The Green Lantern

World Cup 103: The Final Predictions

2010-06-10T14:43:00.000-04:00

By Deb Borges

The opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is less than 24 hours away. South Africa is about to make history as the first African nation to be the host of the world’s biggest tournament. Fans have been arriving by the thousands, the atmosphere in Cape Town and Johannesburg can only be described as electric.

It’s finally here.

The opening match between South Africa and Mexico will take place at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. It will be aired live on ESPN at 10 a.m. on Friday, followed by Uruguay vs. France at 2:30 p.m.

Over the last few weeks I’ve tried to wet your appetites with the first two parts of my preview of the tournament. It’s time for me to lay it all out there and tell you who will advance and why, ending with the final destination of the Cup.

There’s no excuse to not join in and watch the biggest, most compelling sporting event there is. People around the world are ready to put their life on hold for the next four weeks. Even fans from countries whose teams did not even qualify for the finals care passionately about the World Cup and so should you.

This chance only comes once every four years -- to be a part of an event that is about pride and patriotism above all else. It’s a time to represent your country, your heritage. It’s time to wear your country’s colors proudly.

So stop subscribing to the typical “soccer is boring” American stereotype. “Who cares, it’s soccer?” is no longer a part of your DNA. Don’t allow yourself to be ignorant to something the rest of the world embraces. We’ve all heard the jokes, the snarky remarks, and the skepticism over and over again and it doesn’t change a thing. In the end, anyone who chooses to miss this event is just foolish.

Watch a few matches. Cheer on the USA when it faces England on Saturday. More than that, watch the stories behind the countries, the fans, the players. Grab your flag, grab a beer, wear your colors and start blowing your vuvuzela, or big long horn that sounds like a swarm of locusts.

The world’s biggest party is finally here.

After taking a look at each group individually last week, it’s time now to make some predictions as to who will win and advance in each stage of the tournament. The World Cup always provides fans with entertainment. No matter how much you follow the sport, these national teams only play together for a brief period of time before the tournament. Some make predictions based on history and past performances, while others look at individual talent, or a team’s success in qualifying games and friendly matches.

This year’s winner could very well take us all by surprise. Here are my picks:
Group Stage

(Top 2 teams after Group play move on)

Group A: 1. Mexico; 2. Uruguay

Group B: 1. Argentina; 2. Nigeria

Group C: 1. England; 2. USA

Group D: 1. Germany; 2. Serbia

Group E: 1. Netherlands; 2. Cameroon

Group F: 1. Italy; 2. Paraguay

Group G: 1. Brazil; 2. Portugal

Group H: 1. Spain; 2. Chile

Round of 16:

Nigeria over Mexico: Mexico’s defense will not be enough to stop the speedy Nigerians up and down the pitch.

England over Serbia: Serbia will put up a good fight in what will be a difficult matchup for the “Three Lions,” but England will just be too much to overcome.

Germany over USA: A close, tough game for both squads. The USA defense will be put to the test and outdone by Germany.

Argentina over Uruguay: Maradona’s squad should have no problem moving past a Floran-less Uruguay.

Netherlands over Paraguay: Without Robben, the Netherlands will struggle. Still it will win over a low-scoring Paraguay.

Brazil over Chile: It’s Brazil and Chile – no explanation needed. Two words: GOALS GALORE.

Italy over Cameroon: While a Cameroon upset isn’t too far fetched an idea, the Azzurri defense will prevail in a tight match.

Spain over Portugal: The border rivals will meet in a highly anticipated matchup. In the end, the team with the most depth will win. Spain moves on.

Quarterfinals:

England over Nigeria: In the hands of Capello England will end Nigeria’s Cinderella story run and get the semi-final spot its been clamoring for forever.

Germany over Argentina: A rematch from 2006, these teams will battle in a closely contested match. Don’t be surprised if the German win on penalty kicks.

Brazil over Netherlands: A battle of the midfields. A battle of two teams with lots of individual talent. Holland’s defense won’t get the job done.

Spain over Italy: Unlike their meeting in the 2008 Euro, there will be no penalty kicks this time. Spain’s depth and talent will be too much for the Italian defense to handle.

Semifinals:

Brazil over England: Brazil will face its toughest opponent, but history will repeat itself.

Spain over Germany: The German back line will not be able to stop David Villa & Co.

Final:

Spain over Brazil: It will be war! One is used to making it this far, while the other isn’t. In the end, Spain proves it can handle the big game. In a game of two high-powered offenses, Spain shows it has little weakness and ends up winning its first world title.

Deb Borges will need oxygen throughout the next month. Once the World Cup is over she'll be back beating the drum of the New York Jets. Follow her on Twitter at @LilMissNYJet

World Cup 102: Breaking Down The Groups, Players

2010-06-04T14:30:00.002-04:00

By Deb Borges

We're just a week away.

On June 11 the 2010 World Cup in South Africa kicks off, with 32 teams vying for the most important trophy in global competition.

Will Italy repeat its brilliance from 2006? Can Brazil add a record sixth world title? Is this the year Germany re-establishes its dominance? Or will a legendary futbol-playing nation like Argentina finally get back to the glory days of yesteryear? Perhaps it's finally Spain's turn, or England's opportunity, or Portugal's moment to shine? What about the upstart United States, a team filled with talent but short on traditional success?

Or will it be someone else, a team as of yet unheralded on the world stage?

All of this will be answered over the next month or so.

What follows is a breakdown of every group, with an emphasis on recent qualifying results, a look at history and the players who have given each of these nations the privilege of competing for the opportunity to play for the title on July 12 in Johannesburg.

Group A

FRANCE:

France always has pretty high expectations, especially after making it to the final back in 2006. Thierry Henry’s controversial non-handball against Ireland has been the main talk this year. This is France’s chance to silence all the critics who haved questioned the French ticket to the big show. France will bring great depth to the tournament, especially up front. It could use a more defensive-minded midfielder to help out the back four.

Key players: Yoann Gourcuff, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Ribery

MEXICO:

Mexico was rather inconsistent in qualifying. It went through three coaches in its quest just to get to South Africa. However, it's hard to argue that the Mexicans aren't well-prepared for the tournament, having played to date 12 friendly matches heading into their opener on June 11 against the host nation. Mexico’s biggest threat is the speed and attack of its wingers. I expect to see "El Tri" get out of the group stage.

Key players: Rafael Marquez, Giovani Dos Santos.

SOUTH AFRICA:

"Bafana Bafana" (The Boys) have a lot resting on their shoulders as the host nation. As history would have it, no host team has ever failed to make it out of the group stage. Unfortunately, this may be the year we see that streak broken. South Africa was the lowest ranked African team at the time of the draw this past December. It has the advantage of being coached by Carlos Parreira, the same man who led Brazil to the World Cup championship in 1994. Look for most of its offense to be orchestrated by Everton midfield maestro Steven Pienaar. South Africa just doesn't have the explosiveness that other top teams possess, and will have a tough time getting to the round of 16. But, then again, it's never wise to count out a team backed by an entire nation.

Key players: Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena

URUGUAY:

Ah yes, the dark horse of Group A. Many people don’t associate Uruguay with South American World Cup winners, but this country has hoisted the trophy twice, albeit many moons ago. I anticipate this squad bringing some much needed excitement to an otherwise boring, yet balanced, group. Two words – Diego Floran. The two-time European "Golden Boot" winner led Atletico Madrid to the UEFA European League title this season. Floran and fellow playmaker Luis Suarez are a match made in heaven. Together they may be one of the most lethal duos in the entire tournament.

Key players: Diego Floran, Luis Suarez , Diego Perez

Group B

ARGENTINA:

"La Albiceleste" may be the team with the most to prove in the World Cup. They are one of my top 5 teams to watch this summer. With a squad filled to the brim with young playmakers one would think they would breeze through the group stage. Aside from having the world’s best player in Lionel Messi, this team is stacked with attackers up front and in the midfield. Argentina's biggest weakness, however, lies in its coach, the infamous Diego Maradona. Despite his fame and glory, his decision-making skills and ability to use the right combination of attackers has left much to be desired.

Key players: Lionel Messi, Diego Milito, Angel diMaria

NIGERIA:

Nigeria may very well be the African nation that makes some noise this summer. It will be playing on home soil and will have the support of millions of fans. Its strength lies in its defense, and it will be put to the test against Argentina. If Nigeria's front two match the strength of its back line, moving onto the round of 16 shouldn’t be too difficult.

Key players: John Obi, Peter Odemwingie

SOUTH KOREA:

For the first time since 1954, South Korea has qualified for the World Cup finals. It had much success in qualifying and friendly matches this year, having only lost three out of its last 36. South Korea will rely heavily upon one of Manchester United’s favorite players, Park Ji Sung. This versatile midfielder will play a more influential role in the center during the tournament. This team's biggest strength is its stamina, something it will rely heavily upon to outrun and outwork opponents.

Key players: Park Ji Sung, Ki Sung-Yong

GREECE:

Greece hasn’t made much futbol news since its underdog run at the EuroCup in 2004. Don’t expect to see much from this team except defense. Its style of play may not impress you if you are new to the game. Greece will do all it can to shut down the box and frustrate opposing attackers. In a group with Argentina and Nigeria, Greece lacks the offensive power needed to get through.

Key players: Theofanis Gekas, Angelos Charisteas

Group C

ENGLAND:

England possesses a wealth of talented players and is one of the favorites to win the trophy this summer. Striker Wayne Rooney may be playing the best futbol of his life and will be a force to be reckoned with, along with Steven Garrard and Frank Lampard. Coach Fabio Capello is one who appreciates the concept of balance. The only weakness worth mentioning may be at goalkeeper. Nonetheless, this team will be hard to beat due to its great physical size, versatility and depth.

Key players: Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, John Terry

USA:

The opportunity for the USA to command respect in its own country and around the world is finally here. This team is still riding high on the confidence gained from its success at the Confederation Cup. With many of its starters bringing valuable experience from some of Europe’s best club teams, the Americans are different than what you've been accustomed to seeing. Landon Donovan will again be the United States’ most influential player and will be relied heavily upon to lead by example. His speed on the wings, along with Jozy Altidore’s finishing ability, could pose a threat to opponents. In addition to some problems on defense, the "Yanks'" forwards lack the international experience and are not of the same pedigree as many of the teams they will face. But in a fairly easy group, I expect to see USA move onto the round of 16.

Key players: Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard

SLOVENIA:

This young nation is making only its second World Cup appearance. The Slovenians shocked even themselves by knocking out heavily favored Russia in the qualifying round. While Slovenia has no big-name players, you can expect to see a strong, stingy defense. I don’t expect to see this team reach the second round as it may find some difficulty against teams with different styles of play than it is accustomed to.

Key players: Millivoje Novakovic, Robert Koren

ALGERIA:

The "Desert Foxes" are another team coming to the World Cup finals after a big qualifying win. Algeria upset Egypt to earn its ticket to South Africa. Its strength lies in the midfield and ability to feed the ball up to speedy forwards. However, I think a lack of experience will not allow Algeria to compete well in a group with England and the USA.

Key players: Rafik Djebbour, Madjid Bougherra

Group D

GERMANY:

This squad is slightly different than the 2006 team that made it to the World Cup semifinals. Veteran team leader Michael Ballack will not be playing due to injury. A mix of veterans and many young guns will provide a new look. It’s hard to pinpoint Germany’s greatest strength this year. Its overall athleticism and toughness has always led to success. By choosing to carry six forwards, including the dynamic finisher Miroslav Klose, the Germans may very well take a more adventurous approach to outscoring opponents. I see Germany having no problem moving through the group stage.

Key players: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil

SERBIA:

While it may be Serbia’s first World Cup appearance since gaining its independence, this team shocked many during qualifying by finishing at the top of its group (even ahead of France!). This squad is full of experience and talented European soccer stars which it will have to rely on in a fairly difficult group. Expect to see Jovanoic and Stankovic create havoc with their attacking presence at midfield. The Serbs have height and size on their side at every position on the field. Although it will be difficult, Serbia may have a chance of moving on behind Germany to the round of 16.

Key players: Nemanja Vidic, Milan Jovanovic, Dejan Stankovic

GHANA:

Ghana has gained a lot of respect across the globe with their 2006 success and by breezing through the recent tournament qualifying rounds. Playing on home soil will provide Ghana with the extra motivation needed to progress through the group. However, one of the world’s best midfielders, Michael Essien, won’t be making the trip to South Africa due to injury. The veteran’s leadership will surely be missed. This team had its best squad in 2006 and will grow to be even better in 2014. Still, “The Black Stars” can rely on their speed and the strength of their wingers to make themselves heard in the unofficial “group of death."

Key players: Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng

AUSTRALIA:

Australia’s biggest advantage in this year’s tournament is the fact that the German and Ghanan superstar captains won’t be competing. Despite having a solid defense, the Aussies are the underdogs in a difficult group. Compared to Germany, Ghana and even Serbia, they fall behind because they lack an explosive offense. However, this team has a great work ethic and will certainly put its talented defense to work. The Australians have surprised many before and may very well do it again.

Key players: Tim Cahill, Archie Thompson, Lucas Neill

Group E

CAMEROON:

The "Indomitable Lions" have more World Cup appearances than any other African nation. This is a team that handles the pressure of the international stage well and will be inspired by playing on home soil. When you watch Cameroon, you watch Samuel Eto’o. The InterMilan striker has established himself as one of the best in the world and he will be heavily relied upon in the tournament. Cameroon has a lot of talent in the midfield but will leave all the creative play in the hands of Eto’o. Its defense has a reputation for being slow, which could pose a problem in a tough group. Cameroon will have quite the battle to make it out of the group behind the Netherlands.

Key players: Samuel Eto’o, Mohamadou Idrissou

DENMARK:

Despite beating Portugal and Sweden in qualifying rounds, the Danes are somewhat underrated and are capable of being one of the dark horses of the tournament. Despite lacking the high-powered offense of other teams, they do have a stable defense. The duo of Nicklas Bendtner and captain Jon Tomasson (despite having an 11-year age difference), should help them get some points up on the board. The "Danish Dynamite" have rarely failed to clear group stages in the past. If they can handle the pressure and keep their level of playing strong throughout the group stage, they may sneak into the knockout stage.

Key players: Jon Tomasson, Nicklas Bendtner, Christian Poulsen

NETHERLANDS:

The Dutch are one of the teams heavily favored to go far in this tournament. They have a unique style of play that many consider one of the most beautiful and influential over the years and past tournaments. But, despite their play focusing more on formation rather than position, it’s been suggested that Holland’s biggest problem this tournament could be rumored “issues” with team chemistry. The Dutch will rely heavily on their tremendous ability to dominate the ball and control possession because their defense lacks the strength it has had in past years. I see no reason why Holland won’t finish at the top of the group.

Key players: Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie

JAPAN:

Japan comes into the tournament expecting to be better than it was in 2006. This team will always put up a fight, but, unlike many other teams, its players lack the experience of playing for top European club teams. The "Samurai Blue" have always been known for breeding tremendous midfielders. They will rely heavily on their midfield yet again as their forwards did not produce many goals during qualifiers this year. Japan will be fighting hard with Denmark to make it out of the group stage behind Holland.

Key players: Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Yashutio Endo, Keisuke Honda

Group F

ITALY:

Italy brings a similar squad to South Africa compared to the one that hoisted the cup in 2006. While Italy’s experienced squad has raised some criticism, in the end it should be that same experience that outweighs other teams' talent. Italy is another team expected to move far in the tournament. The "Azzurri" strength yet again lies in the back. Veteran defenders Cannavaro and Zambrotta, a pressing midfield, and one of the world’s finest goalkeepers will make this team very difficult to score on. Italy’s only weakness is its lack of a top-notch striker. With Group F being one of the weakest, Italy should have no problem sailing through the group stage into the second round.

