American Sports Thread

[stew]

1997 with Favre

oops

well before that!! ha

bottom line Stew's comments on the JETS are not appreciated

maybe not iceman but they are true.

By the way, I used to live in salem, just outside of boston and supported the Pats when they stunk, that was in 88, i support all the beantown teams.

[Craigyhill Terror]

It has been a great year for the Jets. Devastating loss tonight but a great year.

Great is pushing it. They didn't turn up in the AFC championship game until the game was just about out of reach. They'll have plenty of regrets about their first half performances, especially the defense. On the plus side though, Sanchez has shown a huge amount of progress, especially in the past couple of playoff games. Still plenty to do, but he's coming along.

On the other game, the behaviour of some players, fans and pundits with regard to Jay Cutler has been absolutely appalling. Utter scumbags!

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

Could ask for a super bowl? Yeah they made it to the final 4 two years in a row but that was it, it was all or nothing and they got nothing. So imo not really a good year when the aim was to win it all.

Eh, most teams aim to win it all so that is not really a valid point.
How can you say it wasn't a good year when they were one game away from the SB? Maybe some people are too used to following the bandwagon teams like Patriots not used to the reality of the NFL.

All teams aim to make progress and do better than they did the year before - so being one game away from the Superbowl when you were in exactly the same position the year before is hardly a great year

That is like saying if a team loses the SB one year and they don't win it the next year, it is not a great year. But if you want to go down the progress argument - last year the Jets won their last two games by the Bengals and the Colts resting their starters, and still had a record of 9-7 I think and had to rely on the Texans losing their final game to clinch their wildcard berth. This year they went through the regular season getting 12 wins (haven't checked the exact number). They beat the team that defeated them in the AFC championship game last year, the defeated most people's pick to win the SB, the Patriots. To me, that is progress.

The regular season is a means to an end – getting to the playoffs. If you get to the playoffs the year before and don't do any better the next year then it's not progress.

And yes, if a team gets to the Super Bowl one year, you'd like to think going one better is their aim for the following year. If not, then what's the point? Do you think the Buffalo Bills considered every season from 91-92 to 93-94 "great"?

[J70]

How about holding him to a standard where he trys to help out his backups, or put on a headset and talked to the OC, or helped Heine read the photos he was looking at?

He sat with a face like a spoiled child sulking on the bench, and I never saw one player or coach speak to him or console him, nor did I see him make any shape towards supporting or leading his team from the sideline until about 3 minutes to go.

He's a mé feiner.

Sorry, but that's a different argument, albeit one I've no issue with. But the hysteria was all about him opting out when not badly injured, or, even worse, chickening out when he wasn't injured at all.

[AZOffaly]

Grand. I thought you were having pop at my comments on the night. By the way, it's only a 'strained MCL' according to the Bears?

[gallsman]

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

I've only started watching American Football in the last three or four years and there's still plenty I don't know, but is that bit true??

[Puckoon]

In fairness, the only thing that makes Sanchez even close to being a clutch quarterback is his propensity to have shit first halves in big games!

[mc_grens]

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

I've only started watching American Football in the last three or four years and there's still plenty I don't know, but is that bit true??

I really just dont think he's good enough. He's just too up and down. Look how well Jaaash Freeman is playing. I know which of the two I'd prefer, and Freeman was taken after Sanchez. The Jets might have trouble repeating this next year. Edwards, Cromartie, and Holmes are all FA's next season (if there is a next season), the Jets may very well be unable to afford them all.

[The Claw]

It has been a great year for the Jets. Devastating loss tonight but a great year.

Great is pushing it. They didn't turn up in the AFC championship game until the game was just about out of reach. They'll have plenty of regrets about their first half performances, especially the defense. On the plus side though, Sanchez has shown a huge amount of progress, especially in the past couple of playoff games. Still plenty to do, but he's coming along.

On the other game, the behaviour of some players, fans and pundits with regard to Jay Cutler has been absolutely appalling. Utter scumbags!

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

Could ask for a super bowl? Yeah they made it to the final 4 two years in a row but that was it, it was all or nothing and they got nothing. So imo not really a good year when the aim was to win it all.

Eh, most teams aim to win it all so that is not really a valid point.
How can you say it wasn't a good year when they were one game away from the SB? Maybe some people are too used to following the bandwagon teams like Patriots not used to the reality of the NFL.

