Jets lost Swagger That Led to Mediocrity

He has voiced so many opinions and thoughts about the Jets in pregame news conferences, that Rex Ryan is verified as a jester for his bizarre silliness. A week doesn't pass, it appears, without his peculiar antics or hilarity.

So now, already, we are left to guess if the losses have softened the spirit for the Jets, who haven't been cohesive or poised but undisciplined and divided. If we became accustomed to the Jets 2-3 start, including the humiliating loss nationally, now we're really becoming used to the scarcity and lack of success as this team was supposed to be ranked as one of the contenders with a chance in reaching the Super Bowl.

His peculiar demeanor shouldn't bother us, but if the Jets have the urge to win, maybe now would be a good time for the Jets to curtail arrogance and zip it shut. If the Jets are ambitious to accomplish more than just clinching a playoff spot in pursuit of a championship, maybe Ryan should let the game speak for itself because all the unnecessary trash-talk has poisoned the team.

If the Jets keep losing, though Ryan is the public figure folks in New York adore with his bombastic and erratic antics, he'll finally take criticism from the masses in New York and the local newspapers could banter with him on the front page as he'll feature as the headline. Too much humor disrupts, I know. Too much lack of discipline damages cohesion, I know.

This is, to simply put it, the most dysfunctional team in the league, perhaps not even close to winning a championship and instead close to qualifying for an acting gig for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. The reality in football this season is that the Jets-Patriots rivalry is nothing but hype, and has bothered our self-consciousness as we are hypnotized by a meaningless rivalry.

It used to be an American trait for populace to buy into the ridiculous hyperbole as the meanest war in football became bigger than the Yankees-Red Sox hype. But now, although it is the perception of mutual animosity for a pair of protagonist, there'd be no reason to relight romance for the rebirth of a moribund rivalry like the old days. Any fight is uneventful if the duel is not saturated with bad blood, and assuming that the Patriots are no match for the Jets, then it's not really fun watching an annual meeting.

It's funny how, for a legion of reasons, people still embrace the Jets-Patriots engagement when it's only another game on the schedule. It would not be a surprise to see the Jets miss the playoffs, prematurely dismantling in a season they were projected to elevate beyond standards, wilting on offense despite having enough reinforcements and dividing among a unit inside the separated locker room.

The assumption is, of course, the Jets aren't playing together but individual ball and should actually, in such a quick process, emphasize the significance of cohesion and teamwork. If anything, Mark Sanchez earns his teammates' trust and surely has evolved into a leader but his team's nucleus is not workable. They like him and, relatively, they trust him.

The downside is -- his damn team is not performing like a Super Bowl contender, and in truth -- it's possible to think of the Jets as a disappointment. We understand, Ok? This is a unit unprepared and uncontrolled bothered by tumult because of poor judgment from on-the-field mistakes that comes from the lack of team effort. The championship aspirations have suddenly vanished, and now Sanchez is frustrated after a 30-21 loss on Sunday in the latest renewal of a rivalry. Do you blame him?

"We got a couple of third and manageables, we just gotta convert," Sanchez said after the game disappointingly. "Some underneath passes, we just gotta connect and I don't know the reason why we came out so slow. We had probably the best week of practice all year this week. Guys were into it. We knew our plays, we knew the gameplan."

It's never sweet for the Jets to lose against their hated rivals, but it's too bad New York couldn't prevail in a hostile territory in Foxborough, an environment where the Jets are disrespected and demoralized badly by Tom Brady and the Patriots. It's foolish of people to call this a rivalry -- and every season we believe in the nonsense.

So whether you like it or not, it's not a rivalry, but just another game on the schedule. This was never worth the hype, but since the Jets vs. Patriots have had the greatest show on turf in recent memory, it's sensible of fans to await an AFC East clash. This year, anyway, the Jets don't have the edge over the Patriots. This time, the Patriots have the edge over the Jets, and not by a slight advantage, but a huge differential. It wasn't long ago when the Pats, having their rivals numbered nearly every time they met, when the Jets lost by an embarrassing six touchdowns to New England in December. And then, more impressively, they won a month later in the playoffs by destroying Brady and the befuddled Bill Belichick in a game that Ryan roughly out coached the nominal Beligenius.

Not that time.

It's the most contentious rivalry, but it's not very telling when the Jets are inferior, falling as quickly as the other football franchise in town. If Gang Green can't beat its nemesis, for what has become one of the best football battles in a long time, then it is considered unsuccessful.

