to start the game.  Jason Taylor for the safety.  Drew Coleman for being a Jet version of Troy Palamalu.  Schotty for being an aggressive conservative.  The naked bootleg off the play action.

Win and we’re in.  Go to Chicago on Sunday and beat the Bears.  They already clinched their division, did it last night.  Will they be hungry?  Will they have the urgency?  We’ll find out soon enough.

One Down, A Lot More To Go

Last night's Devils victory, to me, felt magical.  There were so many positives to take from the game:

• Ilya Kovalchuk produced his first two-goal game as a NJ Devil.
• Martin Broduer was solid throughout the entire game, especially in the 3rd period, to record is 113th career shutout
• Brian Rolston, just hours after clearing through waivers, played a very strong and active game
• Patrik Elias was all over the ice
• Dainius Zubrus was a bull in the middle of the ice and made things happen
• Mattias Tedenby was very close, on a few occasions, to adding to his impressive, albeit small, rookie resume
• Anssi Salmela made his season debut and helped fortify the defense
• Special teams shone once again.  One power play goal and nothing allowed while shorthanded.

All good and great things.  However, when we all awoke this morning, there were two truths that were still rearing their ugly heads:

• The Devils are 18 points behind the two teams tied for the 8th and final playoff spot.
• To reach 88 points, the fewest points gained to make the playoffs in the shoot-out era, the Devils will have to finish the season 34-18.

Not easy.  But last night, it felt good.

Barely Holding On

I'm barely, but somehow, holding on while the Devils are barely breathing.  I'm putting a bit of personal faith into tonight's contest vs Phoenix.  I'm not sure why.  Nothing I've read or heard about has changed my overall outlook of this team, but for some reason, this evening, I'm feeling faithful.  Losing five in a row is tough.  No doubt.  It needs to end there.  I truly feel it can not be extended past five straight loses.

Now, should I put the game on and we're trailing by more than a goal in the first period, that channel will be changed and not put back on the rest of the night.  Even if I catch wind that we're winning, or tied for that matter.

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So Brian Rolston was placed on waivers yesterday... so what?  He passed through and no body took him.  All that means is nothing.  He's still on our roster.  Still has a chunk of money going against our salary cap.  Still frustrating the hell out of the fans.  Maybe he can go to the minors, but probably not since his salary will still count against the cap.  So really, the only news the Devils made in the last couples of days has been nothing.

Not Overly Worried

Ok, ok so the Number 1 team I didn't want Cliff Lee to sign with was the New York Yankees and I got that wish.  However the Number 2 team somehow swept in undetected and snatched him.  Damn you Filthadelphia Fillies.

At first thought, at first glance, this is a terrible thing to happen to the Mets.  Division opponent locking up the best free agent and one of the best pitchers in baseball for the next six years, damn that hits home and hurts.  Pile on top of that the fact the Mets haven't really made any player splash, any news, this off-season and the sting gets a bit bigger.  And for the icing?  Knowing that the Phillies will have one of the deepest rotations in baseball and one of all time, lining up with the Orioles of the 70s and Braves of the 90s.  Lee, Roy Halladay and Oswalt and Cole Hamels.

But that's where it stops.  Like I just said, at first glance, that was all bad stuff to read and bear.  Let's look at it this way, for the Mets at least.  We weren't going to be in contention this upcoming season and, depending how next off-season plays out, we may be in it 2012.  Ok, so let the Phillies reap these benefits next season and maybe the following.  Because after that, from 2013 on, the Phillies are screwed.

Halladay will be 35 years old and making $20 million.  Lee will be 34 and making the same money through 2016.  Ryan Howard will be 33 starting in 2013 and making at least $20 million for the next three years.  And a 33 year old Chase Utley will be pulling in $15 million.  And if the Phillies want to keep Oswalt, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez or Brad Lidge, just add many many more $$$ to the payroll.

This is all on top of the oldest team in baseball in 2010 and a team that just got older.  A team that lost its best field player this off-season (Jason Werth).  A team ravaged with injuries for the last number of years (Utley and Rollins).  A team who's biggest bat had the smallest 2010 season (Howard).

Coming up, the Phillies will be getting older and older and their GM will be handcuffed because of the contracts he's given out over the last two seasons.  So, yes, I admit it, this is the Phillies time.  2011 and 2012 are the years for the Phillies to win and win because.  Because after that time, they're screwed.  And that's the time the New York Metropolitians will be making their move!

I got nothin'...

No, really, I don't.  Just read SI's Peter King's '10 Things I Didn't Like on Sunday'.  Pretty much states it all.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/12/13/week-14-mmqb/4.html

Hour to Go

In about one hour we'll take the field, at home, against our division rival, the Miami Dolphins, and talk about a game that we must win.  After last week's embarrassing loss to the Patriots, we can not afford another loss.  The most obvious reason being that nothing is guaranteed to us and even though we begin last Monday at 9-2, the possibility of 9-4 is pretty close, and daunting, and should scary any and every Jets fan. But the other reason is all mental.  After such a whooping last week, we don't know what Jets team will take the field.  Will they be pissed and ready to roll?  Or will they be questioning themselves and tentative?  A fast start is a must.

The weather will not be the best at the Meadowlands this afternoon and in my opinion favors the Dolphins.  Shockingly their quarterback plays his best football against us but it's their running game that is scary.  They have two pretty decent backs and the always dangerous formation of Wild Cat in their pocket.  The Jets can not allow them to control the line of scrimmage and keep possession of the ball.  If that happens, at the end of the game we'll be seeing Sanchez have to sling out there and with his past few games, who's overly confident in that?

What we all need is the Jets offensive line to prove that they are one of the best units in the league and allow Tomlinson and Greene to average over 4.5 yards per carry and the true Ground&Pound come alive.  Allow Sanchez to take shots at times, when it's the right time, but not all the time.  Keep our defense off the field and allow them to stay rested and fresh in the 4th quarter.

As Steve Serby wrote this morning... Just shut up and win!

No Mas!

Seriously... I asked yesterday afternoon when is enough enough and then we had to witness last night's horrible drubbing to the Red Wings at The Rock.  Back to back home games and they Devils find themselves in a 2-0 hole less than two minutes into the game!  Are you serious?!?!?

And the biggest shock to all of this is how does Coach John MacLean still have his job?  He should not have left the arena last night as the HC of the NJD.  Again, not all of the blame falls on the coach but at some point, he's the scape goat.  Can him already.  I can't stand to watch my favorite team of all time just take the ice and know that they are going to lose.  And I'm starting to get tired of Lou Lamoriello.  He keeps saying that the blame and all the negativity falls on him because he's the GM and makes the decisions.  Well, if that's the case, what the hell are you waiting for to get rid of your coach?  I've already talked about how difficult it will be for Lou to get rid of such a long time Devil, but for the betterment of the team and organization as a whole, get rid of MacLean.

I'm done with them for this season as long as MacLean is still behind the bench.  Sure, I'll read an article or two about them following a game.  But, you're not going to see me a game.  I'm not going to spend any more money or emotion on a team that doesn't seem to care.  It's damn near impossible for this team to make the playoffs for the 15th straight season, needing to go something like 38-16 the rest of the way.  It's not going to happen with this coach and this direction.

It's ripping out my heart.  I'm done.

@ the game...

It really has become the appropriate time to ask when is enough enough?  Seriously, even when the Devils get a few of their better players back in the lineup, including the world's greatest goalie, they can't win.  Losing last night to the Senators, 3-2, had let to Jason Arnott's 'the playoffs might be impossible' comment last night.

And once the players are beginning to feel that way, it's over.  It's one thing for the fans, such as this guy, to feel that way but in the end, I don't have any control over what takes place on the ice.  But the players?  Hell, they're the ones that put themselves in this position to begin with.  Coach's and GM's fault?  Maybe.  Certainly do have to put some of the blame on them.  But we all know it always comes down to the players.

With that though, I will be in attendance for my second consecutive Devils - Red Wings match up and hopefully my spirit, home ice, and healthy players will allow our Devils to come away with two points.  And hopefully at least three goals.  I want to see some excitement.  Heading off to Brick City now, The Rock later.

9-3

Ok, so some time has passed and I've been able to calm down a bit from the embarrassing Jets loss Monday night to the Patriots.  Don't remember the game?  Well, check out the highlights here.

But ya know what, things are okay.  The skies are sunny, the weather is crisp and the Jets are 9-3 and fully in the playoff picture this afternoon.  When you look at the standings, there are only two teams that are at 10-2; the previously mentioned Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.  And there are only four teams, the Jets included, that sit at 9-3.  Two in the AFC and two in the NFC.  If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Jets would be in and would be traveling to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars.  Hell, we can clinch a playoff spot this weekend, with a win over the Dolphins and some other help.

Now, there is one thing to keep in mind.  The schedule is not easy or friendly down the stretch.  We have a home game this weekend against the Dolphins who are always competitive against us.  Then we have back to back road games in Pittsburgh and Chicago; two of the other teams that are 9-3.  Not fun to look at.

And they way the team has played for most of the season, there isn't a lot to be comfortable about.  Sanchise has not looked the part for the last two games.  The running game is very suspect at times.  The defense still has no pass rush.  The middle of the defense is extremely weak against the pass.

There's a lot to work on.  A lot to be worried about.  But also a lot to look forward to.. Playoffs, divisional games, chasing New England, Super Bowl.  And it all starts up Sunday afternoon.

Lost Monday

Seriously, yesterday might have been the most wasteful day of the week, the season, hell, even the calendar year.  So much hype and so much hope going into last night's Jets game and what did we, the Jets fans as well as the rest of the f*cking country get?  A white-washing in which only one team showed up!  

The Jets?!?  They f*cking stayed in Florham Park.  Wusses!  Every single one of them.  No one showed up to play last night.  What?  Too cold?  Too scared?  Just not good enough?  God damn at least give some effort.  There may have been one Jet who looked as if he gave a rat's ass last night and that was Shonn Greene.  Everyone else?  Stayed in the damn hotel.  Sh*t, the best high school team in this year would have put up a better fight than those players wearing white jerseys last night.

Disgraceful and shameful.  Pathetic and disheartening.  Enraging and frustrating.  And ya know who needs to get his share of the blame?  The coach.  Rex Ryan.  He was damn straight to call out that Belichick is the best coach in the league because, well, he is.  As long as he has Tom Brady, who was barely touched or even pressured last night (except for one series which included back to back sacks).  Pretty Boy was allowed to sit in the pocket and pick the Jets defense, or Jets ghosts, apart.  Let me get this straight Jets defense... You're going to only rush three but then sit back in a zone?  Against Brady?  Hmmmmmm, smart.  F*cking morons.

Go ahead... relive it.  Now

And if that game wasn't bad enough, I get to flip the channel just to see, as usual, the f*cking Devils losing, again!  To another divisional opponent.  Another game with them only scoring one goal.  Weak!  Sad!

MacLean still has a job?  Really?  Why?

Sexy Rexy

How can you not run through a wall for this man?

Game Day

Tonight's the game that has been circled on most of our calendar's since the end of Week 2.  The rematch.  Jets - Patriots, in Foxborough.  We knew back in September that this game would have some meaning behind it, even if it is only that it's a division game, late in the season, payback on the mind for New England.

What we're getting in eight hours is so, so much more.  We're getting two 9-2 teams.  Two 9-2 franchises that despise one another, no matter how friendly and politically correct the coaches and players speak to the media.  They hate each other.  No one in Green and White has any love for someone wearing Red and Blue.  There is a ton of history and dirt that leads to this feeling, to this disdain but that is in the past.  None of that will matter in eight hours.  Only hatred.  And the chance to go 10-2.

Win tonight's game and move to 10-2. First place in the AFC East.  First place in the AFC.  #1 seed for the playoffs in your own hands.  So yeah, Rex Ryan is right by saying it and you know that Bill Belichick is right by thinking it: Tonight's game is the biggest NFL game of the season so far and one of the biggest games in NFL regular season history.

There's a lot in favor of the Patriots, don't get me wrong.  Tom Brady doesn't lose at home.  He doesn't lose in December.  He doesn't lose twice in a season to the same opponent.  He's been lights out since New England got rid of Randy Moss.  He was perfect in his last game.  To some, he's Mr Everything.

But he's not winning tonight.

He will not beat Mark Sanchez, who will face a weak pass rush and a weaker secondary and will duplicate his Week 2 numbers.  He will not beat Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, who missed the first game but has been everything and more for the Jets the last five weeks.  He will not beat Ground and Pound, who will dig out their dirty yards and keep the New England offense off the field.  He will not beat Darrell Revis because, well, no one beats a healthy Darrell Revis.  He will not beat Bart Scott and Calvin Pace, another Jet who missed the first meeting and adds another wrinkle to the defense.  He may find some room in the middle of the field because Mr. Overachiever Jim Leonhard can't be there, but he won't beat our secondary.

The New York Jets will storm into New England and come away with a hard fought, high scoring game.  They will take over first place in the AFC.  They will bruise the Patriots.

They will not be beat!

Qatar... Huh?

First posting for this team, and maybe I think I'll show some more love to them as time goes on, because obviously the FIFA voting committee didn't give any love to the USA or US Men's National Team.

A few hours again it was announced that the small, small, very hot, very hot country of Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup (Russia beat out England to host the 2018 WC).  And I believe the reaction around the entire country is... WHAT?!?! HUH?!?!?! REALLY?!?!?! BULLSH*T?!?!?!?

Look, I totally understand if Australia would have upset the US and won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.  They've held International events previously, have an up and coming league, and the people there are generally nice.  Plus, I would have loved a reason to go to Australia in 12 years.

But Qatar?  Come on man...

The country is smaller than Connecticut, games will be played in the summer so all matches will be over 100 degrees, 10 of the 12 stadiums will be within 20 miles of each other, it's in the Middle East, it's a waste of money, there are so many potential political issues that can come up over the next 4,230 days.

FIFA had to deal with the stress of South Africa almost not being ready this past World Cup and now that country is dealing with the fact that all the new stadiums built for the tournament are going unused; waste of money.  For the next three years, FIFA will be stressing that Brazil (our hosts in 2014) is going to struggle to get ready on time.

You would think that the governing body of soccer would want some stability and the least amount of stress possible leading up to their largest event.  Hosting the World Cup in the USA would allow that.  Think about it.  We already have oodles of stadiums built, we have the strongest economic footing of all the other bidders, we have fans of every county that would participate so you know that all the stadiums would be full, for every match.  We have the best and biggest hotels and airports in the world, so travel would be a breeze (maybe not in NYC, but it's better than the Middle East!).

So now we wait... and deal with the head to head battle with England for the 2026 World Cup.

Qatar, really?!?!