All teams aim to make progress and do better than they did the year before - so being one game away from the Superbowl when you were in exactly the same position the year before is hardly a great year

That is like saying if a team loses the SB one year and they don't win it the next year, it is not a great year. But if you want to go down the progress argument - last year the Jets won their last two games by the Bengals and the Colts resting their starters, and still had a record of 9-7 I think and had to rely on the Texans losing their final game to clinch their wildcard berth. This year they went through the regular season getting 12 wins (haven't checked the exact number). They beat the team that defeated them in the AFC championship game last year, the defeated most people's pick to win the SB, the Patriots. To me, that is progress.

The regular season is a means to an end – getting to the playoffs. If you get to the playoffs the year before and don't do any better the next year then it's not progress.

And yes, if a team gets to the Super Bowl one year, you'd like to think going one better is their aim for the following year. If not, then what's the point? Do you think the Buffalo Bills considered every season from 91-92 to 93-94 "great"?

I think you are being too objective in your view here. Its easy to say that about the Bills when they were a very good team for those years. Last year the Jets were frankly lucky to get into the POs. They were branded overachievers and lucky to make the playoffs, and quite honestly, with how the Colts and the Bengals resting their starters,  they were. This year there was no luck involved, they had maybe the fourth or so best regular season record. You say the regular season does matter. Using your argument, take the Seahawks - they make the playoffs this year with a losing record and manage to catch the Saints on the hop, if next year they go 12-4 and win their first playoff game but not their second, you are saying that that is not a great year whereas in reality they have improved enormously and played much better than the previous year.
Maybe being a jets fan my judgement is clouded but as a Jets fan, but I would have thought that the objective view was that it was a great year, I suppose I can't really make that call. What I can say is that as a fan, it definitely was a great year.

[The Claw]

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

I've only started watching American Football in the last three or four years and there's still plenty I don't know, but is that bit true??

Without a doubt. Whatever you say about Sanchez, this cannot be doubted. Countless times this year and last year he came up big when it mattered. I'm not saying he is a very good QB, but when it matters, Sanchez comes out to play. This year alone - last minute drive the length of the field to beat Houston with a TD pass to Holmes, Browns in overtime, Lions in overtime, down the field vs the Colts with 45 seconds to go to get the FG, how he played against the Patriots.

[The Claw]

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

I've only started watching American Football in the last three or four years and there's still plenty I don't know, but is that bit true??

I really just dont think he's good enough. He's just too up and down. Look how well Jaaash Freeman is playing. I know which of the two I'd prefer, and Freeman was taken after Sanchez. The Jets might have trouble repeating this next year. Edwards, Cromartie, and Holmes are all FA's next season (if there is a next season), the Jets may very well be unable to afford them all.

I do like Freeman, and would admit that on this year's performance he was better than Sanchez. The point I was making is that Sanchez is a winner. Similar to what Big Ben is like. I am not comparing him to Ben, I am just saying that he has that quality of being a winner, and coming up big when it matters.

[Craigyhill Terror]

It has been a great year for the Jets. Devastating loss tonight but a great year.

Great is pushing it. They didn't turn up in the AFC championship game until the game was just about out of reach. They'll have plenty of regrets about their first half performances, especially the defense. On the plus side though, Sanchez has shown a huge amount of progress, especially in the past couple of playoff games. Still plenty to do, but he's coming along.

On the other game, the behaviour of some players, fans and pundits with regard to Jay Cutler has been absolutely appalling. Utter scumbags!

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

Could ask for a super bowl? Yeah they made it to the final 4 two years in a row but that was it, it was all or nothing and they got nothing. So imo not really a good year when the aim was to win it all.

Eh, most teams aim to win it all so that is not really a valid point.
How can you say it wasn't a good year when they were one game away from the SB? Maybe some people are too used to following the bandwagon teams like Patriots not used to the reality of the NFL.

All teams aim to make progress and do better than they did the year before - so being one game away from the Superbowl when you were in exactly the same position the year before is hardly a great year

That is like saying if a team loses the SB one year and they don't win it the next year, it is not a great year. But if you want to go down the progress argument - last year the Jets won their last two games by the Bengals and the Colts resting their starters, and still had a record of 9-7 I think and had to rely on the Texans losing their final game to clinch their wildcard berth. This year they went through the regular season getting 12 wins (haven't checked the exact number). They beat the team that defeated them in the AFC championship game last year, the defeated most people's pick to win the SB, the Patriots. To me, that is progress.