And thus far, the Jets have been unsuccessful not even intimidating or invulnerable. It's not, even if this is essentially America's primary sport to embrace and enjoy each weekend, fun watching the Jets but painful seeing them squander critical games. It is frankly a nightmare, as Halloween quickly approaches at a time when fans are panicking over the Jets, to realize that New York lost its third straight game.

The Jets are struggling because, with the stubbornness and silliness amid the season of pursuit to glory, they have no identity. Watching the Jets at Gillette Stadium, with the softest pass defense in the league and no hard-nosed football, was like rooting against a paltry pee-wee team. That's all you need to know about the Jets, a sad story written this season as we can laugh our asses off. It's the same thing every week, a tiring routine aging faster than the Statue of Liberty.

The unspoken weaknesses about the Jets is that, because of their indecisions and indiscretions in drawing plays on offense and adjusting on drives, they are frustrated among offensive players. The problem -- and this is the biggest issue -- is the Jets inability to stop the run and hinder the opponent's passing game. The Jets were fun to watch, but now they're not.

This time, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer looks on from the sideline daze and upset with an offense in turbulence. Five games into the season, and the Jets aren't fighting for a playoff spot, let alone winning games. The craziest aspect of the Jets recent downfall is that the Patriots still manage the edge, beating them every chance they have, despite that New York absorbs exposure and spotlight simply for Ryan's loudmouth.

With his dramatic reality shows, Ryan is the celebrity nut, from his foot fetish, to his obscene gestures that featured on tabloids, to his outrageous theme on HBO's "Hard Knocks" where he made a complete fool of himself -- he and the Jets were given national spotlight. It's true that the Jets are mired in disarray thus far, staggering against their archenemies to take more energy out of the players.

It's true that nobody is intrigued by Santonio Holmes, but are disbelievers. It's true that nobody is satisfied with Plaxico Burress, but is irritated. The only person who might be radically showing his emotions is Sanchez, who swung the door to the interview room open Sunday evening and walked in mad.

He folded his arms and stood around, for about five minutes, leaning against a door. It wasn't long after that Ryan, a descending coach who is too busy trying to be hilarious more than serious about his team's perfection, walked into the room, in full view of the media, venting on what actually went wrong with the Jets.

“I never thought I’d be here losing three straight, but that’s where we’re at,” Ryan said. “We’ve earned it.”

I've never thought they'd be losing three straight, either.

But the reality is that they've lost three straight. And in the standings, the Jets are 2-3, sitting two games behind New England and Buffalo with a stumbling offense and an unstable defense that couldn't forestall the Patriots on a series of plays. The weaknesses for the Jets are that the team can't run the ball efficiently or proficiently and they can't lesson the mistakes.

The eight penalties for 89 yards hurt New York, along with its inability in the blown coverage on Wes Welker when he dusted for a 73-yard catch on the Patriots' opening drive in the second half. There was no coverage for Deion Branch on his 2-yard touchdown, and the Jets can't win by struggling to convert on seven of its first nine possessions.

When it was over, Brady had finished with 321 passing yards, leading to Stephen Gostkowski 28-yard field goal that sealed the victory. But even though the Jets saw gradual improvement in the running game behind a balanced offensive line by the return of Nick Mangold, the lack of explosiveness and prowess is how New York had fallen short. It could become worse if the Jets drop another next Monday night against winless Miami, following three consecutive road losses.

There is no denying that the Jets need much work. But at this rate, the Jets are going nowhere.

Plaxico's Punishment Will Teach Valuable Lesson

Not long ago, he was the New York Giants' Super Bowl hero, annointed for his famous game-winning catch, making Super Bowl XLII one of the greatest ever.

But drastically, Plaxico Burress saw a promising career implode before he could even utter a very useful word.

"Foolish."

Common sense tells me he committed this crime out of stupidity, and failed to think about what he was doing before he did it.

Some will prefer to call his idiotic judgment a serious crime, while others will quickly admit that it was horrific and perilous and an infraction. Some aren’t sympathetic at all, convinced he deserves a harsher sentence.

Was Burress’ sentence harsh enough or too harsh? Either way, Burress must serve time in prison for making poor choices that have ruined his trusted reputation and change the way the masses perceive the naturally gifted wideout.

He was famously known for the captivating catch, which granted a miracle to the New York Giants in an upset win over the New England Patriots. He was indomitable as Eli Manning’s primary target.

