Bill Belichick

Couple of things from the NFL this weekend... Sunday night Bill Belichick made a gutsy call and it backfired on him. I'll leave that for last. Let's start with the Jets and supremely confident Rex Ryan. His defense needs to go back to the drawing board... Whenever they needed a big stop Sunday against the Jaguars, they came up small. Second quarter... 4th and 4... David Garrard throws to Mike Thomas. Keeps the drive alive. Then in the 4th on the Jags winning drive... 3rd and 9.... again, Garrard finds Thomas. Another crucial conversion. Then there was the Maurice Jones Drew play and you know the rest.

I don't blame the offense for the loss. I thought they played pretty well... except for Mark Sanchez's interception that should have been a pick 6 if the guy didn't trip over the 10 yard line... But Sanchez after the game was ridiculous. He actually read from a piece of paper in the post game presser. I guess his line of thinking was that if he touches on subjects that are of interest, then the media will not ask him those questions, thus taking "The Hammer" away from the media. He should know better and if he doesn't someone should tell him. Just go up to the microphone talk to the media, answer their questions and go on about your business. When did he have a chance to prepare this little cheat sheet anyway? Maybe during the Jags final drive because the defense did nothing to get their offense back on the field.

How might that be? I’m glad you asked.

Well, two weeks ago you’ll remember the Giants killed the Raiders, 44-7.

It was after that game Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said that playing against the Raiders was like playing a scrimmage.

Now while probably true, it’s not a particularly nice thing to say about your NFL brethren.

So what does this have to do with the Jets? I’m getting to that….jeez, be a little patient, would ya?

So there I was, safely planning on leaving this whole Rush Limbaugh-Rams ownership thing alone. I personally don't see Rush as the great conservative leader others do. Like Ann Coulter, Alan Colmes, Michael Moore and the like, he has his detractors and supporters. In this life, we all do. It's the nature of being human. Some are more revered by their supporters than others. There's no doubt in my mind that Limbaugh at some level enjoys at some level being in the spotlight-even while he claims to be "misquoted" and "misunderstood."

But upon further review, the NFL and Dave Checketts forcing Limbaugh out as part of an ownership group to buy the Rams points of hypocrisy.

It was a banner day for the local football teams this afternoon as both the Giants and Jets opened their season with rousing victories.

In an odd twist, both teams led 17-0, and both games’ scores went to 17-7 on fluky touchdowns.

Houston scored on a fumble return and the Redskins got on the board with a fake field goal (is there anything worse than a punter carrying the ball?)

As for the rest of their respective games, the Jets defense dominated while the Giants struggled at times to put the Redskins away for good.

I know it’s just week one but Jet fans have to be psyched about Rex Ryan orchestrating this defense.

When was the last time you saw a Jet team pressure a QB the way this team did Matt Schaub today?

And Mark Sanchez…the kid seems unflappable.

Three weeks ago Brett Favre said he’d never play another game in the NFL.

Today he signed with the Minnesota Vikings and was in uniform in time
for afternoon practice.

Fool me once, shame on you (Green Bay...Retirement #1...Jets). Fool
me twice, shame on me (Jets...Retirement #2...Vikings).

I’m boycotting this story because I’m sure you’re as tired of it as I am.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: we applaud you! Thank you for making sure your players are held responsible for their actions, no matter the number of benjamins they may have in their wallets. Goodell handed out his latest sentence today to the Browns' Donte Stallworth. Stallworth will now sit out the entire 2009 season without pay for driving his car drunk, and killing pedestrian, 59 year old Mario Reyes last March. The courts gave him a slap on the wrist, a 30 day sentence in jail (he was only behind bars for 24 days!!!). Stallworth also paid an undisclosed but surely a handsome settlement to the Reyes family. So Plaxico Burress...if you are reading, listening, watching...you're next! Your acts at the nightclub in November and your past record of insubordination will all be on the table when it's time to decide your football fate. It won't be pretty.

