Should the Jets achieve a dream previously thought impossible this season, the fallout would be ecstatic, yet somewhat predictable. Bring on the parade and plaudits and bandwagon acclaim. All would be absolutely deserved, hallmark tenants of a proper championship celebration.

More interesting would be the question of whether a singular player eventually defines this entire fascinating team.

These Jets had an interesting composition right from the start. The head coach and quarterback were both rookies, a recipe for rebuilding mitigated by an elite level defense, offensive line, and running game, in addition to some brilliant motivation provided by the aforementioned neophyte ringleader.

Instead of following a predictable route, the Jets cooked a volatile brew, alternately swaying between a dominating force and inconsistent mess.

Through superfluous controversy that seemed constantly swirling, and a myriad of incomplete patterns failing to adequately trace a truly unpredictable ride; cornerback Darrelle Revis was a constant.

Indeed, the quarterback will always be a focal point in any seasonal analysis. And bravado will certainly be long associated with this Jets edition. But after these initial reactions subside, it’s very probable, no matter what this team ultimately provides for a final act, that Darrelle Revis will be recognized as the no-doubt number one reason why they were even had a realistic shot to capture a title.

Revis sports a jovial, though business-like disposition when fielding questions in the locker room.  “It’s always a process,” Revis said, when asked if it took time for the defense to fully synchronize. “It’s about getting comfortable with your teammates… we wanted to be the number one defense. Now we just got to win.” Revis draws another tough assignment this week, matching up with shifty Reggie Wayne. “He brings a lot,” said a complimentary Revis. “He’s quick, he’s a route-runner.” Though he remained good-natured, Revis quickly jumped to defend his secondary mates when responding to a question concerning their current high level of performance. “We’ve been playing well in the secondary all year, that’s first of all,” said Revis. “We’ve only given up eight [passing] td’s, that’s pretty good.”

No matter what happens, this Jets season could be remembered for one player.

To ponder this unit without Revis is most likely a nightmarish notion for Rex Ryan and staff. When a player is this skilled, entire game plans can be predicated on his individual talents. Having a shutdown corner affords coaching staffs certain luxuries  unavailable otherwise. But to simply label Revis a shutdown corner, tossing him in a league-wide fray for comparison’s sake, would represent a mischaracterization of his unique impact.

In a league now totally tilted toward the pass, Revis wreaked havoc on a scale unseen since the salad days of Deion Sanders. It was a different world in the mid-nineties, when Prime Time was at his peak. Quarterbacks were protected, but not with fanatic zeal. Referees were far more lenient, allowing physicality between defensive backs and wide receivers.

Corners and safeties lost much of their latitude for tough play following the alteration of pass interference rules. [after the ’04 season] The game has changed dramatically, even in comparison with recent years. For instance, with today’s rules in place, could the Patriots really have derailed the greatest show on turf in the 2002 Super Bowl? Before a late Rams rally, ferocious but ultimately for naught, the dynamic offense of St. Louis was nullified by the Patriots’ physical play.  Pop those two teams in a time machine, stage a rematch under contemporary guidelines, and are flags flying all over the place?

It’s within these most unfavorable conditions, where quarterback ratings over 100 are more prevalent than ever, and writers can make an excellent case that the ground and pound Jets are a throwback instead of a model, that Revis has thrived. His performance is equivalent to a baseball player chalking up a .400 batting average in 1968.

The slate of receivers stranded on Revis Island reads like a lineup of perennial Pro Bowl participants. Andre Johnson was first. Four catches, thirty-five yards. Future Hall of Famer Randy Moss was next: Four receptions for 24 yards. After an anomalous letdown against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football, surrendered by the entire defense really, Revis rebounded with a vengeance. Marques Colston? Two grabs. Terrell Owens? Three. Steve Smith? Two. For two yards. Round two with T.O yielded a meager allowance of thirty-one yards and a vicious downfield block.  And on, and on, culminating with the humbling of the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson and a clutch effort against Vincent Jackson.

Revis combines speed, athleticism, and intelligence, not to mention superb ball skills.  It is not outlandish to associate his play with greatness. Considering Revis’ developing track record, it is very probable to continue.

He’s been there through it all.  And that’s why he may be remembered most.    

…………………………………………..

Mark Sanchez met with the media one final time before the AFC Championship. The first year passer should be commended for cutting down on the turnovers marring portions of his regular season. Clearly, if Sanchez can manage the game ably, the Jets can win on any Sunday.

Add in his rediscovered skill at rolling out, and the patience he displayed waiting for Dustin Keller to break open in the end zone last Sunday in San Diego, before firing the pivotal go-ahead touchdown, and there’s plenty for Jets fans to be excited about as it concerns Sanchez.

Rightly viewed as a potential impediment to the team’s success through his midseason slide, Sanchez is now making positive, arguably vital, contributions.   

After the painful loss against Atlanta, which appeared to finish the Jets at the time, Sanchez had an illuminating series of talks with Tony Richardson and Thomas Jones about the importance of protecting the ball and displaying responsibility. “Absolutely,’ Sanchez said as he began discussing the talks, “and they just put it to me in a way that, you know, this could be our last shot at it this year type of thing. You know, ‘we love the way you play, we obviously love your instincts.’ But at the same time there’s a point where you have to say, like Coach Schottenheimer says, “You have to say Uncle.”

Sanchez considered this an essential step in his development. He outlined how this type of free flowing discussion could be of benefit in certain game situations. “I think the best part was the exchange we had, it wasn’t them just hammering something to me and not letting me talk about it, but after that, I said, hey, look, keep talking to me like that, keep that going, and you know, coming into the huddle and, all right, hey, third down, or during a time-out, okay, fourth quarter, two minutes left, those are the things I’m saying to myself, but now I have T-Rich and now I have Thomas Jones even helping me with it; on this one I have a drag, on this one I’m running a balloon and going to be checking down over the ball if there’s nothing and that’s the last thing I hear from T.J. , if somebody falls down and we get pressure, I know where T.J. is going to be because he reminded me. Stuff like that just opened the door of communication and it’s been awesome.”

Helpful communication with teammates.

………………………………….

Rex Ryan shared his parting thoughts before leading his team to Indianapolis:

On team merchandise featuring an AFC Champions logo: “All right, I got nothing to say much, really. I will say this. I understand we are selling the championship, AFC Championship merchandise, bags and all that kind of stuff… so I like that thinking. But the other team in the league are doing it,  you have Indy, New Orleans, Minnesota, just so everybody is clear on that. But I’ll be honest, I was like ‘What? But I like it, I like it.”

On all things Shaun Ellis:

 Restricted in practice? “He’s not restricted. You know, I know his hand is in a cast and all that stuff but there’s no limitations whatsoever from him.”

Using a different cast? “We tried to put a different one on and it was just like, you know, it’s going to be natural, but he would rather have it like this. So we looked at doing different things, but he feels good this way.” [meaning the original cast will be used]

Will he play a normal amount? “Yes.”

On Jim Leonhard: “I knew about Jim Leonhard when he came out of Wisconsin, I really wanted him. He ended up going to the bills, I don’t know it that was money or what it was but he made a mistake and went to the Bills. When his name came up, George Dukanis said, remember this kid that you really liked, he just got released on by the Bills, so we [the Ravens] jumped at him.

On Leonhard signing with the Jets: “Trust me, we were not the only team that knew how good Jim Leonhard was. There was a team that basically offered him a million dollars more in his package to go somewhere else, but he chose to come here.”

Jets back up brash talk and shock the heavily favored Chargers to advance to the AFC Championship for the first time in 11 years.

SAN DIEGO, CA - When the San Diego Chargers were really rolling this season, their kinetic pass happy offense in perfect rhythm, they were capable of conjuring refined metaphorical comparisons outside the realms usually associated with professional football.

Sure, a downright nasty offensive line was on constant guard, but the enduring images of this dynamic attack most definitely struck an artistic nerve. There was Phil Rivers, fluttering pinpoint spirals downfield, unorthodox throwing motion producing an astounding level of accuracy.

Here were his weapons, tremendously gifted athletes plucking flying footballs from the sky with grace transcending simple highlight reel fodder. The Chargers were a finesse team so talented and deep that their weaknesses appeared a mirage, worthless stat sheet bookkeeping bearing little weight on an inevitable date with destiny. Many of their fans believed them invincible.

Vincent Jackson defying the laws of gravity with outrageous downfield leaps. Darren Sproles exploding from the backfield on a screen, leaving vapor trails in his wake. These were the Chargers, a sun splashed thrill ride, the coach cast perfectly, cerebral Norv Turner conducting an orchestra.

So naturally, as Rivers faded back to throw on the second play of San Diego’s final drive of the third quarter, perilously drifting into his own end zone, a foreboding pall had already spread among the denizens of Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers may have been ahead, but their scoring output of a mere seven points, far removed from the twenty-point marker that had become customary, represented a very pressing source of concern.  San Diego’s surprising struggle, manifested by a tenacious Jets defense, was painted vividly within their defining characteristic: Image. Despite Rivers’ satisfactory statistical performance, the Chargers simply looked… off. Fighting for every yard. Unable to summon a game-changing moment at will. Were different players suddenly residing inside those super stylish jerseys? Where were the theatrics? Rivers and company showed signs, even been denied points by a disintegrating kicker. But it was a clear which team was dictating tempo, despite the scoreboard’s 7-3 verdict favoring the home team.

Those numbers were about to change.

S Kerry Rhodes with a blind side sack and ball strip on Chargers QB Philip Rivers during the Jets 17-14 win over San Diego. (JetsInsider.com Photo)

For Rivers, appearing rushed in his mechanics, unleashed a throw resembling a wounded duck. The floater was directed toward Antonio Gates, who never even turned around to find the wayward pass. Instead, resourceful Jets safety Jim Leonhard scored an interception, corralling the pigskin with care, protecting a gift. A contest that had been pointing in New York’s direction for nearly the entirety of the afternoon, based on basic feel and an inexcusable parade of mental blunders by the favorite, was about to tilt completely to the underdog.

