Hot Dog Gate

Eating a hot dog during a game is nothing new. Baseball people say that The Babe would eat hot dogs during games and I'll bet he snuck in a beer or two. But watching the San-chise eating a dirty water dog yesterday in the waning moments of a blow-out brought something else to mind for me. It brought me back to the days in the sandlot. When I started playing organized ball at age 8 or 9, I had a teammate who was bigger than the rest of us. Our own sultan of swat, his name was Tommy December, or as we grew to call him Two-Dog Tommy.
Time to connect the dots. Just before every game every game, he would ask his father for two hot dogs and he ate them in four bites just before every game that entire season. Tommy was a power hitter and a power eater. We all wondered if the hot dogs gave him the power to launch those line drives into the gaps, or make our hands sting when he threw the ball. But being 8 or 9 we got the most enjoyment from the thunderous belches that inevitably came around the 4th inning. Tommy was a character. Someone we could watch in amazement and laugh at all at the same time. He was a kid, a kid having fun in a place where fun is allowed, the ball park!
Athletes are kids, let them have some fun.
Dan Dierdorf made this incident seem like Sanchez was committing a crime. I guess DD has a high reverence for the game. This guy played alongside the dirtiest player to ever play the game (Conrad Dobler). Selective memory, or do only revere the game after you retire and get your bust on display in Canton!
Let the kids play and have some fun, that's what Two Dog Tommy's dad would say!

This week is about redemption...

Stop Talkin' and Start Playin'

The orange juice was bitter all week. I'm just getting over the embarrassment that took place in the South Florida heat last Monday Night. This team that has rallyed around the theme of being a strong smash-mouth defense got blown off the line of scrimmage and did not stop an offense that tells you what they are going to do and that's run the ball. The Jets did not man up and by the fourth quarter allowed themselves to be on the field way too much.

Calvin Pace where are you? The Mad Backer, Bart Scott looked lost. And can we please get back to tackling the body instead of what my high school coach so elquently put it... titty grabbin' and trying to strip the ball. If you keep pounding the ball carrier, the ball will find its way to the ground!

The bills come in today in disarray and desparate. The team will have to deal with adversity for the its first true test of the year. To stop a two game losing streak and weather that will be less than pleasant for a kid from So Cal who has probably never seen how bad the conditions can be in the northeast.

Look for TJ to get on track today record a 100+ yards rushing day as the mantra will be about ball control and eating the clock. The Jets have had trouble with the Bills in the past and Lee Evans has always enjoyed good days against them. Look for the Jets secondary to be challenged today to cover both Evans and T.O., who has been way too quite both on and off the field this year. This could be his brakout game for the Bills. You know T.O. likes the big stage and playing the Jets is the big stage for this player who now plays for 'north' Americas Team. He said it, I'm just paraphrasing.

Weeb sees a close win in ugly fashion.

What are we getting here!

I don't know if I am excited that the Jets have found the #1 receiver that they need, or are they getting a diva, who can possible create havoc for a young QB. Rex and Mr. T better know what they are getting into. He came from the Cleveland Browns for Chrrisss Sakes.
I'm counting on Edwards being suspended by the Commish for a week or two following the TKO of a 130lb hanger on of King James. So he'll be ready to go in eight, just in time for a playoff push and the second go round with division rivals.
We know he demanded a trade out of Cleveland, but wouldn't you too (sorry Steve and Scott). So did he pick a fight with a guy he knew he could take to force the Browns hand? I'm not buyin' that one...
But wait til he gets a load of that notorious NYC night spot The Latin Quarter. He won't be the heavywieght champion suckerpuncher in that club. He'll have to spar with the Giants and the Knicks to be the top dog in that place.

I just hope he can stay out of jail long enough to help the Jets get into the playoffs before he implodes.

The time bomb is ticking...

Game Day

Lotsa hype for this one in the Big Easy. Both teams coming in at 3-0... the high powered offense versus the smothering defense. Experts say defense wins championships. We will see today. The winner of today's contest will be in a great position to take its season deep into January.

Mark Sanchez will have to protect the football and not try to win the game on his own and be forced to make risky throws.

The Saints are scary good on offense with all the explosive weapons that can make big plays. Drew Brees is the best QB in football and if the Jets aren't able to penetrate the line of scrimmage and put pressure on him, the Jets will get their first L of the season.

The key for the Jets, as it was in the first two weeks of the season. Protect and run the football and minimize the time that the saints have the ball. If the Jets can do that it will force the Saints to take risks on defense that will allow the Jets some opportunities to make big plays.

I think David Clowney will have a big game today and be involved in at least two big scoring plays. His speed is amazing and may enable him to make an impact today.

Weeb is feeling good about this one!