There was Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger at the team's training facility earlier today, bashing a Nevada casino hostess who has brought a civil suit against the Pro Bowll signal caller. Andrea McNulty claims Roethlisberger raped her in July of last year.

Strangely, McNulty has not filed a criminal complaint against Roethlisberger, claiming that her employers wouldn't have believed her employer would side with the quarterback. To prove her point, McNulty claims she was told in March that she would take a vacation when the casino sponsored a celebrity golf tournament that Roethlisberger participated in. That event happened last week.

Let me be clear: NO woman, NO person, deserves to be sexually assaulted. Is it possible that McNulty is just going after money? Is it possible that she's "depressed" over an oppurtnity to gain money from one of this country's greatest athlrtes? You bet. Is it also possible McNultry is so traumatized by Roethlisberger that she couldn't bring the matter to light earlier. Possible, yes-though in today's world that argument doesn't hold as much water. McNultry is an adult, not a minor. Every workplace knows that inappropriate behavior is not tolerated.

Now, it's up to Roethlisberger. Today, he called the charges, "false" and "vicious." The ball is in his court. Here's hoping that he doesn't end up as another guy that Commissioner Roger Goodell has to deal with to figure out when Big Ben can play again, I'm getting tired of hearing about Pacman Jones, Plaxico Burress, Michael Vick, Dante' Stallworth, et al. For once, let's hope Big Ben the person is as exemplary as Big Ben the football player. For his sake-never mind the NFL-he better be.

Michael Vick has been unleashed (cheap shot)!

Vick is officially finished with this 23-month federal prison sentence for dog fighting and he’s now free to resurrect his NFL career.

So my question to you, The Huddle Nation, is this: If you’re the GM of an NFL team, do you sign Michael Vick?

Let me start off the debate: I say…

Hopefully, it's goodbye and good riddance to Terrell Owens. Looks like the Giants and Jets will both take a pass on the aging diva. That's good news for both local teams.

You think Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning had trouble with Tiki Barber and Jeremy Shockey? Owens makes Tiki and Shockey look like church deacons. Owens bad mouthed Jeff Garcia in San Francisco, Donavan McNabb PLEADED for the Eagles to bring Owens in. How did that work out? These two speak less than Roger Clemens and Mike Piazza. Isn't it interesting that once Shockey was injured in December of 2007, Manning blossomed? Owens moaned and groaned about not getting the ball from "my quarterback" Tony Romo. Not too many crocodile tears after the 'Boys were eliminated this past season.

As for the Jets, Rex Ryan is trying to build a physical, team oriented club. We still don't know who Gang Green's QB will be come Opening Day in September Guys more interested in "Me first need not apply. As with Tiki and Shockey with Manning, T.O. would only be a royal pain in the butt for Clemens, Ainge or Ratliff. A first year coach in New York, with a fan base that hasn't seen a Super Bowl since the last days of Lyndon Johnson's presidency, doesn't need that headache-unless he gets a Tylenol endorsement.

So, just go away, T.O. You're 36. Go to K.C. or Oakland. Jerry Reese and Mike Tannenbaum: Steer clear of this problem.

The early returns are in, and though that was one heck of a game, I say that the Giants’ win against New England a year ago tops the Steelers’ last minute comeback over Arizona.

I think we’ll be hearing a lot of comparisons in the coming days between Super Bowls 42 and 43, but for my money, Big Blue’s win was just a bit sweeter given the Patriots’ previously unblemished record.

Ok, that might be a little extreme, but kudos to ME on winning Newsday.com’s official playoff pick ‘em contest.

In the blogging world we call that “street cred!”

Your fearless blogger beat out 31 other hopefuls (nerds) on Newsday football writer Bob Glauber’s blog by correctly picking the winner of 8 playoff games.

In fact, YOURS TRULY was so spot on, when asked to pick the final score for last night’s game, I nearly nailed it:

MY PICK – PITT 31, AZ 24
ACTUAL – PITT 27, AZ 23

Not Bad. Umm. So what do I win?