The grand orchestra had arrived out of tune. That much was certain. Now their instruments were about to be splintered.

When it was all over, the final tally 17-14 for the Jets, many questions lingered, most concerning the Chargers. How had this exquisite machine been so thoroughly dismantled? A scapegoat could be cast, explaining away all the intricate details producing this decade’s first true playoff shocker. Nate Kaeding’s inexplicable meltdown does indeed provide plenty of fuel for that argument. The real explanation is multifaceted, however.

“We looked ugly there for awhile, we took their best shot though,” said Jets coach Rex Ryan afterward. “We say that fourth quarter is like championship rounds, and our guys really stood up, we needed that first down by our offense, great job man, came down to it, that’s a heck of a football team over there, we knew it was going to be an all day event, that’s for sure.” 

 The Jets live and die with their defense. In a game testing this unit’s ability unlike any other, with a trip to the Conference Championship at stake, against an aerial attack verging on unstoppable, this group defense dug deep and delivered.

David Harris chalked up ten tackles, nine of the solo variety. He was a constant presence, patrolling the underneath lane with incredible range, curtailing a potential weakness in the Jets’ aggressive, attacking game plan. Considering the remarkable receiving talents of San Diego’s running backs, and Norv Tuner’s slick motion formations creating free space for receivers just beyond scrimmage, the importance of Harris, smack in the middle of all the chaos, could not be understated. While Darrelle Revis is finally receiving due appreciation for his incredible play at cornerback, David Harris continues establishing his credentials among the upper echelon in relative anonymity.

As for Revis, his incredible, sprawling, third quarter interception of a pass intended for Vincent Jackson just may have changed the outcome. Revis somehow managed to snag the football after it deflected off Jackson’s leg, as the acrobatic receiver fell to the turf. The Chargers had started this particular drive with favorable field position, planted at the Jets thirty-eight after a Mark Sanchez interception. They faced a third and eight, the impact of a big Jackson catch and sprint on first down limited due to an illegal block in the back by Malcolm Floyd.

Rivers faced pressure from the Jets defensive line, fully asserting themselves. Rivers scrambled out of the pocket to avoid a certain sack, taking quick, panicked steps before heaving a prayer toward Jackson. Jackson, in single coverage against Revis at the Jets seventeen, leapt for the pass, and managed to outbox Revis for position. The catch belonged to Jackson, Revis left batting at his hands, which, for one precious second, possessed the football. But Jackson could not complete the play, the pigskin slipping through his fingers and bouncing off his legs, still up for grabs. Incredibly, as Revis laid flat on his back, he managed to catch the still live football. The All World Defensive Back returned the interception for six yards, stunning the Chargers. Had they been able to punt, the Jets could have been faced with the same type of terrible field position that had short-circuited their offense in the first half. Instead, New York was able to pin San Diego on their own four-yard line thanks to a quality Steve Weatherford punt, which concluded their proceeding drive. This sequence set up Rivers’ devastating miscommunication with Gates.

Revis placed it all in motion.

Sione Pouha, who has filled in quite admirably for Kris Jenkins, was a frequent, and surely unwelcome, disruption at the Chargers’ point of attack, collecting five tackles. Unsung defensive line grinders like Pouha and Mike DeVito were instrumental in the Jets’ dominant efforts against the run. Tomlinson was completely neutralized. Meanwhile, Bryan Thomas, who seems to be playing his finest football at a most opportune time, encapsulated the Jets’ defensive day with a bone jarring tackle of Chargers fullback Mike Tolbert.

The defenses’ emotional leader, boisterous Bart Scott, chipped in with four tackles, and Jim Leonhard had that aforementioned, momentum shifting interception.

Safety Kerry Rhodes, maligned by critics for an inconsistent campaign, shined bright. He racked up eight tackles, a strip sack of Philip Rivers that flashed shades of his previous pass rushing prowess, and a big time recovery of a perfectly executed, high arching onside kick by Mike Scifres. Rhodes utilized a nifty vertical leap and sure hands to place the Jets in perfect position to run out the clock. The Chargers had just cut New York’s lead to three in the fourth quarter.

Here was a total team effort, and the plaudits do extend to the offense.

Much of the credit for a tempo-setting 169 yards of total rushing offense should be reserved for the offensive line, a synchronized force comprised of heralded free agents and high draft picks. They knew when to seize the moment. The Jets, leading 17-14, were a first down away from totally salting away the game. Facing a fourth and one from the Chargers twenty-nine, their fearsome trench troupe blew the Chargers defensive line off the ball one final time, allowing Thomas Jones to gain two yards, securing a truly extraordinary victory.

But the biggest rush of the game had occurred earlier in the fourth quarter. With nearly nine minutes remaining, and the Jets toting a 10-7 lead after cashing in on Leonhard’s pick, Shonn Greene took a first down handoff up the middle for fifty-three yards and a resounding touchdown. Greene bowled over Safety Eric Weddle on his way to paint. The Jets were now up 17-7, giving themselves the breathing room often missing in other disappointing regular season defeats.

The regular season couldn’t be further away.

Greene, becoming a certified freshman sensation, rushed for 128 yards, his second straight 100-yard excursion in the playoffs.

 Speaking of rookies, it was another fine exercise in game management for Mark Sanchez. While he started off slow, missing a few easy completions, Sanchez proved more than capable. His touchdown to Dustin Keller early in the fourth quarter gave the Jets a lead that they would not relinquish. Sanchez, who was rolling out on the play, demonstrated ample agility and patience, finding Keller in the right corner of the end zone with a dart-like strike. Greene’s touchdown was only possible due to a third down Sanchez completion to Jerricho Cotchery. Sanchez flashed commendable accuracy on the seven-yard pass, hitting Cotchery on his back shoulder, where only his receiver could make the catch. “I’m not comparing stats in any game, that’s not what I’m all about,” said Sanchez. “And that’s not what this team’s about. We want to win the game. That’s the most important stat… It’s unbelievable. It’s special. I’m counting my blessings.”

The Chargers’ one dimensionality was revealed against the Jets. Forget a viable alternate option, their running game was a weakness. With Darrelle Revis and the Jets secondary refusing to allow a game-breaking play, the Chargers were left collecting chunks of yardage that New York seemed willing to sacrifice. “The passing game I don’t think was an issue. They’re very good up front. They did a good job against us. We weren’t able to get anything going in the running game,” acknowledged defeated Chargers head coach Norv Turner. “That’s what ultimately makes it difficult and we missed opportunities obviously as we know. We missed a couple field goals we normally make and a couple times down in there we had penalties that took us out.”

When the defense was pushed, they responded, leaving the Chargers relying on kicker Nate Kaeding. Incredibly enough, Kaeding, one of the most accurate kickers in League history, missed three field goals. The misfires occurred, in order, from 37, 57, and 40 yards.

The Chargers were also undisciplined, a myriad of penalties pushing them backward throughout all four quarters, culminating in Vincent Jackson’s immature, insolent kick of a challenge flag as San Diego attempted a frantic comeback.

San Diego had opened the scoring with a thirteen-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, from Rivers to Kris Wilson.

The Jets, of course, would close the show.

Cancel the symphony.

The grunge band is moving on.

When meeting a loaded opponent on the road in the playoffs, the underdog is usually faced with a myriad of difficult questions.

 In the Jets’ case, they must ask themselves whether their top ranked rushing attack can set a furious enough tempo to force a sizzling San Diego outfit outside a comfort zone unchallenged in months. They must also ask themselves whether their heralded defense, undoubtedly the finest unit remaining in the playoffs, can slow down a juggernaut Chargers offense that has racked up at least twenty points in every single game this season. Can New York’s criminally underrated secondary mitigate a dynamic passing attack? Surely, the Jets coaching staff, led by hyper confident ringleader Rex Ryan, have faith in their personnel. Yet, until the results begin pouring in from outside the hypothetical realm, eyeing the matchups and making predictions brings one no closer to the cold hard truth. That will be revealed this Sunday.

But the most delectable possibility, concerning the Jets anyway, has not yet been mentioned. It’s a development that would elevate them into another stratosphere, no doubt championship contenders.

Impressive defensive prowess, outlandish physicality, and admirable cohesiveness have delivered a heretofore inconsistent group onto the doorstep of greatness, though one mitigating factor may send them crashing en masse into a celebratory party that even the most starry eyed optimist never could have envisioned. And it’s a simple question, far less complicated than those queries aforementioned: Has the quarterback figured it out? 

Mark Sanchez: If he's good, are the Jets great?

After all the overblown controversies, glorified accomplishments, perfect throws followed by folly, harsh times and practice slides, has Mark Sanchez taken the next step, smack in the middle of a potentially historic Super Bowl run?

Well, some stirring evidence has recently surfaced that this is a far different quarterback than the beleaguered version singularly responsible for a few brutal regular season setbacks.  But sports can provide reprieves damn near immediate.  The Jets’ recent success has rendered Sanchez’s growing pains an unpleasant memory, instead of the principal alibi for a disappointing campaign. Suddenly, the playoffs were a real chance to put it all together, tie together all those individually strong facets into an unstoppable force. Not many gave the Jets a legitimate shot to turn this difficult trick.  Have they?

