Merry Christmas NBA Fans

This Christmas is going to be an extra special one for basketball fans.  Fans get to not only wake up on Christmas day to family and presents, but will also get to watch NBA basketball for the first time since June.  Early Saturday morning, the NBA owners and players would come to a tentative agreement to end the 149-day lockout.  The league plans to open up training camps and free agency on December 9th and have the first games on December 25th.  It is planned to be a 66 game season, 16 games less than a regular 82 game season.

The specifics of the deal have not been confirmed yet.  The players accepted a deal somewhere between the range of 49-51% in favor of the owners.  The exact details of the deal should be known in the coming days.  Most importantly, basketball will be played and both sides wanted to end this lockout as soon as they could.  Commissioner David Stern said it would take around 30 days from when the deal was made to begin the season.  In just two weeks, the craziness that we all saw once the NFL lockout ended will be seen in the NBA.  Trades and free agency signings will be in a frenzy as lots of moves will be made.  It happened to be one of the most exciting weeks in sports when we saw all the moves made in July following the end of the NFL lockout.  Plan to seen all that madness come again in December.  Owners, players, and fans are all relieved to see the end almost near.  It has been months of negotiations and meetings that at times had many extremely frustrated and had fans in disarray.

In New York, fans could not be happier.  We get to see 66 games of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire together on the same floor.  ”Stat and Melo” had Madison Square Garden packed every night for the three months they got to see of them.  There is no question that MSG is going to have the same excitement this season as they get 75% of a season to see them suit up together.  The Knicks have a bright future to look to, but are going to need more than just two stars to win.  Veteran point guard Chauncey Billups played a pivotal role in the Knicks success late last season as well.  This will most likely be Billups only full season with the Knicks as he is a free agent after he makes $14.2 million this season.  The Knicks are going to need a lot more depth and some more size if they want to achieve success this season.  They struggled mightily at the center position last season.  They lacked size and depth to help out Stoudemire in the paint.  The Knicks are going to need to make moves adding depth to this team.  Rookie Landry Fields had a very solid season for them, but was nonexistent in the playoffs and spent most of the time on the bench.  Big man Jared Jeffries is a liability on offense and cost the Knicks a playoff game in the first round against the Celtics.  Guard Roger Mason did not get much playing time throughout the season and when he did was very ineffective.  One bright spot the Knicks did see last season was the play of backup point guard Toney Douglas.  Douglas was very effective off the bench and has a very bright future ahead of him.  The Knicks need help but have the pieces to build a championship contender.  Of course, they will have to compete the “big three” in Miami as well as Derrick Rose and the Bulls and the division rival Boston Celtics.

Knicks fans and all NBA fans are looking forward to Christmas day.  Mark down December 25th on your calendars NBA fans, it is a rare day where you get to celebrate two holidays in one day.  The season tips off at noon at MSG as the Knicks play the Celtics.  The Mavericks will host the Heat in a rematch of the NBA finals.  FInally, the Lakers will host the Bulls in a classic matchup of two past rivals.

Vince Young Does it Again to the Giants

Vince Young did it again to the Giants on Sunday night.  He beat them for the third time in his career.  Young is now 3-0 as starting quarterback against the Giants.  Young looked very sharp as he started for the injured Michael Vick Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.  Young led a nearly nine minute drive ending in a touchdown, which would turn out to be the game winning score in the 17-10 victory.

The Giants offense was silent for most of the night.  They key to this one was the lack of any running game by the Giants.  They had 29 yards total rushing by three running backs on the night.  There is no way any team can win that absolutely no running game whatsoever.  The Eagles were running very successfully and Vince Young was throwing to all different receivers.  The Eagles had 136 total rushing yards led by LeSean McCoy with 113 yards.  Young did have three interceptions, but looked very sharp throwing the ball.  He was 23 for 36 with 258 yards and two touchdown passes.  For a guy who has been on the bench all season, Young looked like the player he once used to be with the Titans.  Young has had his troubles on and off the field, but he has been a winner in his career.  He has won games.  The Giants know that very well.  The Giants are 0-3 against Young.

Giants punter Steve Weatherford was very busy in this game.  Every Giants drive in the first half ended in the punt until their last drive when they finally scored on a field goal.  Every drive in the third quarter would also end in a Giants punt.  The Giants offense was stagnant Sunday night.  Injuries have been a problem for the Giants and without running back Ahmad Bradshaw and losing offensive lineman Chris Snee really hurt them tonight.