Matt Estreich for The Huddle

In case you didn't notice, what with all the hoopla surrounding commercials, Springsteen and President Obama's pick, there is a somewhat important football game this Sunday. As our good friend in Fairfield would call it: 'The Game With The Roman Numerals', aka The Super Bowl (make that XLIII) is this Sunday night at 6:30. For those of you that care, The Learning Channel starts its pregame coverage at 11 am with "Evolution Of A National Holiday." Here are our picks as the Pittsburgh Steelers are favored to beat the Arizona Cardinals.

Rex Perkins of Chandler, Arizona, come on down! You are worthy of an award dedicated to mocking criminal stupidity. If the police allegations are right, Perkins and co worker Ryan Hanlon have some explaining to do. Perkins edged out Hanlon in a close vote.

Seems Perkins and Hanlon hung signs and burned (using diesel fuel) pro Arizona Cardinals slogans onto and into the lawn of a famous resident, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. Y'all remember that the Cardinals topped Philly 32-25 last Sunday to advance to the Super Bowl. McNabb has an offseason home in Chandler,

As if messing with the lawn wasn't dumb enough, Perkins left a cardboard box that had an address label easily traced back to him. That mistake, combined with the fact he's 9 years older than Hanlon, earns him "The Stupid Burglar Of The Year Award." Sadly, age doesn't gurantee wisdom-just ask O.J. Simpson.

My guess is that Perkins and Hanlon have the combined brain function of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, but with a mean streak. Leaving behind a traceable item at the scene of a crime is generally considered a no-no in the Bad Guys Handbook. I'm sure Kevin Federline has more common sense. Taking a co-worker with you to commit a misdemeanor may want you to consider getting new friends once your legal issues are dealt with.

Fortunately, no one was injured, and as far as we can tell, no brain cells were used.

This Sunday marks the REAL end of the football season. TThe AFC and NFC Championship games, what the NFL calls 'Championship Sunday', is the last staple of NFL football for about 8 months. The Super Bowl, with all the over hype, 7 hours of pregame, halftime show and analysis of stupid commercials is all about everything BUT the game. The Pro Bowl. Please. The NFL has the most useless of the 4 North American All Star games.

CHECK OUT THE PIX NEWS AT TEN PICKS AFTER THE BREAK

Thursday night's BCS title game between Florida and Oklahoma offers an excellent matchup, featuring two Heisman quarterbacks in Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford. But will the winner really be the national champion? When will the NCAA finally create a fair playoff system? At least four other teams deserved the number one seed just as much as Florida.

I’ve always been fascinated by ways in which college athletes deal with adversity. Some hit a low point and are mentally unable to turn things around. Others have the self-confidence to come off the floor and take their game to new levels. Those are the athletes who have what it takes to succeed on the professional level and are sought out by coaches. This year, no one displayed more perseverance and guts than Rutgers’ quarterback, Mike Teel.

The local high school star from Don Bosco Prep in North Jersey entered the 2008 college season as a fifth year senior. Despite the team’s success over the past few seasons – the greatest in Rutgers’ history -- Mike Teel was never perceived as a topnotch quarterback worthy of being noticed by NFL scouts.

After paying close attention to the New England Patriots' success this season, especially following QB Tom Brady's season-ending injury, many have begun to question his Superman status.

Entering the 2008 NFL season, Tom Brady was undoubtedly the best quarterback in the game. In fact, most experts predict that Brady will end his career as one of the top five quarterbacks of all time. And who can blame them? The guy has a resume that includes a 92.9 career passer rating, a 63% completion percentage, three Super Bowl rings, and an MVP season highlighted by a record-breaking 50 touchdown passes. But after witnessing the Patriots' success following Brady's season-ending injury, I've begun to question his Superman status.

Eli Manning decks the cards. (AP Photo/November 23, 2008)

Dare we dream??? We had the Subway Series back in 2000 with the Yankees and Mets. Can we have an all New York Super Bowl??? It's not unrealistic to start thinking about it. Yesterday the Jets dismantled the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans. The Giants kept on chugging as they took care of the Arizona Cardinals in the desert, handing them their first home loss. So how might things shape up?