Key players: Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio

PARAGUAY:

Paraguay comes to South Africa without its star striker Salvador Cabanas. One of the World Cup’s biggest stories has been Cabana’s amazing recovery after being shot in the head in Mexico after a domestic game. Even so, "La Albirroja" has stayed strong, racking up more qualifying wins then even Argentina and Brazil. This team has talent all over the field. It has a cohesive defense and a great counter attack featuring talented forwards like Nelson Valdez. Paraguay's style of play is exciting to watch. Oscar Cardozo, and his powerful left foot, scored 25 goals in 28 games for Portuguese team Benfica this season. Paraguay should have no problem moving on to the round of 16 behind Italy.

Key players: Oscar Cardozo, Nelson Valdez, Roca Santa Cruz

NEW ZEALAND:

New Zealand is making only its second World Cup appearance. It was able to get a spot in this year’s tournament largely because Australia was placed in a more competitive region. Captain Ryan Nelsen will be the driving force behind this team and he’ll need to play his best to get the "All-Whites" a win in this tournament. The Kiwis' front line of Shane Smeltz, Chris Killen, and teenage giant Chris Wood is fairly strong, especially in the air. New Zealand may be able to come away from these finals with a win but asking for anything more is asking too much.

Key players: Ryan Nelsen, Shane Smeltz, Winston Reid

SLOVAKIA:

The Slovaks navigated their way through qualifying ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland. Slovakia is very methodical, relying on a central figure in each part of the field starting with Skrtel on defense, Hamsik in midfield, and Sestak up front. Don’t be surprised to see some technical and effective attacks because the Slovaks have talent. This team may surprise and give Paraguay a fight for the runner-up spot in Group F.

Key players: Jan Mucha, Stanislav Sestak, Martin Skrtel

Group G

BRAZIL:

Even those who know little to nothing about the World Cup know that Brazil is the most accomplished team, having won the trophy five times. They say England invented soccer, but Brazil perfected it. Brazil always brings a certain swagger and confidence to the world stage. This year’s squad is different and we may not see it play its typical "Jogo Bonito" (beautiful game). This team is still filled to the brim with talent. Expect to see more counter attacks, a committed defense and a plethora of goals by Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano. Coach Dunga’s biggest "problem" may very well be finding the right combination of incredibly talented players. Although it is in the group of death, Brazil should be able to move to the second round and beyond.

Key players: KaKa, Luis Fabiano, Dani Alves

PORTUGAL:

Portugal did not have an easy trip to the World Cup finals. Its explosive world-class winger Christiano Ronaldo had little to no impact on the team earning its spot in the final 32. Despite his sometimes criticized arrogance, his flashiness, speed and precise skill make him a sight to see. While Ronaldo will shoulder the majority of the team's pressure, the Portuguese will also look to players such as Nani, Deco and Sabrosa. Despite some veteran injuries, the Portuguese still have experienced defenders and midfielders from their semifinal run in 2006. They will have to play strong throughout group play against a tough Ivory Coast and Brazil to see their way to the round of 16.

Key players: Christiano Ronaldo, Nani, Raul Meireles

IVORY COAST (Côte d'Ivoire):

Before landing in the group of death, "Les Elephants" were predicted to be the African nation with the best chance of winning the World Cup. They may not be a team that makes a lot of noise, but "dangerous" is a good word to describe them. Ivory Coast suffered a huge loss when elite striker Didier Drogba fractured his elbow in a friendly match against Japan on Thursday. Without this superior striker, I expect players such as Kalou, Zokora and Y.Toure to lead the attack and keep a dangerous offense on point. The one weakness Ivory Coast has is in net. Regardless, this team has the potential to pull off some big wins and advance to the round of 16.

Key players: Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure

NORTH KOREA:

Of course a team like North Korea, which no one knows much about, lands in the group of death. The majority of North Korea's players play for domestic leagues and lack the experience of the other three teams in the group. North Korea will rely on defense as it did to make it to this point in the tournament. Midfielder Mun In-Guk and Tae-Se Jong (Asia’s Wayne Rooney) will be looked upon to provide scoring opportunities. I see no chance of North Korea advancing past the group stage, but hopefully just being there will bring some much needed exposure to this team.

Key players: Tae-Se Jong, An yong-Hak

Group H

SPAIN:

Since winning the Euro title in 2008, Spain has been the most heavily favored team to hoist the trophy at this year’s World Cup. In my opinion, it is the strongest team in the tournament, with firepower and unmatched talent. The Spaniards play a beautiful game and I encourage all new viewers of the game to catch one of their matches. Their force up front will be led by Villa and Torres. Their midfielders, including Xavi and Iniesta, demonstrate such precise passing and orchestrate the perfect attack any chance they get. It’s quite hard to name a weakness on this team as its defense is pretty solid and dependable as well. You can expect to see "La Furia Roja" play well into July.

Key players: David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta

HONDURAS:

Honduras waited until the last possible minute before qualifying for the finals. "Los Catrachos" have some talented players with experience playing for European club teams. Their offense will be led by veteran Carlos Pavon. While their strength lies in the defensive capabilities of their midfield it will not be enough to deal with Spain and Switzerland. If they were able to pull off one win this tournament, it may only come against a young Chile. But it will not be enough to get them through.

Key players: Wilson Palacios, Carlos Pavon

SWITZERLAND:

Many may not remember Switzerland’s performance in the 2006 Cup, but let it be known that it was the only team to not concede a single goal in the entire tournament (It lost to Ukraine on PKs in the knockout stages). The Swiss enter this tournament with their defense again the focal point. They will need to rely on their well known goalkeeper Benaglio to help them against the likes of Spain. They have some gifted young midfielders and a goal-scoring weapon in Alexander Frei. If they secure the second spot in the group stage it will be because of their disciplined defense.

Key players: Alexander Frei, Diego Benaglio, Hakan Yakin

CHILE:

The Chileans are one team that brings joy to watching the World Cup. They are a young, fiery team that plays with passion. Their style of play is aggressive and you can expect to see lots of attacking from the wings from these young stars. The same talent, however, cannot be found on defense. They allowed more goals than any other South American team in qualifying. You can be sure they will play as if they have nothing to lose when they face the difficult teams in Group H. In order to move on to the second round they would have to beat Switzerland and Honduras, which isn’t exactly that far fetched of an idea.

Key players: Humberto Suazo, Matias Fernandez

Coming next week, "World Cup 103: The Final Prediction."

Deb Borges is an insanely psychotic soccer fan who does nothing half-assed. Please follow her on Twitter at @LilMissNYJet

At Long Last, The Definitive World Cup 2010 Preview Is Here!

2010-05-18T12:55:00.001-04:00

By Deb Borges

The following is "World Cup 101," the first installment of a three-part series on the 2010 World Cup. In Part I, we'll have some fun. I'll introduce you to the tournament and what to expect. Then, in the days leading up to the matches in South Africa I will break down the groups and, ultimately, tell you who's taking the trophy home.

World Cup 101: "Hello World"

Attention all fellow diehard American football fanatics: Yes it’s true, there is a sporting event that’s bigger and more popular than the Super Bowl. It’s called the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup. The time has come for you to be educated about the sport those around the world hold dear as the real game of football.

We’re one month away from the biggest soccer tournament in the world. Held once every four years since 1930, this tournament has become one of the most anticipated events across the globe.

In just about every corner of the globe except the United States, football (or futbol) is the word used to describe what Americans call soccer. It’s a sport so beloved that more than 2.6 billion people tuned in to watch the last World Cup, making it one of the most viewed television events in history. The 2010 Super Bowl’s estimated viewership of 153 million pales in comparison.

It's time to educate yourself about this tournament and the beautiful game. Keep reading to learn a little about the teams, when to watch, who to watch and why.

THE FACTS:

The FIFA World Cup is actually a multi-year tournament. The month-long finals occur every four years and 2010 is a championship year. South Africa is the host country and nine of its largest cities are the venues where the various matches will take place. The tournament officially begins on June 11 and ends on July 11.

Since the last Cup in 2006, won by Italy over France in a final that went to penalty kicks, 204 soccer teams from around the world have competed in the qualification phase — a series of tournaments that have narrowed the group down to the final field of 32 teams.

The 32 teams were randomly placed into eight four-team groups back in December, and starting on June 11, each team will play the other three teams in their group. A win is worth three points, a draw is worth 1 and you get zero points for a loss.

The two teams in each group with the most points after the three matches advance. The other two are eliminated. After narrowing the field down to 16, the tournament switches to a knockout format. The eight group winners play the runners-up from other groups and teams keep playing until there is one winner. There can’t be any ties here, so if the match is knotted up after 90 minutes, they’ll play two periods of extra time. If the teams are still tied, they’ll move on penalty kicks.

Here are the groups for the tournament:

MUST SEE MATCHES:

June 12: England-USA: The English, playing in a former colony, take on a former colony. These two allies last met in World Cup play in 1950, when the Yanks pulled off an incredible 1-0 upset.

June 12: Argentina-Nigeria: Africa's most populous nation should have the crowd behind them as they face the FIFA World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi.

June 14: Italy-Paraguay: The Azzurri takes on their toughest opponent in Group F. La Albirroja should still do plenty to threaten an aging Italian side.

June 15: Ivory Coast-Portugal: The Vanity Fair cover boys themselves meet, Drogba and Ronaldo. The loser of this match will have to face Brazil and beat them in order to advance to the next round.

June 25: Portugal-Brazil: Everyone knows the fact that these two teams are in the same group makes this tournament interesting enough, two nations separated by the Atlantic but united by two common languages (Portuguese and soccer).

All matches will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC – click here for the full match schedule.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – perhaps the world’s best current footballer – a technical genius.
Mark Bresciano (Australia) – a versatile midfielder with an eye for the goals.
KaKa (Brazil) – an artistic playmaker, he’ll dribble past defenses with ease.
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – he’ll glide into the box past defenders and a great finisher.
Wayne Rooney (England) – aggressive, powerful, a complete striker. Can score any type of goal.
Michael Essien (Ghana) – a dominant defensive midfielder
Wesley Sneijder (Holland) – great long range shooting ability
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) – spectacular to watch, one of the world’s most dangerous strikers.
Sunsuke Nakamura (Japan) – one of the sweetest left feet in football.
Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – explosive, lethal dribbler, long-distance shooter and great free-kick taker.
Xavi (Spain) – the pulse of the Spanish team. His passes are always precise, artistic play.
Landon Donovan (USA) – best player produced by the U.S. A creative, intelligent mid-fielder.
Giuseppe Rossi (Italy) -- Born in N.J., has a feared left foot, full of power and accuracy.

THE FUN:

1. That buzzing sound you’ll hear on the TV broadcasts is not a constipated elephant or a giant swarm of bees. It’s the sound of “vuvuzelas” – a big plastic trumpet, brightly colored, and is blown with gusto by all fans at every football match in the country.

2. What’s “Waka-Waka?" - aside from being Fozzie the Bear's catchphrase, it’s the official song of the 2010 World Cup. It’s co-written and performed by Shakira. “Wake Waka” means “This Time for Africa." Click here to see the video.

3. #11: The opening match takes place on June 11 and the final on July 11. Adidas has designed an official ball that will feature 11 colors, denoting both the number of players on a team as well as the fact that the host country has 11 officially recognized languages.

4. #10: The number traditionally worn by a team's top playmaker. In South Africa you’ll see players such as Donovan (USA), Rooney (England), Kaka (Brazil), Eto'o (Cameroon) and Messi (Argentina), the FIFA World Player of the Year, among others wear #10 on their backs. Don’t forget the world’s best footballer to date, Pele, wore #10 as well.

5. Don’t be surprised to hear the countries referred to by their “soccer-names." Usually these names have something to do with the color of their jersey; sometimes not! Here are some common ones you’ll hear:

Argentina: “Albiceleste”
Mexico: “El Tri”
Brazil: “A Selecao”
Italy: “Azzurri”
England: “The Three Lions”
South Africa: “Bafana Bafana”
France: ”Les Bleus”
Spain: “La Furia Roja”
Holland: “Oranje”
USA: “The Yanks”
Nigeria: "Super Eagles"
Cameroon: "The Indomitable Lions"

A LITTLE HISTORY:

As I stated before, Italy won the Cup in 2006, it's fourth all-time. Brazil holds the record with five titles. Below is a graphic revealing all the champions since 1930:

Coming soon: Part II of this series, World Cup 102: "The Teams." I will break down the teams and the groups. Then, in Part III, World Cup 103: "The Prediction," I will lay it all out there. Who will take home the title, and why.

Deb Borges may get more excited about soccer and the World Cup then she does the NFL's New York Jets. This is obviously her time of year. I HIGHLY suggest you follow her on Twitter at @LilMissNYJet

Confessions Of Lingerie Footballer, Part II: 'Bra Support'

2010-05-11T13:16:00.000-04:00

By Kiera Massette

Just the name “Lingerie Football League” is catchy, isn’t it? Even if the only word most people hear is ‘lingerie,’ I still got your attention. Well, I guess that’s the idea. Ingenious marketing I call it. Who knew it would get such widely mixed reactions?

Season 2 is barely upon us, more expansion teams have been formed, and already the critics and skeptics have started their rants. One Maryland-based newspaper critic calls the League, "... A crass exploitation of women for the amusement of men.” Hmmm ... exploitation? Well, we’re not strippers or porn stars (nothing against either/or ... you go girls, it’s just not for me) and we aren’t exactly playing powder-puff football. But some of the reactions the league, as well as some of us individual players, have gotten hasn’t been all too supportive lately.

No one said being a professional athlete was going to be easy. It’s a combination of sacrifice, dedication, harder-than-hard work, perseverance and pure, raw love of the game. Now, add all of that to being a female in a predominantly male industry, and minus clothing, (our contract actually has an “accidental nudity” clause)and you get, yeah, I know, I set myself up for this one. I guess we, as players, should know what we’re getting ourselves into from the moment we sign that contract and step foot into the training facility. It still doesn’t make it any easier. Explaining to you’re boyfriends’ parents, “Oh yeah, I play full-contact football in my underware for a living,” doesn’t always go over too well. That is, if you even have a boyfriend.

That’s another thing. Not too many guys are keen on the idea of having their girlfriend/wife/fiancé/booty-call or whatever out there on the turf with a wedgie. It's totally understandable to some extent, but why is it acceptable for male pro athletes to do what they do, make a zillion dollars, cheat, lie, steal, play women like a deck of cards, dabble in illegal drugs and other off-color activities and I still don’t see a shortage of women or supporters following them.

Even with the various indiscretions that some pro athletes have seen recently *cough ... Tiger Woods ... cough* it hasn’t exactly effected their fan base to a huge extent. Okay, I'm not trying to sound like, “I am woman, hear me roar,” but this is a piece entitled “Confessions…” so bare with me.

Football has always been the league's main focus. The lingerie part attracts the majority of the fans, yes, but the game is what most of us are here for (I say “most” because I can’t speak for each and every girl across the country that plays in the LFL). I know myself, as well as my teammates, are here to play some serious football because we genuinely love the game. The league takes the football aspect very seriously. Anyone who has been to a game, or seen the game highlights, will tell you how serious it is. As far as the league is concerned, if you can’t “play smart,” or pay attention, you’re out. Simple as that.