A promising and solid culture, however, can topple once unlawful scenes are broadcasted to the entire world, particularly when issues involve a dynamic wide receiver as talented and explosive as Burress.

Over the years, he emerged as a premier superstar, as the Giants faithful admired Burress for showcasing remarkable talent.

But as fast as he made them competitive, Burress sabotaged the Giants with one costly misdeed, which was more serious than a kid making a big boo-boo. One night at a New York nightclub, a .40 caliber he owned, fired and a bullet hit him in the right thigh.

Truth is, Burress’ concealed weapon could’ve killed innocent people inside the night club, and worse it could’ve endangered his career had he had to serve a harsher sentence. Instead, each individual has their own ideas about Burress, and will argue that accepting a plea bargain with a two-year prison sentence isn’t a harsh penalty for carrying around a concealed weapon.

For many of us, there’s no sympathy granted, but you have to feel slightly sorry. Understand that if Burress would’ve had the gun on safety lock to avoid this episode, he would’ve never been arrested, indicted or even have had to agree on serving time for the crime. Avoiding 3 1/2-years maximum sentence, is a good thing -- partly because of fame, which allows Burress somewhat celeb reverence.

Beyond all measures, facing severe ramifications, is a valuable lesson that should teach Burress the importance of staying out of trouble. By having ignorant ways, being stupid, apathetic and confused, it put Burress in this situation. He will have to regain trust and credibility.

When he’s released from prison, an intrepid team will take on a player of his caliber, regardless of distractions. It’s perilous when any team gives infamous players a second chance. I'm not saying it’s bad, allowing players to have a chance to redeem from all calamities, but they can jeopardize a team's morale.

Pitifully Burress became an ex-Giant, not long after he had accidently shot himself. Not only did he let down himself, but he let down his ex-teammates, too. Notice how efficient they were when Burress was still playing.

Meanwhile, you can learn an important message. Burress is the epitome of athletes who carry concealed weapons. And the first reaction for the next one caught with a weapon will be treated the same, I guess.

This was a wake-up call to athletes and everyday working people. Fortunately, Burress only shot himself and nobody else. This is currently Burress learning to secure values, show maturity and dismiss arrogance. Being self-centered ended a brief stint as the Giants' top receiver. Thinking he was very important to the team’s future, he lacked the notion that 11 players offensively and defensively are needed to excel in the league.

Point is, he failed to abide by New York laws, and now must pay for violating those laws. They couldn’t care less if Burress was licensed in Florida. They wanted to send a message. And being a Super Bowl hero doesn’t always get you a free pass, or he would’ve been able to walk out of the courtroom a free man.

It's kind of like the Michael Vick situation. Vick was recently released from federal custody, after spending 18 months in prison for bankrolling a dogfighting ring. Sure, the crime was more repulsive and horrid, but Burress’ incident could’ve turned into a deadly massacre. So he will stay in the slammer for doing harm to himself, and more importantly, learn to abide by the laws.

Because he lives the celebrity lifestyle, Burress is fortunate to have a light sentence. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, is the best in New York, and has represented many criminals. To use the sympathy card, Brafman made it seem as if Burress was New York’s most innocent guy.

Still, he must spend time locked up to realize and understand lugging around a concealed weapon will not be condoned. With a mindset that he never had to follow team rules, Burress tried to elude the streets with freebies and was expecting to receive sympathy from the average New Yorker.

Yes, on a team he can get off easy, but not on the streets. It's obvious they’re emphasizing a critical statement to cease weapon possession in the public, using Burress as an example.

At one point, the grand jury indicted Burress on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree reckless endangerment. Those are charges that can force prison officers to throw away the key, whether you're famous or not.

In that case Burress would’ve been infamous, as he could’ve received a 15-year sentence, if he was convicted on all those charges. From that perspective, he's been given another chance, just as Vick was given another opportunity when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, attempting to redeem and recover from the hideous crimes that will have a burden on his renaissance. Even he learned a lesson, and seemingly it has made him more humble, matured and gracious.

Paying for your actions isn't always bad. Here is where Burress will have a turning point to change as an individual, by altering into a humbled, matured and gracious individual that is likable, not only for the game, but as a person, too.

Although it might be the end of his career, you can’t count on it. In a forgiven country, he’ll be given another chance.

But in a less sympathetic country, players won’t get away with their foolish and sinful misconduct.