E-Boland & Gang Green

So, uh, I can't find half of those words in the dictionary.

On another note, Carton used to be on in Jersey for something like 4 years...he was hysterical, actually, because I find mocking people on air to be hysterical (I'm a stern, O&A and Kidd Chris fan, enough said). Anyways, he is surprisingly good alongside boomer...I'm actually really impressed by how he made the transfer.

Finally, I kind of want to know as a count how many of you actually want Favre and why.

Personally, I don't. He had a great year last year, but the 2 years before it were abysmal. Plus, it's a little late to assimilate him into an offense like the Jets...lets be real here...Favre needs Burners and we don't have enough of them for him. Finally, he's not as reliable as everyone says and he really hasn't shown, at least over the last few years, that he's a big game player.

If we make the move, it better not be for anything more than a 3rd rounder and some cap dumping (CP)

I have to argue with all you guys, Boland included, about the NFL schedule.

I understand about playing all teams in your own division twice, plus the other division each division plays annually on a rotatiing basis. That accounts for 10 games in a season. The remaining "filler" games are supposed to be filled on a strength of schedule basis, with higher finishing teams getting harder scheduling and lower finishing teams getting easier scheduling.

It supports the theory that the Jets the Jets alternate their performance from year to year over the last 6 or so because they make the playoffs when they have a soft, low finishing, schedule, and tank when they have the harder schedule that a playoff team gets the following season.

Regardless, the opening home game thing is not an opinion, it's a fact. Look it up, the Jets get a season opening home game about 35% of this time.

Is it possible that today's cancelled sessions are due to some problem? I can't imagine it being just a gift and in that case what sort of problem could be so great as to cause the cancellation? Mangini is not sick obviously. Is he busy with something more important?

"Finally, I kind of want to know as a count how many of you actually want Favre and why."

I want him. Reason being, I want to win. Our QB's are atrocious.

Penny has only had 18 TD's in an NFL season once, his first season playing. Favre has had 18 TD's or more in 17 of 17 NFL seasons. It would be nice to have a QB who can throw the ball for once. Penny has had 1 very good season, also his first season playing. Since then he's had 1 decent season (still 2 shoulder surgeries ago) and 1 decent one (2006).

You know, when everyone was talking about a quarterback controversy for the Jets coming into camp, this is not what I had in mind ...

Count me in with the tin foil hat-wearing conspiracy theorists -- less than a week into training camp, coming off a 4-12 season, with a boatload of new personnel, Mangini is giving the team a day off with double sessions?! Something isn't right here . . .

Still, I don't know about bringing Favre on board. Yes, he's an upgrade (even at 38), but if he couldn't get a significantly better Packer team over the hump (at home in the NFC championship game), what's he going to accomplish with a lesser Jets squad?

Erik (again, nice meeting you at training camp last week) -- we've heard Pennington's and Clemens' take on it -- any word from the other players?

Al, keep in mind Tom Coughlin gave the Giants a day off Sunday, which was just their third day of camp. I know they won the SB last year but I'm just saying, a day off this early in camp isn't unheard of. I'll, naturally, reverse course on that if the Jets trade for Favre today!

R in CT, nice meeting you as well. See above for the "off" day thing. As for the other players, you get variations of "Kellen and Chad are both great quarterbacks" or "that's Mr. T and Coach Mangini's thing," meaning player acquisitions. Pennington by far has been the most quotable - on the record - about this.

I agree with dmb in thinking Pennington's got no arm arm, and Clemens has got no smarts. Favre has both. Even at his age he's better than either.

But, suck on the reality pipe. Peter King interviewed Favre over the weekend and said he sounded disinterested in the Jets. Not likely he's coming here, unless Tangini hopped on a plane and flew to Mississippi to pitch to him.

Let's be honest here. The team actually had a terrible off-season because they didn't settle their QB situation. We aren't going to win anything until we do. We have an open QB competition each season for the last few. That is the biggest joke of all time.

An open QB competition means you have terrible QB's. Splitting the reps these guys get with the first team is down right stupid. Just pick the horse you are going to go with already and give him the best opportunity to build as solid a relationship as he can with his receivers and let him get into a groove prior to the first week please. If he can't hack it, get rid of him.

p.s. I wrote an article for Kidsday, as a follow-up to my interview with Richard Todd, about Mark Gastineau. It's amazing what your perception of a person is when you are kid vs. as an adult. Though he did produce a hot daughter.

John Z : There are 14 games in a season out of 16 that have nothing to do with your prior season finish - 6 in your own division, 4 against one other entire division conference in your conference, and 4 against an entire division in the other conference. The 2 variable games the Jets played last year were against Tennessee and KC, and they split those.

as far as % of home openers for the NYJ are concerned, the 35% is definitely skewed due to the years at Shea...the Jets always had to defer to the Mets and MLB in those years and most years we had very few early season home games. i didn't look at the % since moving to NJ but the two should definitely be separated.