At tryouts, they often emphasize not only are they looking at an individual's physical athletic ability, but at their mental competence as well. So why does appearance come into consideration with the Lingerie Football League? Well, because we play in our underware! (Duh). There is still a marketing aspect here, and we know this. Why is it 2010, and yet people still find it shocking that a bunch of girls want to kick butt in what really is simply a bathing suit? Exploitaion? Nah. Hardly. Revolution? Maybe. We ARE the first all-womens’ full-contact professional football league in history. Take that baby-boomers!

So why aren’t more people supportive? Maybe it makes people uncomfortable because it’s new. Maybe it’s just some of the reactions in certain regions. Maybe it’s just my personal experiences. I guess that’s something we (or I) have to accept and deal with as the original group of ladies in this league. I think I would be proud if I had a daughter and she was enthusiastic about sports, and not what Britney Spears was wearing (or not wearing) in her new video. The Lingerie Football League promotes a healthy lifestyle, dedication to something bigger, and it’s a fact that involvement in athletics builds self-esteem. So why shun it? Why not take it as seriously as we do?

Oh, and we get paid, too.

On another note, mini-camp was just this past weekend for one of the league’s newest expansion teams, the Baltimore Charm, which is the team I am currently committed to since there will not be a New York team for 2010/11. We got our butts HANDED to us boot camp style. We have great coaching staff, amazing trainers, and such a talented group of girls.We’re so sore now that we still can’t walk up or down stairs, nor can we sit comfortably, but we loved every minute of it.

It’s very hard to get a group of girls together and have them support one another, let alone even get along. And what I witnessed this past weekend was the development of a family. Anyone who has played on a team at any level knows how important chemistry is. So, going back to the comment that the league is simply, “... A crass exploitation of women for the amusement of men,” I personally don’t see anything “crass” in an opportunity to be a part of something bigger, and to have the experience of doing something we, as a team, love.

As women, we should be supporting one another more and be proud of each other's accomplishments, instead of being so negative and “catty” to one another. So, if playing football in a bathing suit as a team unites us, then heck, what’s so “crass” about that!?

One thing I want to add is that for as many people that are skeptics of the league and what we do, there are just as many, if not more, supporters. The guys that I’m friends with that play professional sports have been super supportive, and they have no idea how much that support means to us. It’s awesome to know that we have them rooting for us and keeping up with our stats and schedule. I think that there’s a mutual understanding and empathy there for what we go through, and we appreciate that.

And as for the fans, wow! You guys are the blood that makes our hearts beat! Thank you. We try our hardest to answer all of your emails and "tweets," and it’s hard, so please don’t get angry with us if we can’t keep up. Most of us also have three, four, even five other jobs besides football, but we love interacting with fans, answering questions and signing autographs. It’s new to a lot of us, and a bit crazy, but we are grateful for all of you! So keep ‘em coming!

Kiera Massette is obviously passionate about the LFL, but she also has a lot to say about many other things, both sports and non-sports related. Please follow her on Twitter @KieraMassette.

Confessions Of Lingerie Footballer (Part I of hopefully many!)

2010-04-26T11:09:00.002-04:00

By Kiera Massette

I did not know what to expect at all after being invited to training camp for the New York Majesty of the Lingerie Football League last spring.

I arrived at the hotel rather late at night after a long drive into the Middle-Of-Nowhere, Penn., and awkwardly walked into a room of girls that looked at me as if I had a third eye on my forehead. I was the rookie. It wasn't the greatest feeling.

The first few days went well. We did strength and conditioning at 6 a.m., and then tip drills indoors for hours. Being a personal trainer I thought, “I can catch a ball and do a million push-ups, no sweat!”

Then there was Day 3 -- running routes. The other girls had them down to a science, meanwhile I was running a “3-route” while the quarterback was setting up passes for a “2.” Running routes, I quickly learned, was not one of my strengths. I kept with it; I practiced; I watched and I learned. I got better, but not efficient enough to play at the wide receiver or running back positions.

"We don’t wear much padding, and, yes, we wear sporty lingerie. We’re beautiful; we’re tough; we’re competitive but our passion for football prevails over the fact that we’re taking bucket-steps half-naked." -- Kiera Massette

What I did learn very quickly was how competitive the LFL was, and that these girls were serious about football. I was frustrated with myself, but determined to become a better athlete. This was the attitude that got me through camp, and, eventually, through the season.

Days 4 and 5 of camp were dedicated to blocking and tackling techniques. We learned pass-blocking, run-blocking and how to read the defense. Then, as defensive players, we were taught how to read the offense and how to adapt from man to zone and vice-versa. Now, these were absolutely strengths of mine. Upon taking my first bucket-step on the offensive line, the coach commented, “We may have ourselves a new center,” and from there I was taught how to snap the ball.

The center is often overlooked in football. Although it's a position that requires an immense amount of discipline and focus, the center never really receives the attention that is showered on the quarterback, linebackers or wide receivers. Even when other members of the offensive line sometimes steal the show, the center is overlooked and even somewhat forgotten.

The center is essentially the epicenter of the game, no pun intended. It is the snap of the ball that signifies the start of play and timing is key. I never realized how important the job was, until I experienced the difficulty of snapping the ball before going out to make an adequate block. Some of the greatest NFL players in the game have played center, namely Hall of Famer Dwight Stephenson and current Jets Pro Bowl regular Nick Mangold. Being a center, I have developed a greater respect and understanding for those at the position.

It wasn’t always an easy road for the New York Majesty last season. I was taught perseverance and discipline above and beyond what life’s lessons taught me previously. I am truly honored to be a part of the first ever full-contact, all-women professional football league.

We don’t wear much padding, and, yes, we wear sporty lingerie. We’re beautiful; we’re tough; we’re competitive but our passion for football prevails over the fact that we’re taking bucket-steps half-naked.

Lantern likey Kiera Massette. She's awesome on Twitter as well, so you better follow her @KieraMassette. Hopefully, we all can convince her going forward to give us the real dirt.

NFL OT: Addition By Subtraction Benefits All

2010-03-10T12:23:00.004-05:00

By Iain Bartholomew

The overtime debate is probably as old as the concept of overtime itself. The NFL, keen to continue maintaining the league’s position at the head of the American sports table, is discussing proposed changes to the current system in an effort to best implement the value of fairness and promote a positive conclusion to tight matchups.

Opinions vary all over the media. For example, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, an often-heard and largely respected commentator, is pro-reform whilst ESPN’s Mike Sando prefers to retain the current system but suggests possible tweaks to determine starting possession.

The Internet holds an infinite number of suggestions for how to improve overtime so that it is both fair and representative of the game in its format and determination. The one possibility that has received the least, if any, consideration is perhaps the simplest and at the same time most radical – do away with overtime in the regular season altogether.

The initial response to that proposal is easy to anticipate – ties are bad, why would we want to implement a system that promotes them? It takes a longer, more rational consideration to realize that this is not the outcome which would result from the removal of overtime. Teams would not simply play the game to its conclusion as at present and accept tied games as a natural consequence of the absence of a convoluted determination of success.

Coaches will need to take decisions, considered or otherwise, at the end of games. They'll have to ask themselves is a tie good enough? What do we need to do to win this game in regulation? A team trailing by three points with 30 seconds left on the clock and needing a win to make the playoffs cannot kick a field goal and take the game to overtime, they need to find a way to win now. The head coach who sees his team pull to within a point with a last-second touchdown must decide to kick for a tie or try to win the game with a 2-point conversion. The team that leads by three points and cannot afford to lose is no longer in a position to play prevent, concede the field goal and take their chances in overtime.

The result will be positive and decisive football played in the fourth quarter of games. The result will lead to more criticism of plays in regulation, more heart-stopping moments and more entertainment. Teams will need to adapt their thinking to the legitimate possibility of ties – how do these factor in to the standings? When is it safe or sensible to play for a tie? Can we afford to risk defeat to take the victory in our hands? Can we afford not to? All of those playoff permutations you ignored because they required certain teams to tie will become live possibilities and, most importantly of all, nothing will be determined by the toss of a coin. Just 11 guys against 11, on the football field for 60 minutes.

In any given NFL season it is a surprise to see more than one game tied, but don’t mistake this proposal as a step towards soccer-style standings where lesser teams play for a tie because they have no realistic prospect of victory. Football is not played in the same way. In the NFL teams have the ball in their hands with an opportunity to make something happen right up until the clock ticks to zero. There is no equivalent to the soccer team that packs its defense and makes itself tough to beat. There is no way to close up shop and turn away everything that comes at you; else the two-minute offense would be meaningless. There is no way to play to tie an NFL game from the outset.

Instead of spending time on the impossible task of contriving a system that will please everyone, which will never happen, the simple choice is to simply extract the problem. If the goal is to produce exciting finishes, dramatic moments and decisive plays then it is the removal, not the modification, of overtime that will accomplish the task.

Iain Bartholomew is a guy with really big brain who takes the time to look at things in detail. He's a very interesting voice on Twitter and should be followed with regularity at @iainbartholomew.

Hey Rex Hater, SHUT UP!

2010-01-29T13:03:00.001-05:00

By Deb Borges

When a Giants fan begins to advertise his or her hatred towards New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, there’s only one word that explains the justification:

jeal·ous 1. Fearful or wary of being supplanted; apprehensive of losing affection or position.

I’m sorry Giants fans, but it’s true. Jealousy is causing you to hate the primary reason the Jets found success this season. Ryan gives you nightmares. And as the definition states, you are afraid that for the first time your precious G-Men aren’t being talked about, and have lost the affection of football fans in New York.

I say be nervous. It's all happening right before your eyes.

Giants fans hate Ryan, but only because they wish they had a leader like him. Let’s be honest, Tom Coughlin is like your father; you’re always afraid to piss him off. Ryan is like your rebellious best friend, the guy your dad never wants you to hang around with.

Coaching is all about getting the most out of the talent you have on your team. It’s pretty obvious that Rex has clearly won that battle this year. Coughlin has a disciplined way about him, a style that can really wear on players. In large part, that's the reason why the Giants were non-competitive this season. They showed no fight. Coughlin, himself, admitted that his team suffered from a lack of leadership. If that’s the case, then as a Giants fan, you are complaining about the wrong coach.

Ryan is emotional and brash. He’s a breath of fresh air to an organization that has always had a losing mentality. He’s changing the Jets' culture as we speak. The players and fans are taking after their coach. The players believe in themselves as much as their coach always has, and look at the success that occurred as a result.

Rex does “talk a big game." It’s not bragging, it’s believing in your system and instilling confidence in your players. You say that “talk is cheap” and that Rex has to “win something to talk." Well, what more do you need to see? Have you not watched football since Week 17? The Jets were the team representing New York in the AFC Championship game while the Giants were at home perfecting their golf swing.

You can complain about his emotion and arrogance all you want. Giants fans should also be accused of being arrogant when they were 5-0 this season and predicting a SuperBowl win. Oh how quickly things change.

Stop acting like the Yankee fans of the 1980s. Poor us! Praise us for our past!

Your team lost this year and it was no one’s fault but their own. The Giants defense would be lucky to have someone like Rex to fire it up to play to its potential. The key to success for the Jets defense is that Ryan allows his players to be themselves. He’s a players' coach and his players want to win for him.

So yes, as a Giants fan you should be worried. You should hate Rex. He doesn’t care that the Giants have a more prestigious history. He made every Giants fan cringe when he suggested the new stadium be named “Jets Stadium."

The years of the Jets treating the Giants like a big brother have come to an end ... so deal with it.

Deb Borges doesn't play games when it comes to people taking issue with her bloved J-E-T-S. For more of her rants on everything from Rex's diet to the old seats at Shea Stadium, follow her on Twitter at @LilMissNYJet

Hey Rex, SHUT UP!

2010-01-29T11:20:00.002-05:00

By Jeremy Fuchs

Full disclosure: I'm a Giants fan. I run a Giants blog. And I really dislike the Jets.

I was rooting for the Colts, mostly to hear the whining on talk radio from Jets fans. You can give me the "But, it's a New York team!" argument, but I don't buy it. Mets fans were only rooting for the Yanks in the World Series because they hate the Phillies. As a Yankee fan, I would root for the Mets only if they were playing the Red Sox.

But I digress.

There's an appeal to Rex Ryan. He has a brilliant defensive mind and larger than life personality. Here's my problem: He talks too much, talks a big game. In my mind, you have to win something to talk. You have to win a Super Bowl, not get to the AFC Championship game. Call me old school, but I believe you have to earn it to talk. It may fire up the fans, but talk is cheap. Play the game. (Yes, I know I stole that from Tom Coughlin. I am a Giants fan, after all.)

I like Ryan. I do. I think he's one of best defensive minds in the game. I think the Jets are set up for a lot of long playoff runs in the future. I think Mark Sanchez is a stud. But, I need to see it first before I can hear it from Rex. I need to see a Super Bowl ring on his finger before he can talk. If he gets one, talk all you want. I'd have no problem with that. But, he doesn't have one. If anything, the talk just fires up the opposing team. Sure seemed to fire up the Colts, didn't it?

Ryan's antics (scheduling the parade on the playoff itinerary, etc.) are fun to talk about. He gets the crowd fired up. He's a fan favorite. But, for me, he needs to win before he can talk. He needs to get it done on the field, before he can talk off of it. You may disagree. You may also be a Jet fan. That's okay. I won't hold it against you.

I just believe that winning talks louder than any outlandish statements.

Jeremy Fuchs is a constant contributor to this blog and always a voice of reason (or so he believes :). Please follow him on Twitter @jaf78

Fan Loyalty: A Concept Based On Hope -- Even For Jets, Mets Fans

2009-12-22T13:02:00.002-05:00

By Trevor Gill

Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we allow sports to ruin our lives?

I have spent the first 16 years of my life watching the Mets blow game after game, and the Jets hang in games just long enough to lose them in the end. Yet like so many sports fans I continue to torture myself.

If you have a bad car that never works, you get a new one. If you have a big nose, you get a nose job. A bad wife? No problem, you get a divorce.

But why are sports different? Why do we feel such deep loyalty to teams that don’t even know we exist? Or to players that for the most part, don’t really care about us, as long as they get paid?

My father has been a Jets fan dating back to the early 1960s. What does he have to show for it? One game. One championship. That’s it. Why do we sit in frigid temperatures at games that are pretty much re-runs.

Going into the fourth quarter of the Jets game on Sunday, everyone knew what was going to happen. How could we not? It had all the makings of a classic Jets debacle. Have we not learned from the long history of this team (including this year's many crushing defeats)? We know it’s coming, but its like we have to feel the pain for it to become a reality. What do we ever get back from this team? We see that they don’t care about the fans one bit. A new stadium with no roof, expensive seat licenses, and higher priced tickets. What a reward to fans who have been loyal for years.

"The 50 percent deposit for the 2010 tickets is another joke. Supposedly the Jets want to see a sign of “good faith from their fans.” The guy who sits next to us put it perfectly. 'If sitting in the bitter cold watching the Jets during the Kotite era wasn’t a sign of good faith, then I don’t know what is.'” -- Trevor Gill

The sad thing is how excited my dad and I were about our seats for next year: Eleven rows higher up, 50 percent deposit (only for non-PSL seats) for next season, and $25 more per ticket (per game). My mom looked at my dad and said, “And this is good news?” The 50 percent deposit for the 2010 tickets is another joke. Supposedly the Jets want to see a sign of “good faith from their fans.” The guy who sits next to us put it perfectly. “If sitting in the bitter cold watching the Jets during the Kotite era wasn’t a sign of good faith, then I don’t know what is.”

There can be much said about this last Jets loss, or any of them for that matter. There can be plenty of blame to go around for everyone. But why don’t we ever look at ourselves and wonder why? No one is forcing me to sit in the snow watching James Dearth snap a football higher than the Empire State Building.