Brett Favre topples the Titans. (AP Photo/November 24, 2008)

I'm usually one of those guys that says "give him another chance." Not this time. Adam "Pac-Man" Jones is up for re-instatement after his latest transgression. I say to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: Throw him out! Let me first say that I am not a Cowboys fan. Nor am I a Redskins, Eagles, or Giants fan. I don't have a pony in the race! But I am sick and tired of hearing about this guy and his many run-ins with the law.

This SHOULD have been a great Monday for the NFL coming off Jets-Patriots, 'Boys-Skins, Giants-Ravens, the Titans still undefeated. Instead, we get another call by referees that totally boggles the mind

The Jets and their fans awoke this morning in first place in the AFC East because the man who was brought in to lead a good team and maybe make it a great one did so. Last night, Brett Favre was worth all the hype and hoopla.

So here we go...off to Foxborough and the game that will decide the top spot in the AFC East. Jets/Pats on WPIX...we have a jammed pack live preview. Cool! (Hey even we are fans of the game.)

There hasn't been a regular season game with this much hype since, well...the Cowboys and Giants two weeks ago. Ah, but THAT game didn't have WPIX' sales and advertising crew salivating profits. Big Blue and the 'Boys were on another station. Channel 11 DOES have the biggest game of THIS week, Jets-Patriots, Thursday night.

Brett Favre greets Dustin Keller after he scored a touchdown late in the second quarter. (David L. Pokress, Newsday Staff Photographer / November 9, 2008)

Thursday night on WPIX, check out the Jets as they battle the Patriots for first place in the AFC East. Our coverage starts at 7:30 with Countdown To Kickoff, a half hour pre game show with Sal Marchiano, Lolita Lopez, and Sports Radio 66 WFAN’s Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton. Kickoff is shortly after 8 pm. Carton getting TV air time? The half hour prior to be kickoff should be interesting.

You already know how important the game is for both teams, particularly Gang Green. No Jet will have greater scrutiny heaped upon him than QB Brett Favre.

When was the last time the Jets and Giants were this good at the same time? They’re a combined 14-4 after yesterday’s wins. Visions of February glory are everywhere. The last time our local teams were doing this well on the gridiron, they were better-15-3 in 1986.(Gang Green was 8-1, Big Blue 7-2) The Giants romped to 14-2 and their 1ST Super Bowl, while the Jets finished 10-6 and lost a hideous second round playoff game to the Cleveland Browns. But I say now-DON’T start planning those Jet Blue and Southwest excursions to Tampa just yet.

After watching the Jets eek out a 28-24 win against a downright awful Chiefs team, you have to wonder if Gang Green is a playoff contender or pretender. During a span of three games against the doormats of the NFL – Cincinnati, Oakland, and KC – the Jets played down to their competition. Clichéd as that may sound, there’s no denying this team has yet to show the killer instinct characteristic of ACTUAL playoff contenders.

Plaxico Burress heads to the bench after being called for offensive pass interference in the first half. (David L. Pokress, Newsday / October 19, 2008)

The New York Giants are a formidable 5-1, for the first time since 1993, after yesterday's sloppy win over the 49ers, but what may surprise you is where they are doing it. Last year, the Giants dominated on the road winning 7 out of 8 games. This year, Big Blue has split their two road games, with an embarrassing loss to the Browns last Sunday night and a win in St. Louis. The Giants are undefeated at the Meadowlands this year, however, and love the idea of winning in front of the home crowd. Eli Manning, Michael Johnson, and Coach Tom Coughlin break it down for us after the jump.

Taking a look at the Jets, to paraphrase Dennis Green-they are where we thought they’d be. The Jets are 3-2. You’d expect them to lose to San Diego and (or so we thought) New England. Now, the AFC East, and the conference itself, is wide open. Yesterday, a 26-14 win over the pesky but winless Cincinnati Bengals. With Carson Palmer out, Cincy’s backup Ryan Fitzpatrick is proving a Harvard education is great in most fields. Playing QB in the NFL is not one of them. Watch all the locker room interviews after the jump.