I am no-go on Favre. could you imagine the group therapy session we would have to hold when he throws his season-killing INT? the guy is an all-time great but, he has won ONE super bowl and only been there twice. Granted both numbers are significantly better than what we currently have but, i think his immortal, god-like status among Packers fans has been transferred to much of the national media who kiss his but and shove his "greatness" down our throat. Remember, the Packers were one season-killing INT from the Super Bowl last season and THEY DON'T WANT HIM anymore.

Erik, when using words like obfuscate, please provide a definition. awesome work as always!

I don't want Favre. If we were closer to a SB, then I'd say grab him, but we aren't close...maybe a play-off spot, but doubtful (9-7). Let's be patient and build the team for next years's SB run. We'll need a QB by then! I'm thinking Derek Anderson will be available. Maybe the Leinhart junkies can get their man (might not want him now!)

My theory on the cancelled session: it's Mangini's version of doing laps. If he lets a practice go over 2 hrs (accidentially of course), then tomorrow is an off day. Doubt it's the case, but it's a fun thought...better than seeing him jog!

Gastineau: I met him at Mohegan Sun a few years back at one of the Jets events there. The Jets put a series of events together so that New England-based Jet fans could root togeher (not many showed up...hence it only lasted 1 year). They had ~4 alumni at each event...it was pretty cool (Randy Beverly was the nicest). At half time they'd have each of the players get up and talk about what they were doing. So now it's Gastineau's turn. He gets up, makes an embarassed joke about his past (the jail time etc). Then he did something that made me respect him: he apologized for his actions...and the room became silent. He talked about going back to school so he could work with high schoolers as a teacher/coach. I'd be interested in finding out if he accomplished that...I hope he did. He was suprisingly humble and posed for photos. I was a fan in his heyday and I wish him well, but actions always speak louder than words.

Erik,
Thanks for using the big words, keeps us on our toes: www.dictionary.com

I cant wait for this Farve thing to end! His own team wants him as a back up !

There must be a reason. If his own team that knows him, with a solid and geled oline, familiarity with the system and WRs feel he is done as a starter, how do you think this almost 40 year old QB will do with the jets playing tougher afc teams?

This is nothing more than a circus! Even if the Jets wanted him, why would he end his career with a team with many ? marks and that are ranked 23rd with his ego?

Farve wouldnt have the geled o line, familiarity with the offense and system with the jets. If he had the desire and was younger it might be different. At this stage of the game it would be a big mistake when the jets are moving forward. Lets not stunt the positive growth. There are no quick fixes, especially this scenario!

Its not happening. I prefer to concentrate on jets training camp and reality !

Excellent that Mangini is giving them some time off and not driving them into the ground. Thats all it is,nothing more.

As I mentioned , at this point the green Kool-Aid is addictive ! Even without the Kool-Aid, the jets are in much better shape this year. How much better remains to be seen.

Erik, what's an obfuscate ? My IQ is only the number that the jets rushed for last year. LOL . Keep up the good work!

Dear Erik,
These Chad and Kellen haters are really down on Mangini and Tannenbaum. If these QBs are as bad as these guys say, then these coaches should have already been fired, given their behavior so far.

There is a huge disconnect with what the CS and FO believe and are doing about it, and these 'die-hard' fans who keep spewing their vitriol.

Instead of complaining about the QBs, these guys should be attacking the coaches and evaluating what they have done.

It's obvious that the NYJ CS and FO do not believe Chad cannot throw the ball more than 10 yards with his 'noodle arm', and that Kellen has pine knots between his ears instead of 'grey matter with lots of lightning quick synapses'.

Hollering about the QB performances until we know we have a dominating OL and a successful D is premature, if you just go by what the 'decision-makers' are actually doing about it.

Just my opinion, of course.

Just to continue with the conspiracy theorists. Maybe Mangini wanted to clear everyone out so they could ring in Favre for a meeting and no one would be there to notice.

Serioulsy though, as much as I think he would be an upgrade over who we currently have, he would give them the personality Namath gave them, they should either make a move or publicly squash it. My guess is that they want to see how things develop and may truly be on the fence about it. It's got to be a distraction though.

There's no conspiracy here, he just gave them a day off. They could have made a trade for Favre with a 2 practices in one day, nothing about this has anything to do with Favre, whether we get him today or not. They would never cancel practice because of this.

You can't go on what CP or KC did in 07. The line was horrific, and at times and numerous attempts, couldnt even rush for one lowly yard!

KC is off to a slow start , but only 8 games under his belt is hard to judge.