There is no contract telling me that I cannot abandon the Jets. It is some sort of force that tells us if we root long enough and hard enough, eventually it could be our year. It is that hope that keeps my feet from getting frostbite at the crappy Meadowlands, the hope that always keeps my eyes on the MLB hot stove (even though I know I will be disappointed the next season) and the hope that makes us always feel that “this is our year.”

No matter what happened the year before, we, as sports fans, always try to look at the positive. Hey, if you're 0-16, you will have the No. 1 pick in the draft. If you get eliminated in the playoffs it means that you have a chance to get back there next season. There is always a need to keep rooting and it is because of hope.

Granted, I am young and there is time for me to lose hope, but I can’t. The reason I cheer for those stupid Mets and Jets is because at the end of the day I love them. And no matter what is going on in my life, good, bad, whatever, I can always count on a great Jets fourth-quarter meltdown. I always think back at that great sign that was put up after the Rangers won the cup in 1994 that read “Now I Can Die In Peace.” It says it all for pathetic sports fans everywhere.

When, my team ever wins a championship, only then, will it all be worth it. Until then, I’ll keep waiting. Because remember, there is always next year.

Please follow Trevor Gill on Twitter at @chatterblog and his sports radio show on his blog at http://chatterblogradio.blogspot.com/

Jets Aren't Loveable; They're Just Losers -- Period

2009-12-21T13:19:00.003-05:00

By The Lantern

It started out as a humorous release, one man's fun take on losing and the New York Jets. But now, it has morphed into something else entirely. It's "Jet Therapy" and in Part II the feelings go from kind-hearted jokes to full-out anger:

"The mind is a strange thing, men. We must begin by asking it ... What is losing? Losing is a disease … as contagious as polio. Losing is a disease … as contagious as syphilis. Losing is a disease … as contagious as bubonic plague … attacking one ... but infecting all.

"But curable!

"Now, I want you to imagine you are on a ship at sea ... on a vast … gently rocking … gently rocking … gently rocking … gently rocking. …" -- The Natural, 1984

When last we left the fictitious shrink's office, I was laying on a couch talking about all the past Jets disasters and how they had impacted my life. For the reader's purpose, I tried to have fun with that column, tried to inject some humor into the fact that the Jets have been the bane of my professional sports existence for the last 30 years. I figured it would be beneficial for me to discuss all the crimes that have been committed and all the hopes hijacked, and to reflect on the many out there I have shared this common bond with over the years.

At that time, following the Jets' brutal home loss to Buffalo, the writing did help me deal. But now I'm not just in a bad place where no matter how much I write I about the Jets it's not going to make things better. I no longer find any humor in their past follies, "Island of Misfit Toys" references or constant witty-bordering-on-whining rants on Twitter. I take no solace in making jokes or sounding wise in my assessments.

The truth is, I'm sad. I'm used up. Now is not the time to joke around because clearly I've thrown away all the goodwill I have. I don't like how I feel.

I went to see "Avatar" in digital 3-D on Sunday night and even though that movie far surpassed my expectations, I left the theatre still thinking about the Jets' 10-7 loss to Atlanta that basically put the final nail in their playoff coffin and once again turned the page to next season.

And unlike past years where the hope of getting back to the drawing board gave me something to look forward to, this time I don't feel any optimism. I'm not even remotely convinced that this franchise will ever be more than a bad joke just waiting to be told. The draft, free agency, a new stadium, all those things don't mean a damn thing to me.

Because the Jets will never, ever become what I, and the thousands like me, want them to become. In my opinion, their Super Bowl drought has now surpassed the Red Sox's sorry 1918 chapter. I am of the belief that 40 years without a championship in football is a far greater crime than 86 years without one in baseball because when 16 games make or break a team, it's a far cry from 162. There's simply no margin for error in the NFL and in the case of the Jets, there's also no margin for anything short of perfection.

So I'm not going to sit here and make jokes about the Jets. I mean, why should I? They've all been told. "Same Old Jets" and "Just End The Season" references used to be the fan base's way of latching on to some sanity, a way for all of us to band together and understand each other. It was like we were all part of a club whose bond only strengthened with each passing gut-wrenching loss or season that went awry.

But I don't want to be part of that exclusive club anymore. Sometimes I think it takes more energy and creativity to fight the good fight than it is actually worth. So what I'm going to do going forward is go rogue, be a lone wolf. I'm going to make it my mission to ignore the Jets when they do something "positive" and pay more attention to what they don't do because they don't deserve to be lauded for anything. They are a bunch of used car salesmen, promising you this and then selling you that.

And enough already with this nonsensical notion that the Jets are cursed. Joe Namath did not sell his soul to the devil to get the team the Super Bowl III championship. That's just a convenient way for fans to overlook the truth, which is both painful and painfully obvious:

The Jets franchise from top to bottom is filled with one loser after another. No matter how many different players, coaches and executives are brought aboard, they immediately become losers. Now when I say "loser" I don't mean it in the way the term is often used in American society. These people were once fine men. They do have good intentions and are willing to work to a degree for their pay.

These people are losers because they don't have the wherewithal to ever be winners. They don't come together collectively for a common cause. Something always breaks down and it all feels shockingly familiar regardless of the year or personnel involved.

I mean, how crazy is it that a team can lose in the fashion it did Sunday every year, sometimes several times in the same manner in one season? It just defies logic that one team could repeat history as often as this one does. And the worst part is, every true fan knows the loss is coming and precisely how it will all go down.

Take Sunday's defeat to the Falcons for example. It was just another example of a team desperately needing a win playing down to a lesser opponent and not executing. The fans on Twitter and in the stands at that awful stadium saw it unraveling exactly as they predicted it would.

Just because Jay Feely didn't make three field goal attempts doesn't make him unique. It makes him a clone of someone like Cary Blanchard. Just because Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions it doesn't make him any different from a guy like Boomer Esiason or Richard Todd. They both did their part in similar losses when they played. Brian Schottenheimer's play-calling is the same as countless to wear a headset before him. Rex Ryan's clueless demeanor on the sideline looked an awful lot like the downtrodden look of his predecessors.

It's quite shocking really if you think about how lightning tends to strike the same team several times a year. Most teams that are expected to be good have one game like Sunday per season at most. The Jets seemingly have three or four per season and they always end up destroying what looks like a rosy playoff scenario.

There's not a Jets fan alive who didn't think the Falcons weren't scoring on that last drive. Even when it got to fourth down inside the 10, you knew. You just knew.

Does anyone actually have faith that Sanchez will grow into his job? I don't, and it's not because Sanchez isn't talented. It's because some joker, who replaced a previous joker, in the Jets front office decided to trade up for him in the draft. See, Sanchez was pure before he came here. On any other team he'd be making strides toward greatness. But because the no-winning-football-IQ Jets drafted him his career will likely never become what it could have been.

What the Jets are and have always been are thieves. They steal your hopes every football weekend with impunity. This franchise has stolen from the fans forever. Think about it: The organization has taken your money – whether it is in the form of tickets, jerseys, hats, parking, concessions or now personal seat licenses – for 40 years and have offered you no return on the investment. Twelve playoff appearances in four decades, or whatever it is, is not a good use of your money.

Why do it anymore? Just to say you go to NFL games?

Is it because you have money to burn?

Because that's exactly what you're doing, lighting your hard-earned money on fire and watching it blow away for 16 agonizing weeks, culminating with the final ashes taking flight in the cold December wind.

Follow The Lantern on Twitter @GreenLanternJet

#$%&! The Yankees And Their Fans' Sense Of Entitlement

2009-12-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

By Trevor Gill

Congratulations to the 2009 New York Yankees for outspending the next closest team in Major League Baseball by more than $65 million. Oh yeah, and kudos to you for winning yet another World Series title.

You see where this column is going?

As a Mets fan, I hate many things about the Yankees. I hate their astronomical payroll and overall philosophy, of “buying” championships, especially during a recession. I hate Alex Rodriguez, who is a good-for-nothing-attention-loving-steroid-using baby. I hate their new stadium, full of overpriced corporate restaurants.

But most of all I hate their fans, who somehow feel they are entitled to all this good fortune.

As I was saying, I'm a "Mess" fan, but I truly cannot deny that I am jealous of the Yankees' winning ways. But I hate this notion that Yankees fans feel that their team is “destined” to win every year. You have a better shot than anyone else because you grossly overspend for everyone. I'm just waiting to turn on the computer and see that they have John Lackey signed for $80 million over four years. I mean, why not have a rotation that costs more than Obamacare? Why not trade for Albert Pujols and give him a 15-year, $450 million extension while you're at it? You can move $180 million Mark Teixeira to designated hitter.

A Yankees fan described to me recently why he and many like him deserved to win it all this year after nine years of “suffering.” Are you kidding me? Suffering? Suffering is being a Mets fan. Suffering is giving up a home run to Yadier Molina at home to lose the pennant. Suffering is making the playoffs three times in the last 20 years. Suffering is finishing this year 23 games out of first place.

So, Yankees fans, please don’t tell me about suffering. Suffering. HA!

As a Mets fan I may not get to experience the thrill of winning a championship for a while. And I certainly know that the Amazins will not come remotely close to winning 27 of them, a feat that even I must admit is incredible. However, what I do know is when (or if) the Mets ever win a championship, it will be so much sweeter for our fans than for Yankees fans this year.

What really kills me is Yankees fans fight so hard to prove that they are the best, it seems like it takes away from their enjoyment of a World Series title. They are already worrying about No. 28. Once the Mets win one, I’ll be good for a while, not just a few weeks.

Yankees fans, I have an idea for you. Just be happy and live in the moment. Don’t worry about comparing this team to the franchise's other 26 championship teams. Don’t worry about rubbing it in Mets fans’ faces. Just simply enjoy it. Stop with this entitlement nonsense and shut your mouths.

A friend of mine, Fraser Williams, summed up Yankees fans pretty well:

“The only thing larger than the Yankees fans’ mouths and unwarranted sense of entitlement is their team’s payroll."

Amen.

Trevor Gill, obviously, hates the Yankees, but don't hold that against him. In fact, please check out his blog -- Chatterblogradio -- and follow him on Twitter @chatterblog.

Wake Up America, Soccer Is 'The Beautiful Game' For A Reason

2009-12-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

By Deb Borges

If someone were to ask what my favorite sport is, most people close to me would answer “that’s easy – she’s a huge football fan," and for the most part they would be correct. I have been a devoted New York Jets fans since the age of 8 and love everything about football.

But it is really the sport of futbol that I hold near and dear to my heart.

Futbol, futebol, footie, soccer – call it whatever you’d like – is a sport that I was born to love. My parents were both born in Portugal, and like many other European countries, soccer there is a way of life. I grew up playing the sport, watching the sport and still do today.

For those of you who aren’t fans, it can be hard to explain the role that soccer plays in many families like mine. It’s a sport like no other, a sport that unifies countries and evokes a sense of patriotism like nothing I’ve experienced in my lifetime.

The legendary Pele described soccer as “the beautiful game." In my eyes, beauty means simplicity. Ever see a beautiful woman who doesn’t wear makeup? Or an amazing picture of a simple sunset? It’s often that the most beautiful things are free of all the unnecessary things that take away from what is naturally beautiful.

Have you ever given a toddler a ball and see him or her instinctively want to throw it in the wastebasket? Probably not! But what happens when you put that same ball by that same toddler’s feet? Nine times out of 10 that munchkin will start to kick and chase after it.

My point is, the very premise of the game is familiar to all of us. Soccer is a magical blend of simplicity and complexity. There are only 17 rules to the game, yet the best in the game must have the right combination of technical finesse, ability to improvise, speed and power to be successful.

The sport has proven to be a catalyst for patriotism, a sport that has helped bridge differences between nations, tribes and individuals over the years all over the world.

Less than 50 years ago, South Korea would not allow the Japanese national team to cross its borders to play a match, yet in 2002 the two nations co-hosted the World Cup. Before hosting the 2006 World Cup, a German flag was rarely seen flying in that country. But that year, for the first time since World War II, people were proudly waving German flags from cars and balconies.

The sport creates a sense of national pride that many Americans have a hard time comprehending.

How is it that as sports crazed as America is, it still lags so far behind the European devotion to the game? It’s a notion that is frustrating to many of the die-hard soccer fans in this country. I’ve had endless conversations regarding this topic, all of which were fueled by the blatant aggressive hostility of traditional U.S. sports media to soccer. Let’s be honest, we’ve all come across sports traditionalists who openly despise the sport.

My job here isn't necessarily to change their minds, but I would like to create some kind of "open-mind" policy they could refer to going forward.

From where I'm standing on the pitch, the “American ego,” as I like to call it, has limited the nation’s acceptance of the sport. The theory behind it is simple – if the U.S. doesn’t dominate a sport, the vast majority of its citizens don’t support the national team or the game.

Golf has had a huge following for a very long time, and it started, believe it or not, well before our very own Tiger Woods became an icon. Why? Is it because of the skill required to be successful? The power of seeing someone hit a ball well over 300 yards? The drama that can unfold on the back 9 of any professional tournament?

Soccer shares many of those same moments, albeit in a different form. The problem is the majority of Americans don't take the time to notice or at least concede that something they don't understand may be worth paying a little more attention to.

Soccer is growing in leaps and bounds at every level in this country. But unlike in other countries, the sport is mostly viewed as fun and recreational in the U.S., something to stick the kids in so that they aren't home doing nothing or rotting in front of a television or computer screen. But if you really stop and look, talented players from the U.S., thanks to growing programs at every level, now have options to play competitively after college.

Americans also like instant resolution. In baseball there’s some sort of resolution after every pitch. On every football play yards are gained or lost, passes are completed or fall incomplete. In basketball scoring is frequent and fast, just they way we like everything else in life.

Soccer, on the other hand, challenges our attention spans. You can watch a game for 90 minutes and end up with a score of 1-0, or a tie. Boring right? At least acknowledge the fact that soccer is continuous. While most American-based sports have some kind of TV timeout seemingly every few minutes, soccer is basically non-stop for at least 45 minutes twice in any given match. And it even has managed to find a way to throw in significant advertising at the highest levels without disrupting the flow of play.

I believe there's an insufficient level of understanding of the game to appreciate the details and intricacies involved as opposed to just watching and waiting for the ball to go in the net. Let’s be honest, you don’t have to know everything about football, baseball, basketball to know that exciting things are happening. People cheer when the team scores, period. They boo or complain when someone does something out of place.

Well, the same is true in soccer. A dazzling move, a deftly-placed touch-pass to space, a tremendous header or goalie tip over the crossbar elicits the same kind of responses as when someone gets nutmegged (soccer term you may not be ready for) or when, just like in American sports, the referees or officials start to make the game more about themselves than the teams involved.

If I've piqued your interest, or opened you mind just a little, then this June is your chance to truly give the sport a shot. The world’s biggest party -- or World Cup -- will soon take place in South Africa and we all know Americans sure love a good party. As true sports fans you owe it to yourselves to at least make an effort to join in the festivities -- if for no other reason than because America will arguably field its best side ever.

Coached by Bob Bradley, the U.S. national team will be looking to build upon its second-place finish at the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa just a few months ago. Names like Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey may be foreign to you, which is kind of ironic considering they probably grew up just a few doors down, but they are worth checking out. They are all impressive players with international experience who have led the U.S. to impressive results in recent tournaments.

When asked, most Americans will say the most memorable international moment they can remember their country playing in was the 1980 Olympic ice hockey semifinals against the then-Soviet Union. Hockey, like soccer, has more of a cult following than mainstream respect in this country.

