November 13, 2006—Jets head coach, Eric Mangini probably locked up the coach of the year award in yesterday’s 17-14 win over the New England Patriots. Playing in monsoon like conditions up in Foxboro the Jets pulled the biggest upset of the day in what was a wacky week-10 in the NFL. The Jets record improved to 5-4, one game back of the division leading Pats. Ten weeks of NFL football and I haven’t seen a better-prepared football team the J-E-T-S- Jets, Jets, Jets. Coach Mangini seemed to have a leg up on his former boss and mentor Bill Belichick. Chad Pennington, who always struggles against the Pats, made some key plays—including a great pooch punt that pinned the Patriots deep in their own territory in the third quarter. The Jets running game came alive, anchored by Kevan Barlow’s gritty 17-carries, 75-yard, 1 TD, performance. The defense buried Tom Brady into the muddy turf, sacking Brady four times. The fourth coming on the last play of the game causing a Brady fumble and clinching the victory for the Jets.

Teams usually perform well coming off a bye week. But, the Jets looked better prepared for this game than Tiger Woods at a major. “Attention to detail” is one of the most used clichés by NFL coaches, it’s just nice to see a team go out and actually do it. During the bye week Mangini chose to run practices outdoors, in the rain, instead of going under the tent like most NFL teams do. In training camp, Mangini pulled his team out of their Hofstra facilities and ran practices in Giants stadium precisely simulating live game action, a method that’s also rarely seen in today’s NFL. We are a long way away from spring two-a-days—a time when people in the Jets front office were merely hoping to see “progress.” The progression the Jets are now making is headed one way—to the playoffs, a progression nobody could have predicted back in January when coach Mangini came on board.

What’s next for this surprising Jets team? A date with the best team in the NFC, the Chicago Bears, who will return to the Meadowlands for a second time in as many weeks and will be looking to go 2-0 versus New York after pounding the Giants 38-20 last Sunday night. Granted the Jets will be heavy underdogs for this one, but if I can guarantee you one thing, this Jets team will not be duped into a 108-yard missed field goal return like their cross-town rivals were. Yes, the Bears are more physical, they have more talent, and are simply put a better football team. But, the difference between gang green and big blue is much more than the color of the team’s jersey’s, coach Mangini and the Jets will be ready to play.

As we all know it is a long season and there is still plenty of football left to be played. The Jets could very easily go out and get annihilated this coming Sunday. If so, at worst they will be 5-5, with a remaining schedule that includes very winnable games against Houston, Green Bay, Buffalo, Minnesota, Miami, and Oakland. A ten-win season is definitely not out of the question, which should lock up at least the sixth seed in the AFC. Can they do it? Yes. Can they collapse like Jets teams of years past? Well, I would have said yes but I don’t think Eric Mangini will let that happen.

Quick Week-10 recap— Mike Vick kicks one away down in Atlanta, leading to an upset loss to the lowly Browns. Steve McNair sticks it to his old team. An old- fashion shootout in Cincinnati. The Giants get duped in the Meadowlands.

The NBA is off to a pretty decent start so far this year. Last night alone there were some sick finishes, big scoring nights, and guess what… the Knicks picked up a win. But, there’s still a ways to go for the league to get back to mid-90’s status. When both football and baseball were taking a back seat to MJ and his one, two, three, four, five, six, championships. So I thought, in honor of Election Day why not vote on 3 things the NBA should consider changing.

1. The New Ball
How tired are you of listening to these players cry and whine about the new ball. “Oh, it’s too bouncy.” “Shooting percentages will go down.” “It feels like one of those $3.99 rubber balls you pick up at Models.” Oh what about “I can’t seem to get a good kick on it when I make like Ronaldinho and boot it 60 rows deep into the stands.” Yeah, NBA players are probably the biggest whiners in all of sports. (Next to the NFL wide receiver of course.) But, please, can the commish, can Mr. Stern for once give in to the players and go back to the old rock. Granted, field goal percentage probably will not go up because no one can shoot anymore. Still the players are the one’s who dribble, they are the one’s who pass, they are the one’s who pound the ball into the hardwood every other whistle. So why not let them at least have their ball back. Mr. Stern, you have already taken their braids, chains, tattoos, throwback jerseys and matching fitted hats, and 20-inch rims, what’s next?

