Bart Scott trademarks “Can’t Wait!” catchphrase

Bart Scott’s post game interview following the Jets’ playoff victory over rival New England went viral almost immediately. The WWE-like trash talking tirade was one of the most epic interviews of all time. It was such a hit, that the AP has reported that Scott trademarked his catch phrase “Can’t Wait!”.

Scott said in an interview in Orlando that the phrase “took on a life of it’s own” and that once he heard people wanted to use it on T-shirts, “if anybody is going to benefit off “Can’t Wait!” it should be me.”

Now we just have to wait and see how long it takes him to trademark “Can’t stop a nosebleed”…

Jets offer tenders to Holmes, Cromartie; LT to return

The New York Jets came up short in their 2nd consecutive AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and enter the upcoming NFL season with several roster questions. The Jets are built to win now (actually two years ago) and they have been bringing in veterans to help accomplish their goal/guarantee of a Super Bowl championship.

The Jason Taylor experiment appears to be over at least for now as they released the future Hall of Famer as well as oft-injured Pro-Bowler Kris Jenkins. The Jets also released 1st round bust Vernon Gholston and aging tackle, Damien Woody. With clear intent to clear some salary, there was great speculation on which of the many big name free agents the Jets would target to return for the upcoming year.

The New York Post has reported that the Jets have offered a first round tender to Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie. If they choose to sign the tender, any team that wishes to sign them would be forced to surrender a 1st and a 3rd pick to the Jets in exchange for the players. Brad Smith also received a 2nd round tender offer.

Ultimately, these tender offers could become irrelevant due to the expiration of the current CBA and it is unclear what the new rules will be in the event of a lockout and/or under the new CBA if and when it is signed. But what this does tell us is that the Jets place significant value on Holmes and Cromartie and have essentially given notice that Braylon Edwards is not a priority.

The big questions in the offseason for the Jets surrounded the big name free agents in Holmes, Cromartie, Tomlinson, and Braylon Edwards. Braylon Edwards is clearly at the bottom of their “to-do list” as other outlets have reported that the Jets plan to bring Tomlinson back next season.

Tomlinson is set to make $2.4 Million next season and had a relatively productive season alongside Shonn Greene. LT slowed significantly in the second half of the season and was nowhere to be found in the AFC championship game (where have we seen that before?).

While the Jets have their hands full in trying to resign their big name free agents, they would be well served to pick up another solid RB in free agency (if and when they are able) or the draft.

Cromartie calls both sides of NFL labor dispute A-Holes

 

Just a couple weeks removed from referring to Patriots QB Tom Brady as an A-Hole and following the Jets elimination from the playoffs at the hands of the Steelers, Antonio Cromartie is back at it once again. According to the New York Times, Cromartie had this to say about the current CBA negotiations:

“You’ve got our head union reps acting like an (expletive), and they got their guys acting like them (expletive).”

“They need to get their (expletive) together and get it done.”

“You don’t get no information about nothing from the union or owners. To tell you the truth, they need to get their minds together and get this (expletive) done and stop complaining about money. Money ain’t nothing.”

Despite his comments about money being “nothing”, Cromartie also said, “you’re basically dealing with people’s livelihoods.”

Look, I agree with him that both sides need to stop with the public negotiations and posturing and get this done, but Cromartie really needs to think about staying quiet for a while. Not only did he run his mouth incessantly about Tom Brady and Hines Ward, but now he’s calling out the people who represent his best interests in the CBA negotiations.

Cromartie will be a free agent next season and there has been much speculation over whether the Jets will attempt to re-sign him. I was personally shocked that they signed him in the first place given his awful and embarassing performance against the Jets in last year’s playoff game. Many believe the Jets will make a move for Nnamdi Asomugha which would make Cromartie expendable.

Tom Jackson, Just SHUT UP!

 

It’s been years since anyone cared or took Tom Jackson and Chris Berman seriously. There was a time when they were actually liked and respected and people looked forward to watching and listening to them break down all the action of the day’s games. Boy was that a long time ago. They have long moved past useful, relevant, and even comprehensible, but it is clear now that Tom Jackson has completely lost his mind.

I’m sure you have all seen the Bart Scott post-game interview oh… maybe 30-40 times by now. It’s epic, why not, right? As you know, the rant by Scott was at least, in part, initiated by ESPN’s Tom Jackson. Scott begins the rant by specifically calling out Jackson for “disrespecting” him and the Jets. Why? In the pre-game show that day, Jackson predicted the Jets to lose 30-10. No big deal, right? Nearly everyone thought the Patriots, who looked previously unstoppable, would knock off the Jets.