As for CP, not being able to throw 10 yards ,how just in 06 did he get us 10 wins and a post season with only having running backs by committee?

Fans are still shell shocked by last season and fail to understand all the circumstances.

KC can come on, and CP had a major injury last season and played with a D that was ranked dead last !

I believe whoever wins this qb competition is capable of leading this team.

We lost several games last season by very close margins , even with all the problems , no oline, mismatches on the D side for the system, qb shuffling , ect.

This year will be very different. We are much more grounded.

Jet fans have a valid reason for optimism !

As for CP not being able to take us over the hump, this year he just might get the killer defense that he needs and with pounding the ball and his play action combined with his game managing skills can take us for a real ride ! Who knows.

Erik,
I couldn't agree with you more. And i to have the outmost respect for Mr. T and the way he conducts his business. And also it ahs not been a circus at ll at camp. But if they do get Favre[i think they will] then it will become a very difficult job for the PR dept. I would estimate close to 10,000 fans would attend practices per session until the buzz dies down if at all. Not sure what the jets would do because you know as well has i do Hofstra coudn't hold that amount of fans. Fans would have to be turned away from practice. Probably on a first come first serve policy.

Hey, I said it a few days ago and I maintain my stance. The Jets are not getting Brett Favre. So much has to fall in place for that to happen, and the biggest piece hasn't. And that's Jets interest. The Packers called the Jets, and I seriously think the only way the Jets would push hard after Favre is if the price dropped significantly. Plus, Favre wouldn't want to come here anyway. It's a moot point.

As a former QB himself, Boomer has a bias vs. the Jets pursuing Favre. What I don't understand, however, is why Tannenbaum does not respond to these questions as following which I am reposting from a prior thread:

"As the GM of the New York Jets, I have a responsibility to the owner and to our fans to explore ALL possibilities that I believe are in the best interests of the team. If I believe that, at the right price, Brett Favre would make us a better team, it is incumbent upon me to find out what it would take to bring him here. To do less would be to neglect my responsibility to the team and fans. of the team, but as long as I am paid to make those decisions I will continue to use my own judgment, regardless of whether a player, fan or member of the media thinks differently."

I don't want Favre, as I think the price will be too high. However, I have no problem at all with Tannenbaum "turning over every rock." And if Chad, or any other player, has a problem with that, That is what I am doing with Favre, and that is what I will continue to do. Intelligent minds may differ on what is in the best interests too bad! Chad has not performed well enough in recent years to have a legitimate gripe.

My copy and paste skills leave something to be desired. The last paragraph of my prior post should read as follows:

I don't want Favre, as I think the price will be too high. However, I have no problem at all with Tannenbaum "turning over every rock." And if Chad, or any other player, has a problem with that, too bad! Chad has not performed well enough in recent years to have a legitimate gripe.

i am, after much consideration, anti-Favre trade. I think, even at his advanced age, he would be an upgrade over what we have, but not as much as people think. He has a stronger arm, but this is a different system, and he's only played really in one system (with minor tweaks) since his brief stay in the Dirrrty South (ATL).

also, as much as we'd like to pretend that this move would take place in a vacuum - what would they give up for one or two years of Favre? draft picks? This isn't fantasy fooball. The Jets overspent in free agency, in moves that essentially had to be done, but put them in a difficult position to take on Favre's cap number. The Jets are already not in a great position for the coming few years with respect to free agency and must be careful unless they want to end up like the Redskins

I don't think that Favre is the missing piece. CP might have it in him to lead us to victory, with a re-invigorated O-line and running game. Keller will be a weapon that will free up Coles, and my man TJ is going to amaze people this year. The Jets can compete with the players they have. I would love to see more depth at safety (what happened to Nate Lyles) and true DE

Erik, what would people in Cleveland say if they knew that your extensive vocabulary was giving New Yorkers trouble?

only reason practise was called off, mr. t and coaching staff went to see mr.favre . any views ?

I think the CS is letting this Favre this go on is because it's the only way to show BOTH QB's they can easily replaced if neither one stands up and takes command. Clemens should be hungry enough to be doing better and Chad should be a lot better because he's a veteran. The may both be blind-sided by Ratliff, who has nothing to lose.

Is tomorrow's camp theme, "Wear a Tinfoil Hat Day"? My good one is at the cleaners, but I do have a tinfoil sombrero made out of old Juicy Fruit wrappers. As far as "obsfuscate" goes, it was the name of a bald hamster i used to have. Tragic outcome though.