2. T them up
Technical fouls are being dished out faster than a fat kid in dodge ball. At first, I agreed. The league needs to clean itself up a little bit and this could end yes the WHINING. But after watching a couple of games last night I vote NO to the zero-tolerance insertion by league officials. Lets face it this is an emotional game and once in while a player is going to disagree with a call. One play in last nights Kings-Pistons game, Kenny Thomas looked like he got upset because he didn’t grab a defensive rebound and let the Pistons get an easy put back. After the basket, he grabs the ball and in frustration throws it into the backboard support thing bouncing the ball right back to himself. The ref T’s him up. He didn’t dispute a call. He didn’t call the ref a mother#$%^& @*$#sucker or anything like that so why the tech? It’s already out of hand, the refs need to use better judgment and just maybe this might work.

3. The so-called “New School”
How much more do I have to be forced fed with this plate of Mashed LeBron’s, T-Bone Wade Steak, and a side of Collard Melo’s. Yes, they are young. Yes, King James is a freak of nature. Yes, Wade already has a ring and a final’s MVP. The league is riding these guys dirtier than Chamillionaire’s first and only hit song. In the midst of this heavy dosage of the big three, we have AI, the forgotten man in the NBA. Who is off to probably the best start of his career. (Leading the league in scoring, third in assist.) We have vente y cuatro a.k.a. #24, Kobe Bryant. The Lakers are looking more and more like a contender in the Western Conference, which will only help the pound for pound best player in basketball get that elusive MVP trophy. Then we have my boy, T-Mac. Injuries have slowed him down. Off the court drama has caused him to lose focus. But, he’s back. With the distractions now behind him, Tracy is ready to launch again in Houston. My point is, why are we passing the torch to LeBron, Wade, and Melo, when we have these three studs still in their prime of their careers? Who would you take in a game of three-on-three?

After watching last nights Pats/Colts game I’m even more certain that Peyton Manning is the best QB in the NFL. Granted the guy has appeared in more commercials than any athlete ever. (How funny was that one fan with the sign “Hey Peyton take a commercial break…” or something.) But, Manning is the Man right now. Yeah go ahead and bring up Brady’s super bowl rings and his coolness and the way he’s so calm in the clutch. What about the way he gracefully throws 99-yard interceptions returns in the playoffs games. I’m not taking anything away from Brady but lets face it the guy has been very fortunate to be a part of great, great, great, super bowl teams. Teams with great defenses and big time play makers i.e. Adam Vinatieri, Ty Law, Rodney Harrison, Willie McGinest, Ted Bruschi, Deion Branch, and so on… And how can we forget the play that created the Pats dynasty, the Tuck play. Ah yes, that was a fumble folks. Peyton has the MVP’s, he has the numbers, and he will have tons of records. It’s only a matter of getting that Super Bowl ring, which he cannot get by himself, just ask Dan Marino.

Right now these two teams are evenly matched. The Colts running game is crawling around in Arizona somewhere. The Pats receivers are all gone. Both defenses are middle of the pack both can be exploited. Last night was mano y mano. It was all about Peyton versus Brady. Who won? The Colts… resulting in Peyton Manning… best QB in football period.

Breathe easy Mets fans. Yeah, the Amazin’s took one in the chin last night but how shook were you Mets fans when Jose Reyes collided with Jason Varitek at home plate. Omar Minaya’s jaw dropped to about his waist after seeing his young phenom roll around in the dirt after catching Varitek’s shin guard in his chest. Thankfully, Jose got up on his own will and even stayed in the game. How about Keith Hernandez saying that Reyes should have blasted Varitek at the plate instead of trying to slide around him. Hmm… This is the same Varitek that nearly body slammed A-rod in ‘04. Reyes is not exactly built like Jerome Bettis, things would have probably been worst if Reyes had tried to plow Varitek over. We still love ya though Keith. The game was pretty much over after Lastings Milledge adventure in left field when he turned a routine fly ball into a two-run double for Manny Ramirez. Aley Soler got rocked and didn’t give the Mets much of a chance anyway. The Mets went on to lose 9-4 and hand the ball to Pedrrrrroooo Martinez tonight. Fenway will be rocking tonight. Pedro will probably get a standing O but I wonder what will happen when he comes in high and tight to Big Papi… tune in it should be a good one.