But on that night back in February of 1980 the sport captivated the country.

The U.S. soccer team will play a pretty big match of its own in June. The Americans open Group C play against England, a respected and feared international power that has produced more individual stars over the years than probably even the New York Yankees. A strong showing in that match could catapult the U.S. into the round of 16 considering lightly regarded Algeria and Slovenia are also in their group. The U.S. has a real shot here to go very far in this tournament.

And since most every American loves a winner, June of 2010 will be a nice opportunity to rally behind a team that has already garnered a lot of respect from the international community.

Don't you think it's time those players get the same kind of acknowledgement from their own people?

The World Cup is already the most watched sporting event in the world. What's a few hundred million more? It's simply an amazing event from start to finish.

There’s a certain joy that comes with being one of the billion or more people watching 32 countries abide by 17 simple rules.

It fills me with the conviction, as ignorant as it may seem, that soccer really can unite us all.

Deb Borges, otherwise known as @LilMissNYJet on Twitter, is passionate about everything she does. You'd be doing yourselves a great service by following her and checking out her N.Y. Jets blog -- Life of a True N.Y. Jets fan

Mickelson To Benefit Big-Time From Tiger's Public Meltdown

2009-12-03T13:29:00.000-05:00

By The Lantern

Lord knows Tiger Woods has enough issues to deal with right now, but one that hasn't manifested yet certainly will as soon as the 2010 PGA Tour season begins in earnest with the southern swing in the spring.

Obviously a case can be made that Woods is the greatest golfer of this or any other generation and is easily one of the the most recognizable people on the planet. While he still sits four major championships shy of Jack Nicklaus' all-time mark of 18, Woods has done everything else required to be considered one of the greatest individual athletes, if not the greatest, in sports history.

His equals include guys named Ruth, Jordan, Gretzky and Ali, and animals like Secretariat. Statistically speaking, no one has touched Woods' accomplishments since he burst onto the sports landscape in 1996.

But in the case of popularity, Tiger does have one true rival. Phil Mickelson isn't perfect every week by any means, but is loved nonetheless because he's got an everyman quality that the striped one will never attain.

Especially now.

Mickelson is the true chosen one in the eyes of the golfing public because he's simply a guy you love to root for. His "aw shucks" demeanor and wizadry with a club on the course is only equaled by his gentlemanly conduct out amongst the masses. You want to talk about a model citizen? A guy who wears his heart on his sleeve? Someone who is as respectful of others as he is tenacious in battle?

Phil is your guy.

Mickelson put on the bravest face and played off his emotions in public when it was learned this past season that both his wife and mother were battling cancer. That endeared him to millions. Woods, on the other hand, got caught doing the one thing that seems to divide people as much as politics. Many believe if you cheat on your wife, you've cheated yourself. In the sports world, if you cheat on your wife you cheat yourself and rob the fans of their belief in you.

To the golf novice, all I can say is the next time the FBR Open and Masters roll around, or if you ever get a chance to absorb the atmosphere of a PGA Tour event in the New York City area, just pay close attention to the gallery when Mickelson is on the course. You'd think he's the one with 14 majors, instead of just three.

It's unlike anything true golf fans have ever seen at professional events. Mickelson is a rock star in the truest sense of the description. The reaction he gets by simply walking from the clubhouse to a concession stand rivals any response any athlete in any sport gets anywhere in the civilized world.

And it's not because he wins all the time, is chiseled out of granite or rivals Brad Pitt in the looks department.

When Mickelson tees up, the fans go crazy. When he chunks one, hits a tree, smacks the TV tower or lands in the drink, the fans don't cry out in despair. They saddle up and get even more enthusiastic in advance of his next shot.

Mickelson's Militia -- in deference to Arnie's Army -- taunts opposing players. Its members drink beer like they are at an NFL game. They display the type of behavior that would make Shooter McGavin sick.

But, again, that's not because Phil is dominant, and definitely not because he has anything skills-wise over Tiger. The Woods-Mickelson rivalry has been largely one-sided. Tiger always seems to get the job done when it matters and laps the field when it doesn't. Phil is seemingly always the bridesmaid whenever he and Tiger are on a course.

But that matters little to the fans. That's not to say, of course, that Woods isn't popular. Clearly he is golf. But common folks can't relate with Tiger, while it seems like Phil is the guy in their bowling or softball leagues, the dude you hang with and watch football on Sundays or drink a beer with at happy hour.

Even if he's not. Point is, they want him to be.

Why? It's hard to say really. Maybe it's because Mickelson is genuinely pleasant, while Woods appears cold and ever focused on the task at hand, never on the people that pay big money to watch him play. Maybe it's because Americans love to root for an underdog instead of the team that wins all the time. Ask any Yankees fan what I'm talking about.

Let's also not forget that Tiger is corporate America. He's Nike and American Express and EA Sports. Mickelson has his endorsements, too, but doesn't carry that bigger-than-the-game persona around with him. You don't see him every time you turn the channel. In fact, I can't think off the top of my head who his major sponsors are.

Fans aren't stupid. They like the little guy. Or, at least, they like the big guy who looks like the little guy when he's matched up against Goliath. Throw in an affable personality and you have the next candidate for a higher office, a guy people rally behind simply because he is as opposed to he does.

Woods probably lost millions of fans over his extra-marital transgressions. Where do you think they will land?

On the Mickelson bandwagon is my guess because he has the most to offer.

Golf is a game of etiquette and sportsmanship. While no one is saying Woods doesn't display both, it's fairly obvious he will face an uphill battle going forward trying to win more than tournaments. He's going to have to deal with Mickelson having even bigger galleries. He's going to hear more overt taunting and ill advised camera clicks than he's used to. His par-saving putt won't resonate across the course nearly as much as even Mickelson's bogey-saving stroke.

There's no way to know if Tiger the player will be impacted in any way by his off-the-course shenanigans, just as it remains to be seen what all the expected newfound support will do for Mickelson's game. Many would agree we still haven't seen the best of "Phil the Thrill."

Maybe Tiger's loss will be Lefty's gain.

Maybe, just maybe, golf will become more than a one-horse race.

Follow The Lantern on Twitter at @GreenLanternJet

Jeter Is The Man, But Not The Sports-Man

2009-12-01T12:26:00.001-05:00

By Jeremy Fuchs

Derek Jeter has been named SI's Sportsman of the Year. As a die hard Yankee fan, I couldn't be happier for Jeter. He's a class act. He's also dating Minka Kelly, so this just adds to my jealousy. But, for some reason, I don't consider Jeter Sportsman of the Year.

Sure, he had a great year, and yeah, he led his team to a World Series win (although I'd argue that win was on the shoulders of Alex Rodriguez). He's the face of the Yankees. But, what else has he done?

When Michael Phelps was named Sportsman of the Year in 2008, it made sense. He dominated the Olympics, becoming the greatest Olympian of all time. That deserves Sportsman of the Year. Jeter, for all his greatness, helped his team win a World Series. He wasn't the star player in the playoffs. He was good. And he won a championship.

But, Sportsman?

Sure, Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's all-time Yankee hit record. An amazing accomplishment (and one that I still think is on my DVR). But how does that make him a Sportsman?

In my view, a Sportsman should be the best in his or her given sport, while also making a tremendous contribution to the community. Jeter is not the best in his sport. Jeter didn't dominate his sport. While Jeter had a great year and his Turn 2 Foundation is among the best charity organizations of its kind anywhere, he was outshined, for the most part, by A-Rod and Mark Teixeira on the field.

I'm not writing this because I'm upset Jeter won. I'm happy. I'm writing this because I feel he doesn't desereve it.

Someone like Usain Bolt would've been a better choice. How about Rachel Alexander, the fantastic filly? There are many more deserving choices.

I guess it could be worse, though. SI could've picked Tiger Woods.

Jeremy Fuchs is a talented young guy who puts an awful lot of thought and consideration into everything he writes. Please follow him on Twitter @jaf78

Jets, Despite Problems, Are Right In Middle Of AFC Playoff Picture

2009-11-30T11:28:00.002-05:00

By The Lantern

If you took nothing else from the Jets' ugly 17-6 win over woeful Carolina on Sunday, know this: Despite their myriad of injuries and problems, they are very much alive in the pursuit of a spot in the NFL's meaningful January football tournament.

The Jets got handed several early Christmas presents on Sunday, in the form of neat stocking stuffers. Miami, Houston, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh all lost and now the Jets are just one game out of the final AFC playoff spot with five to play.

Is it a case of here we go again? Or this time things will be different?

Unfortunately for the Jets, several missteps earlier in the season could ultimately destroy their chances regardless of how well they play.

The Jets have yet to prove to anyone they are truly playoff worthy. But, the last decade in the NFL has been all about parity. One week you look dead and buried and the next you're right there, seemingly controlling your own destiny.

The Jets will almost certainly get into the playoffs if they win out. Obviously, they won't or shouldn't, but stranger things have happened. Well, not really. If the Jets were to close the regular season on a six-game winning streak I think the whole professional sports world would demand some kind of investigation, probably question the Secret Service and picket outside Roger Goodell's office.

Because, these are the Jets after all, the kings of the slow tease, the masters of the free fall, the gurus of bait and switch -- with only the fans left with enough common sense to clean the carcass off the side of the road.

But assuming the world is indeed spinning on its proper axis, let's break this thing down a little further:

Right now, New England, Cincinnati, San Diego and Indianapolis are in the driver's seat in their respective divisions. Only the Colts at 11-0 are a lock to wrap things up soon. The Patriots look like a lock because the Jets, Dolphins and Bills are all below .500 and scare absolutely no one. The Chargers are notorious for starting slowly and then pulling away late. The Bengals? Who really knows? They appear legit, but why do I think the Steelers or Ravens will end up taking the Central race down to the final day?

After the division leaders, you have Denver at 7-4, and Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Jacksonville at 6-5.

* The Broncos have the easiest path to the playoffs, with two games against awful Kansas City, one against equally bad Oakland, one against enigmatic Philadelphia and a matchup with Indy. Give the Broncos three wins and at 10-6, they will be in.

* The Steelers have dropped three straight, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger battling through some ailments. The good news is they can be 8-5 really quickly because their next two are against the Raiders and Browns, who have a combined four wins this season. Pitt closes the season with Green Bay and Baltimore at home and Miami on the road. I see 9-7, though with a healthy Roethlisberger they could run the table.

* The Ravens, who beat Pittsburgh in OT on Sunday night, have alternated losses and wins over their last six and finish at Green Bay, home for Detroit and Chicago and then at Pittsburgh and Oakland. The worst they'll do is 9-7, but 10-6 is more likely.

* The Jaguars are coming off a brutal 20-3 loss in San Francisco, which ended their three-game winning streak. They have beaten absolutely no one this season, with their victories coming against teams currently a combined 23-43, and they close with Houston, Miami and Indianapolis at home, and New England and Cleveland on the road. The Jags will be lucky to finish at 8-8.

The Jets at 5-6 are in a group with Houston and Miami. Their Week 1 win over the Texans may come into play, but that team is a lot like the Jets in that they throw games away seemingly on a whim. Take Sunday's loss to Indy as the perfect example. Even up 20-7, you knew they weren't winning.

The good news for New York is it plays Buffalo in Toronto on Thursday and then at Tampa Bay. Those teams are a combined 5-17. The bad news is the Jets then come home for Atlanta, go to Indy and then close the season at home against Cincinnati, teams currently a collective 25-8.

What really kills the Jets here is the fact that they were swept by Miami, and lost to Buffalo and Jacksonville. They should be 9-2 and thinking about the second seed in the playoffs. Oh the Jets optimists and excuse makers will wax poetic about Mark Sanchez the rookie and accepting mistakes and the growth process and all that stuff, but the reality is if you really break down the first 11 games, the only teams that were truly in a different league than the Jets were the undefeated Saints and the Patriots the second time around.

Even with all of Sanchez's problems, the Jets still should be better than 5-6. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Yes, the season-ending injuries to Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington hurt, but, seriously folks, losing to the Dolphins twice? The Bills? The Jaguars? Sorry, but that just reeks of the old and shows no semblance of what's supposed to be the new.

But then again, the Jets do this seemingly every year, play down to the opposition and drop games that end up biting them in the rear come tiebreaker time, regardless of whose name is on the back of the quarterback's jersey.

That all said, I do expect the Jets to somehow win their next two and get to 7-6. Then we'll see if this season will be any different than the countless before it -- the Jets right there only to crash and burn when it really matters in late December. I could spend a week documenting all the collapses, but I don't need to. We know and have lived through all of them much the same way we get up each morning, kiss whomever goodbye and head to our jobs.

It's routine. It's the daily grind. It's often just a big waste of our time.

I'd like to believe that the Jets can also win two of the last three and finish at 9-7, but we've been teased so many times in the past the best thing to do is just turn our attention to Buffalo and deal with the others when the time comes.

Of their remaining opponents, only the matchup with the Colts in Indy should be a loss. Even with Sanchez now suddenly managing games and the defense bending but not breaking, the Jets should handle both the Bills and Bucs. The Falcons are nothing special and the Bengals, though good, are not world beaters. Also, those two games are at home, which for any other team driving toward the playoffs can be a huge advantage.

It's just a matter of the Jets finally showing everyone they can be more than mediocre and can shed that choker reputation they have fostered with gusto over the better part of the last four decades.

I'm under no illusions. Put a gun to my head and I say the Jets finish 7-9, but considering their personnel and the new approach on offense with Rex Ryan being the man behind the curtain pulling the strings, they should, should, find a way to get to 9-7.

If so, we all just have to pray that the Miamis and Jacksonvilles of the world aren't around to spoil the fun.

Bottom line, be a realist. Take the oldest sports cliche to heart and do your best not to drive yourself insane. It's just not worth it.

One game at a time.

Follow me on Twitter at @GreenLanternJet.

Yankees Hot Stove: Fixing A Team That Ain't Broke

2009-11-27T13:39:00.004-05:00

By The Lantern

In Yankee land things are never what they seem. We know this all too well. Even though the franchise is coming off its 27th world championship and appears to be loaded at every conceivable position, one has to figure GM Brian Cashman is just biding his time before making some sort of splash.

The Yankees know no other way. It's what they do. And lucky for their fan base, they tend to get more things right than wrong.

So who will be the big pickup this offseason? That remains to be seen, but I've got some ideas on how they should approach things. Not that they need a nearing middle age, sleep-deprived maniac like myself advising them, but the Yankees know many of their fans are so knowledgeable about the game they could probably be a GM on some level.

So for you know whats and giggles, let's kick it around.

The only givens for this club heading into 2010 are the infield, two pieces of the rotation and the back end of the bullpen. The Yankees need to make several decisions in the outfield, certainly need another starting pitcher and must address some aspects of the bullpen.

Issue 1: Starting pitcher. My guess is Andy Pettitte will return. He'll be rewarded for how he performed last season, a year where he took an incentive-laden $5 million base salary deal and ended up winning 14 games in the regular season and all three series-clinching games in the playoffs. So with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Pettitte you already have a rotational top 3 that's among the best in baseball.

Where things get dicey is when trying to fill the back end. I realize that the Joba Chamberlain starter vs. reliever debate has raged on uncontrollably now for several years. The Yankees nearly destroyed the psyche of this kid with the stupid "Joba Rules," a plan that rendered him useless in August and September. Once demoted to the 'pen, Chamberlain began to once again resemble the flame-throwing force he'd been in 2007 and most of 2008, occasional sleep-walking episodes in the playoffs aside.