The dagger in this one came in the fourth quarter.  Vince Young led an unbelievably long and well-executed drive that was 8:51 long and 18 plays for 91 yards.  The Eagles started the possession with 11:36 remaining in the fourth quarter.  They slowly moved down the field eating the clock away.  The Eagles went an astounding six for six on third downs on the drive.  The Giants defense had no answer and could not get stops when they needed to most.  The Giants would get the ball back with 2:45 to go.  They had plenty of time to get down the field and send it to overtime.  They were put in nearly the same position as last week.  They had the ball, down a touchdown, with a chance to tie the game.  They would get a huge completion to Victor Cruz who would have a catch and run for 47 yards getting the Giants all the way to the Eagles 21.  For the second week in a row, the Giants looked to have life late, but Eli would scuffle late again.  Manning got sacked from behind and fumbled the football and the Eagles would recover.  Two heartbreakers in two consecutive weeks for the Giants.  It was a tough way to lose another dropping them to 6-4 on the season.

The problem for the Giants now is that they have the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL.  They have to go to New Orleans next Monday night to face the Saints.  That is followed by the defending Super Bowl champion Packers.  If that is not enough, they have to go to Dallas to face their division rival Cowboys, who have been on fire of late and tied with the Giants for first in the NFC East.  Following that, they play the Redskins, Jets, and Cowboys.  Five of those six games are against teams that are .500 or better.  It is going to be a tough road to the playoffs here on out for the Giants.  The road starts in New Orleans next week.

Tebow's Magic Hands Jets Pivotal Loss

Tim Tebow might not have the greatest arm.  He may not be the most accurate passer. He might not be the most fundamental quarterback.  With that being said, Tebow does do one thing very well.  That is winning football games.

Trailing 13-10, the former star at the University of Florida led a magical drive down the field late in the fourth quarter to win the game, 17-13, and hand the Jets their second straight demoralizing loss.  Starting at their own five yard line with 5:54 remaining on the clock, Tebow led his best drive of his short NFL career to win the game for the Broncos.  Tebow, who has predominately ran himself or handed the ball off in the games he has started, was forced to throw more than usual on the drive and was extremely successful.  The drive would end with “Tebow magic.”  On a third down and four at the Jets 20 yard line, Tebow would have a miraculous run to the left side running 20 yards into the end zone with just 58 seconds left on the clock.  The defense came blitzing and Tebow read it perfectly scrambling to the left finding a hole and finding the end zone.  It was one of the best and most clutch plays seen all season.  The play put Denver on top, got them to 5-5 on the season, and gave them their third straight victory putting them right in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC West.  Since taking over for Kyle Orton as quarterback, Tebow is 4-1 in just his second NFL season.

The Jets really hurt themselves in this game.  There is a lot of fingers that could be pointed in this one, but it was a team effort and a very sloppy performance by the Jets in a game they should have won.  The Jets came out playing very poorly on offense in the first half.  It has been the same story all season for the Jets.  They come out of the tunnel and never have a great first half.  They have to play from behind put themselves in a position they should not have to be in.  There is not one specific finger to point for this.  The coaches have to do more to prepare the team early to come out of the gate firing.  In the Jets last four games they have three total points in the first quarter.  They cannot expect to be a playoff team if they cannot play four good quarters of football a game.  Mark Sanchez needs to come out making smarter throws as well.  Sanchez made a throw that should not have been made in the third quarter that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.  Also, last night special teams play was very poor.  T.J. Conley punted a ball for a measly 13 yards.  It would lead to a field goal by the Broncos. Kicker Nick Folk missed two field goals as well.  That is a nine point swing that completely could have changed the outcome of this game.  All these mistakes costed the Jets an important football game not only for the standings, but for the Jets morale as well.

The Jets really needed to win this game and they came out with one of their worst performances we have seen this season.  In order to win, this team has got to play mistake free.  It starts with the coaches.  Rex Ryan has to prepare his team better than he did as well as all the other coaches.  Offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer has been questioned all year for his questionable play calling.  The Jets have been very conservative and predictable offensively this season.  A lot is going to need to change if the Jets want to get one of the two wild card spots in the AFC this year.  They are currently 5-5 with six games remaining.  They will return home next Sunday to face the Bills.  The Jets are in dire need of a victory as their playoff hopes start to slip away with each loss.

AFC East Falls Out of Jets Hands in Crushing Loss to Pats

The Jets may be loaded with talent defensively, solid receivers, and a good running game, but they do not have the one man that can make the difference to put them over the edge. That man is Tom Brady. 
The Jets came into Sunday night's game against the Patriots with a great opportunity to get a win that could get them into sole possession of first place.  They were riding a three game win streak coming in.  They were at home where they were 4-0 on the season.  The Pats had come in losing two straight games and struggling defensively.  The Jets were looking for revenge for their 30-21 loss at New England in week 5.  The winner would stand alone in first place.