Sanchez is the key.  Like any quarterback on the precipice of something truly special, his narrative now mirrors the whole.  Stall in San Diego, and Sanchez, along with the Jets, are a temporarily noteworthy story.  Everyone agrees the future is bright. A polite applause is reserved for a roster that approached the inconceivable, without taking total possession of a miracle and calling it their own. Just a few steps short of destiny… soon, the Jets are forgotten. As they should be, overtaken by conference championship game coverage, and eventually, a Super Bowl they could have improbably participated in. The offseason begins, and the whole process starts over again, new characters and circumstances, a harrowing amount of work ahead. They start over. And Sanchez, too, starts over. Arriving off a poor statistical rookie year that may have ended with a flourish, but ultimately, did not prove much of anything.

The Jets and Sanchez. Intertwined.

The rookie stepped to the podium today wearing a USC tee shirt and sporting a bushy beard. “It was a special game last week,” Sanchez said. ”Just taking care of the football, making the right decisions. I still have a lot of work to do.” This work in progress compiled a 139.4 passer rating in his postseason debut. It seemed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer exposed a few favorable matchups. “He’s taught me so much about playing in this league,” Sanchez said of Schottenheimer, who is suddenly a sought after head coaching commodity.

He called close to a perfect game.

Had Braylon Edwards corralled a sure touchdown pass, instead of dropping it in the end zone, Sanchez’s stats may have been even more impressive. As it was, game plan and execution had worked very well in concert. “Just keep throwing him the ball,” a supportive Sanchez said regarding Edwards, “He’s bound to catch it.” 

Sanchez took a definite step forward beginning with the Colts game, an overlooked occurrence, obscured due to Jim Caldwell’s controversial decision to bench his regulars. The improvement carried over. “It just kind of gradually turned,” said Sanchez of his development. “At the press conference after the Cincy game, [it hit me], it all just came together… turnovers get you beat in this league.”  A hard lesson had been learned.  

Sanchez was eventually asked how it felt to be among the final NFL quarterbacks standing, an elite group featuring brand names all over the place. “It’s great,” he said, before quickly adding, “But you don’t just want to be there. You want to win it.”

Despite his youth, Sanchez is highly conscious of this chance’s preciousness. He relayed an inspiring conversation with Thomas Jones, wherein the veteran running back encouraged Sanchez to keep championship visions in mind while toiling in the film room.  “That could be us,” Sanchez said. “It could change your life forever. You can be a champion forever.”

 New York’s defense and running game…  truly a topnotch pair… a symbiotic partnership essential to the team finding victory. But, just as he needed to do against a lesser team in Cincinnati, Sanchez must step up. The Chargers may be slowed down by this defense, but they will still make plays. The Jets must reply. 

Sanchez need not imitate Kurt Warner. If he is good, the Jets are great. And there’s no telling what a great team can do.  They answer all the questions.

……………………………

Here’s some news from Rex Ryan’s presser, straight from the coach.

On Braylon Edwards [who missed practice for a court appearance stemming from a misdemeanor assault charge back in Cleveland on October 5^th] having a breakout game: “I just sense it. The drops stick out. But look at the catches he’s made, the blocks. I told him the next time you’re open like that, catch it one-handed. He looked at me like I was crazy, like you guys do.”

On Steve Weatherford: “We [certainly hope he’s better].”… I think he’s fine right now.”

On Revis not winning Defensive player of the year:“I would like to congratulate the people who voted for Darrelle Revis. The number is eight, and no, that’s not the number of touchdowns Green Bay gave up to Arizona, it’s the number of passing touchdowns we’ve given up… Revis is going for different hardware. This for me is the most impact a corner has ever made in a season…” [Charles Woodson won the award.]

On the recent positive developments shown by Mark Sanchez: “You can’t buy experience. He’s able to read defenses. It’s the confidence and command of the offense [he has shown.] …When you’re a young Q.B. , he’s just worried about what our play is. He’s clearly passed that now.”

On if he cares about the Jets’ perception in the eyes of other teams: “Don’t care.”

The slate is clean, all patterns erased. The playoffs represent a completely fresh challenge. Sure, the New York Jets, plagued by inconsistency in ’09, could still play sloppily with everything on the line. But a new chapter has begun, and that fact is beyond dispute. 

This circumstance can be construed as either a gift or curse. For New York, the former designation definitely applies. They needed everything short of divine intervention to secure an invitation. But a superpower sitting idle with a bye must overcome the pressure of preserving a superb season, without the safety net of second chances. Momentum is fickle.

One wonders how to categorize the Cincinnati Bengals.

They can neither be classified an elite outfit, nor hopeful party crasher. As a golden opportunity for greatness draws closer, the Bengals must either find, or redefine themselves. It is a formless squad at the moment, completely embarrassed by the Jets last week, while resting a few key players.

Their message is inconsistent. Carson Palmer thought they had a legitimate game plan and aspirations for victory against the Jets.

“I don’t think we were vanilla at all.  We came out.  We had a game plan and we went after it.  We just didn’t play our game plan well,” claimed Palmer on a conference call. Chad Ochocinco differed, suggesting their scheme simplistic, a humbling defeat masquerading an underlying trick of deception. “Similar to a preseason game,” he said of the Bengals’ approach.

Cincinnati possesses an elite receiver in Ochocinco, and an accomplished quarterback in Carson Palmer. Recent editions of the team had relied on an explosive offensive aerial show for success. But the Bengals underwent a makeover for ‘09, transforming into a smash mouth squad. Bruising running back Cedric Benson, unavailable Sunday night, became their key player, the tempo-setter. Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine does not need to be reminded. “He’s a key component of their success,” said Pettine. “He’s rested now a week, which I think was a goal of theirs on Sunday.  No matter what happened, they should have him rested going into the playoffs.  He’s been their guy.  They’ve transitioned in the period of a year to a run first offense and he’s the centerpiece of that.  Add to that now that he’s rested, it’s a big challenge for us.  The offensive line is a solid group and I think they threw it a little bit more on Sunday than they are planning to do this Saturday.  Stopping Benson is a critical thing for us,” concluded the coordinator.  

Featuring a fleet and tenacious group of linebackers, and a dynamic duo at corner, the Bengals’ defense quickly earned respect around the league. After nearly a decade under his watch, it seems they had finally cultivated a philosophy and approach suiting Marvin Lewis, an acclaimed defensive mind. Play the ground and pound and stout defense, protect possession, watch the wins pile up…

The Bengals’ resilience has been thoroughly tested, their exhibited toughness unparalleled. When assessing all the adversity they have been through in 2009, it becomes apparent Cincinnati has accomplished plenty already. The fact they even have their flag planted in playoff soil is quite remarkable.

Between the discouraging setbacks of week one and seventeen, the Bengals were forced to survive years of hardship condensed into mere days. They had to contend with the death of Wide Receiver Chris Henry, a terrible tragedy. Henry, dogged by off-field transgressions throughout his early career, seemed to be transitioning toward a more positive mindset before a domestic dispute evolved into something unfathomable. In addition to the crushing death of Henry, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer lost his wife Vikki at age 50. 

Defensive End Antwan Odom and talented rookie Rey Maualuga would end up on injured reserve, the latter injury especially devastating, compromising the linebacker unit, which had been essential to the Bengals’ excellent defense.

The Bengals have endured a campaign that would have demolished a lesser team. They persevered. The returns of key defensive pieces like Domata Peko, Chris Crocker, and Robert Geathers for the playoffs shoulder bolster a unit that appeared beaten in their previous outing.

The Jets and Bengals do sport similarities. They are both run conscious, but the Jets are pretty much forced to focus on that facet, while the Bengals kill the clock on their own volition. They both boast strong defenses, especially against the pass. But the trajectory of their two seasons could not be more divergent.

The Bengals’ journey, though blighted by tragedy, reflected their conservative philosophy. There were flashes of the total dominance Cincinnati will no doubt aspire toward in 2010, especially a clean sweep of the defending champion Steelers, but overall, the Bengals grinded, and looked pretty exhausted themselves down the stretch.

Meanwhile, the Jets were consistently bizarre, blowing sure wins, luckily avoiding losses, a championship caliber team except at the most important position. No doubt, the Jets have turned a rare trick in 2009, developing a rookie quarterback, who appeared overmatched at times, while making the playoffs. To offset Mark Sanchez’s predictable growing pains, the Jets ran the ball with ferocity, defended the pass expertly, and stopped opposing rushers admirably, especially considering they were largely without the services nose tackle Kris Jenkins.

The availability of David Harris, stricken with an ankle injury, is pivotal for the Jets. Harris will be a key ingredient in stopping Cedric Benson.  “It’s getting better. I’ve been up here all day getting treatment, getting rehab and doing everything I can to get back on the field. Hopefully I’ll be fine by Saturday,” said Harris.

On a somewhat fascinating note, Cedric Benson admitted earlier this week to not even knowing who David Harris was. “I had a couple of guys tell me that. I’m only the leading tackler on the number one defense,” said Harris with a laugh. “It’s just hard to not know who I am.” If Harris does play, he’ll have a chance to make a personal introduction. “If I play, I’m sure I’ll introduce myself early in the game to him. We’ll see,” said Harris, laughing again.

David Harris probably has a rude greeting in mind for Cedric Benson, but will the star linebacker suit up?

The Jets’ strange adventure ultimately added up to nine wins, and a chance many feel they don’t deserve. Well, to quote noted frontier philosopher William Munney, “deserve’s got nothing to do with it.” The Jets have a spectacular running game and a defense flush with elite level talent. If they reach the Super Bowl, it will be an incredible story, but not an inconceivable one. Stranger things have happened than a great defense and running game carrying an otherwise flawed team to the promise land.

