Jack’s Blog

Tim Tebow was as successful as any college football player.  His team, the Florida Gators, were big winners - including the biggest one - and, individually, he garnered about every award he was eligible for - including the biggest one.  If he had a (non-football related) flaw - for those who consider what he did wrong - was that he wore his beliefs on his sleeve.  It was just that many people thought the sleeve was on a religious robe.

Tebow knelt after each touchdown, apparently saying a short prayer.  This was an offensive gesture to some, a chance to capitalize for financial gains for others and a simple show of faith, neither offensive nor money related, to the rest.  First, consider he was born to parents who were Baptist missionaries.  His mother home schooled him and instilled in him the family’s Christian beliefs.  To non-haters, his background might explain his (brief) gesture following touchdowns.  His mom’s parenting skills are far and away better than the overwhelming majority of professional athletes we read about on a daily basis.

Granted, they made a controversial commercial but in this country, we do have freedom of speech.  Isn’t it amazing how people can be offended by Tim Tebow yet not have their emotions stirred by nearly every of the new, popular sit-coms (especially some of the animated ones).  In addition, with some of the other personal traits many of our “stars” have displayed, is the Tebow story something we should worry that our children see?

Although he was listed as a quarterback at the U of F, coach Urban Meyer saw the unique skill Tebow had, i.e. a cross between a QB and a bruising running back.  Standing 6′3″, 240 that was difficult to refute.  He also was someone who could turn a busted play into a big gainer because of his physical size and skills.  It would have been coaching malpractice if Meyer hadn’t used him the way he did.  The football experts - there really are some, although not nearly as many as they’d like us to believe - claimed Tebow would have a difficult transition to the professional level because of his long wind up when throwing and the fact professional defensive players are 1) so big and 2) hit so hard.  The wear and tear on his body would certainly shorten his career.  (After a few games there was a growing group of fans who were hoping his career would be shortened.)

Jon Gruden (one of the true experts) broke down his release and explained how his passing motion would have to be renovated.  However, doing so would preclude him from becoming an immediate starter.  No doubt because of his notoriety the Denver Broncos drafted him in the first round.  It was the wrong move and it’s hard to believe that a team that employed John Elway as an executive didn’t know it.  By now, everybody knows the story - Tebow comes in as a back up, the team is losing, he gets a shot, the team wins a few (although more because of D than O), pulls off some late game heroics (after showing little early in the game) and he’s the savior.  Allegedly, John Elway (and probably others) saw it differently and traded him to the New York Jets.

That was a bad marriage from the get-go.  This one rivaled Humphries and Kardashian (or Borgnine and Merman for older readers).  Anyone who had seen ESPN’s Hard Knocks with the Jets could have figured that out.  After a couple minutes!  If only Mark Sanchez and the rest of the guys had played as well Rex Ryan had truly believed would have, there still would have been controversy (after all, it is New York) but not the side show it turned out to be.  At least it would have saved Tebow from being mocked and imitated.  And for what?  Not being as good as people had hoped he’d be?

He heads up the Tim Tebow Foundation which builds facilities for sick children, granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses for kids in the U.S. and the Philippines and builds playrooms in hospitals and orphanages.  Gimme a break.

As Danielle Dax said so appropriately:

“I find it strange the way human nature wants heroes and yet wants to destroy their heroes.  It’s a kind of mass insecurity people want something to look up to and get a buzz off but, at the same time, want to destroy it because it makes them feel insecure.”

Since being the subject of the show Hard Knocks, the New York Jets and, in particular, head coach Rex Ryan have been a favorite subject (target) for members of the media.  Due to his acerbic tongue, bold statements and ability to rub people the wrong way, the Jets have had a bulls-eye, albeit a self-imposed one, squarely on their backs.  After their bubble was burst in the AFC Championship game yesterday (for the second time in as many years they are denied the opportunity of playing in the Super Bowl), Ryan had to come out of the losing locker room and give the interview all coaches dread.

The Jets had totally dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half, holding them scoreless, while putting up three scores of their own.  Ryan could have complained about a controversial call which resulted in a Pittsburgh touchdown (even the guys in the booth disagreed over whether Sanchez’s arm was moving forward, meaning incomplete pass, or not).  Many braggarts resort to blaming others in defeat.