Last night I lived every football fans dream. Legends of the gridiron gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria to recognize the NFL's acceptance of the International Radio and Television Society Foundation's Gold Medal Award, and I had the incredible opportunity to accompany our sports anchor Sal Marchiano to the event. Brushing shoulders with the likes of Lynn Swann and Warren Sapp, there was so much Super Bowl bling, I needed sunglasses. In my role as producer, I shuttled Giant's greats like Frank Gifford, Ottis Anderson, and George Martin over to Sal for some one on one interviews. Video after the jump.

Itʼs never easy to predict the outcome of an NFL season after only one week, but a few teams usually break ahead of the pack. This year is different. There isnʼt a single team that seems likely to cruise through the regular season.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) is out for the rest of the season with a left knee injury that will require surgery, while Jets quarterback Brett Favre (right) led gang green to a 20-14 win over Miami in his debut for the New York team.

The preseason favorite New England Patriots suffered a major blow when Tom Brady went down in the very first quarter. Last yearʼs MVP will miss the entire season! Although they still have plenty of weapons, the Pats find themselves in a deep hole. Their best player is gone and their division rivals (the New York Jets) are looking to make a playoff run behind their new QB, Brett Favre. Read more after the jump.

After weeks of confusion, one thing’s sure: Brett Favre is no longer a Packer! Following hours of conversation between Favre and Coach Mike McCarthy, it was clear that the organization is determined to move on without the future hall of famer. It’s hard to imagine that the Packers will be a better team without Favre. But after all the recent mayhem, the relationship between Brett and the organization could never be the same. (Unless they won the Super Bowl.) So here’s the million dollar question: Who will Favre play for?

Right now it looks like a tossup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets. Both teams desperately need a solid quarterback and would benefit from adding the 17-year veteran. So which city’s a better fit? Tampa Bay would provide Favre playing conditions very different from those he’s accustomed to. That’s not to say he won’t perform in warm weather. He’s just really hard to beat when it’s cold. (Think New York in December). At the same time, New York isn’t the most media-friendly environment. But can things really get worse for Favre on that score? Read more after the jump.

It’s the first day of August and still nobody knows what’s ahead for Brett Favre. We fans have been driving ourselves crazy trying to figure out whether it’s Favre or the Packers organization that has caused this mess. But what really matters (for Favre and football) is the man’s legacy. Brett has been the face of the NFL for years. He’s won three MVP awards, a Superbowl, broken the all-time career touchdown record, and retired with his consecutive games started streak in tact. So what is there left to prove?

Last year Favre returned to the Packers with a simple goal: Prove that he was still a premiere NFL quarterback. And he did it by putting up Pro Bowl-worthy numbers and leading a young Packers team to the NFC Championship. At this point he has very little to gain and a lot to lose. Read more after the jump.

I know the Jets are trying to design themselves to win NOW, but I am all about looking for the best of both worlds. Do like the Patriots and Giants-building depth so that your good long term. If the Jets bring Favre here, that stunts Clemens’ and Ainge’s growth. You can rid yourself of Chad Pennington if you wish, but he is a proven leader - beloved in that Gang Green locker room. The Jets have to be sure Favre WANTS to be here. They have to know whether he is committed to one or two years. Mangini’s crew doesn’t need the circus that comes with Favre. Plus, are they going to give up a #1 pick-that’s what the Pack will ask for - for a guy who’s 39 years old? A guy who, charismatic as he is, makes as many big mistakes nowadays as he does big plays? This sounds bad to the media, but Brett and his gunslinging and personal issues made him a bit overhyped. Guess what his career record is in the playoffs: 12-10. Another Packer QB, Bart Starr, was 9-1 in the postseason-and that loss was the 1960 NFL Championship Game. Favre’s one Super Bowl win was 11 years ago. More after the jump.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with the press today, sharing with the media that former patriots employee Matt Walsh shed no light on any new allegations of “Spygate.” You remember last September, the Pats were found to be stealing defensive signals from the Jets. The Pats and coach Bill Belichick were fined a combined $750,000 and New England lost its first round draft pick.