As for this game: I keep coming back to one question: Who’s making a big play for Cincinnati? Who’s breaking this game for the Bengals? It’ll be close, for sure, the dynamic rushing attacks battling for supremacy, both defenses up to the task. But I simply see the Jets, for all their issues at quarterback and other quirks, possessing more big play capability. For instance, the Bengals do not have wildcard like Brad Smith. “When we brought him in, the main thing is we thought we were getting a heck of a receiver, which we still feel that way,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said regarding Smith. “He came with an asterisk that he can do certain things. I said last week that the greatest thing about Brad is you can put him under center. He doesn’t have to solely work out of the shotgun. That’s not something easy to do. His role has expanded this year through the course of the season. Leon (Washington) was kind of the guy we used initially in the Seminole package.  Brad was a part of it. When Leon went down, Brad became more involved with that.”

Smith can make an impact on special teams, too, another factor that could tilt the contest toward the road team. Lauded Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff on Smith: “I went to Missouri and worked him out.  I loved him.  I feel like the prognostic here because last week when you guys asked me I said, ‘When is the only time you’ve seen him with the ball in his hands and didn’t like him?’  He’s pretty good.  I loved Brad with the ball and thought he should be a teams guy.  When I was at Missouri, we had talked about it.  The place was in mourning when he was leaving.  They loved him, everybody from the equipment guys to the trainers to the coaches.  He’s just such an athlete.”

Smith could be the difference

This is not a slight to the Bengals’ principal playmakers, compared to the Jets. Just match-ups.

The Jets secondary will be the difference.

 New York 20 Cincinnati 10

How the Jets can win the Super Bowl

FLORHAM PARK, NJ  - So the Jets just won the Super Bowl. Confetti’s streaming all over. Somebody, probably on defense, is going to Disney World.

A team merely two games over break even in the regular season, that needed ample assistance to reach the postseason, has stunningly corralled the ultimate prize.

Shocking doesn’t begin to describe this twist of fate. Unprecedented would qualify. A rookie coach and quarterback, a grounded aerial attack, and an uncanny tendency to forfeit victories when they appeared a total certainty, all these perceived postseason weaknesses had been surmounted.

It’s the most unbelievable championship run in New York since the miracle Mets of 1969, even more unexpected than the Giants’ amazing trophy drive two years ago.

How did they do it?  

OK, the dream’s concluded. Wake up!

How could they do it?

1. They stayed healthy.

The playoffs are the promise land, a destination desired by every executive, coach, and player plying their craft in the league.             Double that notion for a franchise prowling the outskirts of contention, jobs hanging perilous in the balance between victory and defeat. The margins are wafer thin. Every transaction by the suits, game plan drawn up by the headset troupe, and play executed by the team is dedicated toward that pursuit, the elusive gift of true opportunity, the shot to stand victorious on a podium, a validated organization.

The playoffs are different. The elevated intensity practically leaps off the television screen.

But it is a mistake to assume that the standard level of gridiron chaos subsides just because the games mean so much more. The constant press conferences and heightened media coverage, the delirium of fans, these differences can get us thinking in dramatic terms. The star quarterback doesn’t get hurt in the movie. The best player’s knee doesn’t combust. But these things can happen in January, just as easily as in October.

The Bengals saw Super bowl visions disintegrate in the 2005 Wild Card game when Carson Palmer took a devastating shot low, courtesy of Kimo Von Oelhoffen. Palmer’s knee was mangled, and the Steelers won a Super Bowl that could have belonged to Cincinnati. Nothing very cinematic about that…

Everyone remembers Leonard Marshall’s brutal hit on Joe Montana in the 1991 NFC Championship game.  

After losing essential players like Kris Jenkins and Leon Washington way before the tournament, the Jets simply can’t withstand another major loss. All the trades, game plans, hopes, dreams, and schemes go out the window should Darrelle Revis sustain an injury.

On that note, New York also desperately needs David Harris anchoring the linebacker core next week. If they are to make a legendary dash for glory, the Jets need to be healthy.

2.Mark Sanchez did not turn the ball over – neither did the rest of his offensive teammates.

If there’s one thing that practically invites a playoff thrashing, it’s when a road underdog cannot maintain possession of the pigskin, offering up a bounty for the home team, and placing their defense firmly on heel.

Countless playoff showdowns have been rendered laughers once the fumbles began rolling and interceptions started flying.

The stature of the team and their frequency of mistakes are definitely connected. The less of a realistic shot for an underdog to pull an upset, and the more likely they attempt compensating for a sizable talent gulf with risky maneuvers. A running back will stretch for an extra yard and neglect ball security. A quarterback will channel his inner Favre and test triple coverage. Should the underdog fall behind early, a comedy of errors often follows.

The Jets are in a rare position. New York is undeniably fortunate to have made the playoffs, but they do not necessarily need to employ a reckless philosophy, beyond the reach of their abilities. Toting a top ranked defense and running game, the Jets are not a garden-variety wild card team. Just last year, a dangerous Chargers outfit, that secured a division title only because the Broncos imploded, defeated the favored Colts in the first round. The Chargers were, and remain, obviously, completely loaded with talent. They didn’t need to deviate from their usual strategy. Although the Jets will be on the road for their wild card matchup, as opposed to the Chargers in ’08, they should share a similar mindset.

If Rex Ryan’s gang plays their best, they could beat just about anyone. Inconsistency at a key position often precludes them from firing on all cylinders, but despite the fortuitous sequence of events allowing their entry into the playoffs, these Jets belong, especially against the Bengals. No need to pray for miracles.

That in mind, there really would be no excuse for turnovers.  The Jets defense can withstand one major mistake, maybe two, but a total breakdown, in the vein of the second New England game, would be totally unacceptable. This is not a team that should be playing desperate from the opening gun, and the Bengals’ newfound conservatism on offense will probably preclude early home team fireworks. 

If New York does defeat Cincinnati, they should carry the same calm mindset into proceeding match-ups.

The Jets have self-destructed before in 2009.  With the overall skill level of their roster, and the great opportunity they have secured, it would be a real shame for that trait to be a defining mark.

3.The Running game took over. 

Where are the Jets without Thomas Jones? Nowhere. Jones assumed an even heavier responsibility when Leon Washington suffered a season ending leg injury. The third year Jet appeared to be wearing down late, neutralized by a mediocre Falcons run defense in week fifteen. Fortunately for the Jets, Jones still had octane in the tank, rebounding with strong outings against the Colts and Bengals. The emergence of Shonn Greene has definitely helped. Greene will be vital for the Jets in the playoffs, spotting Jones. The explosive rookie is also capable of changing a game with one run, though his penchant for fumbling could prove extremely detrimental.

Completely reliant on this phase, the Jets have found creative ways to generate big plays with the run, especially last week with Brad Smith. They may have a few other gadgets up their sleeve for the Wildcard round. The offensive line shined brightly on Smith’s long gainers. The efforts of this group are absolutely vital for a sustained playoff push.  

Brandon Moore and the offensive line are key to the Jets' championship hopes.

4. The defense dominated. 

The Jets defense is arguably playing their finest football going into the playoffs, shutting out the Bengals week seventeen, and totally embarrassing Carson Palmer in the process. They received zero plaudits for defeating the Colts at Indianapolis after Jim Caldwell pulled his starters, but the big strip fumble of Curtis Painter, executed by an onrushing Calvin Pace, was probably the biggest single play of the entire season. 

Pace has enjoyed a remarkable year, considering his absence in the first four games of the season. He is just one piece of a unit that is arguably the strongest in the league. The exploits of Darrelle Revis are finally receiving deserved due. Shaun Ellis chalked up one of his most disruptive campaigns. Bart Scott proved an adept tackler and excellent in coverage. And on…

Should the offense successfully employ an intelligent approach, rooted in ball control and clock killing, the defense could be poised to dominate.

Their presence practically guarantees close games.

Bart Scott and the Jets D will keep New York in the game.

5. They finished.

Championship caliber teams close the show. Those brutal home losses against Buffalo and Jacksonville typify a roster prepared to win on a physical level, but perhaps lacking a mental edge. Communication breakdowns were the principal cause for the Jaguar defeat, while the Bills game exposed the inexperience under center. Have the Jets grown? They needed to.   

…………

Quotes from the opposition:

Carson Palmer and Marvin Lewis were available via conference call today. Here were some of their thoughts.

Palmer:

His relationship with Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez: “I’ve known [Mark] for probably ten or fifteen years. I first met him back when I was a young guy in high school and he was kind of hanging around. His brother was one of my teammates on our high school football team. I met Mark way when I was probably a sophomore in high school.

How often does he communicate with Sanchez? “It depends on what time of the year. If it’s the off season quite a bit, and during the season its tough just because he’s extremely busy being there in New York with all the stuff he’s got going on. I get pretty busy out here.”

On whether he had advice for Sanchez regarding the media: “Mark is obviously a very smart kid, but coming from USC, it’s a little bit different but not much different than the New York media. He’s used to that being the USC starting quarterback, being the only game in town with no NFL team.”

On his offense struggling against the Jets’ defense this past Sunday: “I don’t think we were vanilla at all. We came out. We had a game plan and we went after it. We just didn’t play our game plan well. We got outplayed obviously by a very good team. We’re not going to hide a bunch of things. We’re going to have a couple of new wrinkles, but we are who we are just like the Jets are who we think they are which is very good.”

Lewis:

On whether it will be a different Bengals team this Sunday: “We have to go and play better football. We didn’t play good enough football. We got our butts kicked in. We have to play better football than we did Sunday night this weekend.”

On the return of Cedric Benson: We have to do a better job of blocking the guys up front, getting on the right guys and so forth.  The runners aren’t going to make any runs without the people up front doing a better job. That’s going to be key for us.”

Did the Bengals hold back on Sunday? “That really isn’t relevant right now at all to the situation. We’re going to play the Jets on Saturday and what we did, or didn’t do, doesn’t really matter now.”

………………………….

Rex Ryan had his daily press conference. The most pressing team related news involved David Harris, who did not participate in practice with an injured ankle. With the way Ryan was talking about Kenwin Cummings and Ryan Fowler, it seems Harris missing the game this Saturday is a definite possibility.