He could have lamented not being able to punch it in from the one-yard-line (even though they forced a safety on the subsequent play).  Had the offense put up the points instead, the TD would have put the Jets behind by only one score - with all the momentum in their direction.

Instead, Ryan stood tall - although to even the most sarcastic of viewers, it was evident how much he was hurting - and gave the blunt analysis that, even though his club played an outstanding second half, they got too far behind (24-0) to win a game of this magnitude.  He then said he believed in his guys and that they’d be back next year - and would win it.

Love him or hate him (and not too many fans fall in between), Rex Ryan takes on life’s consequences head on.  Even in defeat.

What Jonathan Brown once said is apparently true about Rex Ryan and each of his players:

“Call it loyalty, call it what you want, but I suppose I’ve got people up here who I’m really tight with, we’ve made a lot of great bonds over the last few years and I’ve got people in my corner I can trust.“

Now that Brett Favre has really retired from the NFL (leaving open the possibility of a one-day contract so he can officially retire as a Green Bay Packer), his legacy is being debated on television and radio, in bars and at water coolers around the nation.  He played 20 years at the toughest position both mentally and physically in the game.  Judging from all his records, he ranks right up there with all the other greats.  While a few of his #1 stats might be of the dubious nature, there’s no denying he was what every player wants to be known as - a winner.

His detractors are having a field day with his character issues while he was a member of the New York Jets.  There are also those who mock the number of retirement announcements he’s issued as well as the way in which his final season ended.

When deciding how to think of Brett Favre, consider that you were he and it’s actually your legacy that’s in question, e.g. substitute your accomplishments and transgressions (who knows those better than you) for Favre’s.  This might give you a little more empathy.

As Stephen Covey put it:

“We judge others by their actions, ourselves by our intentions.”

In last night’s Monday Night (or was it Tuesday Morning) Game between the New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings, the Vikes, down 12-zip at the half, made a strong push in the fourth quarter.  First, Brett Favre hit his new best friend, Randy Moss with a bomb that also happened to be his 500th TD pass.  Down 15-7, Brett decided not to stick on 500 too long as he hit Percy Harvin shortly thereafter for another score. 

This, naturally, made the score 15-13.  I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what play Minnesota would run in an attempt to “start over” the game with about 10 minutes to go.  At first, the Vikings hesitated and then, somebody (probably the guy with the card that has all the different possible scenarios on it - hey, a football coach can’t be too prepared) decided they should just kick - and make the score 15-14.  The first thought that went through my mind was, “What the hell good will that do?”

Possibly sensing my frustration, they did what every NFL team does in a situation of thsi magnitude: they called time out.  And then decided to go for two.  Maybe they didn’t want to ride the momentum they’d grabbed by scoring back-to-back.  Favre rolled out, made a sweet spin move to avoid a defender and then did what he does second best to throwing TD’s.  He threw an interception.

Being a math major and teacher (as well as a former football coach, albeit form a loooooong time ago), I tried to think of a reason - any reason - it would make sense to even consider going for one at that point as opposed to two - and the tie.  The entire decision had to be based on not being successful, since converting would tie the game.  I thought, what if the Jets kicked a field goal?  That would put the Vikings down four if they made the PAT kick and five if they failed while attempting a two-point conversion. 

OK, what if the Jets scored a TD (and kicked a PAT)?  Aha!  That would put Minny down only 8 if they’d kicked and 9, i.e. two scores, if they failed at going for two.  But that couldn’t be the reason since, if they were playing it that way, they’d be expecting to be successful on a two-point try.  If they believed they could go for two and make it then, why not run the same damn paly and tie the game now!

Maybe they were thinking they’d hold the Jets and score again themselves.  If they scored a touchdown, and, presumably kicked the point after, they’d be up 5 or 6 - no difference - unless they have a dynamite PAT block play they’ve been holding back.  A field goal would put them up 2 if they made the PAT kick but only one if they’d missed.  Maybe they were afraid of a safety beating them.

