I'd Rather Get Beat Up In An Alley

On one hand, he’s the best young quarterback in the league. He’s got an accurate cannon for an arm and he can complete passes in the most epic weather conditions. Many feel that Cutler is the type of talent rarely seen in the NFL.

On the other hand, Jay Cutler is a jackass. At least he seems like one to those of us who don’t know him personally but read his stupid comments in the papers and hear him on TV. He just comes off as an egotistical tool.

That’s where we are right now. Possibly the best quarterback in the game is begging to get out of Denver and the Jets have a giant ? under center. Cutler’s an obvious solution if he didn’t resemble a smarmy used car sales man.

Since day 1, Rex Ryan has been adament that the Jet’s “quarterback of the future” is already on the roster. That was before whatever happened between the Bronco’s and Cutler went down. While I for one would love to see Kellen Clemmens get his chance, Cutler’s talent is tough to ignore. He’s just too damn good. Physically, Cutler’s as gifted as they come. His heart, his brain, and his leadership are what we call into question. One thing’s for sure (in my humble opinion), if the Jet’s grabbed JC, Thomas Jones will have another monster season. Nobody- not even Belicik- cheats off of Cutler’s receivers.

The question in most of our minds is, “What would it take to get him here?’ Normally I’d think he wouldn’t be worth it but Cutler’s throwing a temper tandrum over there and that tends to speed things up. Our first round pick (number 17)? Do it. Our second round pick and Kellen Clemens? (sorry KC) Do it. What about our 1st rounder and Leon Washington? Wow, that’s a little harder for me to swallow. That’s also the most recent trade rumor floating around the internet. I feel like Leon is such a little piece of Bad Ass that his best is yet to come. But isn’t a quaterback more important than a return-specialist/change-of-pace back, especially one that changes the pace of the AFC’s leading rusher? hmmmm… What if he’s the best quarterback in the NFL? But what if Leon’s the best return-specialist/change-of-pace-back ever? I JUST DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ANYMORE!!! When did Leon become expendable?!!? I guess it’s justified but I’d feel better if we sent them Jones for Cutler straight up.

I feel like it’s important to note that Buffalo is also rumored to be gunning for Cutler.

Cutler + TO = a headache for you, me, Dupree, Chad P, BB, Rex’s D, and everything else AFCE.

When the clock struck midnight last Thursday, many Jets fans turned to the internet for immediate news of the moves their team was making. Despite NFL propaganda, the Jets had created tons of room under the salary cap to play with. They had even more money to throw around then they expected thanks Laveranues Coles‘ sudden generosity- he pretty much gave back the 8 million bucks he was guaranteed so he could go play ball with Chad in Miami. Problem with his strategy is a big ol’ fat man named Bill Parcells who eats little wide receivers for lunch. Thanks Coles. Only time will tell if you’ve dropped the ball… again.

Well, the Jets apparently waited ten whole minutes before descending upon Bart Scott‘s house, dragging him all the way to Jersey, and signing his “violent” butt to a six year contract. Then the Jets went back to Baltimore (or made a phone call anyway) and have now signed Jim Leonard as well. Sweet.

The Jets even came up looking rosey after releasing long time lineman Brandon Moore. Around the inter-web, Jets fans weren’t too happy with the release of Moore. He was a rock-solid presence on the line. Dependable. And now he’s cheaper than he was. Brandon resigned with the Jets for $16 million for the next four years. The big $7 million hit we were going to take this year is no Moore.

TJ Houshmanhowyouspellhisname ended up in Seattle which means he won’t be coming here (boo), but it also means that the Seahawks probably won’t use their #4 draft pick on another wide receiver (yay!). Drafting a wide receiver is an option for the Jets especially since they grabbed the two-time probowling Lito Shepard to help out at cornerback. We really need a speedy #1 Wide Receiver that commands a double team. Thoughts?

Remember how last year we showed Pennington some “respect” by unconditionally releasing him so that he could be free to find his own deal? Remember how he stayed in our division and kinda sorta made us look stupid? Well Bill Belicik remembered and there was no way in hell he was letting Matt Cassel even sniff the Atlantic Ocean again. The franchise tag was placed on him not to keep him a Patriot but to control where he landed. Vrabel to Kansas City made me smile. Both Vrabel and Cassel? KC looks to have gotten a stellar deal. The Patriots will be drafting a platoon of new young players in this draft. Also, something tells me that Tom Brady’s rehab is going exceptionally well.

The frenzied opening days of Free Agency are over but rest assured Rex and Tannenbaum still have plenty of cards to play. I expect them to sign a tight end that can block to replace Chris Baker. Jay Cutler‘s name is being kicked around probably by every team in the league. You know, the way he was blindsided in trade talks last week, I almost feel sorry for him. Then again, if he didn’t act like a constant jerk-off every chance he gets maybe the Broncos wouldn’t be trying to get rid of him. I would love to have his arm in a Jets uniform… just not his attitude.

Getting beaten up by a bunch of street punks wouldn’t have been anywhere near as painful as the last five weeks have been for Jets fans. The Football Gods just opened up their golden endzone, smiled upon the Jet faithful, and then poo-ed all over us. Wow that one sucked. I’m good at rationalizing but this was tough. I can’t help but wonder if Belichick’s karma contributed. The powers-that-be would rather see Manigini fired than a cheater coach his way through injuries galore and return to glory.

Eric Mangini had to go. The consistent problems we’ve had – an inability to adjust to other team’s game plans, the inability to win in the Pacific time zone, the inability to stop the pass (any pass), the reluctance to run the ball with the AFC’s leading rusher, stupid play calling, stupid time management, penalties penalties penalties – everything points to a coach who just isn’t getting the job done. We had Pennington, Belichick, and the rest of the East in a headlock with the most talented team in the league (7 pro-bowlers). My little sister would have had a problem screwing this one up. You know how, for the past month, you were thinking, “This can’t really be happening?” So was the front office. Of course they fired him at the first opportunity. He’s been ineffective since he sat down for Thanksgiving dinner.

So Bill Cowher was going to come in and be interviewed, then he wasn’t, then he was again, and now he’s not. Again. Who knows what’s going on with this one?

Bill Parcells will probably duck out of Miami and it makes sense if only for the Marbury themed paychecks he’ll be getting. Why not get paid Millions not to work and get paid millions to work at the same time. Same amount of work, twice the cash. Double dipping is as American as “cheese food” and just as tasty. Last time I checked, Parcells is an American.

Mike Shannahan got canned. Which I love, because I hate the Broncos and I really hate Jay Cutler. For Shannahan to have gotten fired it means the Broncos must have really screwed up… and boy did they. Shanny is a great coach but also a dirty one. Remember those Broncos players flopping against the Jets every time our offense got some momentum? Shannahan coaches to win and it’s not always pretty. Belicheat vs Shannahan twice a year? There’s going to be some busted knees if this one happens.

So, yeah we need a coach and the list of prospects is getting longer by the day. Ideally here’s what I’d like to see happen. Parcells leaves Miami, grabs Romeo Crennel as his defensive coordinator, and gives Jerry Jones the finger on his way into town. Then he fixes our secondary and lights a fire under Favre’s ass.

For my two cents Favre can’t be blamed until his receivers stop letting balls fly through their hands. I’ve lost so much respect for Laveranues Coles this season. Favre threw waaaaay too many interceptions but he never gave up on a single play. Unfortunately, his team often did.

The good news is, by firing Mangini “Next Year” has already begun for Jets fans. So much is up in the air… speaking of balls in the air, our secondary needs some serious off-season attention. Here we go again….

Happy New Year to All!!!

To Be Continued…