Ryan on Mark Sanchez this Saturday: “We just need him to be efficient… Joe Montana would have had struggled in those conditions. [Sunday] He’s as confident as I’ve seen him.”

Ryan on Cedric Benson’s potential impact: “Benson’s had a great year. There’s a lot of confidence in him. Maybe they’ll take a more running approach.”

Ryan’s thoughts on the phrase ‘same old Jets’: “Nothing. That’s not the Jets I know.”

Ryan on Shaun Ellis: “His peers recognize Shaun as a tremendous football player… he can play in any type of defense.”

Ryan on Shonn Greene’s fumbling issues: “He’s got to get that out… he knows how carry the football… the kid never fumbled in college. Mentally he’s got to know he isn’t a fumbler.”

James Ihedigbo suffered a stinger in practice but eventually returned for full participation.

……………………………..

On behalf of myself, and JetsInsider.com, I send my condolences to the Johnson family in this difficult time.

Jets exorcise demons, come up big against Bengals to clinch playoff spot.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Taking the snap from behind center, Brad Smith faked a dish and squared his shoulders with a sudden, violent flex. He proceeded downfield, slicing through a wide-open seam punctured into an overmatched opposing defensive front. Breaking a tackle with relative ease, the multitalented specialist, physically imposing and agile, reached the end zone with a dramatic dive. The 32 yard scramble blew open a contest that the Jets had been thoroughly dominating, setting the stage for a night of unabated celebration. The score was now 17-0, and would end up 37-0.  

The New York Jets were twenty steps ahead of the Bengals in every phase of the game, mauling their opponent at the point of attack and befuddling them with a series of savvy play calls that utilized the electric, heretofore largely untapped talent of breakout star Brad Smith.  “I just try to take advantage of the opportunities given to me. I try to help this team,” said Smith after the game. “It’s all about team. You can ask any guy in this locker room and they’ll sacrifice anything to help this team win.”

Jets CB Dwight Lowery who had an INT, celebrates the Jets 37-0 whipping of the Bengals.

Smith also made a massive impact operating out of the wildcat on the Jets’ first possession of the night, setting the proper tone for a raucous rout. The former Missouri standout took a direct snap from New York’s 42 and dashed behind right tackle for a 57 yards, stirring a sold out Meadowlands crowd. Smith nearly scored, but was dropped from behind by dynamic Bengals corners Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph. Neither was to be a factor however, this scintillating Smith jaunt an explosive harbinger for a night tinted green and white.

The room available for Smith to burst through the line of scrimmage was indicative of the bullying the Bengals’ first level endured for four quarters.  When the carnage was complete and the statistics could be counted, running back Thomas Jones concluded with seventy-eight yards and two touchdowns, while Shonn Greene notched a 4.8 average on thirteen attempts. But these numbers, though note-worthy, do not properly convey the Jets’  ground dominance. It seemed they could run at will, against a quick defense that had been stout all season. Surely the absences of Rey Maualuga and Domata Peko contributed to the Bengals’ woeful performance.  Robert Geathers and Chris Crocker were also held out of the lineup. That said, Cincinnati must be concerned about being overpowered by their competition in next week’s Wild Card round.

Brad Smith provided the excitement, but the Jets defense brutalized the Bengals with the same vicious efficiency as the offensive line. Carson Palmer, under constant harassment from unpredictable blitz packages and interior pressure, played pitifully. He completed only one pass.

Meanwhile, eccentric receiver extraordinaire Chad Ochocinco did not record a catch after engaging Jets Corner Darrelle Revis in friendly a war of words in the days leading toward their showdown. Ochocinco’s day got off to an awful start when he slipped and fell in pregame warm-ups, banging up his knee. “There were frozen spots on the field. I was running a route in pre-game, I slipped and banged my knee really hard,” said the receiver.

Not only was Ochocinco shut down by Revis, he caught licks from a nasty New York secondary. Revis employed a far more physical strategy than usual against his braggadocios foil. “It’s just me doing my job,” said Revis, humble as usual. “We talked back and forth during the week on Twitter a bit, but I cut it off by Wednesday so I can focus on my job and my preparation.’”

Ochocinco was also clocked early in the affair, Safety Kerry Rhodes delivering a knock while the player formerly known as Johnson dived for a low Palmer pass. The pop caused an incompletion. Ochocinco later dropped an easy grab over the middle, perhaps hearing footsteps. Despite a lackluster performance, Ochocinco does not seem willing to change his name. “Child please,” he replied when asked about the possibility.

The Bengals’ running game, a staple of their success in a surprisingly bountiful campaign, was completely nullified by a ravenous Jets defense. The final tallies may not read like a crime scene, but Cincy’s rushing attack had no bearing the outcome of a game that pretty quickly spun out of control.   “That’s not the outcome we wanted today,” said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. “The Jets outplayed us in all three phases and they got the victory. Now, we get a chance to regroup and keep going again next Saturday afternoon, and that’s about the size of it.”

The spectacular play of his teammates set up heavily scrutinized rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez for a commendable regular season finale. Sanchez finished the night  eight of sixteen, with sixty-three yards passing. His numbers could have been far prettier, if not for a drop deep by Braylon Edwards, and a touchdown pass to Cotchery later deemed a lateral.

 Sanchez guided an offense that was machinelike. They scored on their first drive, propelled by Smith. A near touchdown to Edwards early in the second, scuttled by an imprecise throw, led to a Jay Feely field goal. This settle would not haunt New York in the least. For in this quarter, the competitive portion of NBC’s showcase would conclude. Smith’s sprint to the paint made it 17-0. The Bengals’ offense had no answer. They didn’t even have a question. A tidy ten play drive just about ending the first half was punctuated by the six-yard lateral to Cotchery. It was one of the team’s finest drives of the season, a clinic. They faced one third down, only needing a single yard to convert. Suddenly, it was 24-0 New York, and the second half was window dressing.  A Dwight Lowery interception, paving the way for another Feely field goal as the first half expired, provided a fitting climax. The kick was up and good, the crowd was going crazy, and the Jets’ dreams were alive and well.

Not content to scale back their efforts in the second half, the Jets’ defense preserved an emphatic shutout, while the offense tacked on ten more points. Thomas Jones broke the franchise rushing touchdown record he set last season with a two-yard tuck into pay dirt.  Jones’ fourteen touchdowns provide ample evidence for his tremendous value in the red zone.  Jones was thrilled with winning the final game at the Meadowlands. “It feels great. I played here a lot. I played here when I was in Arizona and Chicago. There is a lot of history in this stadium and for us to go out the way we did, especially at the end doing a victory lap [with] tall the fans there. This is why you do it,’ concluded the halfback.

J.T. O’Sullivan, appearing in relief of Carson Palmer, threw for thirty-one yards.

For the Jets’ fans and franchise, it was a gratifying victory. Criticized in some quarters for controlling their own destiny entirely through the providence of Jim Caldwell, their first string defense obliterated a Bengals offense playing a full hand, save for Cedric Benson. And while the Bengals’ defensive unit was not at full strength, the Jets should not be negatively critiqued for taking full advantage of favorable circumstances. Everything seemed to go right, aside from an ankle injury to key linebacker David Harris, the severity of which is not immediately known. The Jets closed the Meadowlands with style. Marty Lyons gave a halftime speech rivaling Howard Dean in over-the-top earnestness. Old fan favorites like Victor Green barreled out of the tunnel one last time. The team took an emotional lap around the premises, thanking their supporters with very real sincerity. “It was great,” said Head Coach Rex Ryan, regarding the gesture. “They [the fans] were such a huge part all season. There were ties where it was probably hard to be a Jet fan, but they stuck with us. There was no doubt.

The playoffs were a reality, and anything suddenly appeared possible.

The cynic in me is unsure about the effectiveness of New Year’s resolutions.

Sure, the heart is in the right place, when personal promises are made on a night where new possibilities beckon. But whether these dalliances with self-improvement progress into legitimate evolution, or fade with a fresh cycle of days, is a question that the short term could never provide. Proof usually takes awhile to accumulate. But when that new slate solidifies permanent, the evidence is impossible to deny. Getting there sure is tough, though. If only our best intentions didn’t have to compete against the grind…

Amazingly enough, the supposedly snake bitten New York Jets football team, hounded by pessimists at every turn,  have been gifted a chance to capitalize on the rare commodity of certainty; to play beyond the fleeting holidays. 

Santa Claus must have been wearing green and white. Or maybe karma dropped a dime on the Jets back in preseason. Either way, the Jets know for sure that they are in the playoffs with a win. 

 A team on life support received enough outside assistance to hop off the gurney and dance a jig.

To reach the playoffs, in a season marked by inexplicable fundamental meltdowns and inconceivable defeats, overseen by a rookie head coach while a freshmen quarterback contributed his fair share of carnage, all this wildly inconsistent collection of talent must do is follow through on a few resolutions for one week, one game, one chance. Anything occurring thereafter should be considered house money. It’s like a smoker being totally cleansed after quitting for seven days.

To fail in this last regular season game would be utterly disastrous.  In fact, it could immediately derail hundreds of sobriety resolutions among an edgy fan-base.

Here’s how the Jets can avoid what would surely be an ignominious end…

Resolution the first: Mark Sanchez must resolve to manage the game

Lost in the tempest following Jim Caldwell’s controversial decision to bench Peyton Manning and company last week, essentially punting a perfect season, was the strong performance of Mark Sanchez. In his last road game approaching the magnitude of a showdown against spotless Indianapolis, Sanchez disintegrated against New England, faltering terribly at Foxboro. Other than an interception quickly nullified by a penalty, Sanchez did a superb job playing caretaker for a run oriented attack against the Colts. He was accurate, and although his contribution did not totally determine the outcome, it bodes well for another solid performance in far more favorable surroundings this Sunday.