The regular season is a means to an end – getting to the playoffs. If you get to the playoffs the year before and don't do any better the next year then it's not progress.

And yes, if a team gets to the Super Bowl one year, you'd like to think going one better is their aim for the following year. If not, then what's the point? Do you think the Buffalo Bills considered every season from 91-92 to 93-94 "great"?

I think you are being too objective in your view here. Its easy to say that about the Bills when they were a very good team for those years. Last year the Jets were frankly lucky to get into the POs. They were branded overachievers and lucky to make the playoffs, and quite honestly, with how the Colts and the Bengals resting their starters,  they were. This year there was no luck involved, they had maybe the fourth or so best regular season record. You say the regular season does matter. Using your argument, take the Seahawks - they make the playoffs this year with a losing record and manage to catch the Saints on the hop, if next year they go 12-4 and win their first playoff game but not their second, you are saying that that is not a great year whereas in reality they have improved enormously and played much better than the previous year.
Maybe being a jets fan my judgement is clouded but as a Jets fan, but I would have thought that the objective view was that it was a great year, I suppose I can't really make that call. What I can say is that as a fan, it definitely was a great year.

I can't argue with that but taking your Seahawks example they are still in the same poor division so winning it again has to be their goal for this year and, yes, winning more playoff games than they did this year has to be the goal as well.
There are two seasons in the NFL, one to get you to the playoff and then the playoffs themselves. Once you do well in the first, the second is forgotten about. The Packers won a game less in the regular season this year than they did last year. I doubt they're worried

[mc_grens]

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

I've only started watching American Football in the last three or four years and there's still plenty I don't know, but is that bit true??

I really just dont think he's good enough. He's just too up and down. Look how well Jaaash Freeman is playing. I know which of the two I'd prefer, and Freeman was taken after Sanchez. The Jets might have trouble repeating this next year. Edwards, Cromartie, and Holmes are all FA's next season (if there is a next season), the Jets may very well be unable to afford them all.

I do like Freeman, and would admit that on this year's performance he was better than Sanchez. The point I was making is that Sanchez is a winner. Similar to what Big Ben is like. I am not comparing him to Ben, I am just saying that he has that quality of being a winner, and coming up big when it matters.

He has had games where he's played well late/ had good second halves/ made big plays late to win it for the Jets, no doubt. My point is, on many of those occasions his poor play is what initially led to the Jets being in trouble!

Manning won DESPITE a poor D, Brady wins despite a young D and a suspect running game. The Jets win because of strong D, solid Special Teams, and playmakers elsewhere on offence.

[The Claw]

It has been a great year for the Jets. Devastating loss tonight but a great year.

Great is pushing it. They didn't turn up in the AFC championship game until the game was just about out of reach. They'll have plenty of regrets about their first half performances, especially the defense. On the plus side though, Sanchez has shown a huge amount of progress, especially in the past couple of playoff games. Still plenty to do, but he's coming along.

On the other game, the behaviour of some players, fans and pundits with regard to Jay Cutler has been absolutely appalling. Utter scumbags!

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

Could ask for a super bowl? Yeah they made it to the final 4 two years in a row but that was it, it was all or nothing and they got nothing. So imo not really a good year when the aim was to win it all.

Eh, most teams aim to win it all so that is not really a valid point.
How can you say it wasn't a good year when they were one game away from the SB? Maybe some people are too used to following the bandwagon teams like Patriots not used to the reality of the NFL.

All teams aim to make progress and do better than they did the year before - so being one game away from the Superbowl when you were in exactly the same position the year before is hardly a great year

That is like saying if a team loses the SB one year and they don't win it the next year, it is not a great year. But if you want to go down the progress argument - last year the Jets won their last two games by the Bengals and the Colts resting their starters, and still had a record of 9-7 I think and had to rely on the Texans losing their final game to clinch their wildcard berth. This year they went through the regular season getting 12 wins (haven't checked the exact number). They beat the team that defeated them in the AFC championship game last year, the defeated most people's pick to win the SB, the Patriots. To me, that is progress.