In my opinion, Chamberlain is a reliever. He can and should be used in any situation from the seventh inning on and should one day fill the enormous shoes of one Mariano Rivera, should he decide to not pitch until he's 50.

So with Chamberlain focusing on getting no more than three outs in a game, that leaves a big void in the rotation and the problem is the team has no idea what Chien-Ming Wang will be once he's fully recovered from his assortment of injuries, both to his body and mind. My guess is Wang doesn't like getting a World Series ring by association.

In essence, the Yankees could have two spots to fill. My guess is Wang will be given every opportunity to win back the hearts and minds of Yankees brass, probably as the team's No. 5 starter provided he shows he's good to go in spring training.

But if the Yankees do by some miracle decide Chamberlain is best-suited as a reliever, Cashman should focus all of his attention on free agent John Lackey, if for no other reason than the guy is a gamer. I don't think Lackey will ever be close to a 20-game winner, but he throws ground balls and in the new Yankee Stadium, unless you're overpowering, being down in the zone is a must.

What I'd like to see: Yankees start 2010 with Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Pettitte, Lackey and Wang, with Chamberlain as the sixth man and seventh inning guy. Chad Gaudin becomes the long man for real.

Issue 2: The outfield, period. As currently constructed the Yankees have a liability in some form or another at all three positions, not least of which is the fact that Johnny Damon is a free agent and Hideki Matsui can no longer play in the field and is also a free agent. I'm not one who's big on outfield power for this team, because the Bombers have an infield that accounts for about 125 home runs and 500 RBIs a year and a catcher in Jorge Posada who can still hit .275 with 20 dingers and 75-plus RBIs, even as he approaches 40.

But defense is a huge part of this. Nick Swisher, if you remember, was initially brought to the Bronx to be a fourth outfielder, part-time first baseman and designated hitter, but the Teixeira signing and Matsui's leg troubles turned Swish into an everyday corner outfielder. It worked fine as he hit 29 homers and plated 82 runs, but he's another one who doesn't cover a lot of ground and has a below average arm.

Melky Cabrera in center is really the only given the Yankees have. I suspect Cabrera will continue to get better and the Twins will one day be really upset when they see Cabrera as a borderline All-Star, Phil Hughes as an integral piece of the Yankees' rotation and/or Ian Kennedy as a fifth starter somewhere in baseball. But he was only Johan Santana. I mean, Carlos Gomez is awesome after all.

Anyway, if the Yankees target anyone for the outfield, it should be Curtis Granderson. Obviously he's signed through at least 2012 in Detroit, but if there is a guy to mortgage some of your future for it's this guy. Impeccable defense, great hitter, 20 triples, lots of power, he's a no-brainer and certainly someone the Yankees should consider parting ways with prized prospects Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero, and a pitcher or two for.

What I'd like to see: Yankees re-sign first of Damon or Matsui who's willing to take a short-term deal and trade for Granderson, giving them an outfield of Granderson, Cabrera and Swisher with Damon or Matsui at DH, or with Damon in left and Swisher at DH. What I don't want to see is Cashman give both Damon and Matsui longer deals as rewards. The Yankees need to keep acting like this is a business even though the entire Universe would allow either player to date their daughters after what they did in this past postseason. You have to think rationally here, with the future in mind.

Issue 3: Making sense of this bullpen. Assume for a second that Hughes is in the bullpen and Chamberlain is a starter. The Yankees have to decide what to do when it comes to a few guys that appear to be in no-man's land. Brian Bruney comes to mind. He's always hurt and seems to be somewhat fragile mentally. Do the Yankees use Alfredo Aceves in the same role? Or do they lessen his workload? Because he became largely ineffective as the season progressed, so much so he appeared to completely fall out of favor with manager Joe Girardi in the late stages of the World Series.

David Robertson? He must become an everyday situational force, and Girardi must be mindful of the fact that this guy can also pitch multiple innings. He's a very valuable asset.

Damaso Marte or Phil Coke as primary left-handed set-up man? I say Marte's earned it, but Coke is too young and talented to be ignored so you keep both in that pen at the expense of a Bruney or another right-hander, like maybe a Jonathan Albaladejo.

What I'd like to see: From the 9th inning out -- Rivera, Hughes, and Chamberlain. Robertson as situational righty, Marte as situational lefty. Aceves becomes do-it-all guy. Coke stays because two lefties are better than one. Gaudin becomes expendable, even though he was a real trooper for this team in 2009.

So there you have it. I just hope the Yankees don't do something foolish like sign Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. They don't need either as currently constituted. If they have ideas about Roy Halladay, I'm all for including Chamberlain in a deal if given the option, because Halladay is only 32 and I think down the road Hughes has more upside.

Call it an offseason of tweaking in Yankee land, because the issues they have, as annoying as they appear, don't require big fixes. The bottom line is if this team gets that Lackey-type guy it will be the odds-on favorite to win it all in 2010.

Now, bash away. The one thing I've learned in 15 years as a member of the sports media is when it comes to the Yankees, the opinions are endless. I've got my helmet on.

Follow me on Twitter at @greenlanternjet

In Times Of Jets Desperation, There's Always The Big Man In Red

2009-11-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

By Kelli Burns

Well it’s that time of year again. One by one the Jets faithful have finally started throwing in the towel as their beleaguered team has gone into the toilet. It appears no amount of praying to the Great Almighty holds any traction as far as Jets Nation is concerned.

The Big Kahuna appears to have gone on Jets hiatus, preferring instead to leapfrog the plight of the little green battlers to instead deal with other more pressing issues -- like why Eggo’s are out of stock nationwide.

So with the Jets faithful clutching at their last remaining shred of pride, it’s time to make a last ditch plea to the one man who may possibly have the power to alter the trajectory of the Jets nosedive into true embarrassment. Yes, it's time to call upon the big guy himself. And I’m not talking about Rex Ryan. I mean the other, even bigger guy.

Santa Claus.

It seems the season of asking for miracles and transferring one's loyalty from the one and only omnipotent to the one only omnipresent (he sees you when you’re sleeping remember) seems apropos. Because at this stage I’m pretty certain God has had both of his fore fingers jammed in his ears for about the last seven weeks. He's ignored the prayers of all Jets fans begging for the love of all that is holy and green do something to help this team avoid yet another crash and burn.

If I was HIM I’d be fed up listening to the masses bleating about the “Same ‘ole Jets,” too. While it feels like the team is either ignoring its fanbase or really doesn’t give a flying hoo-hah, the reality is the Jets appear to hear the fans, but are powerless to grant them what they want.

If Jets fans are honest with themselves they’d just admit they're beaten down and tired of the team inventing new ways to lose each and every week. Yet at the same time, Jets fans really have no one to blame but themselves. They are the same people who week after week paint their extremities and weakly chant their battle cry -- J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JE ... oh forget it. Right about not we need more than divine intervention. We need an old fashioned Christmas miracle. At the very least these diehards need a little hope before they suffer an emotional flatline. Isn't the holiday season all about hope? I’d like to think the fans deserve at least one, two or six more feel-good moments.

"If Jets fans are honest with themselves they’d just admit they're beaten down and tired of the team inventing new ways to lose each and every week." -- Kelli Burns

Ask any Jets fan if, given the opportunity, they’d prefer to sit around in a lobotomized daze with their own fingers wedged firmly in their ears or if they'd prefer to watch the Jets fall even further from grace. It’s probably an easy choice right about now. My fingers are at the ready. Pain only hurts when you feel it and not even a IV of morphine can numb the fans enough to ignore the looming reality of how the season will end.

Because it always seems to end the same way.

So with that I present to you my plea to the big man in red, my Jets 12 days of Christmas wish list, as a last-gasp effort to see if there is anything that Santa can do to save us from having to endure the pain of yet another Christmas without hope:

Dear Santa,

You're our last hope. And I do apologize for not coming to you first, but it appears God wants no part of us. We’re turning to you to help put the spirit back into the hearts and mind of the greatest fans in the NFL, the fans of that team in green, the New York Jets. In football, if you’re standing still, you’re going backwards. And right know this baby has been slammed into reverse. Just plonk your chubby self in front of the telly on any given Sunday and see for yourself. There's no forward momentum, no magic; just jaw-dropping failure after jaw-dropping failure. This NFL season is turning into a travesty of monumental proportions. But there is a way to get this thing back on autopilot so we can land safely in January.

12th day wish: Let’s start with a win this week at home against the Panthers, though at this stage beating a local high school team would suffice. I don't know if the fans can handle another case of the Jets losing to a team they should beat.

11th day wish: How about stuffing the Jets stocking with a new offensive coordinator. The predictable is tiring and Jets fans are ready for the offense to do something somewhat stunning. You can start by filling the Jets' playbook with Xs and Os and bottle caps and stick figures not drawn up by one Brian Schottenheimer. Actually, I really don't care whose playbook it is, as long as it’s not his.

10th day wish: I’d like to see a little mongrel in our boys out there, a little in-your-face hard yakka that wins football games week in and week out. The pain of the setbacks is all mental. It’s mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn't matter. They need to get angry and channel the agro and frustration into an occasional ass whooping. Leave the kumbayah to the Boy Scouts. Play footy dammit!

9th day wish: We need Leon Washington’s leg to heal up better than it was before so he can play again, something akin to Timmy from the Christmas story of Scrooge. Since Jets fans feel as though they have been “screwged” in recent weeks, this little nugget of a miracle would truly be appropriate.

8th day wish: We need the special teams to show up every week with as solid a performance as it showed against the Patriots. Please don’t pull the old bait and switch and give us the Ted Ginn Jr. Jets. We like the Eric Smith version thank you very much.

7th day wish: We all like to think that Mark Sanchez is a rookie on an upward trajectory toward the Hall of Fame. But in (hot) dog years he’s still in the equivalent of NFL elementary school. This wish is for an accelerated learning curve, a little extra confidence thrown the young bloke's way, because, after all, he is our future and is a really nice sort. Also, please throw in some improvisation skills because he tends to force things.

6th day wish: Help the coaches with clock management. If a jolly, fat bellied guy not named Rex can find a way each year to streak across the sky dispensing gifts to all who are deserving, surely the Jets can figure out how many blokes they need on the field and save their bleedin’ timeouts for late in a game when they need them most.

5th day wish: Do the Jets really need cheerleaders? I mean, what's there to cheer about? If you insist on the Flight Crew, at least let me coordinate their outfits and choreograph their moves.

4th day wish: Big Rex actually allowing the defensive coordinator to coordinate. Mike Pettine seems to be doing a bloody good job of it. He's consistent, flexible and adaptable. Go see what the O-co is up to instead! Or should that be No-co? See what this team does to me?

3rd day wish: Fewer turnovers. No? How about something easier, like a whole lot more touchdowns? Let’s see some end zone John Travoltas. We all want to see players in green busting some more moves out there.

2nd day wish: A photo of Bill Belichick kissing Rex Ryan's ring -- for no good reason other than a good giggle and self deprecating laugh. God knows everyone else is laughing at us, so we may as well yuk it up with them.

1st day wish: How about an antidote for that pesky "wildcat." Something like, I don't know ... Wait, I got it. A Cougar!

So there you have it. I don't think I'm asking for too much here. I could have been typical and requested a Super Bowl appearance or, dare I say it, a championship, but I know you're a busy man.

Thanks for your time ... and don't forget to miss the off-ramps for Miami, Buffalo and New England on Dec. 25.

Kelli Burns is a voice of reason in a world of Twitter Jets angst. You'd be doing yourself a great service by following her @kelliburns

Cowabunga Dude! C'mon Jets, Losing Is All In Your Minds

2009-11-24T14:09:00.003-05:00

By Thomas Hensch

I believe the Jets, yes, the New York Jets, can make the playoffs.

Yes, Jet fans, I said the "P" word.

The Jets likely need to run the table to make it because they have dropped six of their last seven games.

Everybody has them dead and buried. But bare with me here. There is good reasoning behind my boastful claim.

In Laird Hamilton's book "Force of Nature," he discusses negativity. For those of you who don't know who Hamilton is, he has been hailed as the world's greatest big-wave surfer. C'mon folks, you've seen Laird in that American Express commercial where the surfing dude gets airlifted by helicopter into a monstrous wave so that he can put his life on the line for the ultimate ride of his life.

Yeah, that guy.

Hamilton writes, "Negativity; we all get it, but that doesn't mean you have to take it. Negativity is going to crop up in your mind. I think that's an unfortunate part of being human. It's as sure as daytime, nighttime. The question is: How much life do you give it? How dominant do you let it get? You have to make sure that the positive has more power and gets more time in your head than the negative. If you let the negative side take charge, you're going to find yourself in a hole."

Hamilton said that when he's surfing he's consciously removing the negative thoughts. I can't blame him because it could be his last ride ever if he wipes out. In sports, Hamilton said, "Mental discipline is key, and when it comes down to it, negativity is the easy way out. Quitting: easy. Daring to triumph: hard."

In 2002, the Jets were 2-5 and had to travel to play the 6-1 Chargers in San Diego. The media and fans had this game as another loss for the "Same 'ole Jets." But master motivator Herm Edwards delivered that famous line during his weekly press conference:

"Hello, you play to win the game. You play to win the game."

The Jets then went out and destroyed the Chargers 44-13. The positive attitude that Herm gave to his team was the turning point of the season, but the Jets still had to work hard and have faith that they would make the playoffs.

After a crushing 20-13 loss to the Bears in Chicago, the Jets were 7-7 and trailed the Dolphins and defending Super Bowl champion Patriots in the division. The Bills were also 7-7, but the Jets had beaten them twice so they had that particular tiebreaker.

The Jets went up to New England the next week and won 30-17 on Sunday night in front of a national audience on ESPN. What's crazy is the Jets also needed a lot of help, assistance in the form of a win by the 4-10 Vikings over the Dolphins.

They got it in the form of a 20-17 victory on Gary Anderson's 53-yard line-drive field goal late in the fourth that never seemed to get more than 10 yards off the ground.

That set the groundwork for a wild and crazy Week 17. The Jets were playing the Packers at the Meadowlands at 4 p.m., while the Dolphins were entertaining the Patriots in Gillette Stadium.

My buddy and I had tickets to the game so we were praying for a Patriots victory (which would eliminate the Dolphins) and a Jets victory over the Brett Favre-led Packers, which would give them the AFC East title.

It was a snowy, cold day at the Meadowlands. During the first quarter, the crowd erupted when the scoreboard displayed that the Patriots had come back and defeated the Dolphins 27-24. The Jets went on to crush Green Bay by 25 and win just their second divisional title. The Jets then went on and destroyed the Colts 41-0 in a home wildcard game before losing 30-10 to the Raiders in the divisional round.

So there's precedent for the unthinkable to take place.

In order for the Jets to win their next six games, they need the entire team and coaching staff to step up and outwork their opponents.

Here's what Hamilton said about defeating negative thoughts: "If you're plagued by negative thoughts, here's a simple cure: Do something. If you think about it, negative thoughts are a luxury. They're a way to avoid getting down to work. We are each our own greatest inhibitors. We stop ourselves. The irony is if you just get out of your own way, you'll do really well. And the sooner you face the work the easier it'll be. The work will actually be the fun part."

Since Rex Ryan, Kerry Rhodes and Bart Scott like to "talk the talk," and since we know they have had problems "walking the walk," how about they try "working the work?"

They do that and they can start to think like Al Davis.

"Just win baby."

Thomas Hensch, otherwise known as @tommyjets on Twitter, is a lifelong fan and Gang Green eternal optimist. Please follow him on Twitter.

Sanchez Has His Faults, But Jets' Coaching Has Many More

2009-11-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

By The Lantern

If patience is a virtue for most everyone, then impatience is a rite of passage for fans of the New York Jets.

