Jets Go 9-2 on Season with Huge Thanksgiving 26-10 Win Over Visiting Bengals Last Night

The New York Jets are 9-2 on the season after their 26-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at the New Meadowlands Stadium last night. The fans must have listened to head coach Rex Ryan's plea to be in their seats for the kickoff. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens wouldn't shut up during the days leading up to the game and for all their yapping they were shut out by the Jets secondary. Jet kicker Nick Folk put the Jets on the board with a 27-yard field goal midway through the 2nd quarter and the Bengals took the 7-3 lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass by Carson Palmer to Jordan Shipley. The Jets attempted another field goal just before halftime but Folk just missed. Palmer was intercepted twice by Jim Leonhard and Antonio Cromartie on good defensive plays. Brad Smith scored the first of two touchdowns as he ran out of the Seminole formation. Smith took the ball around the left end and sprinted 53 yards for the score. The extra point gave the Jets the lead 10-7. Jet quarterback Mark Sanchez was intercepted but hooked up with Santonio Holmes for a 13-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave the Jets a 17-7 lead. Early in the 4th quarter the Bengals kicked a field goal to cut into the Jet lead 17-10. On the ensuing kickoff Smith struck again and returned the kickoff 89 yards for the touchdown. That play brought me to my feet and after the extra point by Folk extended the Jet lead to 24-10. Midway through the 4th quarter Trevor Pryce got to Palmer in the Bengal end zone and threw him around like a ragdoll for the safety. That made the score 26-10 and that's how it ended. Sanchez went 16-of-28 for 166 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. Palmer was kept from doing much going 17-of-38 for 135 yards with 1 TD and 2 interceptions. The Jets running game combined for 170 yards on 37 carries, with a big chunk coming from Smith's run. The Two Dopes from Cincinnati (Owens & Ochocinco) were held in check with only 7 catches between them for a combined 58 yards. I thought Ochocinco was supposed to change his name back to Johnson if he was shutdown by Revis Island last year in the playoffs. EightFive obviously hasn't lived up to his own hype against Gang Green.

Jets Give Fans Thanksgiving Gift with 26-10 Victory Over Bengals Tonight

The New York Jets gave their fans a terrific 26-10 team victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. I will post more on the game tomorrow. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS.

Video Message from Twentieth Manager of the New York Mets Terry Collins

Here is a video message from the new New York Mets Manager Terry Collins:

Collins said they’re going to Spring Training prepared to win and play baseball in October. Since they’ve moved the World Series into November let’s play then too! I like his attitude and I hope it translates into winning baseball because this crew needs its badly.

Back On Track with My Blog

After ten days away from my Blog I'm back on track with postings beginning this morning.

Going to Madison Square Garden as Rangers Host Ex-Head Coach Tom Renney and His Oilers

My Wife and I are looking forward to going to the 12:30 PM matinee at The Garden as the New York Rangers welcome their ex-head coach Tom Renney and his Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are reeling already and the Rangers should win this one.

"I’m coming in as the enemy," said Renney, in his first season as the Oilers coach after going 164-121-42 for the Rangers from Feb. 25, 2004 to Feb. 23, 2009. "I am going to allow myself the opportunity to bump into people. … I never thought it was so bad I couldn’t walk in with my head up."

Renney is a class act and deserved better when coaching the Rangers. He brought the Blueshirts back to the Playoffs after the lockout and gave us something to cheer about. I’m looking forward to seeing him and I hope he has his chewing gum in hand!

Rangers Come Up Short in 5-3 Loss to Capitals at The Garden Tuesday

The New York Rangers came up a little short in their 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals last night at Madison Square Garden. Brian Boyle played very well and had his second 2-goal game and did everything he could to earn a natural hat trick. The Blueshirts’ defense has to play more consistently and unfortunately Henrik Lundqvist let in a couple of soft goals by his standards. The Capitals all shot high and it paid off. It was good seeing Brandon Dubinsky get into a scrap with defenseman Mike Green, who I think is just this side of dirty. I could not believe that Derek Boogaard scored his first goal as Ranger. He never scores and is among the league leaders in fighting majors. The Big Man picked up the puck along the left boards, streaked into the offensive zone and blasted a slap shot into the back of the net. I was offered a ticket to the game but couldn’t get back to town in time to go. Maybe it’s better that I watched that one on TV. My Wife and I are going to root on the Rangers at The Garden this Sunday afternoon for a 12:30 PM matinee.

Thoughts on the Red Bulls 2010 Season and Short Playoff Run

The New York Red Bulls went from worst to first in the Eastern Conference this season after last year’s nightmare. There were a couple of big name additions to the team in Designated Players Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez but rookie defender Tim Ream and midfielder Joel Lindpere really made a difference. Ream played well enough to grab MLS Rookie of the Year honors and Lindpere never stopped running and making plays. The inaugural season of Red Bull Arena was a grand success. Head coach Hans Backe managed the team very well and changed the thinking in the locker room and on the field. Captain Juan Pablo Angel’s contract is up and things do not look promising for an extension and certainly not at DP money. Angel was the only thing bright spot with the club for a few years and I hope they do the right thing by him and not kick him to the curb. On the other hand Henry is making good money and needs to stay on the field and earn it. A lot of us were very disappointed with the first round Playoff loss after blowing the home leg of the Eastern Conference Semis at Red Bulls Arena last Thursday night. I was at the 3-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes with friends and we weren’t happy with the way the Red Bulls played. It would have sweeter had they made it to Toronto for the final match and brought the Cup back with them.

Blog Postings Later this Evening on Red Bulls, Rangers, Jets, Giants and Knicks

I’ve been MIA of late from my blog but will have postings later this evening on the Red Bulls, Rangers, Jets, Giants and Knicks. Some good things have happened with these teams but there has been some pain as well.

