Back on Track with My Blog

After being away from my Blog I’ll be back on track with postings today. I have a lot to post regarding the Giants, Rangers and Mets. The Knicks are just painful at this point and there will be a posting on that debacle as well.

Jets Part Ways with Offensive Coaches Schottenheimer, Callahan and Ellard

Photo Credit Weissman
for nydailynews.com

The New York Jets have gone in a completely new direction offensively as three coaches leave the staff. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer “resigned” in a statement released late last night by the team. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan and wide receivers coach Henry Ellard’s contracts have expired and will not return as well. Callahan accepted a job as offensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys. In Schottenheimer’s six seasons with the Jets he worked with Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez at quarterback, but it was the current season of mediocrity that sealed Schotty’s fate. I would like to know if the house cleaning will be continue or if the Jets will keep quarterback’s coach Matt Cavanaugh. Early reports indicate that the Jets will hire former Miami head coach Tony Sparano as offensive coordinator, a run first, ground and pound type coach. I am happy the Jets are making changes but hope they part ways with wide receivers Paxico Burress and Santonio Holmes as well. Burress’ contract may not be extended but the Jets are on the hook to pay Holmes a lot of money. They should take the salary cap hit and get rid of the locker room poison. How many teams have no use for a Super Bowl MVP? Well the Pittsburgh Steelers were that team and traded Holmes to the Jets for a late-round draft pick. I always said it’s easier for a team to change coaches rather than an entire team and sometimes change is necessary. Ellard is a good coach and it’s not his fault that the receivers did not do their job. Watching the games this season I believe the receivers themselves didn’t give it their all, not even close. They never fought for position or came back for the ball, even with Sanchez often running for his life. At times they look disinterested on the bench. Schotty was on the shortlist for the new head coaching job with the Jaguars but didn’t get the offer.

Blueshirts Atop NHL with 56 Points at Midway Point of Season

Photo Credit nydailynews.com

 New York Rangers are atop the NHL with an excellent 26-9-4 record (56 points) but know there’s a long road to the Playoffs. Goalkeepers Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Biron are leading the way for New York. Many teams have a top goalie and a backup but the Rangers have a #1 and a #1A. Lundqvist’s numbers are: GP 29, W 18, L 7, OT 4, SV% .939, GAA 1.89, SO 3 while Biron’s are: GP 11, W 8, L 2, OT 0, SV% .922, GAA 2.06, SO 1. Head coach John Tortorella has wanted to give Henrik rest during the year so he’d be fresh down the stretch and in Torts’ three plus years with the Rangers he’s finally getting the opportunity. Lundqvist wants to play every game but he is aware of the benefits of regular rest throughout the season and is slated to make 65 starts. Marc Staal, making his season debut at the Winter Classic, was a welcome site. His blueline partner Dan Girardi made huge strides in his game and wore Staal’s A (alternate captain) in his absence. Other noteworthy elements to the Rangers’ success had been the play of their young defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Stu Bickel. McDonagh and Girardi have become a shutdown pair and the team will only get better as Staal gets into game shape. Sniper Marian Gaborik is back with 23 goals and playing at a high level with 1st line mates Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov. Highly sought after free agent centerman Brad Richards has found a home on the 2nd line with Brandon Dubinsky and captain Ryan Callahan. The plan was to have Richards center the top line but Torts will not argue with success. The team is playing as solidly as I’ve seen in many many years and so far it’s been a special season for the Rangers. I’m looking forward to the second half.