Resolution the second: The team resolves not to get stuck in a moment

The Jets must resist the allure of this moment, suddenly so vibrant and immediate after appearing a total pipe dream only weeks prior. The Bengals boast two upper echelon cornerbacks in Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall, and Sanchez in particular will pay for reckless mistakes. Establishing the running game will be vital, but such a commitment demands the excellent patience that the Jets exhibited against the Colts.

 Despite being soundly outplayed in the first half, a couple of near Colts misses from being totally shellacked in fact, the Jets held firm to measured game-plan, especially after that aforementioned near interception.

Uncertain increments of playing time, still to be doled out by Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, have many leaping to conclude this contest will be a Jets runaway.

That assumption overlooks a basic fact about this Jets team: They are not built to blow out opponents. If the game is still close after the first half, wariness may stifle the crowd.

But the Jets cannot let uncontrollable external perceptions or a warped franchise history ruin their execution in this defining hour. 

All signs are pointing toward a Jets win against the Bengals.

Resolution the third: The team resolves not to concoct another completely unique recipe for defeat

A 9-7 record immediately conjures thoughts of boring, garden-variety mediocrity. Often, this kind of performance justifies a playoff berth that flames out quickly, the type of deficiencies producing seven losses over sixteen games dooming Cinderella.

There are exceptions of course, but the rule is usually unforgiving. Heck, plenty of teams with nine wins have flat missed the postseason. Just last year, the Patriots stayed home with eleven wins.

The Jets, winners of eight games, improbably control their own destiny. This fact could be construed mildly surprising, but nothing that’d cause a National Football League junkie to reevaluate his whole method of analysis.

It’s an unpredictable sport.

But if one were to actually analyze how the Jets have lost some of these dust-ups, their survival becomes even more stunning.

New York arguably owns the best defense in the league, to go along with a fantastic running game.  But as the season unfolded, the Jets continued suffering devastating setbacks that did not reflect their true talent level.  For a championship caliber group, just one of these brutal loses would have sufficed. The chaotic nature of football practically demands it. But just when it appeared the worst was over, the Jets would cook up something new. 

Sometimes the unfathomable would happen multiple times in the same game. Fumbled snaps, hall of fame tight ends wide open in the paint, dumb penalties, interceptions and incredulity, special teams coverage meltdowns, dropped passes, defensive indifference with the game on the line. You name it. The 2009 Jets probably blew it. Every phase of the game was accounted for.

And despite all that, this is still a team with massive potential. Potentially horrifying to face in the playoffs, with absolutely nothing to lose. This abject “ability” to swipe defeat from the jaws of victory is the primary reason why the Jets will be fighting for their season against Cincinnati. 

Who’s to say these demons won’t be lurking around the Meadowlands Sunday night?

This has nothing to do with Jets teams of the past. Quite simply, the ’09 edition has shown a staggering capacity for self-destruction.

The Bengals may do the Jets a great service in eliminating themselves as a threat. If the game is close, however, New York will either slay the dragon or see their dreams rendered ash.

Fundamental play is the answer. Experience is the best teacher. The Jets, as individuals, needed to learn to carry out this resolution. 

We shall see. 

News:

Bit of concern about punter Steve Weatherford, the Friday before a win or go home scenario. Head Coach Rex Ryan said Weatherford, “Did something with his right hamstring. We list him as questionable.” The Jets do have contingencies in place, though this news certainly isn’t welcome.  “We’ll see how he is,” continued Ryan. “We’ll work some guys out tomorrow just to make sure we have a plan if he can’t go. If something would happen to Steve during the game, then Jay Feely would be our backup punter… the good thing about playing the late game is you can spend as much time to heal as possible. We’ll see what the doctors and trainer think and how Steve feels.”

Shaun Ellis has also been listed as questionable, with an illness. “We’ll see how he is,” said Ryan. 

Ellis has been listed as questionable.

Kellen Clemens drew praise from Ryan for his professionalism. “He [Clemens] has just been a pro,” Ryan said. “There is no question about it. We had a great competition at training camp. It was a legitimate competition. I thought that bought out the best in both of them. And now his professionalism, e prepares every week like he is going to have to go into the game… clearly he has done a tremendous job for us.”

Tony Richardson was overlooked for the Pro Bowl; but the bulldozing fullback’s locker room presence and raw talent have not gone unrecognized by his head coach. “I think he’s an outstanding fullback still. I know he’s played 15 years, but you look at him and he’s still young. He’s still got some bounce in his step. He does a tremendous job. Our football team has great confidence in him. [He] might be the best guy around. He’s a great teammate, a great leader, and by he way, he can play. He can still play.”

Ryan shared detailed thoughts regarding the pressure his team may feel against the Bengals, with so much on the line. “You can look at it as excitement and opportunity more so than a negative. I think pressure can be positive. We’ve put ourselves in this situation. It would have been great to go in and be able to rest guys and treat it as bye week. We’re not that fortunate. We haven’t earned that right.” Ryan then turned his attention to the fans. “We’ve got to keep it positive. We don’t want [the fans] to turn into a negative [because] we’re not getting it done. We need them there for the whole game and supporting us. Our fans want it. They want to get this team in the playoffs in the worse way. Like I say, I’m expecting big things out of our football team. “

Ho. Ho. Ho. I’d like to wish a merry Christmas to everyone reading Jets Insider! And if the reverie of this day doesn’t quite apply to your beliefs, hey man, that’s cool too. Hope you had a superb December 25^th regardless. 

Now, I’m borderline surprised to have written such a trite, stereotypical opening to a column being crafted on this unique night. [Ho? Ho? Ho? Oh yeah, baby]

But then again, perhaps it was my subconscious channeling some common sense. After all, if an individual were logging onto this site in a festive mood, only to come upon a dry, clinical analysis of why the Jets season is going to crash and burn this Sunday, it just may preclude his continued merriment. It could negatively jolt his jolliness. Hey now, I’m no grinch.

Sure, I come hauling poor tidings. I think the Jets roller-coaster ride of a campaign will, for all meaningful intents and purposes, reach an unsatisfying conclusion against the unblemished Colts. But this article is still going to be jovial. Like a sloshed reveler at the Christmas party sporting a beaming, eggnog induced smile and slightly titled Santa Claus hat, I shall present my case with a damn near uncomfortable amount of good cheer. And nothing reeks of that breezy entertainment vibe quite like a list article. So let’s fire it up!

Five observations about this Jets-Colts tilt. 

1. The Offensive Philosophies of these teams couldn’t be more different

Not in terms of raw productivity, just basically in the control these two outfits give to their respective quarterbacks.

Peyton Manning is the engine of the Indianapolis Colts. They have drafted wonderfully, surrounding their franchise player with key offensive pieces, and refused to rely on free agency to build a stable core. They are cohesively put together in every sense.

All that said, if Peyton Manning weren’t dropping back, these Colts would be far from invincible; still a competitor without question, but nowhere near the rampaging juggernaut that currently resides on the verge of becoming the league’s signature team. Manning is that vital.

He runs this offense with a command that is both cunning and brutish. As he wildly motions pre-snap and occasionally gets caught chewing out a receiver, the genius may appear a borderline madman, treading a fine line between intensity and outright boorishness. But Manning shines brightest when one considers details. The endless hours of film study, the carefully constructed he’s-a-pitchman-but-still-an-everyman-image, the razor precision placement of certain passes.

Manning wins while defining an organization, and has a chance to define an entire era, too. Heavy stuff.

Meanwhile, the Jets have implemented a color-coded system to reel in the overly aggressive tendencies of their rookie quarterback. Slight advantage: Indianapolis. Call me crazy.

 Mark Sanchez may very well be a great passer one day. Peyton Manning stopped by the town of great many years ago and kept moving along…   

2. The quarterback disparity has to be considered a mitigating factor when comparing two teams closely matched in talent [especially in this one]

Bingo. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned writing up these game previews this season, it’s this! And sure, experienced chroniclers of the National Football League may file this fact under common knowledge, but for someone who considers Dedric Ward “old-school” [As opposed to say, Don Maynard or even Joe Klecko] this revelation taught me a ton about how one position can be a compromising force.

 Basically, trying to nail down results of games that have not been played is an extremely difficult task. Everyone from me to Paulie down in the Village who has his thumbs riding on the point spread will try correlating key match-ups and tendencies, in order to make what amounts to an educated guess.

Home field advantage could be a huge deal, or maybe not. A shutdown cornerback like Darrelle Revis affects the potency of an opposing offense. These are factors that are pretty consistent. A team is what a team is, to echo a similar sentiment originated by Bill Parcells. 

The one major variable, injuries, is duly accounted for in every major American newspaper throughout the week.

But a rookie quarterback, or even a shaky quarterback, can throw all of that research and reasoning out for a loop. Forget about it. Take last week’s game, an infuriating affair for the Jets. My preview was appearing pretty prescient, especially the points about Matt Ryan struggling in his return from the toe injury in raw conditions. I thought Thomas Jones would carry the mail, but the Falcons stacked the box to stymie him, and Sanchez couldn’t quite make them pay. Different ballgame than the one I foresaw, basically chalked up to one huge factor.

Quarterback is the most important position in football. Everything flows outward from that artery. Last year, not many gave the Arizona Cardinals a chance against the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional playoffs. The Panthers appeared the best team in the NFC after a late season slide by the Giants. But they were beaten badly, because an otherwise ordinary Cardinals defense had feasted on turnovers all year, and the Panthers’ quarterback served them up by the barrel-full at a most inopportune time. Everything else that had been debated and decided about the game before it took place evaporated the second Jake Delhomme started throwing the ball to the wrong team. Hey, I’m learning. “It’s a process.”