None of it mattered.  The Jets eventually won, 29-20 but it shows that football and love can be looked at the same way.  For that, the wrap up quote belongs to Natascha McElhone (whoever she is):

“Imagine you fall in love. It feels fabulous. Then every day you have to complete a questionnaire about it. `What kind of love is it? How do you feel about it in the morning? And at night?` Suddenly you`re analyzing something that seemed intuitive.”   

Like going for two when you’re down a couple in the fourth quarter.

In the New England Patriots’ last game, Randy Moss had zero receptions.  Of course, it’s difficult to catch passes that aren’t thrown to you.  Shortly thereafter, rumors popped up that the Pats were shopping the future Hall-of-Fame wideout.  For a change, the rumors actually had some substance and yesterday, Moss was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a third round draft pick in next year’s draft and what’s believed to be a seventh round selection in 2012.

Why, in the middle of the season, would a contender make such a move?  I’ve always believed that whenever something this radical occurs, only somebody with inside information, as opposed to the armchair GM’s, can be a reliable source.  Enter Tedy Bruschi, former Patriots linebacker and a company guy if there ever was one.

On ESPN’s SportsCenter, Bruschi’s current place of employment, he explained with great insight why this trade might have happened.  He said that when Moss first got to New England, they were a team with a great deal of veteran leadership.  The vets provided much needed guidance to Moss.  As the years went by and the team got younger, it was Moss who was looked to as a leader.

Pats’ head coach Bill Belichick has been simultaneously described by those who intensely dislike him as the ultimate control freak and as those who worship him as someone with only one agenda - the good of the team is first and foremost, i.e. if it helps the Patriots win, do it.  As proof: it was a pretty slick move by Belichick getting this done just in time for Moss to take the field next Monday night against the Jets.  Coincidence?  Highly doubt it.  Plus, why not make the move now and get something in return for Moss, rather than wait out the year and lose him to free agency and get zip.

Video in the New England locker room following an early win showed Moss to be the type of guy any organization would want as he addressed the squad and proceeded to lead them in a victory cheer.  Then he spoke to the media and displayed the polar opposite, complaining that a player of his caliber (in the last year of his contract) should be taken care of and that it was apparent New England wasn’t going to do that.  Therefore, Randy disclosed, he would be playing out his career in New England and was not going to return to the Pats next year.  However, he maintained, he was definitely not going to retire.

The initial analysis of this trade is that it helps both teams.  Minnesota QB Brett Favre called the move “exciting” and why not?  Moss gives the Vikes a threat they desperately need and once the injured Percy Harvin returns, the passing game should flourish.  As for New England, it’s trying to get younger and this latest transaction gives them two picks in each of the first four rounds of the next NFL draft.  All indications are that the new CBA will mean they’ll be getting these younger guys at bargain prices.  Plus, they rid themselves of what some talking heads (many of them being former NFL players) are calling a distraction.

Why all this really went down was summed by Ellis Hobbs, the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback who was originally drafted by the Patriots:

“No one’s bigger than the brand.”

Speaking at the press conference after AFC title game, Peyton Manning made the comment that he was glad there was a two-week break before the Super Bowl.  He claimed he didn’t know how the guys used to do it, i.e. when the game was played the following week.  He admitted to being mentally tired - not physically tired, but mentally tired.

Anyone who is aware of the Peyton Manning story (which includes any true fan of pro football - and several casual ones as well) knows how much preparation Manning puts into his game plan.  And that’s just for a regular season game.  Imagine how much video prep, meetings with his coaches, receivers and O linemen and speaking with his dad and brother goes into a postseason contest, where it’s a “win or go home” scenario.  And, obviously, the deeper the Colts go, the more time he invests.

The night prior to the game, ESPN’s Teddy Bruschi said that, in order to beat Peyton Manning, a defense must keep him off balance - and even then, he will adjust as the game goes on.  Jets’ coach, Rex Ryan’s post game remarks echoed that philosophy: “You have to keep Peyton Manning off balance and we didn’t keep him off balance enough.” 

