Has it really been 10 days? Jeez, I'm sorry about that everyone who is probably not reading right now. However, my girlfriend is now off to New York for school so I'll have a lot more time on my hands...
This post is pretty much going to consist of a link. This link will direct you to a post on Gang Green Nation, a website devoted to the Jets that I check numerous times each day. The post gives a few examples of why only but so much can be taken from preseason stats.
Small example, LT had 86 yards on 11 carries last night against Washington. Now while that is the kind of production we want to see out of him, and it looks very good, we still have to see how he does in the regular season in full speed. The opposite example would be Mark Sanchez (not going to put his stats down because it would make me sick).
Click the link above if you haven't already and if you think preseason matters, these stats will blow your mind. Only 10 days until the season starts!
Call it what you want, loyalty, fashion, honor, fanaticism, whatever.The odds are if you are reading this blog, you most likely own at least one, probably multiple sports jerseys. I bet each one cost a lot more than the shirt you are wearing now. Unless you are wearing a jersey now, if so, bravo!
The whole thought of jerseys and their cost came to mind today because of the Lebron James circus and secondly, because Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov announced he is changing his number from 40 to 1.Those events made me think of all the people with James’ Cavaliers jersey, and the masses of people who own jerseys of teams that they love, with player names on them that have changed numbers or moved on long ago. My twitter feed is going nuts with Caps fans complaining about owning a Varlamov #40.
I remember the feeling of buying my first jersey. It was a Caps jersey, the white one with the Eagle on the front, and I was so proud to have #55 and Sergei Gonchar on the back.I picked him because everyone had Jagr or Bondra at the time, and I figured Gonchar would be around for a while and my wife already had a Kolzig.
I was a new partial plan holder and I wanted something to wear to the games.Less and four months later Gonchar was a Bruin, and I was initiated into the club of people who now had “throwback” jerseys.My situation got worse because Gonchar then went and signed with Pittsburgh, whom I can’t stand, so the jersey went to the back of the closet.
I feel for the millions of folks who spent their hard earned money on Lebron James jerseys, both authentic and replicas.Just think, you can sell it on Ebay for 1/3 of what you paid for it. Lord knows you should try and get some of that small fortune back. Most of those costs are licensing fees and profit.
The New Jersey Devils were selling authentic jerseys at their equipment sale a few weeks ago for $100, which is considered a deal for a jersey with no name or number, but has the heavy material and fight strap that a replica lacks.
Basketball and football jerseys are the same way, if you want the nice ones with the names and numbers stitched on, you better be prepared to part with several hundred dollars.Heck even the replicas with silkscreened names and numbers still go for over one hundred dollars, and are wrecked after several trips through the washing machine.
Players these days are so superstitious or are just plain head cases, but we love sports and are more than willing to pay the price for a jersey with their name on it. Take a look on Ebay, you can find almost any jersey you can think of there.The folks who rushed to buy Brett Favre Jets jerseys also come to mind today, heck I saw people with Brett Favre Vikings jerseys before he even announced he was going to play there.Crazy.
The only way to avoid being in this situation is to not buy jerseys at all, and that will never happen, so frame that LaDanian Tomlinson powder blue Chargers jersey, and if you are lucky he’ll get into the Hall of Fame and you won’t feel so bad.
Okay, so I woke up and my friends tell me, "Dude, LT just raped some 15-year old girl." I said in response, "You mean, he allegedly raped someone?" Of course, that is just me being me because unless he is convicted, you gotta give the guy the benefit of the doubt...right?
Well hold on a second. Rewind. Someone told me that LT raped someone. Shouldn't I ask which LT it is:
In my opinion, the greatest linebacker in NFL history, Lawrence Taylor... OR
Current New York Jets running back, and first ballot Hall of Famer, LaDanian Tomlinson...
I'll tell you why I didn't ask. Because one of them was addicted to cocaine at one point during his career and has been known to get into trouble. And the other LT, humbly goes about his business with the first peep he makes is that he isn't enough of the offense in San Diego.
It was pretty easy to come to the conclusion of which LT it was. We don't know what is gonna happen to Taylor (I'm only calling him that because there are two LT's in this article) because other facts were released from this case making it much more wet then just a cut and dry rape case.
That isn't the point though, I want to know why it is so difficult for these mutli-millionaires to make smart decisions. Better yet, not make stupid decisions. Taylor is 51...the girl isn't older than 20 at the most. What is he doing?!
I have a decent head on my shoulders...or at least I like to think so...but of course I don't have the G-d given talent that these guys possess. It's just not fair, is all I'm saying. I don't have sex with underage people, I don't do drugs, I don't break the law (well, you know what I mean).
I just don't understand why athletes are handed this unbelievable ability to make plays on the field and screw up their lives off the field. Below are other athletes of the top of my head who messed up:
Pacman Jones
The late Chris Henry
Michael Vick
Ben Roethlisberger
Ron Artest
Antonio Cromartie
Plaxico Burress
Tiger Woods
and the list goes on...
However, real quick before I go...notice a trend of football players more so than any other sport...I know baseball players with steroids, but that is more of a issue within the sport I think and less about drugs/murder etc.
Well, first off I have to say that I'm not sure how I feel about LaDanian Tomlinson coming to my Jets. They reached a two-year agreement. I think this means that the Jets management is ready to let RB/KR Leon Washington sign with another team.
I think that is a huge mistake. Leon is younger, a better receiving threat, and a phenomenal kick returner. He wants money and I think that the release of Thomas Jones and the trade of Kerry Rhodes frees up that money for Leon. I'm curious to see what the Jets do with Leon, but hopefully they decide to keep them. I'll report back later with more if necessary.
By Dan Rodgers There seems to be a new trend headlining the NFL this off-season:
Release your 30+ year-old running back because his production is going to drop off. Personally, I am not yet sure how I feel about this. The Jets are set to release Thomas Jones tomorrow; this after arguably his best year as a pro. He set a career high tallying just over 1,400 yards and also had a career high with 14 rushing touchdowns. This all while being 31-years-old. However, he will be 32 by the time next season rolls around and he is due 2.8 million in salary and 3 million in roster bonuses (whatever that means).
The dilemma now becomes (for the Jets): They have Jones, who was third in the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. They also have Shonn Greene, who in his rookie year led the NFL in post season rushing yards. Not to mention, they have Leon Washington who is one of the most explosive backs in the NFL. Even though Washington is coming off injury, it is the same injury Darren Sproles returned from effectively.
Note: By releasing Jones, he becomes available to every team in the final eight...including the Patriots.
Other 30+ year-old backs that have been released include Brian Westbrook and LaDanian Tomlinson. The Eagles are expected to have LeSean McCoy step right in as the feature back. The Chargers are expected to solve their situation in the draft, through free agency or both because they might also lose Darren Sproles to restricted free agency.
My prediction is that this trend is happening due to the overwhelming depth at running back in this league. Most teams run a two-back set in some way or another. Even the amazing Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson share the load with Chester Taylor and LenDale White.
Look for Jones, Westbrook, and LT get forced to take huge pay cuts if they want to play for a contender. Unless they want to finish their career out with a team like the Rams/Raiders/Lions they will not get feature back money.
Where they'll end up:
Look for LT to go to a team like the Texans where he can share time and tutor Steve Slaton.
Westbrook will probably end up going to a team like the Vikings. He won't get double digit carries but will be a pivotal third down back.
Jones, unfortunately, will get brought in by a team like the Pats or Eagles. The Pats love bringing in old backs for cheap to get the ball the five times they don't throw it. The Eagles would be a good fit because he could get some goal-line and short yardage carries without being worn out. He would complement McCoy well.