But after being called out by Bart Scott, Jackson went on ESPN’s Mike and Mike radio show the very next morning. You would think that an “analyst” who takes himself so seriously and honestly believes that he’s an important and influential figure in the NFL and in the media, would have the courage to stand by his predictions, right?

Wrong. And I’m sure everyone has heard this part, but it leads up to the most ridiculous part of this story. So, Jackson did a complete 180 that next day on the radio saying that “he certainly thought the Jets might win” and that his pick was a “premeditated move in a psychological game to put the Jets in a bunker mentality of us against the world.”

Seriously, Tom? You were DEAD WRONG on your prediction, which I believe actually genuinely upsets you because you truly believe you know what you’re talking about and Bart Scott called you out on national TV and on one of the most epic, viral videos of recent memory. So this caused you to immediately backtrack and try to say that your predictions were a “premeditated” ploy to try to fire up the Jets? Puhleeze!

I would love to hear what Keyshawn Johnson (who picked the Jets to win)  and Chris Carter were saying and thinking after this asshat went on the radio and said this! Those picks are discussed in production meetings before hand and IF those comments by Jackson were premeditated, everyone on the set would’ve known about it. And IF Jackson lied the next day to try to cover up for his idiocy, then every single person on set would know that as well. Jackson has long lost his credibility if you ask most people, but this was the nail in the coffin.

And if that weren’t bad enough, on another interview Tuesday, Jackson did yet another 180. During this interview he relented and said that he really thought the Patriots would win big and “thought it could have been worse”.

He also went on to add that he’s “not arrogant enough to think that I can affect the outcomes.”

“I was shocked and stunned by Bart’s comments, that they were directed at me. So in an effort to make an excuse for the comments, I made comments I shouldn’t have.”

Wow! Tom Jackson literally felt so stupid, impotent, embarrassed, and useless that his prediction was wrong and he was called out by Scott that he went on air the next morning and blatantly lied about a “premeditated psychological game”! Seriously!? It was a PREDICTION! No one cares what you think despite what Bart Scott said.

Yes, a lot of people watch that network and that pre-game show, including players. But it goes on to show just how batshit crazy “Tommy” really is that he thinks that people care that much that he would need to blatantly lie like that!

So going forward, every time he guesses right on his predictions, he’s a football genius. And every time he guesses wrong, he was just trying to pump up the other team to get them ready to play. After all, he’s SO influential that he can actually affect the outcome of the games!

“Tommy”… JUST SHUT UP!

But this is nothing new on this network. For years, the hacks on College Gameday have done this type of thing. Herbstreit and Corso have pulled this unprofessional crap multiple times where they “pick against a team just to get them ready to play”. Those guys are equally delusional enough to think that they influence the game and affect the outcome.

My guees is that someone got to Tom Jackson, knowing that he went on air on Monday and flat out lied to everyone and told him that he needed to come clean. That’s fine, but the damage was already done. For the 4 people left in the world who actually take him, Berman, and that network seriously, this just about blew any chance at professionalism, credibility, and ethics.

I honestly cannot believe that he was legitimately upset enough by Scott’s comments that he found it necessary to go on air the next day and lie about his motives for his predictions. It’s a damn prediction! A billion people make them each week and half of those people are wrong, on average! So what!?

He actually takes himself so seriously that he couldn’t handle the world knowing that he was dead ass wrong on a prediction. He actually takes himself so seriously that after being called out for being wrong that he felt the need to make up an entire story to justify his prediction! And he actually takes himself so seriously that he then said the very next day that made the whole thing up and that he was only doing it because he was so shocked that a player would directly single him out!

If he was so upset because a player called him out and felt disrespected by him and therefore my not respect him, he did NOTHING to help his cause. If he was that upset because a player might think less of him, what’s he going to do now that NO ONE respects him or takes him seriously, including NFL players and the guys on the set with him!? I can’t wait to hear what this lunatic says tomorrow on the show!

Tom Jackson… JUST…. SHUT….. UP!!!

 

Is Bill Parcells responsible for Rex Ryan in New York?

 

It seems like ages ago that Bill Parcells, the Big Tuna himself, roamed the sidelines of the meadowlands. No, not the first time when he won Super Bowls with the Giants, the second time when he resurrected the New York Jets. You know, before that experiment in Dallas with Jerry Jones and before he took off to South Beach to turn the Dolphins around.

Parcells quickly turned the Jets around from laughing stock to nearly making the Super Bowl turning around a 1-15 team to a 12-4 Super Bowl contender. And according to a report by Ian O’Connor of ESPN New York, Parcells may have had a hand in the Jets resurgence over the past 2 years under the leadership of Rex Ryan.

Parcells said in an interview last night, “I was very impressed with Rex when I met him. I could just sense that, hey this guy’s going to have a chance.”

According to Parcells, he interviewed Rex Ryan for the Dolphins head coaching position and was incredibly impressed with the boisterous and successful defensive coordinator from Baltimore. If not for the close relationship and years of experience with Tony Sparano, Parcells indicated that he would’ve hired Rex Ryan on the spot to lead the Dolphins.

Parcells worked closely with Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum during his years with the Jets. So much so that Tannenbaum considers the Tuna to be a mentor. After Eric Mangini was fired in New York, Tannenbaum reportedly called Parcells to discuss the possibility of hiring Ryan as the Head Coach of the Jets. Parcells is said to have relayed his positive view of Ryan stating his pedigree (father Buddy Ryan) and ability.

Parcells added, “I had a fierce rivalry with Rex’s father when I was coaching the Giants, but I held Buddy in high regard. What made Buddy a dangerous adversary was that he knew what he was looking for personnel-wise, and Rex is the same way. That’s a pretty good head start for Rex because there are a quite a few coaches in this league who don’t know what they’re looking for.”

Personally, I’m sure Parcells’ endorsement helped, but I certainly doubt it was the deciding factor. Rex had already established himself as a premier defensive mind in the NFL and the pedigree was obvious to everyone. The only question was whether a guy with so much passion and such a big mouth could effectively lead an NFL franchise. Perhaps Parcells did help to cast away those doubts, but Rex’s ability as a coach was already proven in my opinion.

I’m not sure how much Parcells was involved on the front end of the Rex Ryan hire, but I do know this. Parcells is an incredible judge of talent and the Jets are definitely better off for taking a chance on Ryan. You can say what you want about his antics and trash talking, but the guy delivers. He enters the game this weekend going into his 2nd straight AFC Championship as a head coach and his 3rd straight including his time in Baltimore.

Giants players Phillips and Rolle call out Coughlin

 

While the New York Jets have earned their 2nd straight trip to the AFC Championship game and their boistrous persona has completely taken over the City of New York, the city’s other team is none too pleased. At least Giants safeties Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle aren’t too happy.

Both told WQAM in Miami on Monday that they would prefer to play for a coach like Rex Ryan who has more of a “loose” style which is in direct conflict with Tom Coughlin’s “uptight” style according to the New York Post.

Phillips added the following:

“I would love to play for a guy like Rex. He goes to bat for his players. He’ll take the blame, he allows you to be you. He’s not asking you to hide. If you’re a guy who likes to talk, go out and talk, as long as you back it up. His guys are playing for him and I’d love to be a part of that.”

Rolle, who said he doesn’t believe the Jets are the best team in NY added this:

” I think their chemistry might be better than ours. I think they have a lot more fun than we have. At the end of the day, yeah, we’re professional athletes, we get paid a lot of money to do what we do but we’re all human. No one is a robot at this level. We do have feelings, we like to have fun.”

“He (Coughlin) has to understand we have a great team, we don’t have guys with discipline problems. We’re going to pretty much handle our own outside of football. When it comes to football, we’re going to take care of our business on the field. Just let us have a little fun a little bit, man. I like the coach, I understand what he’s trying to do but he has to understand it’s 2011, man, things have changed.”

There is no question that many players in the NFL would love to play for Rex Ryan, especially those on the defensive side of the ball. Rex is a unique coach and he runs an aggressive scheme on defense that players love. Add to that his big mouth and his flexibility with his players, and guys are lining up to want to play for him.

With that being said, these two crossed the line. You don’t go to the media and not only call out your coach, but basically plead to be able to play for another team. That’s unprofessional and immature at the very least. And Rolle must be taking notes from Chris Bosh as his comments sound an awful lot like Bosh’s “we just wanna chill” comments.

I understand why guys would want to play for Rex Ryan, but you don’t get to pick your coaches for the most part in the NFL. Rolle’s comments about it being 2011 are also lost on me because it’s not like Coughlin hasn’t had recent success. He won the Super Bowl in 2007 for cryin’ out loud! It’s not like he won a Super Bowl back in the 80′s and came back trying to implement the same old theories and policies that just don’t work anymore.