So, while I do believe the Jets’ defense is going to give Peyton Manning all he can handle, and that Thomas Jones could potentially control the clock, the uncertainty haunting New York at it’s most pivotal position leaves me unable to give them the nod. Flashback to the last Jets’ road game approaching this degree of difficulty: At Foxboro. They would have been right there, if only… you know the rest. 

3. I do think the Colts available starters will play the whole way 

This meaning, of course, no major burn for Curtis Painter. The Colts offense is predicated on timing and rhythm. A great team risking the acquisition of rust with a game at Buffalo looming in week seventeen as the perfect opportunity for a respite does not seem likely.

I could be wrong, but I believe Manning and the first team plays four quarters. The Colts do have a long list of players nursing injuries, though, and it would be not be a surprise if questionable participants sit out completely.

Dwight Freeney has an abdomen issue which has limited his reps in practice. Pierre Gracon is missing in action with a hand injury. Clint Session is out. Defensive back Antoine Bethea and linebacker Gary Brackett have been unhindered in practice this week despite being banged up.

4. Thomas Jones may be slowing down

How many times, when assessing the Jets’ chances for victory in a given week, has Thomas Jones been the unquestionable focal point of any potential attack? More often than not, circumstances have demanded the best from Jones. The distinct lack of balance, in reliance, between the Jets running and passing game may be wearing on it’s most taxed individual.

If Jones is running on fumes, the awful injury suffered by Leon Washington surely has something to do with it, in addition to constantly running against a stacked box. Braylon Edwards’ may have stretched defenses at first, but the all around mediocre state of the Jets’ passing game has teams daring the Jets to make big plays consistently. Had Edwards and Sanchez hooked up just once more against the Falcons, even for a more moderate gain than an instant touchdown, the Jets may have coasted with Jones when it mattered most.

Should Jones be simply out of gas, and his performance against a very pedestrian Falcons run-defense was certainly eye opening, the Jets will be in serious trouble this Sunday on the road. He definitely needs some support. Will he get it?

The loss of Leon Washington put almost all the weight of the running game on Thomas Jones.

5. Rex Ryan’s defense has one more stand left in them

Ryan is well aware that harassing and confusing Peyton Manning is the key to disrupting the Colts’ downright vicious aerial assault. The Ravens’ defense certainly couldn’t be blamed for their ’05 playoff ouster at the hands of Manning, as he looked downright lost at junctures against the aggressive, Ryan led unit. The Jets will be blitzing with ferocity, and with one of the leagues best collection of defensive backs providing support, they just may prop up an offense trending downward.

Last stand?

The Colts have nothing to play for, other than a historical milestone they may not even truly care about. Their battered offensive line will surely not be pushed into mandatory service against the Jets.

 Even still, Manning will be aware of these circumstances. It is unlikely, unless a staggering Jets offense attains an early lead, that he will force low percentage throws.

 This one is likely to develop into a physical battle, to be won easily by the better game manager.

The Jets will probably be close at halftime, but, as they have proven time after time in 2009, they are not ready to step toward the elite.

 Colts 23 Jets 12

Mystery abounds as the Atlanta Falcons fly into Meadowlands for the second time this season, seeking a victory to momentarily steady a crumbling campaign once containing endless promise.

The Falcons’ inconsistent opponent is flirting with a playoff berth, in the midst of a bizarre excursion of their own, featuring two separate three game losing streaks sprinkled amid spectacular, championship caliber play.

While a detailed study of the schizophrenic identities defining these two teams sure would be interesting, more tangible matters provide plenty of intrigue.  

Quarterback play, perhaps the most vital aspect of any game analysis, is impossible to predict as it concerns this Sunday’s crucial throw-down. Indeed, there are far more questions than answers. Will Matt Ryan, nursing an injured big toe on his right foot, suit up? He returned to practice this Thursday. Ryan’s effectiveness, in cold weather against a tough defense backed by a boisterous crowd and playing banged up, will not be certain until the definitive results begin bearing themselves out.

 The Boston College product enjoyed a magic carpet ride in his rookie season, a key catalyst lifting the Falcons from a complete abyss. Ryan was faced with elevating a team that had seen its previous franchise quarterback placed under arrest and behind bars, not to mention the embarrassing exit of Bobby Petrino, who abandoned a fractured locker room. Ryan, along with new Coach Mike Smith, General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, and running back Michael Turner, were seen as saviors after producing a shocking output of eleven wins in 2008.

This year, Ryan has been unable to avoid the earthbound gravitational pull claiming most inexperienced pro signal callers. His immediate excellence practically screamed outlier. But it seemed the freshman follies Ryan previously parried were haunting him before the toe injury, his completion percentage plummeting and interceptions rising.

The regression of Ryan, an injury to Turner, and a far less explosive defense, have conspired against a continued Falcons renaissance. John Abraham, in particular, has seen his statistics take a nosedive. “John has not had the sack production that he had last year in 2008. He had 16.5 sacks. His production is down this year,” admitted Smith, though he did add, “But I think he’s had a very solid year.”

 Though Atlanta’s core remains extremely strong, their current level of performance brands them a team the Jets should definitely beat, especially at home.

And New York is primed to complete such a task.  But the Jets are not without their own set of fragile variables.

Mark Sanchez was seen at practice wearing braces on both knees. His forward dive against Buffalo cost him a game, and drew the ire of his head coach. The organization obviously hopes a lesson has been learned, and that Sanchez is totally healthy against the Falcons. But even if his knees weren’t an issue, the inconsistent performance of the rookie has been a detriment all year long, outright costing the Jets multiple games. 

How will this man play on Sunday? Stay tuned for "Unsolved Mysteries" with Robert Stack to find out.

While Matt Ryan’s weaknesses took time to manifest, Sanchez’s pro Baptism has taken a more predictable track. There were superb flashes early, a fleeting preview of a fully developed quarterback. Those initial fantasies disintegrated, a nauseating roller-coaster ride left in wake. The Jets made this bargain on their own volition, fully aware that a volatile rookie could submarine an otherwise accomplished roster. Considering the other available options, this painful learning experience will probably be viewed successful, in the long run. The short-term presents uncertainty, and potential disappointment, considering that nearly every other facet of the team is operating at peak capacity.

Jay Feely is tearing it up, receiving plaudits from Special Teams coach Mike Westhoff. “He’s done a heck of a job,” said Westhoff. “He’s as solid as can be. We’re really happy with Jay. I don’t know where the heck we’d be without the field goals because we’ve had to score. He’s done a good job every time we’ve asked him. Last week, we’re trying three of them at 49 yards or so. It’s just tough. Jay has been very consistent. He’s a good pro.” The special teams struggled to recover from the loss of key parts like Jason Trusnik after the depth depleting Braylon Edwards acquisition, but Mike Westhoff has his troops back in line, including new return man Brad Smith, displaying considerable potential in his new role.  

The defensive line has performed admirably in the absence of Kris Jenkins, especially lately. Shaun Ellis has been a certifiable monster. Darrelle Revis leads a solid secondary, which jumps a few levels upward whenever Lito Sheppard is healthy, and Kerry Rhodes properly motivated. Take a good look at the Jets, and it’s hard to find fault… except in the passing game.  

After a spectacular debut, Edwards has struggled to find stride. Jerricho Cotchery started strong but has seen his production curtailed by injuries and other extenuating factors. These issues shouldn’t be blamed all on the quarterback, though Sanchez does possess a fair share of responsibility.

If the Jets could mount even a respectable aerial assault in these final three weeks, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Otherwise, this potentially devastating collection of talent still has an Achilles heel.

As it concerns this Sunday, I see too many advantages favoring New York for the Falcons to steal one.  The potential for a blizzard sets the Jets up quite nicely to test a below average Atlanta run defense. The Falcons overall defense is mediocre, but the Jets will feel totally comfortable camouflaging their principal weakness with a slew of handoffs to Jones and Shonn Greene, especially if the precipitation is falling. The Falcons sport a variety of nifty offensive toys, including all world tight end Tony Gonzalez and big play receiver Roddy White. But freezing conditions, brutal wind, and snow do not present the ideal setting for the returns of Ryan and Turner. Ryan, especially, will be hard pressed not to struggle against a cohesive Jets defense.  Should Ryan and Turner be absent, and they are game-time decisions according to Mike Smith, the Falcons’ will be at an even greater disadvantage. Chris Redman lit up against New Orleans, but that was at home in a dome.

It may not be pretty, but Thomas Jones will have the last word.

This guy? Less mysterious.

New York Jets 20 Atlanta Falcons 9 

 ………………………..

Notes:

Rex Ryan shared a few interesting morsels of information during his daily press conference.

Mark Sanchez will start this Sunday.  Though this decision was never in serious doubt, an official announcement was held back until today.

On when Ryan made the call: “After practice. We went into practice thinking he would be fine, so he was going to get 100 percent of the reps. After talking with the doctors, they felt great. Our medical staff felt great about where he was at. Mark feels strong… we will never put any athlete out there if we don’t think he’s ready to play, able to protect himself and stay healthy.”

On preparing Sanchez for the snow: “We put so UGG boot stuff in his helmet so he’s going to be warmer. I’m not kidding. Look at his helmet. He’s got some of that in there.”

Did Sanchez take all the snaps today? : “He took all the snaps with the ones.”

Jay Feely is having a monster season, but Ryan is well aware that the Jets need to finish more drives with six points more often, instead of three: “You would definitely like to finish and if you’re in those kind of games, the math doesn’t work. You need to score when you’re in the red zone. We’ve probably worked down there as much anybody. We feel good about our red zone. We just need to make sure we knock it in there somehow. Sometimes, like last week, we weren’t going to risk it. Any type of risk at all we were like, ‘We’ve got the game pretty well where we want it. We feel good about it. We got three. We feel great about Jay…’ I think it might have been a little product of why we couldn’t get it in there.”