Sure enough, the Jets did throw different looks at him, changed out of what they were initially running in order to confuse the Colts’ QB and the Colts struggled - in the beginning.  The Jets jumped out to a 17-6 lead.  But, Peyton being Peyton, just before the half, he led his offense to a TD, the first seven of what were to be 24 unanswered points to move on to Miami and Super Bowl XLIV.  Certainly Peyton Manning is highly skilled but it’s his discipline and work ethic that sets him apart from his peers. 

During an ESPN college basketball telecast, the station’s newest color commentator, none other than the winningest men’s coach of all-time, Bob Knight, voiced his support of the Colts.  He said his relationship with Colts’ president, Bill Polian, was the reason for his support of Indy.  Then, he shared a statement that he made to Peyton Manning which spoke to Manning’s approach to his craft:

“If I had five guys just like you, in varying sizes, I’d never lose.” �

Some coaches are fire-breathing, aggressive and competitive types, while others are more laid-back, introspective - and competitive.  It’s been said coaches get too much credit when teams win and too much blame when teams lose.  (Note: The same is said about quarterbacks).  So, which model is recommended?

If any research has been done, undoubtedly, it would show that both types (and any other leadership style) have a number of coaches who have been big winners as well as coaches who’ve lost - games and their jobs.  Vince Lombardi and Mike Ditka in one group and Tom Landry and Tony Dungy in the other.  Jimmy Johnson was gregarious as a head coach; Bill Belichick is anything but.

I found the answer in one national wire story I read yesterday.  It discussed the coaches in today’s AFC title game and had the following quote from New York Jets coach, Rex Ryan, when asked about his bravado approach: “Believe in yourself and believe in your team.”  He does, and expresses himself in a way that endears him to Jets’ fans and players.

When his counterpart, Jim Caldwell, head man of the Indianapolis Colts, was questioned about his soft-spoken ways (especially in comparison to Ryan), he summed their differences - which are also their strengths - perfectly:

“The great thing about this game is that it requires an immense amount of authenticity, so you have to be who you are.”

Rex Ryan, coach of the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, has been using one of the oldest tricks in the coaching book by intentionally holding his head high, sticking his chest out, flapping his gums and breaking all the rules of “limit the bulletin board material you give your opponent.”  The stomach’s out there too, but that’s not necessarily by design - unless his doctor told him to watch his weight, so now he’s got it out there where he can keep an eye on it.

No knocking the Jets’ head man as he readies his team for the NFL version of the Final Four.  It’s worked so far - like a charm - so why stop now?  Actually he can’t.  Imagine if all of a sudden, Ryan clammed up when asked what his team’s chances were against Indy. When someone is bragging about what he (or, in this case, his team) is going to do, then one day, shuts down the rhetoric, think of the message it sends to those whose efforts caused him to pop off in the first place.

Usually, there is a method to a coach’s madness when they use this particular strategy.  Just go back to Lane Kiffin’s boasting when he took the job at Tennessee (gosh, it seems like only yesterday, or fourteen months ago, whichever is sooner) and made caustic comments about Florida and Coach Urban Meyer, going so far as calling them - and him - cheaters.  After a much-closer-than-everyone-thought game in the Swamp, Kiffin emerged from the visitors locker room, saying he took all the pressure off the players, i.e. that the Gator fans were seeking him out for ridicule, thus allowing the team to march in unscathed and play to their potential.

Another reason might be a bonding experience.  Kind of like, “Look fellas, it’s us against the Big Bad Wolf.  I’ve pretty much managed to upset our opponents entire fan base - and that’s where we have to go.”  It fosters a “United We Stand” mentality as the game the Colts (as the Vols back then) are about to play is full of “them.”  And, depending on what the coach is saying to his team behind closed doors, the shrewd leader can motivate his squad beyond any Tony Robbins seminar by expressing his true belief in what he’s so vocal about.  If he can come off sincerely, his guys will tear down doors and bust through walls.

With all that said, do I think the Jets have a shot against the mighty Colts?  Only if a flu epidemic strikes down the home club, starting with #18.  Barring a medical turn for the worse in Naptown, or some other natural disaster, the Jets’ magical run has come to an abrupt end.  As the writer Ayn Rand said:

“We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality.”