The regular season is a means to an end – getting to the playoffs. If you get to the playoffs the year before and don't do any better the next year then it's not progress.

And yes, if a team gets to the Super Bowl one year, you'd like to think going one better is their aim for the following year. If not, then what's the point? Do you think the Buffalo Bills considered every season from 91-92 to 93-94 "great"?

I think you are being too objective in your view here. Its easy to say that about the Bills when they were a very good team for those years. Last year the Jets were frankly lucky to get into the POs. They were branded overachievers and lucky to make the playoffs, and quite honestly, with how the Colts and the Bengals resting their starters,  they were. This year there was no luck involved, they had maybe the fourth or so best regular season record. You say the regular season does matter. Using your argument, take the Seahawks - they make the playoffs this year with a losing record and manage to catch the Saints on the hop, if next year they go 12-4 and win their first playoff game but not their second, you are saying that that is not a great year whereas in reality they have improved enormously and played much better than the previous year.
Maybe being a jets fan my judgement is clouded but as a Jets fan, but I would have thought that the objective view was that it was a great year, I suppose I can't really make that call. What I can say is that as a fan, it definitely was a great year.

I can't argue with that but taking your Seahawks example they are still in the same poor division so winning it again has to be their goal for this year and, yes, winning more playoff games than they did this year has to be the goal as well.
There are two seasons in the NFL, one to get you to the playoff and then the playoffs themselves. Once you do well in the first, the second is forgotten about. The Packers won a game less in the regular season this year than they did last year. I doubt they're worried

Take for example the year Meath got to the semi final vs Kerry two years ago and were defeated easily. That year they got lucky fixtures against the likes of Limerick and Mayo to get that far. Now say the year after they got to the semi final but beat teams like Kerry, Dublin and Tyrone on the way, i.e. they got there is a much more convinving fashion than the previous year, and then only narrowly lost to, say, Cork in the semi final. I would still consider that a great year because of the teams they beat and the manner in which they got to that stage.

[Minder]

Sanchez could turn out to be very good but at the minute he just isn't accurate enough. He has good weapons and a good offensive line yet his completion percentage is only just above 50%.

[The Claw]

As a Jets fan, it was a great year for the Jets. Made great strides, beating Colts and Patriots when not given even half a chance. Only team in the final 4 last year to make it back. Remember, second year coach, second year QB. Sanchez being a clutch QB, Rex backing up his words. Showing great heart in the second half vs Ptt. Couldn't ask for any more from a team

I've only started watching American Football in the last three or four years and there's still plenty I don't know, but is that bit true??

I really just dont think he's good enough. He's just too up and down. Look how well Jaaash Freeman is playing. I know which of the two I'd prefer, and Freeman was taken after Sanchez. The Jets might have trouble repeating this next year. Edwards, Cromartie, and Holmes are all FA's next season (if there is a next season), the Jets may very well be unable to afford them all.

I do like Freeman, and would admit that on this year's performance he was better than Sanchez. The point I was making is that Sanchez is a winner. Similar to what Big Ben is like. I am not comparing him to Ben, I am just saying that he has that quality of being a winner, and coming up big when it matters.

He has had games where he's played well late/ had good second halves/ made big plays late to win it for the Jets, no doubt. My point is, on many of those occasions his poor play is what initially led to the Jets being in trouble!

Manning won DESPITE a poor D, Brady wins despite a young D and a suspect running game. The Jets win because of strong D, solid Special Teams, and playmakers elsewhere on offence.

Yea I suppose your argument about his poor play causing them to be down in fair enough. I don't think it happens every time, but sometimes that is the case. For example the Jets D couldn't stop anything in the first half versus the Steelers so you couldn't blame Sanchez for that. But even though that might be the case sometimes, he still comes up good when it matters, and I'd rather have that quality in someone rather than someone who will not make the play on the last snap of the game.

I agree that much of the Jets' success has been down to D/ST and a strong running game, but it is unfair to compare Sanchez to Brady or Manning. But most teams, with the exception of the aforementioned Brady and Manning have the same. Ben, Flacco, Ryan, Cutler, Cassell all have good D and running games. He has some things to work out like his accuracy from inside the pocket and his decision making but he is only in his second year and I really like the qualities he brings to the table. If Jets had a better OC I think he would really blossom.