Feel the consistency.

Nick Mangold continues to battle an unspecified illness. He is listed as probable for this week, and was sent home from the facility again today. Ryan was reassuring about Mangold’s chances of playing this Sunday: “He was here and we sent him home again. That’s two days in a row… give him his meds and let him stay home and get rested. He’s going to be fine. He knows this system better than anybody.”

Sixth Round offensive lineman Matt Slauson is developing well, according to Ryan. The versatile Slauson may see action at center should Mangold be unavailable against the Falcons. Ryan doesn’t seemed concerned about a possible downgrade: “He’s [Slauson] really come on. He’s a left guard only… that was where we were working him.. then it’s left guard and right guard. Now he’s backing up center. I feel good about him. I think he can do the job. I think he’s a little nervous right now with his shout gun snaps. He’s maybe not as consistent as I think he will be down the road.”

Chris Redman began his NFL career in Baltimore, giving Ryan a unique perspective of his talents: “He’s no slouch. I was with him in Baltimore.” No doubt.

Calvin Pace is terrorizing offenses, collecting six sacks despite missing the first four games of the season. Ryan is duly impressed with the mayhem. “Right now this is his defense. In other words, he’s really bought into it, I think he knows it. We do some different things with him and [Bryan] Thomas. We can flip who is the SAM and who is the rush. We can do all those different things. He’s got an excellent grasp of our system. You’re seeing his physical talents, which we all know. They’re obvious. He’s a very gifted player.”

The alibis outlined for Kellen Clemens are certainly within reason. In fact, this column advocated restraint when assessing his admittedly unimpressive relief appearance last Thursday in Toronto.

I argued that the negative reaction to Clemens, in some corners of Jets fandom anyway, could be attributed to a poor performance record tainted by several extenuating factors, most importantly a porous offensive line.

Now having said all that, it really could not be overstated how huge this upcoming game is, in the career of one Kellen Clemens.

When a player slips to second string, for whatever the reasons, his opportunities become more limited, and accordingly, margin for error nearly nonexistent.

The line between trusted alternative option and total washout is perilously thin. While gaining future employment may not be at stake for Clemens, his chances of starting again anytime soon may depend on this Sunday afternoon.

For everything that may have been set against his favor back in that tumultuous 2007 season, Clemens will be holding an excellent hand against the Buccaneers.

Now, the capabilities of his line are indisputable. The Jets boast an excellent troupe of trench-men, one of the best collections in the league. His wide receiving core is solidly above average. Though Braylon Edwards has been infuriatingly inconsistent, keeping the group from being called excellent overall, he is still a big play threat on every snap.  Meanwhile, the turgid version of Thomas Jones from two years ago is a distant memory, obviously held back by substandard run blocking. All told, Clemens has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal compared to opposing quarterback Josh Freeman.

Rex Ryan has high expectations for Clemens this Sunday, casting aside his past. “I remember playing against him when I was in Baltimore,” started the Head Coach. “For three quarters they struggled offensively, but then they lit us up in the fourth quarter. He made some nice passes that day. That was how familiar I was with Kellen. It was based on that. I never went back and looked at the other tapes. I know we have an outstanding offensive line now. We have an excellent group of receivers, great backs. I expect Kellen to play great. I expect him to have a big game for us.”

He may not be asked for much. But this is definitely Clemens’ time for shine. Should he struggle, recovery may be an impossibility.

This is life as a backup. A status Clemens can still escape. But the clock is ticking.  

Clemens will be flying solo this Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Josh Freeman endured a total red-zone meltdown last Sunday, but the mountainous signal caller will still present plenty of problems for the Jets’ defense. Rex Ryan is cognizant of the potential pratfalls entailed with underestimating Freeman.  “He did struggle in the red zone in particular,” Ryan acknowledged. “He threw the five interceptions. All that’s true, but he [did throw] for 370 [yards]… he had a huge day statistically, but he did make those mistakes and that’s what happens a lot of times with young quarterbacks. He’s got a big arm. He’s a big man. He’ll take it off with it, so that’s something you’ve got to be ready for.”

The Buccaneers’ future impresses with his rare mix of size and athleticism. Add a high level of intelligence into the mix, and it’s no surprise Tampa tabbed him as the focal point of their franchise moving forward.  “I was really impressed with Freeman when we went on his interview,” said Ryan. “He’s a smart guy, very bright and physically, he fills a room.”

When the Jets avoid turnovers, they are a fearsome foe. No surprise, considering the team’s reliance on a superb running game and defense. But the Jets’ tendency toward self-destruction is a major reason why their statistical performance and record do not correspond.

The turnover rate through this stretch run will speak volumes about the Jets’ postseason hopes as the season winds down.

“The facts are what they are,” admitted Ryan. “We’re 5-0 when we win the turnover battle and 0-4 when we lose it. That’s got to be a point of emphasis any week and it should be every single week. “

Lito Sheppard has provided outstanding support for Darrelle Revis when he has been healthy enough to lineup at game time. But nagging maladies dogged him through October and November, spoiling what could have been a resounding bounce back campaign. Instead of illustrating the mistake Philadelphia made giving up on him, Sheppard has confirmed many of his critics. Though Sheppard’s play has been high level, his health has held him back, not exactly a new development.  “I’ll tell you, it’s been a frustrating year for Lito,” said Ryan, regarding the oft-injured cornerback. “He started the season off playing terrific, then he gets the injury. [He] probably came back a little too early, so he gets another injury on top of it, a more severe injury. We’ve been wanting to make sure he was back before we really felt comfortable putting him out there and trying to ease him in. There’s no easing in anymore. He played a tremendous game [last week]. In fact, we gave him a game ball last week. He gave up one completion.” 

Training camp optimism has given way to this cold reality: The talented Lito Sheppard hasn't been healthy in 2009.

The Jets would greatly benefit if Sheppard can maintain his health for the remainder of this campaign.

On the injury front, Dwight Lowery will be out this week with an ankle injury. Mark Sanchez and Robert Tuner will also be missing. Turner has a knee injury.

Alan Faneca and Wayne Hunter are both questionable, listed as having illnesses.  

………………………………….

Now a few thoughts about commercialism, individualism, and athletes 

Nothing in life is quite so suitable for surface waves than the grand pastime of sport.  Since games exist in a simplified realm determined by irrefutable scores, the entire operation seems impervious to deep analysis. While this assessment could not be further from the truth, the overwhelming, first glance evidence supporting opposite possibilities represents a definite line of demarcation, separating informed thoughts from rabble rousing rhetoric.

Take armchair psychoanalysis as a perfect example. 

Those seeking a career in the field of psychology must put in thousands of hours studying to qualify as professionals. Yet, when it comes to the quarterback who struggles winning playoff games, every columnist or fan in the country suddenly becomes a master of the mental processes. One bad performance at an inopportune occasion, and the definitive diagnoses start rolling in. And if the patient is really high profile, cognitive dissonance may follow, thoughtless designations becoming the safe substitute for studying an entire career.

Thankfully, there is variety. The ball doesn’t always bounce in this direction. Countless sports books and articles have been written with such eloquence that their mere existence serves as a protest against lesser coverage. Whole message boards are dedicated to crunching numbers and finding deeper reasons for success and failure. These persist due to contributors who write and research solely through their passion.  And of course, those with the nerve to take this kind of rational tact are often assigned labels themselves, ‘dorks’ without credibility living in ‘their mother’s basement’, or some similar dank fortress.  

The most accepted American forms of escape, entertainment, and information are mired in reactionary muck. Why are these powerful channels resisting evolution? This is mystery. Sensibility would dictate that the continuing passage of time demands constant improvement from our institutions, consistently flexible, adaptable to an increasingly complicated world. But the complete stagnation is undeniable.

The landscape does need altering. Influential websites have corralled massive audiences simply by lampooning the entrenched establishment. Sure, faceless networks and personalities following a script are exceedingly easy to rip apart. But the endless barrage of criticism and continuing corporate stubbornness eventually became part of the same senseless game.

They play, while the audience loses.

The net result produces an astonishingly boring elite athlete.

The rare splinter cell who flashes his individuality becomes a curious case, instead of a new model. Michael Jordan is an all-powerful avatar.

Charles Barkley was more than willing to abdicate his expected status as a “role-model,” but keep in mind this declaration took place on a commercial. This was a projection of his identity through marketability.

The value of an individual should not be weighed in dollars, but this fallacy is a reoccurring theme. These rich, commercially willing star athletes get elevated onto a societal pedestal simply by playing a public relations puppet. And hey, no problem… not everyone needs to be a dynamite quote. But the scarcity of truly interesting characters willing to put their opinions out there is really amazing. In my view, consciously crafting these boring personas is a natural reaction by athletes, a response to the ridiculously unfair standards that they are measured by. A cocoon effect, another game being played where nobody really gains anything, besides money and the continued misguidance of public perception.

This may seem like playing it safe, but when so little of an individual is revealed, the slightest crack in the armor could propel a feeding frenzy. See Tiger Woods.  

It is not the right of a journalist to completely know an athlete, and it is not a fan’s special privilege either. And honestly, there’s nothing morally wrong with a guy pocketing a few dollars off a commercial.

The problem lies with a curious willingness from the masses to believe fantasy projections. To measure their own success through a fractured mirror.

It’s all connected, the broken television network sphere, the armchair psychoanalysis… all the useless, phony garbage that has been so effectively integrated within our consciousness.

The pandemonium surrounding this Tiger Woods scandal is equivalent to a public discovering the tooth fairy is not, in fact, real. When did carefully manufactured façades become reality, and reality so extraordinary? Before being aghast, check the sources of commonly held beliefs. The faces will change but the message will remain the same.  

Surface waves and sports… they go together great. But sports do say a lot about society. Maybe more than you think.