Scotty P, as much as you've been on the ball the past few weeks, you are, unfortunately off your effing rocker if you think that it is a conspiracy theory that the fans don't think CP can throw. For the love of christ, am I the only one (besides Darrell) who saw the slow motion throws that seemed to last FOREVER before they came down last year? My god. I don't care what kind of "injury" he played with last year the ONES THAT MATTER are the shoulder ones. The guy had to end 2 seasons because of, if I'm not mistaken, rotator cuff surgery. These are the same things that guys in MLB retire from because they can't, after one surgery, regain the same velocity that they had before. It is a sign of a guy who never had a strong arm, but had to throw harder than he was capable of because of his weak arm.

I loved CP when he came in the first time, hell, I loved him when he lead us into that miraculous 10-6 season with the playoffs...but I just can't, for the life of me, believe that he really has anything left. QBs play with ankle injuries and they lose a little bit of zip, they don't suddenly go from throwing 10-15 yard slants to being able to throw 40-50 yard bombs; it just doesn't happen. The guy was golden for us; key word golden. If he's our QB going into the season this year, count me out for paying to see a game. A lot of the "no brains" stuff comes from the fact that the kid isn't getting full reps. He's not out with the first team ALL the time and he's certainly never have had the chance to perform with a working O Line and an offense that was tailored to him. I'm seriously SERIOUSLY wondering why the FO and the fans STILL want CP in the race. Go watch his clips from last year. That ankle injury is just a bs thing that people made up to try and cover his wretched noodle like tendencies.

Scott P said it just right for me - give The Chad a real line, running game and defense, and watch him lead the team. He may not throw 35 TDs, but he is the heart and soul of the Jets. He has as much dignity, class and drive as Curtis Martin ever did. Let me also mention that I can remember more than one pass thrown by Clemens last year that the receivers had to come back for. I'm not convinced he has the gun he's been given credit for. My vote is for The Chad.

PS - Hempstead should be declared a No Favre Zone.

My biggest concern about CP starting is the years he will continue to take off the receiving corps. I don't know how many times i actually cringed watching the hits that his floaters allowed defenders lay on anyone waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the ball. I'm actually surprised that Coles was the only concussion last year. I like Stuckey, but worry about his durability and with CP, I don't see him making it through the season. Coles is fearless and CP's go to guy. I really don't like his chances of not suffering another concussion if he is asked to just stand there again as a wobbler makes its way to him.
Don't get me wrong, KC scares the heck out of me, but maybe given a camp with the first team he could gel a little and some of those drops will start getting held onto.

There's only one word for Mr. T's statements and press conferences: Vacuous. (Erik, why waste your time?)

Can't stand the thought of getting Favre 16 years too late. As always with this pathetic organization--So near yet so Favre away!

RC Meany, Vacuous? Now that's phenominal. As for everyone else, great job of keeping things moving here during an "off" day. You've got questions? I pledge never to obfuscate.

I was wondering if you could paint me a picture of Cleveland with this wonderful language that you use.

Finally got time to ask a question I was stuck on some word posted in a blog, obtusekate, who uses words like that in a blog and who is kate? :) Anyway is Chad doing the same dump off stuff that we are used to, or is the ball actually going down field with some zip on it?

Also has Chad shown that he will keep defenses honest and not load the box daring him to throw the ball?

Boland, when the Jets play the Browns, who do you root for?

Feel like pogo-ing in the mine field, answering Bryan's question, Erik?

Teams will not constantly load the box for fear that Keller will burn them. If they do, with a solid oline line, TJ will still be able to run. He was effective in Chicago when teams constantly loaded the box. In turn, CP will use his killer play action and the TE mix and matches will confuse Ds.

From what I have been gathering, CPs arm, while never a cannon, appears to be much stronger than last season.

CP with this much improved supporting cast will move the chains!

JayM, I'll answer your Pennington in a little more detail tomorrow but on some throws he has shown some good velocity. Nothing to get crazy about but it's not all dink and dunk with him.

Bryan and Mr. Green T, I will give a full report on my history with the Browns at the appropriate time. Which is in 11 days or so. Shoot...
Cliff, when I do so, I'll paint as transparent picture for you as possible.

Sweet. Thanks babe.

Anyways, Scotty, for the second time today you've disappointed me.

"defenses won't load the box because keller will burn them"

For the love of Christ, if defenses weren't afraid of Coles burning them, they sure as hell wont be afraid of Keller burning them. The Box will be loaded and it will be loaded frequently.

TJ ran in Chicago because of great blocking schemes as well as the fact that BERRIAN was keeping the defenses honest. That was the year Berrian blew up, if you don't remember.

Keller will open up the game for our WRs. We will have a much improved blocking scheme. If TJ ran for over 1,000 with a terrible line , I see a big season for him !

I see good things if CP gets the call and so far it looks that way.

Erik,

Nice piece on Leon. Good to see guys who understand that hard work pays off.