The Patriots handed the Jets a crushing loss, 37-16 to essentially take a two game lead in the AFC East.  They hold the tie breaker by defeating the Jets in both games this season.  The Jets had no way of stopping Brady, the three time Super Bowl champion.  The future hall of famer had an extraordinary amount of time in the pocket to throw the ball.  The Jets defensive line was atrocious in forcing Brady into any bad throws.  Brady's offensive line was remarkable in allowing him all the time he needed to get it to his receivers.  The extra time allowed him to hit his tight ends alone for 12 receptions and 154 yards.  Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were unstoppable down the middle of the field.  Pats receivers also had big games against a Jets secondary who is considered one of the best.  Wes Welker and Deion Branch had 104 yards and 11 receptions combined.  Even Chad Ochocinco, who has been ineffective this season had two catches for 65 yards.  The Jets had no problem stopping the rush.  They only allowed 60 rushing yards total.  Brady was just too good throwing for 329 yards to six different receivers.  The Jets had no answer for arguably the best quarterback in the league. 

The turning point of the game came in the second quarter with around 1:20 to go in the half instead of letting the clock run down all the way then using a timeout, Sanchez called a timeout with plenty of time still on the play clock.  The Jets would score the touchdown on the next play, but they left the Patriots 1:20 on the clock and two timeouts to drive down the field.  Rex Ryan told NBC at the half it was "The stupidest thing in football history." Clearly, Ryan was in fuming that Sanchez used a timeout with so much time remaining for a Patriots team that is known for their offensive capabilities.  The Patriots would end up scoring a touchdown with nine seconds left and go into the half with all the motivation in the world.

The Jets were outplayed and out-coached by Bill Belichick and the Patriots Sunday night.  This was a demoralizing loss for two reasons.  One being that the Patriots looked dominant in both games this season against the Jets.  The second being that the Patriots remaining schedule is one of the easiest in the NFL for the final seven weeks.  Of their seven remaining games, the only team above .500 that they play is the last game of the season at home against a Bills team that has lost three of their last four after starting 4-1.  The Jets will only play two more teams with a winning record as they face the Bills and Giants.  Five of the Jets last eight games will be on the road.  When asked if his team still had hope to win the division Ryan said, "It looks doubtful right now."  The division seems to be a long shot for the Jets.  They will hope to get one of the two wild card spots in the playoffs. 

The Jets will now have a short week as they hit the road to face the Broncos in Denver Thursday night.  Tim Tebow has had the Broncos playing well of late and still in the race in the AFC West. It is going to be a tough road for the Jets from here on out.  The key will be to come out strong Thursday night with no signs of a hangover effect from a pivotal loss Sunday night. The Jets will need to avoid any "Tebow magic" and head back home with a victory under their belt as they face Buffalo the following week at the Meadowlands.

Jets Surge Into First With Dominant Win over Bills

Sunday might have been the best all around performance we have seen by the Jets all season.  They finally played the lights out defense that everyone expected to see all season.  The Jets beat the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium 27-11 Sunday afternoon.  The Jets played an all around impressive performance not only defensively, but offensively as well.

The key early in this game was turnovers.  Both teams were turning it over early and had trouble putting up points.  The first half's only points was a 49 yard field goal by Nick Folk.  It was all about defense early.  In the second half, the Jets offense would kick it into gear.  They would get a 50 yard field goal from Nick Folk early in the third quarter.  The Bills would then fumble on the first play of their drive giving the Jets great field position in Bills territory.  They would get a nice catch and run by Plaxico Burress followed by a 1 yard touchdown run by Ladanian Tomlinson to take a 13-0 lead.  The Bills would finally score on a field goal making it 13-3.

From there on, it was all Jets.

They would have a 1:20 drive ending in a gorgeous play action touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes making it 20-3.  They would put the dagger in the Bills in the fourth driving and ending it with a 1 yard touchdown run by "the terminator" John Connor.  That would make it 27-3 and put the Bills away.   They would add on a touchdown late to make it 27-11 after converting the 2 point conversion. That would be all. The Jets closed it out with the final being 27-11.

The key to the game was the Jets dominant defensive performance.  They forced three Bills turnovers with one leading to a Jets touchdown.  The Jets finally put pressure on the quarterback allowing Ryan Fitzpatrick to be completely shut down.  Fitzpatrick was 15 for 31 for 191 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions.  They only allowed 96 combined rushing yards as well with 82 of them coming from starter Fred Jackson.  The Jets defense was aggressive and played their best game defensively.

The offense was solid as well. Mark Sanchez played one of his better games besides the early interception he looked like a veteran in the pocket.  Sanchez threw for 230 yards and a touchdown.  The Jets ran for 126 yards combined by Shonn Greene, Joe McKnight and Tomlinson.  The offense had a chemistry that we have not seen all season.  They looked very comfortable playing a Bills team who has been a pleasant surprise this year.

Next comes the game everyone has been waiting for.  The Jets and Patriots will face off in New Jersey on Sunday night.  The Pats beat the Jets at home and now with both teams being tied for first place in the AFC East, the Jets look to break the tie and continue their winning ways on Sunday.