Mets Manager Search Update from GM Sandy Alderson

From the New York Mets via email:

November 4, 2010

Dear Mets Fans:

As you may have heard, today we interviewed two candidates to become the next Manager of the Mets.

The process got off to a good start with Bob Melvin and Dave Jauss here for interviews. I'll be meeting with Wally Backman, Terry Collins and Chip Hale this weekend in California.

We plan to speak with more candidates next week and hope to announce our new Manager as soon as possible.

We will be back to you again with more information soon. Thanks for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Sandy Alderson
General Manager

Red Bulls to Play San Jose Earthquakes in Second Leg of Eastern Conference Semifinals at Red Bull Arena Tonight

My friend and I are looking forward to going to Red Bull Arena as the Red Bulls host the San Jose Earthquakes tonight in the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Another friend will be sitting in front of us with his Wife and Fathers-in-Law. It should be interesting sitting next to the Supporters as they will be loud. The Red Bulls may have the services of Thierry Henry as he nurses his knee injury. The best case scenario is having Henry on the bench at the start of the game and bringing him into the game only if needed. Ideally the Red Bulls will win this evening without needing Henry on the field. He could then keep resting his knee and be ready for the Eastern Conference Finals next week at home. A draw or win will get the Red Bulls into the next round.

Mets Reduce Ticket Prices for 2011 Season

From the Mets via email:

METS REDUCE TICKET PRICES FOR 2011
Full Range of Adjustments Includes Average Price Decrease of 14% from 2010, Season Ticket Holders to Receive 10% Discount Off of Lower 2011 Prices, Increased Exclusive Benefits and Services, Unique Experiences

FLUSHING, N.Y., November 3, 2010 - The New York Mets today announced a restructured ticket pricing program for 2011 that includes a reduction of ticket prices by an average of more than 14% from last season. In addition, season ticket, ticket plan and group ticket customers receive an additional 10% discount.

Within the 14%-plus average price decrease, the Mets have made a full range of market-based adjustments to Citi Field's 41,800 seats:
• Ticket prices for 62% of the ballpark have been reduced
• More than half of all seats have double-digit price reductions
• 18% of the seats have been cut by 20% or more
• 8% of seats have price decreases of 30% or more
• Several seat categories have modest increases that average approximately 5%

Rangers Playing Well Winning Five of Last Seven Games

The New York Rangers are playing good hockey without three of their veteran players. Marian Gaborik, Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal are all out recovering from injuries leaving it up to the young guys. The new Number 1 line of Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, and Ryan Callahan are playing like veterans. They are scoring goals and playing great hockey. On top of that Brandon Prust is one of the unsung heroes on this team. Prust forechecks and plays all out every shift. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is also on top of his game in the early going of the season. The Rangers are currently in second place of the Eastern Conference and need to stay close to make the playoffs. The season is a grind and has just started but it’s very encouraging to see the Blueshirts playing well without three of their top players.

Packers Shut Out Jets 9-0 at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday

The New York Jets’ offense looked completely out of sorts in their 9-0 loss to the Green Bay Packers at home Sunday. Quarterback Mark Sanchez had 2 interceptions again this game and looked awful in the 1st half. He made adjustments and played much better in the 2nd half but couldn’t get the ball into the end zone. The Jets were shut out for the first time in four seasons. It was a shame as the defense played a great game and kept the high powered Packer offense out of the end zone as well. The bright spot for the Jets was the excellent game played by David Harris who had 9 tackles (8 solos), 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits. Sanchez was 16-of-38 for 256 yards and 2 interceptions with a terrible QB rating of 43.3. The Jets defense kept Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers to 15-of-34 for 170 yards and a slightly better QB rating of 59.7. The Jets rushing game was kept in check with LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene combining for 22 carries for only 76 yards. New York’s wide receivers had 5 drops on the day including a key crossing pass to Santonio Holmes that would have most likely netted a touchdown. A lost fumble by Brad Smith didn’t help the cause either. I met Steve Weatherford in Morristown, NJ tonight at an Irish Pub that hosts the Inside the Jets ESPN 1050 New York Radio show and told him the fake punt he ran was a ballsy play. Midway through the 1st quarter, on 4th down from the Jets’ 20-yard line and 18 yards to go, Weatherford ran the ball for a fake punt down the right sideline. He came up a yard short and that’s a play that has to be made if you take the shot. I just wished he could have extended the ball before getting downed. He said “But it still didn’t work.” I told him it was still a great play. I guess it would have been greater if he got that 1st down. On top of it all the steady kicker Nick Folk missed his only field goal effort. The Jets need to regroup as they visit Detroit to play the Lions this Sunday.

Red Bulls Shut Out Earthquake 1-0 to Take First Leg of Eastern Conference Semis Saturday

The New York Red Bulls shut out the San Jose Earthquake 1-0 on the road Saturday night to take the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Joel Lindpere scored for the Red Bulls in the 56th minute when he settled a Juan Pablo Angel shot that was headed away then put the ball into the far right corner of the net to give the Red Bulls the 1-0 lead and win. The frustration was plain to see on head coach Hans Backe’s face as the Red Bulls missed three golden opportunities to score in the 1st half. It was good seeing some of the Supporters present at San Jose cheering for their team. In fact it seemed at times that they were louder than the San Jose fans. The second leg is scheduled for this Thursday, November 4th at Red Bull Arena, the Cathedral of Football. Juan Pablo Angel will most likely be teamed with 17-year-old rookie Juan Agudelo again as Thierry Henry is nursing a right knee strain. More tests will be done today on Henry’s knee so hopefully he will be available off the bench. Salou Ibrahim and Tony Tchani should be ready to go this Thursday.