Still Waiting...

Well, both the Mets and Jets had issues this weekend. Let's start with the Jets.

Despite Chad Pennington throwing for over 300 yards for the second straight game (first time in his career), the Jets feel to the Patriots yesterday, 24-17. The New England Belichickens jumped out to a 24 - 0 lead, thanks to continued kicking game issues, this time punter Ben Graham, who shanked a punt late in the second quarter, the result being a 10 yard punt and a Patriots TD.

The running game, or lack thereof continues to hurt the Jets. Blaylock, Washington and Barlow combined for a total of 51 yards on 24 carries, 2.1 yards per carry. That is not going to get it done. Teams know that the Jets can't run, so they are going to come after Chad, hard, and make him beat them alone. While he has bounced up from each hit the last couple of games, how much longer can he be expected to do so?

The passing game looks good. Coles and Cotchery each had big plays on short passes. Coles used the stiff arm to good effect. These guys, assuming Chad is alive after the next game, could have a nice season. Talk all you want about Chad not having a powerful arm, as I wrote last week, he is smart, he gets the ball to the receiver. If they can break a couple of tackles, things can happen. The Jets rarely in their history have had guys like that, usually the receiver catches the ball and goes down. Nice to see these guys fighting for yards after the catch, and making things happen.

They had a chance at the end to tie it. Things looked bleak, as New England once again drove down the field, but a blocked field goal by Bryan Thomas (finally starting to play well after being a 1st rounder a few years ago) gave the Jets the ball. The Jets moved to their own 45 with 26 second left, but an interception at the NE 25 ended the drive and the game.

Still, based on the expectations coming into this season, the team should be proud. They played well the first game, and yesterday made a game of it when they could have given up. Nice to see the fight is there. It can translate into wins at some point.

Can someone explain to me why Eric Mangini feels the need to cover for Belicheck? Eric, the cord is cut, Belicheck snubbed you in front of 80,000 fans and many more at home yesterday. I don't want to hear that you are friends still. The man is an ass. He could have at least shook your hand. He insulted you, because his ego is more important to him than your getting an opportunity to be a head coach. Belichicken hates Woody Johnson. Woody signs your checks, not Bill. Send him a little love note saying "Dear Bill, GFY you Fat Bastard, your former friend Eric. PS: You don't like it, TFB."



As for the Mets, this weekend saw the appearance of SUCKME and leftitis. Toasty Joe coined SUCKME, which stands for Shaky Unknown Chuckers Kill the Mets Every time. Well, that is what has happened as of late, especially Friday and Saturday. Unknown lefties took the mound for the Pirates, and shut the Mets down. Yesterday, we saw Zach Duke, far from a SUCKME, as he is a known quantity. Yesterday was simply leftitis.

Now, a couple of weeks ago, I was not all that concerned about the Mets facing lefties. Some fans were concerned about the Padres getting David Wells, but not me, thinking its only one guy in a rotation. Since then, the Dodgers have thrown two unknowns, the Pirates threw 2 unknowns and 1 known. The Mets have gone down each time. I am not starting to worry. Even the players are making jokes, asking if Florida called up any lefties for tonight. Thankfully, no, they are throwing righty Moehler.

So the Mets now have an 8 game homestand where they can end the waiting and clinch the division. A word to fans who may be there when it happens. I know it's been a long wait, I've been with you every step of the way. But please, do not tear up the field. They have a game tomorrow. The groundscrew will have to patch it up. Do you want to be the person responsible for an outfielder hurting their leg stepping into a divot? I didn't think so. Scream your head off, go home, pop open a beer, and watch the highlights on the news. Keep your ticket stub. But don't rip up the turf. They need the field for another month plus. Let's show some control.

So, let's set the DVR or VCR for tonight. Keep the drink of choice on ice. Trax takes the mound. This is a chance for Steve to get the fans in his corner. If he gets the win tonight while pitching well, we fans may (I stress, may) forgive the past couple of poor outings. To be the guy on the mound when they end 18 years of waiting will get you a lot of love. Go get 'em Steve!