This season has taken the form of countless others. Hope and optimism has been smacked in the face by pessimism and despair. The usual old sayings about this team have once again been proven true.

So nothing has really changed and the most jaded among us, myself included, aren't terribly surprised. The Jets are that one part of our lives that takes away from all that is good. It is what it is. Many of us watch and we don't really even flinch anymore. I mean, sure, some younger fans have the gall to sound shocked by what they see on any given Sunday. And others like to pretend they are these wise souls who know pessimism and waiting for the other shoe to drop just defeats the purpose. But I believe those people are either living in a fantasy world or really aren't the true diehards they profess to be.

Because no one -- and I mean no one -- should be sitting there countless Sunday after countless Sunday saying, "Aw shucks. We'll get 'em next week."

That's as phony as it gets.

All that aside, what was supposed to make the 2009 season different in Jets circles was the fact that they finally listened to the fans and chose to rebuild at the most important position on the field. There were some who said Mark Sanchez was more hype than substance when the Jets shocked the league and their fanbase by trading way up to draft him No. 5 overall. But for the most part, the fans were largely behind the move.

I say they should remain behind it, because if you didn't think the kid would struggle at points during his rookie campaign you simply are an unrealistic fan. The troublesome part of all this isn't necessarily the interceptions; it's the people setting the stage for the interceptions.

We all want this team to win, want this team to shed its label as not even loveable losers, but facts are facts. Because they are the Jets, as opposed to any other team not accustomed to winning, they would have needed one of the greatest seasons from a rookie quarterback in NFL history to get them to a place not even Brett Favre was capable of taking them.

I truly believe Sanchez will one day be a fine NFL quarterback. I just worry that his football IQ is being retarded by the coaching staff. Skills-wise he's the goods, but his head has been called into question more times than expected this season because even the least talented of quarterbacks, regardless of age, knows when to throw the ball away.

Sanchez, it appears, does not. But you can sort of live with it because he will grow up eventually.

Or will he?

The blame for many of 16 interceptions and countless fumbles in 10 games falls on offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Of course Sanchez is also to blame because he's the one who ultimately makes the decision when and where to throw the ball, but to me the more alarming problem is the play-calling sequences and the fact that the types of patterns the Jets receivers run tend to cause congestion in areas Sanchez chooses to target.

The New England game this past Sunday is the perfect example. Schottenheimer's play-calling, or the "run-run-pass" mantra I read a million people on Twitter go off the deep end over, left a lot to be desired. It's as if he's really confusing his own players more than the opposition. The Jets came into the game leading the NFL in rushing, but the Patriots knew when and where they would run all afternoon.

No adjustments were made. None.

So, naturally, since the Pats knew how to defend the run, they opted to send the house and be overly aggressive in the secondary when Sanchez dropped back to pass.

And Schottenheimer was powerless to stop it.

He is being singled out here because Mike Pettine made adjustments at halftime to slow down the Patriots offense. The Jets made several defensive stops in the second half that allowed them to be in position to cut into New England's big lead.

But this offense, even with talented players like Thomas Jones, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery, even with an offensive line that everyone seems to agree is one of the best in the NFL, was stagnant and at times simply embarrassing.

Does anyone really think the Patriots are a premier defensive team? Put your hands down because they aren't. They are a shell of the type of defensive team that balanced out any of that franchise's previous Super Bowl runs. But the Jets play-calling and subsequent execution -- mostly because Bill Belichick and his players knew exactly what was coming and when -- made the Pats look like world beaters.

Seriously, Leigh Bodden? C'mon.

And Sunday's gameplan, play-calling and execution wasn't a one-time failure. It was a microcosm of what the Jets' offense has seemingly been like since Ken O'Brien, Wesley Walker and later Al Toon became ex-Jets.

Even the 1998 Jets, the team that came within failing to recover a kickoff in Denver from possibly playing in the Super Bowl, had moments where they simply showed no creativity on offense. I realize that's awfully harsh to say considering that team went 12-4, but what balanced out Vinny Testaverde's countless mistakes and the oft-ultra conservative play-calling was the fact that those Jets made things happen on defense. Think Otis Smith. Sure, he was often called "Toast" and rightfully so, but that guy also had a nose for the football and the end zone.

As for Sanchez, look, even the best quarterbacks in NFL history, guys with names like Aikman and Manning, were horrendous to start their careers. I think so many people looked at Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan from last year and automatically assumed because Sanchez had the pedigree from USC he'd just step in and become the next great thing.

The school of thought here goes three ways. Either Flacco and Ryan were exceptions to the rule, Sanchez isn't that good or the Jets as an organization simply isn't putting him in a position to be successful. I think it's the latter more than anything else. Why is Mathew Stafford throwing for 5 TDs in a game while Sanchez is committing 5 turnovers? Is it because the Lions have better personnel than the Jets?

Please.

Troy Aikman in his rookie season threw 9 TDs and 18 picks and lost all 11 games he started. Peyton Manning threw 28 INTs and went 3-13 in his first season.

Sanchez has 10 TD passes and 16 picks for a team that is 4-6. I certainly believe the 2009 Jets have better personnel than either the 1988 Cowboys, who finished 1-15, or the 1998 Colts. So, to me, it comes down to coaching. Even with all his faults and youth, Sanchez should be putting up better numbers and the Jets should be winning more games.

So while our first impulse is to say the player is overrated, maybe it's really time for the Jets hierarchy to hire a killer offensive coordinator. It's obvious the Jets will not win by being a run-first team because the defense isn't what head coach Rex Ryan envisioned, even though I do have faith once he gets more of "his guys" in there it will be.

In the interim, would it kill the Jets to put together the type of offense that the rest of the league fears?

Because, believe me, it doesn't.

Ultimately, Mike Tannenbaum needs to find an offensive coordinator who, if nothing else, knows how to groom a young quarterback. With the growth of the QB comes the imagination on offense because when you have more faith in a guy to do more things, you do more things.

It's that simple.

Give Me 1 Good Reason Why Jets' Klecko Shouldn't Be In Hall Of Fame

2009-11-20T21:45:00.002-05:00

By Thomas Hensch

One of the biggest travesties in professional sports history is the exclusion of former Jets great Joe Klecko from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The best description of Klecko came from legendary actor Jackie Gleason in the 1980 film "Smokey and the Bandit II.” Joe had a small part in this film playing himself, driving a tractor trailer, which Joe actually did in the offseason. In the scene, Gleason's character, Sheriff Buford T. Justice, confronts Klecko, who is in the driver’s side of the big rig, yelling and cursing at him to move the truck. Klecko gets out of the truck, and Sheriff Justice has this terrified look and says "Oh my God! It’s that big ‘ole bulldog, Joe Klecko" … and then Klecko bends his sheriff badge in half with his own bare hands.

Big ‘ole bulldog Klecko was legendary for his feats of strength both off and on the field. In the 1989 book, Nose to Nose: Survival in the Trenches, by Klecko, ex-Jets center and teammate Joe Fields and Newsday reporter Greg Logan, there are some awesome stories about Joe's strength.

Want examples? Sure you do:

* Klecko was able to bend a quarter between his fingers.

* Klecko was once at a New Year’s Eve celebration with teammate Dan Alexander, a 6-foot-4, 274-pound guard (then considered actually big in the NFL). Alexander's son asked Klecko how strong he was and Joe, wearing his tuxedo, picked up Dan and military pressed him over his head, tearing up his tuxedo. Klecko then, while still holding the guy over his head, looked at Alexander’s son and said, “This Strong."
* During his days with the Jets, Klecko played with a 250-pound fullback named Dwayne Crutchfield. One day they were in the locker room before practice and Crutchfield was talking smack, telling Klecko wasn't the man. Then, in one swift move, Klecko picked up Crutchfield and put the visibly shaken man on top of the locker.

As great as those tales are, Klecko’s on-the-field power was equally impressive as he often left his teammates in disbelief. He once described how he bull-rushed Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz, who stood 6-6 and actually made Klecko look small. He picked up Munoz under his pads and threw him 10 feet into the quarterback.

Munoz later said, "In my 13 seasons Joe is right there at the top of the defensive players I had to block, up there with Fred Dean, Lee Roy Selmon and Bruce Smith.

“Joe was the strongest guy I ever faced. He had perfect technique -- hands in tight, great leverage. My second year, 1981, we went to Shea and beat the Jets, 31-30, but he was such an intense, smart player, I knew I was in a battle. He was the leader, the guy who kept the unit together."

"In my 13 seasons Joe is right there at the top of the defensive players I had to block, up there with Fred Dean, Lee Roy Selmon and Bruce Smith." -- Anthony Munoz

In addition, Hall of Fame guard Joe Delamielleure had made the most compelling argument for Klecko's enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.

"You can't think of his 10-year period without him. I had to block Joe Greene and Merlin Olsen when I was playing and, believe me, Joe Klecko was equal to those two guys,” Delamielleure said.

"If Joe Klecko had played one position for 10 years, he’d have been considered one of the top two or three players at that position, whichever one it was. There’s not another player who went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions. You take a defensive end and put him at nose tackle and he’s just as good there, that’s a great player. We need to get Joe Klecko in the Hall of Fame."

A fellow "New York Sack Exchange" member had this to say about Klecko after the Jets tried to market him and Mark Gastineau as just a "twosome" for the team's quarterback sacks.

“Joe told them, ‘It’s not just Mark and me, it’s the four of us,’” Marty Lyons recalled, referring as well to Abdul Salaam. “Joe told them, ‘If you’re going to market the four of us, OK, but if you’re only going to market two of us, no.’”

In all, Klecko played 11 seasons with the Jets (1977-87) before finishing his career with the Colts. He was the first player in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl at three different positions: defensive end (1981), defensive tackle (1983, ‘84) and nose tackle (1985). He had 20½ sacks in 1981, among his many achievements.

I had the privilege of meeting Klecko in 1987 while I was bouncing at the Long Island Marriott, sporting my blonde Brian Bosworth “Boz” haircut. For those who’ve seen me on Twitter, it’s probably hard to believe I once had hair, but I did. Klecko was a great guy and was very gracious.

The bottom line is this guy belongs in Canton. The experts have spoken and it’s nearly impossible to refute what he achieved in his career. So the Jets didn’t win a Super Bowl when he played. That shouldn’t mean anything.

The Hall of Fame is a place for individuals who are bigger than the game.

For me, and many thousands out there like me, there were none bigger than No. 73.

Thomas Hensch, otherwise known as @tommyjets on Twitter, is a lifelong fan and Gang Green eternal optimist. Please follow him on Twitter.

Jets' Rhodes Needs To Man Up, Forget The Stupid Pro Bowl

2009-11-19T22:32:00.001-05:00

By Thomas Hensch

What the heck did I just witness on Twitter Thursday? @KerryRhodes begging for Pro Bowl votes a few days before a sink-or-swim game against hated rival New England?

He's having a subpar season with zero interceptions, zero sacks, zero forced fumbles and many receivers not fearing his hits. In today's NFL, players are more concerned about looking great, living the NFL lifestyle, than winning Super Bowls. The players need to get back to playing football the way it's suppose to be played, and not by being part of the "me generation," patting themselves on the back and bringing attention to themselves.

Chad Ocho Cinco is a perfect example of the "me generation,” trying to get as much attention to himself with his touchdown dances and outrageous behavior than he is trying to win game.

One of my idols growing up as a teenager was Ronnie Lott. His resume speaks for itself – four Super Bowl rings and eight division titles as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

In case you’ve forgotten, Lott also played for the Raiders and my beloved Jets. As a member of Gang Green in 1993, even though his coverage skills had eroded, he still laid out more receivers that year then Rhodes has in his career.

On Nov. 10, 2009, Lott spoke to the football team at Mauldin High School in Greenville, S.C. to motivate the players before their first playoff game. Lott held the attention of the team with an austere speech that commanded the respect the 10-time Pro Bowl selection was accustomed to receiving during his playing days.

"When I was your age, there was nothing like trying to win,” Lott said. “A lot of people thought there was no way I’d have a chance to wear a Super Bowl ring. What I believe in life is if you can believe it, you can achieve it.”

Lott also discussed the legendary story about amputating part of his finger.

“I cut off my finger after the game because I wanted to play the following week,” Lott said. “The stakes get higher as you climb the ladder. The higher you go, the more sacrifices you have to make.”

While that Hall of Fame safety wanted to win no matter the cost, Rhodes is getting his nails manicured to look pretty for his photo shoot. What's wrong with this picture?

Memo to Hollywood Rhodes: man up and bring the wood this Sunday against the Patriots. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to win seven straight games and get to the playoffs. Once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen.

Get that Super Bowl appearance first. Your Pro Bowl berths can come later.

Note to Ocho Cinco: stop your dancing and clowning around and just bring it on Sundays. And remember one thing, Chad, you cannot hold the jockstrap of the greatest receiver of all time, Jerry Rice.

I don't remember him dancing around the end zone. He acted professionally, like he'd been to the end zone before. Rice scored 207 touchdowns during his Hall of Fame career.

What exactly have you done, Chad?

Thomas Hensch, otherwise known as @tommyjets on Twitter, is a lifelong fan and Gang Green eternal optimist. Please follow him on Twitter.

Pride Is Returning To Long Island ... In Diapers

2009-11-19T15:17:00.000-05:00

By The Lantern

Usually, when a team starts the season with just eight wins in its first 21 games it's not time to book reservations in some strange city for a championship series, but in the case of the Islanders there are plenty of reasons for their fans to come out from under whichever rock they've been hiding under for the last decade.

In the wacky world of the NHL, where a loss is as good as a tie, the Islanders find themselves within a moderate hot streak of the top spot in the Eastern Conference. This coming from a team not expected to finish above 13th or 14th in its half of the league -- John Tavares or no John Tavares.

But yet, at 8-6-7 the Islanders are tied with the Rangers for sixth place in the East, just seven points back of first-place Washington heading into two winnable games -- at Minnesota on Friday and at St. Louis on Saturday.

Back when this seven-game road trip started I was hoping for the Islanders to come out of it with seven points or around .500, but so far they have six points in four games, going 2-0-2.

Say what you want about this team's lack of star power, but it seems to be unfazed playing on the road. So far the Isles are 3-4-5 away from Nassau Coliseum, or they have 11 points in 12 games. If you're a fan of any NHL team you will take a point a game on the road. It just doesn't happen all that often.

So, Islanders faithful, keep up the optimism.

Second-year coach Scott Gordon's high-intensity, high-speed forechecking system came under fire last season from veterans after several of them went down with injuries that cost the Islanders more than 600 games in man power. Brendan Witt was the most vocal of the team's elder statesmen, but Witt has kept his mouth shut this season. There's a good chance he'll be moved prior to the trade deadline because A.) he's not the same player he once was and B.) he's one of the team's vets that still has some value, especially to a Cup contender looking to beef up its blueline. For now, though, Witt is acting like a pro so let's let the future, if and when it comes around, take care of itself.

The Islanders are built on youth and speed. Tavares has been everything the fanbase had hoped for when he was drafted No. 1 overall in June -- great hands, great vision, nose for the net and maturity beyond his 19 years. The next 10 years will be something to behold with No. 91 zipping around the Coliseum ice. Just pray he stays healthy.

The continued development of Kyle Okposo has been another positive. While he's nowhere near being the next Jarome Iginla yet -- a comparison that's been made on many occasions due to his college scoring prowess and ethnic makeup -- the talented winger has shown heart, grit and the ability to contribute on a team level, as opposed to being just a guy who shoots the puck every time he gets it. After finishing his rookie season with 39 points in 65 games, Okposo is on pace for more than 50 points as a sophomore.

