Rex and The Renegades



"Loud Noises"

For two decades we have waited.   Four different men have held the office of the presidency.   We have witnessed the cloning of a sheep, two major wars, and the emergence of green energy.   In the Universe of Sport we have seen the Yankees, Lakers, and Patriots all put together mini-dynasties.   There has been a lot of changes and numerous big things come and go.  But after two decades the wait is over.   So often we see villains as individuals in sports.  In the 60's and 70's Muhammad Ali was the angst of middle America.  In the 80's Mike Tyson made everyone feel uncomfortable with Detroit Pistons throwing their hat in the ring.  Since then we have had "villains" pop up now and then but there was no staying power.  Now we have a new bad guy.  We actually have a bunch of them.  They are called the New York Jets and I for one love it.  



"So you felt disrespected? Huh?"

Rex Ryan talks, and he talks and he talks.   Teddy Roosevelt once said "You should speak softly and carry a big stick."  Ryan couldn't disagree with that philosophy more.   Ryan speaks loudly while telling you what you can do with that stick.  His players follow his lead.  Whether it is Shonn Greene pretending to sleep on the ball in the endzone after scoring a touchdown or Bart Scott going berserk on Sal Palantonio, Rex's Renegades follow his lead at 250 mph.  They are like Helio Castroneves coming out of turn four in Indianapolis. They have his back and he has theirs. 

How many teams have the mental and physical make up to go on the road for three straight weeks and beat Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and maybe Ben Roethlisberger? The amazing thing about the Jets is that Ryan has them convinced that America has it in for them.  He has them believing that no one ever gives them a chance to win.  He has them 100% certain that they are Duke and that they are being treated like they are Duquesne.   They love being the team that you love to hate.  They enjoy taking pot shots at anyone and everyone that they can.   It is safe to say that the Jets have become the villain of the sports world and that is a good thing.  Sports is better when its traditional powers are good, superstars are flashy and its bad guys know that they are the bad guys.   The Jets not only embrace the role, it was meant for them.  

The most fascinating thing to me about the Jets is that their quarterback seems to be the most like able guy of the bunch.  If a team is disliked by the majority of American sports fans the QB is usually public enemy number one.   I have heard numerous people express their displeasure for Rex Ryan.   Quite a few people don't like Santonio Holmes.  Bart Scott has joined Ryan and Holmes as a polarizing figure.  If I have ever heard anyone say one bad thing about Mark Sanchez and his behavior I have forgotten what was said.  He is the quite steady post-season leader that a team like that needs.   You can have a bunch of emotional crazies but you need a calming influence.  Mark Sanchez fits that role.   In fact the biggest criticism I have heard of Sanchez is that he is a pretty boy that didn't need to pose for GQ.   He got to take half naked pictures with Hilary Rhoda all day.  That day may have been his biggest win of all.

The question remains what will their staying power be? 

"Guys, don't change a thing."

Even winning dynasties don't last more than a decade.  Ali gave us a little over 10 years.  Tyson gave us about decade as well.  The Pistons gave us just a couple of years.   So do what I am going to do.   I am going to enjoy Rex and the Jets for what they are: outlandish, arrogant, self-aggrandizing, strong, opinionated, juvenile, self-righteous, and most importantly....entertaining. 

So for how long can Rex and the Renegades keep this up?  For all of our sake the longer, the better.

Rewind and Reflect



Thanks for the memories...



17 weeks have come and 17 weeks have gone.  The 2010 NFL Regular Season is now a thing of the past.  The playoffs and SuperBowl always determines how we remember and categorize a season but the regular season gave us some footnotes that we soon won't forget.  

After 20 seasons Brett Favre says he has played his last game.  I know the rule of thumb on this is "I'll believe it when I see it".  I never have thought he was done the past three years.  I do think he is done now.   He had his worst statistical and health related season ever.   Combine that with the Jenn Sterger text/picture scandal, now is the time for #4 to call it a career. 

Que fan outrage and fury

The Seattle Seahawks become the first team, with a losing record,  to win its division and make the playoffs.  A certain sect of fans are furious but given the fact that NFL has been around for eight decades and this is the first time this has happened I am not outraged.  It is the exception not the rule.   And before we get all worked up about teams with losing records making the playoffs in the NFL.  It happens on a regular basis in the NBA and NHL.  The only professional sport that it hasn't happened in is MLB where only 8 of 30 teams make the post-season.  In contrast 12 of 32 NFL teams make the playoffs, the NHL and NBA gives us 16 of 30.   The more post-season bids the higher the chances that a team with a losing records gets in.   It is really amazing that is hasn't happened yet in the NFL. 

The Cowboys, Cardinals and Bengals combined for a 15-33 record just 12 months after all winning their respective divisions.  To the Cowboys credit they did finish 5-3 in their final eight games after starting 1-7.  Oh and doing it with Jon Kitna under center is even more impressive.  Jason Garrett earned the head coaching job and the players seemed to respond to him down the stretch.  With a solid draft and a healthy Tony Romo, Dallas should bounce back in 2011.  



Palmer done in Cincinnati?

 The Cardinals need a QB more than any other team that I can ever remember in the NFL.  Whether they draft one or trade for Kevin Kolb that needs to be their top priority.  Failing to do so pretty much means that Larry Fitzgerald will be else where in 2012.   The Bengals have a tough decision on their hands.  What to do with Carson Palmer?  The 30 year old had his 4th straight season with a QB rating under 90.  The last two seasons Palmer has thrown 47 TDs and 33 INTs.   If you are going to pay franchise QB money to a guy in his prime years he had better play like an elite QB.  Palmer is not giving Cincinnati its money's worth.

Speaking of QBs, can you think of any player that went through more on the field in the last 12 months than Donovan McNabb?  When the Eagles traded McNabb, within the division, to the Redskins a year ago it surprised a lot of people.   Philadelphia wanted to get something out of McNabb before it was too late.  It looks like Andy Reid and Company played their hand perfectly.  Shanahan & Shanahan pulled and benched McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman.  They questioned his endurance and dedication on multiple occasions.  It is hard to fathom that two years ago McNabb and the Eagles were a couple of plays away from going back to the Super Bowl.   In the near future he will be playing for his 3rd team in 15 months.   What's even more amazing is that Peyton Manning, who was drafted a year before McNabb, is still going strong and Tom Brady who is the same age is having one of, if not, his best season ever.

James fought the law and ??

But when I look back on the 2010 NFL Regular Season I will remember it as the season where the NFL decided that enough is enough and the days of players lighting up defenseless players is over.  The term "violent hits" entered the lexicon.  Roger Goodell and the NFL flexed its muscle, and came down with a vengeance, on any defensive player that delivered helmet to helmet hits.  Steelers linebacker James Harrison  decided he was going to take the NFL to task for its crackdown.   The League then put on their binoculars and proceeded to make Harrison their poster boy fining him in excess of $200,000. 

Every now and then I understand the need to question authority.  But when that authority can determine what your paycheck looks like its always better to error on the side of caution.  There were people that said that the elimination of the helmet to helmet, defenseless player hits would weaken and soften the game.   Now that I look back on it those people were right.   I don't plan on watching football ever again.   It goes to show you that change is hard, change is tough, change is not always popular.   But the essence of any living and breathing thing is evolution to its environment.  The NFL evolved in 2010.  And you know what?  It has never been better.