Jets' O Will Flow

After the third straight preseason game without the offense scoring a touchdown, Jets fans are ready to pull their hair out.  It's about time everyone calms down and understands the situation.

Here's 5 reasons why there is no need for concern:

1) It's preseason.  These games are completely irrelevant.  The results do not count.  How many points this team scores in preseason will have absolutely zero effect on the season.

2) Santonio Holmes just played his first game on Sunday.  The offense has been playing with some injuries at receiver so far in preseason.  Holmes has not played as well as Jeremy Kerley.  Those are the Jets top two wide receivers.  Sunday was their first chance to get out there and get acclimated to the offense in an actual game scenario.

3) Tim Tebow is playing a role in preseason that is nowhere near what he will be actually doing in the regular season.  Tebow is not on the Jets to throw 10+ passes every game.  He is here to come in for the wildcat and help out on special teams as well.  What we have seen in preseason will not be seen come September 9th when the Jets kick off the season at MetLife Stadium against the Bills.  Mark Sanchez will be the guy under center throwing the ball.

4) Sunday was their first game without Wayne Hunter at starting right tackle.  Hunter was a big reason for the Jets struggles in the prior two games.  Austin Howard saw his first action with the starters Sunday and did quite well.  The guy was just inserted as a starter.  Howard will fill in very nicely to a Jets offensive line that will be extremely important to the Jets offensive success in 2012.

5) This team is adjusting to a new playbook.  Brian Schottenheimer and his conservative offensive playbook is no longer in town.  Tony Sparano has brought in a completely different playbook that the players are still learning.  It is "training" camp for a reason.  The team is still training to get ready for the season, which is still 13 days away for Gang Green.  These last two weeks leading to the season are vital for Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow to get some repetition in.

So until the buzzer sounds on September 9th following the Jets-Bills matchup at the Meadowlands, let the regular season play do the talking.  Not training camp.  Not the preseason.

Carmelo Anthony's ProCamp

Here are some photos from Carmelo Anthony's ProCamp at St. John's University for boys and girls ages 7 to 18.  You can also check out my feature story on it here where Melo answers questions about his gold medal, Amare's new moves, Jeremy Lin, the Brooklyn Nets, and the upcoming season.

http://sportsradiony.com/articles/melo-feeling-golden-for-2012-2013-season/

 Melo answering questions from the media. Yes that is my hairy arm right there.

 Answering questions about Amare, the Olympics, and the upcoming season.

ProCamps at St. John's University.

Anthony endorsing his new drink "PowerCoco."

Jeremy Lin have anything to be "scared" of?

Melo talking with his campers at Carnaseca Arena.

Campers putting their skills to work at the Taffner Field House. 360-plus boys and girls were a part of Camp Melo.

No-Han No More? It's a No Brainer

Since Johan Santana's ankle was stepped on by Reed Johnson on July 6th, his remarkable 2012 season has taken a complete 180.  In his last 5 starts, Santana has allowed 6 earned runs or more in each start.  Everything has fallen apart for "No-Han," who threw the first no hitter in Mets history on June 1st against the Cardinals.

Since that injury, Santana has not been the same pitcher.  He went to the disabled list on July 21st with the ankle injury.  The Mets also wanted to get Santana some rest coming off his surgically repaired shoulder.  'No-Han' said he was ready to go and feeling much better when he returned against the Braves at Citi Field.  After getting tattooed in his return giving up eight runs in just 1.1 innings, Terry Collins was concerned but knew his ace was going to be a little rusty.  When Santana came out and got crushed again against the Nationals on Friday night, the Mets concerns grew rapidly.  It seems as if Santana might just be going through fatigue.

Shoulder surgery is never an easy thing to come back from.  Johan surprised everyone with the incredible first half of the season he had.  The no hitter he threw was enough for Mets fans to put him on a pedestal in Mets history as one of the greats.  He was brilliant in the first half and a big reason for the Mets success.

Everything has fallen apart though for Santana since the second half of the season has begun.  The Mets need to make the wise move and rest their ace for the season.  The Mets are nowhere near the playoff picture as they go into today at a season low nine games under .500 and a whopping 20 games behind the Nationals in the NL East standings.  Things have gotten truly ugly for a Mets team that was resilient and fun to watch in the first half.

Terry Collins and GM Sandy Alderson need to give Santana rest so he is fresh for next season.  The worst thing for the Mets would be to lose Johan to another injury because of poor management.  This season is over for the Mets for a shot at the playoffs.  For the last month of the season, Santana should rest, and the Mets should call up some of their young arms to fill in.  It is time to continue to build for next season.  A major part of next season will be a healthy Johan Santana.  Today, we should see Sandy Alderson announce that Santana's season is done.  It will be the best for the team in trying to put together a winning club in 2013.

Re-Demps-tion

Bill Belichick is no stranger to taking away players who are either on their way or are departing from the New York Jets.  The saga continued today as the Patriots signed Olympian silver medalist Jeff Demps to a contract.  The Jets were rumored to be going after Demps, who was being recruited by his former teammate at Florida, Tim Tebow.  The former Gators running back just won a silver medal in London at the Olympics in the 4x100 meter relay team. 

Demps adds to the list of players that the Patriots scoop up from the Jets in recent memory.  Just a year ago, Shaun Ellis left the Jets to sign with Patriots.  Losing Ellis left the Jets with a big hole on their defensive line that they still have not truly filled.  In September of 2010, the Jets waived Danny Woodhead.  Just four days later, the Patriots would sign the undrafted running back.  It happened to be the day before the two teams would play each other in week two.  Woodhead would play very well for the Patriots signing a two-year extension later in the season.

The Patriots snagged Woodhead from the Jets.  They got Ellis to leave their rival Jets in free agency.  If that was not enough, they sign the speedy Demps to a contract today just a day after rumors said the Jets were pushing for him.  Bill Belichick hates the Jets.  That is definitely well chronicled especially following the videotaping incident back in 2007.  The Patriots violated league rules when they were caught videotaping defensive signals by Jets coaches.  Since that controversy, it has turned into war between New England and Gang Green. 

Demps is hoping to start off his NFL career with a very talented Patriots team.  The rivalry continues between the Jets and the Pats.  It will be no different this year as both teams are expected to be contenders in the AFC.  Without a doubt, the Patriots are the favorites to take the division, but don’t count the Jets or Bills out just yet.  The NFL season is right around the corner and look for the AFC East to be one of the best division races in the league this season.

Quarterback Isn't Jets Concern

Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.

Those two names have been stealing the headlines every single day thus far in training camp.  The New York media has fallen in love with Broadway Tebow and the so-called "controversy" at quarterback for the Jets.  The problem is that Gang Green's issue does not come at that position.  The real concern right now should be who these two quarterbacks will be throwing to this season.

After Santonio Holmes, the Jets depth chart is fairly depleted in terms of proven, experienced wide receivers.  Antonio Cromartie's controversial statement claiming himself to be the second best wide receiver on the team may actually be 100% correct.  The receivers behind Holmes consist of Jeremy Kerley, Chaz Schilens, Patrick Turner, and rookie Stephen Hill.  Kerley is entering just his second season where he caught just 29 passes for 314 yards last season.  Schilens had 23 receptions for 272 yards with the Raiders last season.  Turner also did not do much in limited playing time last year catching 8 passes for 96 yards.  Hill, a rookie out of Georgia Tech, has a lot of upside and could play a major role in the Jets offense, but is still unproven.  Cromartie is definitely going to see some playing time on offense.  Having the stamina to play cornerback and come back out and play receiver is not easy though.  Gang Green also has Dustin Keller at tight end who will have a chance to have his best year becoming a huge part of the offense now.

There is not much to write home for Sanchez and Tebow there.  Everyone seems to be worried about who the quarterback will for this team and whether Tebow will take Sanchez's job.  The Jets starting quarterback is Mark Sanchez.  That is not changing barring an awful start to the season.  Tebow will come in for the wildcat and certain package plays as well as help out on special teams.  This is Sanchez's job to lose after signing an extension this offseason that brought his contract to a hefty 5 years and $58.25 million.

The Jets need to go out and get a wide receiver before they open the season September 9th at home against the Bills.  Chad Johnson is completely out of the question.  This team has enough distractions already with local and national media in Cortland every day.  A guy they could use is someone like Percy Harvin.  The Jets have been rumored to be interested in acquiring Harvin, but nothing appears imminent as of now.  The Vikings star wide out had an impressive year last season in Minnesota catching 87 passes for 976 yards to go with six touchdowns.  Harvin would completely change the Jets offense giving them a second deep threat to keep the defense from double covering Santonio Holmes.

This team needs another veteran wide out to complement Holmes and teach the younger receivers.  With an improved defense, but a suspect pass rush, the Jets are going to need some help from an offense that was not very explosive last year finishing 25th in the NFL in total yards a game.  The ground and pound will be in full effect this season, but Shonn Greene, Joe McKnight, and Tim Tebow cannot carry an offense themselves.  Sanchez needs guys he can trust to get the ball to if he wants to improve on his 2011 season where he missed the playoffs for the first time in his three years in the NFL.

Right now, Rex Ryan's squad has the talent on defense in their secondary, and an offense that is going to run the football a lot this season.  That is enough for them to possibly see a 9-7 season.  If GM Mike Tannenbaum can go out and get a proven receiver, it turns the Jets into a playoff contender that can be a threat in the playoffs.  The Jets are going to need to win some games if they want fans filling their seats at MetLife Stadium. They have already dropped some season tickets to just $50 a game.

A Nice Guy Who Can't Hit

There's been a lot of Mets fans doing what Jason Bay is doing in the photo above.

Since Jason Bay became a member of the Mets, his career has taken a bizarre turn for the worse on the baseball field.  Bay has lived up to nowhere near the 4-year, $64 million contract that he signed prior to the 2010 season.  His offensive statistics have been absolutely brutal in his three seasons thus far.  In 42 games this season, Bay is batting an abysmal .156 with 5 home runs and 11 RBI.  In his 260 games with the Mets, Bay is hitting .220 with 23 home runs and 115 RBI.  In 2009 with the Red Sox, Bay hit .267 with 36 home runs and 119 RBI along with 94 walks and a .384 OBP.  The guy had incredible numbers with the Red Sox...playing at Fenway Park.

The Mets brought in Bay hoping to see glimpses of what was seen from Bay in five years in Pittsburgh and his season and a half in Boston.  What they got was a guy who has completely lost all confidence and lost all the hitting ability that we saw from the former All Star left fielder.  It has been to watch Jason Bay struggle mightily at the plate in his time in New York.  Bay came to a ballpark that was a pitcher's park before the fences were moved in prior to this season.  That might have been a reason for his lack of success early with the Mets.  Then several injuries including multiple concussions forced Bay to miss 67 games in 2010, 39 in 2011, and two months this season.  The combination of injuries, the big ballpark, and a loss of confidence seem to have brought Jason Bay to an all time low in his career.

It really is tough to see Jason Bay struggle as he has.  Terry Collins has demoted him to a platoon player in left field where he will mostly face left handed pitchers.  Bay is a guy you really root for.  He comes to the ballpark every day wanting to help the team win.  He puts in the effort each and every night.  He is a solid defensive player, runs every ball out, and is a great guy in the clubhouse.  Right now for the Mets, Jason Bay is a nice guy who can't hit.  The problem is nice guys don't help teams win baseball games.  Bay is not getting paid $16 million a year to put the effort it and be a good guy.  He's getting paid to help the Mets win games with his much needed right handed bat.  He has done nothing in the middle of the Mets order for them to continue putting him in the lineup every night.

The smart move for the Mets would be to send a message and just release Jason Bay and essentially eat his contract.  Sandy Alderson said Bay's contract is not going anywhere.  Terry Collins did the right thing in making him more of a platoon player.  Collins also did it with class knowing how hard Bay plays and that the effort is there.  The results just are nowhere even near mediocre.  The skipper sat down with him and had multiple meetings giving him his chances to show him something.  The hits just never came.  Bay would have a rare single here and there and an occasional walk, but he just could not get it going this year.  That would be it for Bay as an everyday player in a Mets uniform.  

The Mets will platoon Bay with Mike Baxter and Jordany Valdespin in left field.  Bay will most likely just face left handed hitters for the remainder of the season.  His future in New York is unknown.  Bay has been a major bust in Mets history, but not the worst.  Mets fans were haunted with worse memories than what Bay has brought.  The contracts of Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo forever haunt Mets fans.  Those two names bring nightmares to Mets fans highlighted by the dropped ball in the Bronx and home runs flying out of ballparks.  Jason Bay had his chance here with the Mets, but don't expect to see him in a Mets uniform next season.  Don't be surprised if Jason Bay is dealt soon this month to the Marlins for Heath Bell and John Buck in a deal that brings the Mets a right hand hitting catcher and a reliever that has upside. 

Can The Mets Make a Run?

The Mets finally got back to their winning ways in San Francisco.  After splitting the four game series in Arizona, the Mets went out and took three out of four games against the first place Giants.  The Mets got their solid starting pitching back as well as their clutch hitting that we saw in the first half of the season.  R.A. Dickey, Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, and Chris Young all had very impressive outings.  Despite Harvey's loss in his second career start, he pitched very well only giving up two earned runs and striking out seven.  The Mets like what they see in Harvey. The young phenom has the makeup to be a front end starting pitcher in the Majors.

While the Mets were silent at the trade deadline, they were so with good reason.  The team did not want to trade away young pieces of their future to get a rental to help them win this season.  If the team did not lose 11 of 12 games following the All Star break it most likely would have been a different story.  The fact is they struggled following the break.  They went from being a half game out of the NL Wild Card to 8.5 back going into today.  They went from a reasonable 4.5 games back to 11 games back in the NL East.  The losing streak put a huge blow in the Mets playoff hopes, but with 56 games to go, Terry Collins crew still has hope.

The Mets will finally get back their closer Frank Francisco tonight in San Diego.  Their bullpen has missed Francisco dearly as Bobby Parnell struggled in the closer's role.  They will welcome back Francisco with open arms after missing over a month.  Parnell will now get to return to the setup role where he thrived in the first half of the season.  The rest of the bullpen will have less pressure on them as they will not be put in as many tough situations as they were in with the absence of Francisco.  Josh Edgin and Tim Byrdak can return to being lefty specialists out of the bullpen. Manny Acosta and Ramon Ramirez can return to being middle relievers.  The bullpen as a whole will get more rest with Francisco resuming his 9th inning role.

Johan Santana is also on his way back as he threw a bullpen session yesterday.  Santana will be back in the Mets rotation possibly next week when the Mets return home, but most likely the following week.  Once Santana returns, Terry Collins will consider going to a four man rotation with R.A. Dickey going on three days rest.  Dickey, Santana, Niese, and Harvey with Chris Young making spot starts provides the Mets with a formidable rotation down the stretch.  Starting pitching is what carried this team in their successful first half.  The rotation has stepped it up this last week and hope to continue their success into San Diego before they return home for six games against the Marlins and the  Braves.

There is still time for this team to go on a run.  The Mets still have nine games left, with six being at home, against the Atlanta Braves whom they trail in the Wild Card.  The team still has six games against the Nationals whom they trail in the division.  Any hope at winning a division title has taken a hit since their post All Star break struggles, but with the addition of a second Wild Card team, Terry Collins hopes that his bunch can string some wins together and make a run for that second Wild Card spot. The Braves and Pirates at the top of that race do not seem to be losing steam but its a long season and that is why they play the games.  56 games is still a lot of time for this team to make a run.  Mets fans hope that Citi Field does not become a ghost town come September as it has been since it opened in 2009.