Then there's the revelation that is "Mighty" Matt Moulson, the guy nobody wanted. With a team-leading 10 goals, to go along with 8 assists, Moulson is just one point behind Tavares for the team points lead, and has quickly become the steal of the 2009-10 free agency class.

The best part about all of this is the fact that these three young studs are just 19, 21 and 26, respectively. If Garth Snow -- a GM villified by many of the non-believers for apparently being in over his head -- ever finds a way to lock all three up long term, look out.

Sticking with Snow, it's hard to really quantify the job he's done. With all the constant off-ice distractions surrounding this team, whether it be the Lighthouse Project, a possible move to a Midwestern city, or owner Charles Wang's reining in of the spending, Snow has done an incredible job of putting together a team that can not only be competitive, but that also CAN make the playoffs and be one tough out.

Just some quick highlights of what Snow has done over the last season-plus:

* Played the entire league by holding out on the Tavares selection at the draft. A team like the Maple Leafs still hasn't recovered.

* Signed Moulson, a guy with all of 10 points in 29 career NHL games heading into this season.

* Signed two goalies who could start for half the teams in the league -- Dwayne Roloson, a 40-year-old athletic specimen and great locker room presence who is 6-1 with a 2.76 GAA and .915 save percentage, and Martin Biron, who, despite his penchant for giving up softies, is still a pro's pro and, if packaged in the right deal, could give the Islanders useful pieces prior to the playoff push.

Snow did all this knowing full well that one day he'd get franchise goalie Rick DiPietro back. The pressure will be on Snow to trade someone like Biron when DiPietro proves he can withstand the test of time following all of his hip and knee problems. But if DP shows he can't, the Islanders can go forward with confident they have a pair of reliable netminders.

So all this "backup-goalie-as-your-GM" nonsense has to stop -- and it has to stop now.

At the end of the day, how far this team goes will depend largely on health, depth and scoring from players not on that top line. Jeff Tambellini, Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim and Frans Nielsen are all just baby-faced guys who've barely gotten their skates wet in the NHL. But they need at some point to prove they belong. We've seen glimpses, but not nearly enough to warrant any faith beyond a game-by-game, wait-and-see approach.

Proven veterans like Richard Park and Trent Hunter up front, and Mark Streit and Andy Sutton on the blueline just need to keep doing what they have done for the first 21 games.

Role players like Nate Thompson and Tim Jackman, guys who are relatively faceless in NHL circles, just need to keep grinding, keep making positive decisions out there on the ice.

Sure, it's a lot to ask for. A playoff berth would be an unbelievable accomplishment considering the Islanders did not spend any money in the offseason following a year in which they had the worst record in the NHL. But give Snow, Gordon and Wang credit here. They have stuck to their guns and not deviated from the long-term rebuilding plan.

It's just that the players, for the first time in a long, long time, seem to understand and feel the pride that comes with pulling on that orange and blue sweater.

The 'Answer' For Knicks Is Simple: Sign A.I.

2009-11-18T20:27:00.001-05:00

By Jeremy Fuchs, Blog Of Champions

What’s the answer for the Knicks? Is it a complete and utter changing of hands? Is it hoping and waiting for LeBron? Or is it, (gasp!) bringing back Isaiah? While that last suggestion is nothing more than hokum, it has gotten that bad for the Knickerbockers. This once proud franchise is sitting back and hoping one of the many 2010 free agents want to call New York home. Unfortunately, there’s still a season left to be played.

And while there is absolutely no chance of the Knicks being close to playoff contention, the Garden is a basketball Mecca and it needs to have some sort of excitement. So what is the answer to at least get the Garden full again? "The Answer," is the answer.

Allen Iverson was recently waived by the Memphis Grizzlies. Apparently, he left in part of because of personal reasons, in part because of injuries and in part because he was playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Iverson did not enjoy coming off the bench. With young talent such as Rudy Gay and O.J. (Hold The) Mayo, Iverson simply didn’t fit in. Not many teams are showing interest. Only one team, at least publicly, is showing interest. You guessed it: the Knicks.

"I don't think we've changed our philosophy in that we want to be competitive now. We want to do everything we can to win right now, within the framework of keeping 2010 open like we talked about," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said in a published report on Tuesday. "Whatever it takes that makes us competitive and to win right now, I think we'll do as an organization."

While the Knicks are being politically correct, and understandably so, Iverson makes too much sense. First, he can still flat out play. Sure, his best days are behind him, but Iverson can still score 20 points a game. On a team starved for scoring, Iverson would fit right in. Secondly, Iverson is still electric. He can still hit the lane faster than most. He can still light up opposing defenses, take over a game. Third, Iverson was born to play in D’Antoni’s fast paced system. Seven seconds or less was made for Iverson. Fourth, and perhaps most important, he can put people in seats.

Turn on any Knick game, and unless it’s against the Cavs or Lakers, no one is there. I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time. I remember the thrill of going to Knicks games. Now? You would have to pay me to go to a game, and even then I wouldn’t be sure.

The Knicks are losing me. They are losing fans. We can’t wait until 2010. We need excitement now. We need Iverson. After all, he’s "The Answer."

Believe it or not folks, Jeremy Fuchs is 17 years old. He's the driving force behind three blogs -- www.theblogofchampions.com, www.giantsgab.com and www.blueseatblogs.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at @jaf78

Oh Thank The Good Lord For Fantasy Football

2009-11-18T12:15:00.004-05:00

By Adam Weber, Grilling With The Weber

I woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. I had accidentally dropped Adrian Peterson from my fantasy team. The horror was so graphic I will spare you the details of my trauma. But know this: as I lay there in a pool of heavy sweat, I couldn’t help but ask myself a simple but frightening question:

Do I love my fantasy team more than my real team?

The answer: of course not. Don’t be stupid, errr, at least I don’t think I do. Well maybe this year, but it’s an unfair question right now.

See, my favorite team is the Seattle Seahawks, and I am a bona-fide super fan. I follow the Seahawks like a 13-year-old follows the Jonas Brothers, whoever they are. So what if I know Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite color? You got a problem with that? We are twitter buddies, leave me alone, you don’t know me.

My point is, I’m a freakin' fan! Yes Seattle still has a pro NFL team, and no Seattle is not in Alaska, but the 'Hawks season is dive-bombing faster than Sarah Palin’s political career.

This leads me to my main point: a few Sunday's ago I was watching the Dallas Cowboys virtually end the Seahawks season for the second year in a row, but this time I wasn’t throwing anything. I barely let out a single four-letter word. My attention had turned, and turned quickly to Peterson and the rest of my little pretend team.

"For my fantasy team has cured me. The pain of losing once again has been alleviated. I’m a new man. For the rest of 2009, I’m focused on bringing honor to my family, so my wife can finally tell all her friends she’s sleeping with a champion."

Without missing a beat, there I was screaming at that bearded idiot head coach in Minnesota for not putting AP in the game when they were on the FRGGIN' 1-YARD LINE! What is wrong with you man? I’m playing fantasy football here! Peterson is the best RB in the game right now. I’m at a sensitive period in my life and I need every touchdown I can get. Don't mess with me!

So there I was, literally on my knees in the living room begging, and while he did not get that particular TD on that particular drive, this story has a happy ending.

My fantasy team won that week. My fantasy team is freakin' good, and God I love it.

I slept like a baby that night. Seriously, you have no idea. A dump truck could have crashed into my house and I wouldn’t have budged. Not only was I over the fact that my Seahawks are doomed for another miserable failure of a season, but I was whistling my way to work that Monday.

For my fantasy team has cured me. The pain of losing once again has been alleviated. I’m a new man.

For the rest of 2009, I’m focused on bringing honor to my family, so my wife can finally tell all her friends she’s sleeping with a champion.

In case you haven't noticed, Adam Weber is a huge Seahawks and fantasy football fan. Please check out his blog at http://grilling-with-theweber.blogspot.com/.

Foot-In-Mouth Jets Now Believers In '09 Learning Curve

2009-11-16T15:13:00.002-05:00

By Rich Santonocito, Empire Sports Now

Jets fans were so quick to become believers after their 3-0 start that each loss since then has hurt more and more. Even at 4-4 Jets fans still believed a playoff birth was possible. It's over now. Jets fans won't be disappointed for the rest of the season now that the Jets lost to the Jaguars and their playoff chances are shot.

Expectations have been lowered. All the talk, all the hype, all the hoopla is over. Rex Ryan and his players won't be doing much barking anymore. Kerry Rhodes isn't going to tell the media the Jets are going to "embarrass" the Patriots this week. It's doubtful Ryan is going to ask the Jets fans to be "prideful" and cheer louder anymore this season knowing the product on the field isn't giving fans anything to be prideful or cheer about.

“Maybe we’re not one of the best defenses in the league,” Bart Scott told The Associated Press.

The defense hasn't been able to finish games. The Jets have had some leads in the fourth quarter during this 1-6 skid but have given up late scores to lose. The defense hasn't been tackling well either. The Jets just find ways to lose games. If it's not their offense, it's their defense. If it's not their defense, it's their special teams. It's always something and it goes full circle.

“Now we’re 4-5 and we’re not impressive. We’re not scaring anybody. We’re not intimidating anybody coming onto the field, so that 3-0 start is a wash. That’s over with.” Braylon Edwards told AP.

The Jets know how to talk. We know that. What they don't know how to do is play sound football over a long stretch of games. They played well for three consecutive games to start the season and got Jets fans excited, optimistic about the new coach, new defensive scheme, anti-Mangini attitude, stud rookie quarterback out of USC, and vocalness of the team. Well, Jets fans jumped the gun. A long Super Bowl drought will do that.

Hopefully Ryan has learned a lot through the first 10 weeks of his coaching career. Hopefully Ryan and the Jets learned there's a difference between talking a big game and playing a big game. Ryan is also going to rethink his decision to give his players six days off during a bye week and take a look at his clock and timeout management.

I know Jets fans have learned not to get overexcited about a 3-0 start and all the hype that came with it, no matter if a win against the Patriots is included in the three wins. Three straight wins to start a season doesn't equate to 11-5 and a playoff berth.

The Jets and their fans have learned a lot in 2009. Ryan is going to be a better coach because of this experience.

Check out Rich's blog, Empire Sports Now, at http://empiresportsnow.com

As Usual, 'Island Of Misfit Toys' Beckons Jets

2009-11-16T01:05:00.002-05:00

By The Lantern

For a brief few minutes on Sunday I lost power in my house. I was sitting in the mancave helping my 6-year-old put together his Bionicle and watching the Jets. When the TV went black I felt a bit relieved. On some level I was thrilled because if the power stayed out I couldn't watch the Jets potentially lose another game they should have won.

But, alas, the good people at my local utilities were on top of their game this day. Power was restored in a few minutes and DirecTV rebooted itself.

The Jets, however, suffered from a power outage all afternoon and now have no hope of rebooting their season.

At 4-5 following an absolutely horrendous 24-22 loss to a Jacksonville club that had only managed to beat awful Tennessee twice, putrid St. Louis and equally bumbling Kansas City the Jets are finished for 2009.

The wonderful and unexpected 3-0 start now seems more like a cruel prank orchestrated by a fraud of a team led by a coach who looks more and more every week like he's totally in over his head, sparkling resume or no sparkling resume.

All of Rex Ryan's preaching and demanding has fallen on deaf ears. These Jets are no different than the countless teams to don the jersey before them. They simply do not know how to win. And what's crazy is this has gone on forever. Weeks, years, decades, it never changes. The Jets are the armpit of the NFL. Even when they manage to put on some sweet smelling fragrances they wipe them away by stepping in what the local dog has left behind.

It's now beyond comical.

I'm all into Twitter now and even those folks, the many who follow me, are as disgusted as the old school fans who either make the trek to the Meadowlands or watch on rabbit ear-clad televisions every week.

There's simply no escaping that smell, the odor of defeat. It follows us everywhere we go and all the showering in the world doesn't free us from it.

I see no way this team turns things around. None. They may show up next week against the Patriots in Foxborough and may even hang for a while, but, really, we all know how that game will end.

You don't need to be a media member, NFL player or former great to know what the Jets needed to do to beat the Jaguars. We all said it. Stop Maurice Jones-Drew and you win.

Yet the Jets didn't stop him and let average David Garrard play as if he belongs in the NFL. Even down just 8 at the half and with several adjustments made on defense, the Jets still found a way to screw things up.

The Jets didn't allow a first down in the second half until the Jaguars' final drive, naturally. Garrard proceeded to pick the secondary apart and Jones-Drew showed why he "gets it" and is an elite running back when he fell down at the 1 instead of scoring and giving the Jets the ball back.

I'm really not armed with the proper vernacular to fully sum up what the Jets are. I have to bite my tongue out of fear of sounding redundant. I wish there was a different way to describe the pain, but there isn't. It is what it is. We all need to either find a secondary team (which I have with the Seahawks) or just swear off football Sundays.

The Jets are an addiction, and with that vice comes agony for the fan and everyone who knows him or her. I have seen the most optimistic fans do a 180 this season, even though they know the Jets shouldn't win with a rookie quarterback and first-year coach, even, as the season has progressed, with key injuries to guys like Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington, and even though they still have many games left.

Because they, like me, now know. It just took them a while to accept it. Don't blame them. We all come around sooner or later.

I have read many people on Twitter complain about Brian Schottenheimer's play-calling, about the big bark, no bite defense, about questionable special teams. But really that's all water under the bridge. The truth is the Jets' problems are systemic throughout the entire organization. No one area is ever to blame because a new one fails the next week.

The Jets do not tackle. They do not run pass patterns properly. They never seem to know where they need to be on the field, especially in crucial situations. They don't communicate properly.

But the real crime here is the Jets don't believe in themselves. They never have. If they did, we, the fans, wouldn't be glass half-empty people. And while some claim they are true optimists, I don't believe them.

Because any Jets "fan" who says that hasn't been paying attention for decades.

I had hoped this would have been the first season in the last 10 or so where I wouldn't be forced to bust out my annual "Jets Belong On The Island Of Misfit Toys" column. But in truth, they don't just belong there, they rule it.

So stay tuned. The "Rex-in-a-box" could be a big seller this holiday season.

Greetings! Now For A Mission Statement

2009-11-16T00:59:00.000-05:00

Ever want the opportunity to be a sports writer? Do you think they are all armchair quarterbacks filled with pessimism? Do you think you can do better?

Well, now's your chance.

I created this blog as an extension of what I do for WCBSTV.com in NYC. I offer opinion and insights into all of my favorite teams, focusing mostly on the Jets, but also on whatever pops into this deep chasm I call a brain.

So when I started thinking about doing something more personal I asked myself, what would be the best way to be different? How can I make this blog unique?

The answer as best I can gather is to turn this forum into an open-ended sounding board for the fans, a chance for them to try their luck at being the next Rich Cimini, Rod Boone or, dare I say it, Mike Lupica.

So starting now email me your "columns" at greenlanternjets@gmail.com They can be on anything, but I'd like to try to keep a sports theme. I will then link back to your blog or site. If you don't have one, don't worry. Everyone who sends something in will get the opportunity to see their words published. Comment posting is available at the bottom of every entry so, if you have the passion, odds are you'll get plenty of feedback.

All I ask is that you keep it clean. Actually, I lied. I also ask that you spread the good word!

This site will end up being what we, the fans, make of it. The onus is on you to be creative. Lord knows there are enough Jets fans out there with opinions.

Time to man (or woman) up and put your keyboard where your mouth is.

Thanks.

The Lantern