Then along came Walsh, who claimed to have ‘evidence’ that the club had been doing this for a long time. Certainly Jets coach Eric Mangini MUST have known something-he was with the Pats for several years and joined Gang Green over “The Hoodie’s” objections. Mangini was one of those who alerted the league of the Pats’ misdeeds last September.

One thing I find comical: Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter was to talk to Walsh. Why? Seems that one of the other games in question was the January 2002 AFC Championship between the Pats and Steelers. Obviously, Specter feels the Steelers got a raw deal. BUT: Unlike baseball which needed congressional hearings to rid the sport of steroids because of incompetent commish Bud Selig and a too powerful players’ union, this as far as we know, involves one team-the Patriots. So let Goodell do his job. I’m sure Goodell will hear it from team owners if they’re not happy about the investigation. After all, time will tell if:

It looks like former Patriots’ video assistant Matt Walsh could become the Brian McNamee of football. Glauber’s reporting that the tapes Walsh turned over to the NFL included the Pats’ taping and (presumably) stealing offensive signals. One of the game tapes turned over: the AFC title game between the Pats and Steelers in 2002. Remember last September, coach Bill Belichick and the team were fined a total of $750,000 and lost a first round draft pick for taping the Jets’ defensive coaches in the season opener won by the Patriots at Giants Stadium. The NFL won’t make any kind of ‘official’ announcement till next week. But this could cause Belichick (rightly) his job. Commissioner Roger Goodell has a major problem here. Pats’ owner Robert Kraft was able to keep the commish from more discipline eight months ago. If Walsh’s tapes prove even more damning, Kraft will need to be a magician on par with Harry Houdini.

Newsday’s Bob Glauber and ESPN are reporting that the ‘Spygate’ scandal won’t be going away anytime soon.

I really hate the newspaper articles and talk shows that rate a team's NFL Draft. Why? Simple: You just don't know how a kid will develop. That holds true in any sport, but particularly in football. The pounding and stress of daily practices and game days is unlike any other sport. On paper, Vernon Gholston (Jets) and Kenny Phillips (Giants) look like they'll help the clubs. Maybe Darren McFadden and Mario Manningham can overcome checkered pasts and be NFL stars. But don't get excited till you see them on the field.

I'm not trying to diminish the importance of Draft Day. Picks from Big Blue's last 5 drafts (Ross, Webster, Boss, Tuck, Umenyiora & Bradshaw to name a few) made significant contributions to winning the Super Bowl back in February. Scouting is the lifeblood of consistent winning in the NFL.

But a bad draft is a GM's nightmare: Remember Roger Vick, Jets fans? Don't laugh Big Blue supporters. I was as thrilled as everybody else when Ron Dayne made his way to the Meadowlands. How'd that work out? Gang Green fans had visions of Johnnie Mitchell and Kyle Brady when the Jets traded up to get Dustin Keller from Purdue. But he could turn out to be their TE of the future. Jets fans, say so long to Chris Baker. Keep in mind, for every "diamond in the rough" like Tom Brady, there's a "can't miss" flop like Ryan Leaf.

Read more and watch Newsday's Bob Glauber make his Jets Draft picks after the jump.

So Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft apologized to the NFL for Spygate. Isn’t that precious? They PROMISE it won’t happen again. John Wilkes Booth made the same statement after shooting Abe Lincoln in Ford’s Theater-ensuring the safety of Mary Todd and the rest of the Lincoln clan.

The Hoodie made the point that the episode is now behind the Pats, and we won’t have to worry about anything more. That’s nice. Of course, a combined fine of $750 K and losing a draft pick had something to do with it. There should have been suspensions and possibly a forfeit-although the Jets had no real chance of winning that opening game last September. Ironically, New England gets a top ten pick anyway because of a trade with the 49ers.

Ok-the Pats are about as sincere about this as Rosie O’Donnell at Weight Watchers.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP...