03/17/2013-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

It was our special NCAA Tournament preview show on The 5th Quarter in New York Sports on AM1240-WGBB. We previewed the big dance and gave our predictions on who would win. We discussed the Knicks four game losing streak and injuries plaguing them as the Nets and Celtics creep up on them. We then did our new “Something or Nothing” segment of the show before the break. After the break, we talked about the Nets possibly winning the Atlantic and the Lakers recent success sliding into the 8th seed. We then dived into baseball talk discussing the World Baseball Classic and the need to have the best players playing to take it seriously. We talked about the hobbling Mets and Yankees and previewed their possible opening day lineups. We finished the show with NFL free agency talk and everyone leaving the Jets and Darrelle Revis possibly on his way out. We ended the show with our final four picks and our national champion picks.


 3/17/13-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

The 5th Quarter in New York Sports-2/24/13

On this edition of The 5th Quarter in New York Sports on AM1240, I took the mic solo with plenty to talk about.  I started the show with the Knicks recent slide and what they need to do to get back to their winning ways.  I recapped their victory over the Sixers.  I then talked Nets and their recent success and chances at winning the Atlantic Division.  I gave the NBA trade deadline moves and who won and lost at the deadline.  I talked Curtis Granderson going down with injury and who will replace him and how the Yankees will do in 2013.  I then talked Zach Wheeler and his chances of being called up in 2013.  Also, I discussed the Mets outfield and their chances of doing well this season.  I finished the show with Jets talk and whether they should trade Darrelle Revis.


02/24/2013-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

The 5th Quarter in New York Sports-2/10/13

It was a special Grammy edition of the The 5th Quarter in New York Sports on AM1240 as me and Ty gave out our NBA midseason Grammy Award winners.  We talked plenty of Knicks and Nets and the rest of the NBA.  We previewed the NBA trade deadline and our predictions of who may get traded, including Iman Shumpert trade rumors.  We also recapped the Mets and Yankees offseason and what their 2013 roster will look like.
Our guest was Knicks beat writer for the Bergen Record Steve Popper.  We talked about the possible Shumpert trade as well as any other moves the Knicks might make.  We also discussed the loss to the Clippers earlier in the day and what went wrong for the Knicks.

02/10/2013-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

1/27/13-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

On Sunday’s show on AM1240, we previewed Super Bowl XLVII aka the “HarBowl.”  We then talked about the Jets new OC and GM and the talk of them possibly trading Darrelle Revis.  We then gave our reactions to the bizarre Manti Te’o story.  In the second half of the show we gave our All Star snubs.  We then discussed the Knicks win over the Hawks and the Nets hot start to 2013.  We talked Rondo going down and the Celtics playoff hopes in jeopardy.  We talked Dwight Howard trade talks and the Lakers possibly turning the season around.  We finished with some Mets offseason discussion and gave our Super Bowl picks.

1/27/13-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

01/13/2013-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Gerry Sandusky
Play-by-play radio broadcaster
for the Baltimore Ravens
Sports Director at WBAL-TV

Adam Zagoria
SNY.tv and NBA.com writer
covering the New York Knicks

Listen to the podcast of my show "The 5th Quarter in New York Sports" on AM1240-WGBB from Sunday January 13th, 2013.  We recapped the wild weekend of NFL playoff games over the weekend.  Ravens play-by-plar radio broadcaster Gerry Sandusky joined us to recap the Ravens big win in Denver over the Broncos and their chances to win a Super Bowl.  Sandusky talked about the importance of Ray Lewis to the Ravens and the city of Baltimore.  We then previewed the AFC and NFC Championship games and made our picks for a possible "HarBowl."  
In the second half of the show, we talked Knicks basketball with SNY.tv and NBA.com writer, Adam Zagoria.  We also discussed the surging Nets and their hot start to 2013 under P.J. Carlesimo.  I also gave my opinion on the MLB Hall of Fame and the choice to not elect anyone this year.  Mike Piazza was clearly snubbed of a spot in the Hall.  

1/13/13-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

12/23/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

I hosted "The 5th Quarter in New York Sports" solo on Long Island's AM1240-WGBB.  I started discussing the Giants and their blowout loss to the Ravens and if they can make the playoffs.  I talked about the Jets loss to the Chargers.  Who will be their next QB? What happens with Mark Sanchez?  I talked about the rest of the NFL and the playoff situation.  I talked about the Knicks success and Amare's return coming up as well as the Nets recent struggles.  Callers commented on Eli and the Giants and what they need to do, Michael Vick as next Jets QB, and Andrew Luck's success this season.

12/23/2012 The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Giants Need a Miracle

The Giants are used to winning when they have to and putting on miracle runs down the stretch.  They are going to need a whole lot of magic this Sunday.

After two blowout losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens on the road, the Giants record stands at 8-7.  They return home Sunday to face the Eagles, who beat the Giants in Philadelphia, 19-17, in week 4 when the Eagles were still relevant.  Now, Philadelphia sits in last place in the NFC East at 4-11 and have only won one game since their victory over Big Blue.  The Giants have lost give straight home games to the Eagles and eight of nine overall in this series.  Sunday will be no easy task with Michael Vick making his return at quarterback as rookie Nick Foles broke his hand.  Vick is 3-1 as a starter with the Eagles against the Giants and Sunday could be his last game in a Philadelphia uniform.  It will also be the last game Andy Reid will coach on the Eagles sideline as this lost season will have him out.

For the Giants to sneak in the playoffs, they will need to not only beat the Eagles, but have the Bears lose to the Lions, have the Vikings lose to the Packers, and hope the Cowboys lose to the Redskins.  There is no question that crazier things have happened.  They will need to beat the 4-11 Eagles.  Could happen.  They need the 9-6 Bears to lose in Detroit to a 4-11 Lions team that has lost eight games by one possession.  Could happen.  They need the 9-6 Vikings to lose at home to the 11-4 Packers, who are still trying to hold on to a first-round bye.  Could happen.  Finally, they need the 9-6 Redskins to lose at home to the 8-7 Cowboys.  Could happen.  

All of these situations COULD HAPPEN, but will they? Probably not.  First off, the Giants need to beat the Eagles and winning has been hard to come by for the G-Men.  They were destroyed the last two games showing no life on both sides of the ball.  They have lost five of their last seven games.  Beating the Eagles with Michael Vick out to prove he can still be a successful starting QB in the NFL will not be a walk in the park.  The Giants need to come out with energy and intensity with the season on the line.  Eli Manning will need to carry this team as he has done in years past.  They also have to avoid scoreboard watching and focus on the task at hand.  

It might take a miracle, but the Giants are holding on for their playoffs lives.  They'll need a lot to happen Sunday for them to slide in as the last seed in the NFC.  If they somehow do get in, you just never know with this team.  Sure, they might not deserve to make it, but if they're in, anything can happen.  Tom Coughlin's team has gone on two improbable Super Bowl runs before.  You just never know on an NFL Sunday what can go down.  Manning and company hopes that the unthinkable happens in week 17.  

Sanchez Days in New York are Over

Monday night in Tennessee was the last straw for Mark Sanchez.  Don't expect the fourth-year quarterback to ever see a snap in a Jets uniform again.  The Jets announced today that they will be looking to trade him this offseason.  The Sanchez era is New York is finished. 

It has just been a nightmare season for Sanchez.  Monday night was the icing on the cake.  Sanchez cost the Jets not only the game, but a chance at the playoffs. Rex Ryan gave him all the opportunities in the world week after week and he continued to let down his coach, his team, and the fans.  Monday night's loss all falls on the shoulders of Sanchez.  It was a performance worse than any of his prior disasters.  Sanchez threw for an embarrassing four interceptions and if that wasn't enough, he couldn't handle a snap in the final minute costing the Jets the game.  Five turnovers, all on pitiful decisions made by a quarterback who has lost all confidence that he once had.

The quarterback who led the Jets to two straight AFC Championship games is long gone.  His performance last season was bad.  This season, it has been disgraceful.  While he has had nowhere near the talent on offense that he did the past three seasons, his play has been brutal.  He has made throwing decisions that you would see from a rookie, not a guy who has been in the league for four seasons.  His 17 interceptions and seven fumbles lost this season say it all.  24 turnovers from your quarterback won't get you to .500, let alone a spot in the playoffs.  Sanchez has led the NFL in turnovers the last two seasons with an astounding 50.

Rex Ryan has finally made the decision to go with Greg McElroy at starting quarterback Sunday when the Jets return home to play the Chargers.  The Jets will see what McElroy has and determine if he could be the answer at quarterback for the future.  Clearly, the Jets aren't very fond of Tim Tebow taking over as the starter as he still has not been given the chance.  Tebow is now requesting to be released or traded as he deserves a shot somewhere else.  This team brought in Tebow and didn't use him.  A guy who helped lead the Broncos to the playoffs last season deserves a shot to play and for some reason, the Jets felt Sanchez deserved it more.

Sanchez is due to make just over $8 million next season.  The Jets will be looking to trade him this offseason.  The question remains who will take over.  Reports have said that the Jets are interested in Michael Vick and Vick would be willing to play for Gang Green if Sanchez is gone.  There's a very good chance that Vick will be the New York Jets starting quarterback next season.

So where will Sanchez go? Where will Tebow go? Will Vick be the Jets starter in 2013?  Get ready for another dramatic Jets offseason folks.

Ground and Pound Keeps Jets Playoff Hopes Alive

The Jets realized Sunday that if they want to win...the ball needs to stay out of Mark Sanchez's hands.

Gang Green finally established the ground and pound Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville.  Their rushing attack helped lead them to a 17-10 victory over the Jaguars.  The Jets needed to establish the run game with their quarterback struggling mightily.  Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell both had a big day.  Powell ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and Grenne ran for 77 yards and a touchdown.  A combined 39 carries and 155 yards carried the Jets in a game where Sanchez only threw for only 111 yards.  Sanchez only had 19 passing attempts as Tony Sparano kept the ball on the ground for most of the day.  

The defense was huge for the Jets against a terrible Jaguars offense.  The Jets got to face another brutal offense for the second week in a row.  Jags quarterback Chad Henne was just 21 for 43 for 185 yards to go along with two interceptions.  In a game that saw 15 combined punts and a lot of bad football on offense, the Jets squeezed out the win in the end.  

So the Jets took the pressure off their struggling quarterback Sunday.  His replacement last week, Greg McElroy was inactive as Tim Tebow was the backup.  Many questioned Rex Ryan's thinking in not keeping McElroy active after leading the Jets to their only touchdown last week.  Tebow didn't see the field once on Sunday.  Coach Ryan is clearly adamant about Sanchez has he has said over and over.  While Sanchez did fumble a ball in the second quarter, he avoided throwing any picks, which has been his demise this season.  If the Jets want to have continued success in the last three games of the season, they need to keep running the ball effectively.  

With the win, the Jets improve to 6-7.  Suddenly, they are still alive in the playoffs.  It sure doesn't roll off the tongue easily, but the New York Jets are still in a playoff race.  After all this team ahs been through this season, they still have hope for the 6th seed in AFC.  The Steelers and Bengals both lost Sunday making it a very interesting race for that last AFC Wild Card spot.  The Jets would need to win their final three games, have the Steelers lose two of their three games, and the Bengals lose one of their three games.  The Steelers finish the season at Dallas, home against the Bengals, and home against the Browns.  The Bengals remaining games are at Philadelphia, at Pittsburgh, and home against the Ravens.  

The Jets have to play at Tennessee, home against the 5-8 Chargers, and in Buffalo against the 5-8 Bills.  They need to take it one game a time now.  While it is definitely a favorable schedule, the Jets haven't proved to anyone that these games will be easy.  They'll head to Tennessee next for a big Monday night game against the 4-9 Titans.  The key for the Jets once again will be running the ball with success and avoid letting Sanchez make mistakes.  Good defense and mistake-free offense could keep the Jets alive.  Any hope for the playoffs begin with a must-win next Monday in Tennessee. 

Let The McElroy Era Begin

Rex Ryan finally made the switch in the 3rd quarter Sunday.  It wasn't Tim Tebow that took over, but third string quarterback Greg McElroy.  While the decision might have come a couple of weeks too late, it's time the Jets head coach moved away from Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez was horrific once again on Sunday throwing three interceptions in the first half.  He was just 10 for 21 for 97 yards and was also sacked three times.  It has been an absolute nightmare this season for the fourth-year quarterback who signed a $58.25 million extension this past offseason.  The Jets owe Sanchez a lot of money, but if that is what they are concerned with, they're not going to be winning many football games.  The focus should be on who gives this team a chance to win and Sanchez just has not proved he is capable of that this season.  He has regressed as a quarterback the past two seasons after making the AFC Championship in his first two seasons.  Those Jets teams also had dominant defenses.  This Jets team has nowhere near the talent that those Jets teams had.

While the sample size is very small for McElroy, Coach Ryan needs to give the 24-year-old quarterback a chance.  It's not going to get much worse than what Sanchez has brought to the table to the 5-7 Jets this season.  McElroy came in and provided the Jets and their fans with a spark at MetLife Stadium Sunday.  Sure, it came against a Cardinals team that is starting one of the worst quarterbacks of all time in Ryan Lindley, but it was a much needed win for Gang Green.  McElroy threw for his first career touchdown pass and the only one of the game on his first drive taking over for Sanchez.

The guy has won his entire life.  McElroy won a championship at Alabama and now may be inserted as the Jets starting quarterback Sunday when Gang Green travels to Jacksonville to take on the 2-10 Jaguars.  Tebow's health has been in question as it is still unsure if he will suit up Sunday.  Tebow just never got a real chance here and might have damaged any chance of future success for Sanchez.

While it's just too early to say that McElroy is the Jets answer at quarterback for the future, he is the guy who needs to get the chance now.  The Jets play the 2-10 Jaguars, the 4-8 Titans, the 4-8 Chargers, and the 5-7 Bills to finish the season.  The Jets slim hopes for a shot at the playoffs are still alive.

It is time for the Mark Sanchez era in New York to come to an end.

12/02/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Check out my show from Sunday night on AM1240-WGBB.  On “The 5th Quarter in New York Sports” we discussed the Jets win over the Cardinals and who will start next week at quarterback.  Legendary sports broadcaster Ed Ingles joined us to give his take on the Jets and talk to us about his broadcasting career.  We debated on whether Mark Sancez or Greg McElroy should start next week, whether the Mets should sign or trade R.A. Dickey, and whether David Stern’s decision to fine the Spurs was right.  We gave our “5th Quarter Standouts” in the NFL.  We talked about the wild week in the NFL as well as previewing the Giants-Redskins matchup.  We also talked Knicks and Nets and their success so far this season.

12/02/2012 The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

11/25/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Listen in to my show from Sunday night.  On the show, we talked all about the hot topics in NY sports.  We started with Nets talk followed by Knicks talk and previewed the big matchup in Brooklyn between the two newest rivals.  Knicks beat writer for Newsday, Al Iannazzone, joined us at the 15 minute mark to talk Knicks and which team in New York he believes is better.  The second half of the show, I labeled the Jets as dead this season with no chance to make the playoffs.  We talked about the Giants as well as the rest of the big week 12 NFL games and headlines.  Listen in to myself and Ty Hardamon.

11/25/2012 The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Jets Stuffed and Embarrassed on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving didn't give the Jets or their fans much to be thankful for.  Thursday saw one of the most pitiful and embarrassing performances in the history of the franchise.

The Jets were destroyed by the Patriots Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, 49-19.  After a scoreless first quarter from both teams, the second quarter saw the Jets look more like a pee wee team that an NFL one.  The Patriots had a 7-0 lead when the Jets playoff hopes would vanish in a 52-second span.  Shane Vereen would catch a short pass from Tom Brady on the first play of the drive and proceed to take it to the endzone for an 83-yard touchdown.  Alright, blown coverage and a long touchdown.  That happens.  14-0 Patriots.  Then, the embarrassment began.

On the second play of the Jets drive, Mark Sanchez might have proved that "J-E-T-S" might just stand for "Just End The Sanchize."  After what seemed like a blown play on an attempted hand off, Sanchez ran right into his own offensive lineman Brandon Moore falling to the ground and fumbling the ball.  Steve Gregory picked up the ball and ran it 32 yards into the endzone for a touchdown making it 21-0.  The struggling quarterback somehow ran into his 305-pound right guard and cost the Jets a touchdown.

But wait...there would be more.

The very next play coming on the kickoff return, Joe McKnight would fumble the ball and it would never hit the ground.  The ball popped out right into the hands Julian Edelman, who returned it 22 yards for the touchdown.  It was 28-0 Patriots with 8:51 remaining in the second quarter.

In a span of 52 seconds, the Jets gave up an 83 yard touchdown, a 32 yard fumble return thanks to Sanchez's blunder, and another fumble return on the very next play.  That 52 seconds essentially summed up the Jets 4-7 season so far.  It was a nightmare-ish series of events that had Jets radio announcer on ESPN Radio NY, Bob Wischusen, saying "are you kidding me?"

While it looked like a comedy show for many, it was real what the Jets had just done.  The Patriots would score three more touchdowns in the game.  49 points off seven touchdowns later, the Jets had their 7th loss and the worst of them all.  The loss basically ended any hope this team had in making a late run for the playoffs.  It also lost any confidence they may have had after beating the Rams in St. Louis.

It appears that not even Tim Tebow could come in now and help this team.  Tebow, who had two broken ribs, could have played if Sanchez went down, but would have trouble throwing the ball.  The Jets left Sanchez in for too long.  The fourth year quarterback has been given all the chances from coach Rex Ryan.  If this team continues to be manhandled as they were Thursday, it's hard to imagine Rex and Sanchez are back next season.

The talent just isn't there this year and a lot of the blame can go to GM Mike Tannenbaum.  While Sanchez has been awful, he also hasn't had many guys he can throw to.  This team doesn't have the talent or the depth to be a playoff team.  That showed on Thursday night.  Gang Green has lost all the confidence and swagger that this trash-talking team used to have.  It has become a nightmare for Jets fans to watch.

The Jets look to avoid further embarrassment when they are back at MetLife Stadium next Sunday to take on the Arizona Cardinals.

Enough is Enough With Sanchez

Sunday was just another frustrating day of New York Jets football.  It was another horrific game from starting quarterback Mark Sanchez.  It's about time Tim Tebow takes over.

The Jets fell in Seattle to the Seahawks Sunday, 28-7.  It was the Jets third straight loss dropping them to 3-6 on the season with seven games remaining.  Gang Green would have to go 6-1 in their remaining games to have a slim chance at a playoff spot.

It was just another horrid game from the Jets offense, which appeared completely lost on Sunday.  The offense did not put up a single point Sunday.  Sanchez was just 9 for 22 for 124 yards with a costly interception and a fumble.  It was hard to watch the fourth-year quarterback once again as he looked absolutely abysmal.  In a tie game in the 2nd quarter, Sanchez made a very poor throw intended for Dustin Keller that was picked off in the endzone.  It cost the Jets a chance to take the lead with at least a field goal.  Then in a 21-7 game in the 4th quarter with the Jets driving in Seahawks territory, Sanchez cost his team once again fumbling the ball giving it to the Seahawks.  Seattle would score a touchdown on the drive to put the nail in the coffin.

Enough is enough with Sanchez taking the ball under center.  Week after week he continues to fail and it seems as the pressure has gotten the best of him.  Having Tebow over his shoulder and playing this two quarterback system at times seems to have gotten in the head of Sanchez.  His play has been affected mightily as he is at the lowest point of his career thus far.  Rex Ryan said after the game that Sanchez is still his guy at quarterback saying he gives them the best chance to win.  That decision has to be changed by the end of the week.  Sanchez has turned the ball over an alarming 15 times this season and his completion percentage is 52.9, which is a career low.

It all starts with your quarterback on offense and while the Jets might not have the best receiving unit out there, Sanchez has been an absolute nightmare for most of this 2012 season so far.  His play has been unacceptable and if the Jets care about their fans and care about winning football games, they need to insert Tebow at quarterback.  Tebow has proven he can win in the NFL as he did last season with the Broncos.  It's time that the Jets give the the former Heisman Trophy winner a chance to run this offense.  It can't get much worse than what Sanchez has put out there this season.

Tim Tebow needs to take over immediately before this season gets uglier than it already is.  He gives Gang Green a better chance to win than Sanchez does right now. The Jets will travel to St. Louis next Sunday to take on the Rams as they look to end this three-game losing streak.

Is Eli the Best QB in the NFL?

It's about time time Eli Manning got some love.  The guy has won two Super Bowl rings.  He's a two-time Super Bowl MVP.  Manning has become Mr. Clutch in the NFL.

Sunday afternoon, he did it again. 

Down by 3 with 1:32 remaining in the game...everybody knew that Big Blue would win this football game thanks to the man behind center.  Manning led the Giants to another comeback win in the 4th quarter and this time it only took two plays.  On the second play of the drive, Manning make a beautiful pass right into the arms of Victor Cruz.  Cruz took it to the endzone for a 77-yard touchdown to give the Giants the lead and their defense would finish it off for the win.  Manning did it again. 

It was Manning's 8th game-winning drive in the 4th quarter or overtime since the start of last season.  Eight 4th quarter comebacks in a season and a half.  That is unheard of.  Anytime the ball is in the hands of Eli Manning late in the 4th quarter, it has become a given that the Giants will win the game.  It's a great feeling for Giants fans to be able to have confidence when trailing in a football game.  No matter what the score is, Manning can lead this team to comeback wins and he continues to do it week after week.  

So the guy who used to be referred to as Peyton's brother is now on his way to becoming the best Manning.  Not only is he on his way to becoming the best Manning, but he is on his way to becoming the best quarterback in the NFL.  Without a doubt, there is nobody I would rather have in the 4th quarter than Eli Manning behind center.  He has arguably become the best quarterback in crunch time in NFL history and he's barely halfway into his football career.  

The Giants are 5-2 and CRUZ-ing in first place in the NFC East.  Big Blue looks like one of the best teams in the NFL with arguably the best QB in the league.  The way the Giants offense is rolling, it would not be a surprise if this team makes a run for a repeat.  We might just see Eli's brother watching his little bro in February holding a third Vince Lombardi Trophy. 

Jets Drop Heartbreaker to Rival Patriots

The Jets had all the opportunities in the world to leave Foxboro Sunday atop the AFC East standings with a win.  They scored 13 points in the 4th quarter after trailing 23-13.  They held a 26-23 lead with 1:37 to go, but found a way to lose the game and hand the Patriots their 4th win and first place in the division.

The Jets dropped a heartbreaker to the Patriots, 29-26, in overtime Sunday.  For once, the loss should not go on the shoulders of Mark Sanchez.  While the game ended with Mark Sanchez fumbling the ball in overtime to finish off a heartbreaking loss, this was a team effort.  After establishing the run game last week against the Colts, the ground and pound was not affective against the Patriots.

The Jets ran the ball for a combined 106 yards after running for 252 yards last week.  Once again, Tim Tebow hardly saw any carries after the Jets said he would see some time at running back this week.  4 carries for 12 yards isn't going to cut it if the Jets want to win football games.  They brought this guy in to help them win games and he has not been given the chance.  It's one play and he's out.  Offensive Coordinator Tony Sparano needs to get the ball in the hands of Tebow more than four times a game.  He can make plays and shake up the defense from the conservative offense with Sanchez on the field.  The Jets NEED to run the football.  On 3rd and 2 at the Patriots 2 yard line on the Jets first drive to start the second half, Sparano decided to throw the ball instead of running the ball after Shonn Greene was running the ball effectively the whole drive.  That is a position where the Jets have got to run the ball up the middle for the score.  The reason the Jets brought in Tebow was for an exact play like that.  Terrible playcalling Sunday in Foxboro.

Sanchez threw the ball 41 times for 328 yards, a week after throwing the ball just 18 times for 82 yards.  It was a solid performance from Sanchez, but his receivers hurt him with some pivotal drops.  Stephen Hill dropped a pass that might have cost the Jets a chance at a victory Sunday.  On 3rd and 4 late in the 4th quarter, Hill dropped a perfect pass from Sanchez that would have gave the Jets a first down in the redzone.  The ball went off his hands and the Jets were forced to go for a field goal for the tie.  Hill has struggled all season catching the ball.  Chaz Schilens also had a couple of key drops that proved to be costly.  Jets receivers need to hold on to the football.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Jets in a game that they had plenty of chances to win.  It's a loss that completely changes the season.  Instead of being 4-3 returning home to face the 3-3 Miami Dolphins, the Jets drop to 3-4 on the season.  Rex Ryan will need to make sure to get this team back to running the ball effectively.  Sanchez should not throw the ball 40+ times again this season.  It becomes a recipe for disaster if the "Sanchise" has to carry the Jets on his back.

10/21/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Listen to the podcast of my show "The 5th Quarter in New York Sports" on AM1240-WGBB.  We discussed the Jets heartbreaking loss, the Giants wild win at home, and the rest of the NFL week 7 games. In the second half of the show, we previewed the Knicks season with Knicks beat writer for the NY Post, Marc Sherman.  We talked about where the Knicks and Nets will finish in the East as well as the rest of the NBA playoff predictions.

10/21/2012 The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Ground and Pound Gives Jets Dominant Win

Sunday afternoon, the Jets finally didn't need to worry about any sort of quarterback controversy.  They let their running game do the talking.

Rex Ryan's "ground and pound" offense finally made an appearance against the Colts Sunday leading the Jets to a dominant win over Indianapolis, 35-9.  Shonn Greene had a career-high 161 yards rushing to go along with three touchdowns.  The Jets rushing attack combined for 252 yards, which was the most all season.  Mark Sanchez didn't need to do much thanks to the success on the ground.  Sanchez was just 11 for 18 for 82 yards to go with two touchdowns.

The Jets did what they were looking to do all season on Sunday.  They ran the bell extremely effectively allowing Sanchez to be more comfortable in a limited role seeing him throw a lot less passes.  Gang Green let Shonn Greene and even Joe McKnight do the talking in the week six win over the Colts.  McKnight had a big 61-yard run in the third quarter that would lead to a Jets touchdown before leaving the game with an ankle injury.  That came right after the Jets had lost running back Bilal Powell  to a shoulder injury.

Not only did the Jets running game destroy the Colts, Gang Green's Revis-less defense held rookie quarterback Andrew Luck in check all afternoon.  Luck was just 22 for 44 for 280 yards and two interceptions.  The most important thing that the Jets defense did Sunday was pressure the quarterback. We finally saw a pass rush from the Jets defense as they sacked Luck four times.  The rookie was hurried all day long as the Jets defense made it extremely difficult for him to become comfortable in the pocket.

And what's a Jets win without a little bit of Tim Tebow?

On a 4th and 11 from the Colts 40, Tim Tebow executed the fake punt to perfection as he received the snap and threw the ball to a wide open Nick Bellore.  It came at a great time and was perfectly executed by Tebow and would lead to a Jets touchdown to give them a 21-6 lead in the second quarter.

It was refreshing to see the Jets do what they wanted to do since day once...run the football successfully.  There was no controversy needed over the quarterback position.  The Jets had their best all-around performance of the season thus far.  They were successful on the ground, in the air when they needed it, on defense, and even on special teams.

The win propels the Jets to a 3-3 record and their 2-0 division record puts them atop the AFC East.  All four teams are tied at 3-3.  That will change next week as the Jets will next travel to Foxboro to battle their division-rival New England Patriots.  The Pats are coming off a devastating loss to the Seahawks in Seattle.  If the Jets could have continued success on the ground and continue to bring a pass rush, we could see some more winning football from Coach Ryan's team this season.

Is it Tebow Time for the Jets?

No Darrelle Revis.  No Santonio Holmes.  No Dustin Keller.  Mark Sanchez coming off one of the worst games of his career.  It all spelled disaster for the Jets Monday night.

Despite all the injuries, the Jets had the ball with a chance to win the game at the two minute warning.  That's until Mark Sanchez's pass to tight end Jeff Cumberland went off his hands and into the arms of Kareem Jackson.  The Jets lost Monday night to the undefeated Texans, 23-17.

While the fault does not go directly to Sanchez, it was another poor showing from Gang Green's quarterback.  Sanchez was 14 for 31 for 230 yards and two picks.  His QB rating was 10.0.  Has the 4th year quarterback reached the breaking point?

Sanchez heard boos from the fans at MetLife Stadium all night.  Jets fans seem ready to move on and put Tim Tebow behind center.  Every time Tebow came off the field and Sanchez came on, the boos emerged.  How long until Jets fans give up and start showing up?  While the attendance was announced at 79,088, there were nowhere near that many people there Monday night.  Selling tickets will be a hard thing for Woody Johnson's team to do for the remainder of the season...especially after Johnson publicly stated he would rather have Romney win the Presidency over the Jets winning games.

It has become a nightmare in Jets land.  Their owner is making comments that should not have been made.  GM Mike Tannenbaum did not do much this offseason to improve a team that missed out on the playoffs last season.  The quarterback that was given a $58 million extension this offseason has been abysmal since his impressive week one performance.  The injuries are clearly the major issue at hand, but Sanchez's play is not going to put people in the seats.  While it is only week six, and the Jets are just 2-3, it might be time for Tebow to take over.

It's Tebow time for the Jets.

10/07/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

10/07/2012-The 5th Quarter in New York Sports

Listen to the podcast from my show "The 5th Quarter in New York Sports" Sunday on AM1240-WGBB.  We discussed the Giants win over the Browns, the Yankees-Orioles playoff matchup, the MLB playoffs, the struggling Jets, and the rest of the week 5 NFL games. Callers discussed Eli Manning, the Giants, the Yankees, and Andrew Luck with me.