There were rumors at the end of the year that Coughlin’s job may be in jeopardy but everyone assumed it was because of the New York media and due to Bill Cowher’s reported wish list. Perhaps there was a little more to the rumors as far as the players go as I doubt that Phillips and Rolle are the only players who have grown tired of Coughlin.

Honestly, it’s a shame because he’s a very good coach. Just because he doesn’t have the personality and style of the other coach in the city (by the way no one else in the NFL does!) doesn’t mean he’s not a very good coach and the right coach for this team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wes Welker is Benched vs. Jets due to Foot Comments

 

I think we’ve all heard enough about the Jets/Patriots trash talk this week leading up to the game. The Jets, as always, started it and Bill Belichick finished it. Or at least he thought he did when he issued a “no trash talk” order to his team. After all, that is the Patriot way. Belichik, Brady and company are honestly more worried about doing their talking on the field and not through the media.

But Brady’s favorite WR, and a player who totally epitomizes what it means to be a Patriot, Wes Welker tested those boundaries with a tongue in cheek interview taking shots at Rex Ryan’s foot fetish. I, for one, thought it was hilarious. Bill Belichik, however, apparently did not.

News just came down as Jim Nantz reported prior to kickoff that Wes Welker will be benched to start the game because he ignored Belichik’s orders. We don’t know at this point how long that benching will last. It could be a play, a series, or a quarter, but it is yet another example of just how strict of a program that Belichik runs.

 

Is there now a bounty on Wes Welker’s head?

In response to the week long trash talk event, Wes Welker came up with the most original, clever, hilarious, and obviously light-hearted response earlier in the week. He took subtle shots at Rex Ryan’s foot fetish by referencing toes, feet, foot, foot soldiers, etc. multiple times during his media session the other day. Pretty hilarious if you ask me.

But not if you ask Bart Scott. Scott, the Jets linebacker and extension of Rex Ryan as they both have nearly the same personality, was none too pleased. In fact, when asked about it by Newsday reporters he offered this:

“I’ll tell you what, Be very careful what you say about our coach. His days in a uniform will be numbered. Put it like that.”

Now Bart loves to talk and he is a bit of a hot head, but would he really take Welker’s joking comments to the next level by actually trying to hurt the man? There have long been stories of bounties placed on the heads of certain players and Rex’s father, Buddy is actually said to have originated this practice. So is it impossible? No. But my guess, as is usually the case, is that the guy who does the most talking does the least when it comes down to it.

I’m sure Bart is just trying to send a message to Welker and the rest of the NFL that his coach’s sexual fetishes are off limits as far as trash talk goes. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the back and forth through the media… I can’t wait for kickoff.

 

Return of the Jet-I

 

The New York Post often has interesting and controversial front pages… but this one takes it to a whole new level. As we approach the Divisional playoff game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots, there has been no shortage in drama and entertainment.

It all started when Rex Ryan got the week going with a Rex vs. Belichick press conference and then Jets CB Antonio Cromartie kicked it up a notch calling Tom Brady an A-Hole. Brady and Belichick refused to partake in the pre-game trash talk, deflecting back to the game at hand as is their nature. I think we all know by now that they tend to do their trash talk, and damage, on the field.

Wes Welker followed up with the most interesting, humorous and original form of trash talk yesterday where he repeatedly mentioned the words foot, feet, toes, etc. in his interview with the press. A very clever and fun loving shot at Rex Ryan and his wife’s foot fetish videos.

The New York Post front page follows up wonderfully with a Star Wars based cover featuring the usual cast of characters. You just gotta love the picture of Michelle Ryan, Joe Namath as Yoda, and Bill Belichick as the dark lord himself. How fitting….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Brady Responds to Cromartie: “I’ve been called worse”

 

The Jets, as always, have been popping off at the mouth all week trying to bait the Patriots into a war of words. It started with Rex Ryan’s attempt to make the game about him vs. Belichick. Belichick shrugged it off, and as always, focused on the task at hand. Antonio Cromartie then went off on a profanity laced tirade about the Patriots Tom Brady calling him an “asshole” and saying “F*CK HIM”.

New England reporters asked Brady if he had heard about the comments and repeated them back to the surefire MVP. Brady, in perfect Patriots form, shrugged them off by saying “I’ve been called worse”. He went on to add that “I’m sure a lot of people feel that way.”

Brady then immediately went on to praise Cromartie and Revis and the Jets secondary, quickly focusing back in on the game. People wonder why and how the Patriots are so good year in and year out. Maybe it has something to do with their ability and willingness to worry about the game at hand, rather than the pre-game trash talk and antics…

I, personally, hope Brady hangs half a hundred on Cromartie and the Jets.