G-Dammit Chad

Now, I'm not one to beat on Chad Pennington. I have supported him throughout his career. He has paid off in big ways for the Jets several times, and has been good for the most part this year coming off his surgery. But yesterday, we needed the take-charge Chad, the guy who could win games that were there for the taking. Alas, that Chad did not show up.

First, the end-zone interception. This is now #2 this year, after having NEVER thrown a red-zone interception prior to this season. The pass was telegraphed so well Stevie Wonder could have picked it off. Coles was wide open to the left, but Chad never looked in his direction. The link between the two of them seems to have disappeared. The second was no less egregious. Flushed out of the pocket, he tries a little semi-screen to Baker, that wound up like a kite that my 6 year old could have caught. He should have taken the sack at that point, there was no chance he was going to be able to get anything on the ball.

What makes this loss so tough to take is that this was a winnable game. The Bears offense was awful, one big play when Coleman fell on the 8 yard pass. The run defense was not that great, but Grossman showed nothing this game. They had 7 yeards passing in the FIRST HALF. The Jets defense, on the pass at least, was great. The offense got nothing going. Why Barlow was underused after his performance last week is beyond me. I know Mangini likes to switch things up, to try to stay ahead of the other team, but he needs to run with the hot legs a little more frequently. I'm not going to kill him for the on-side kick, it was a gamble, and I liked seeing it. The defense held, limiting the Bears to a touchdown, despite letting them get to within smelling distance of the goal line.

The offense has issues. The running game is inconsistent, great one week, awful the next. Chad is not making the plays he made earlier this year. The draw plays were plentiful yesterday, but too many went for naught (attn Mr. Schottenheimer, maybe change things up a bit). The best running play was Tim Dwights reverse. They need to get more out of the backs. There is talent there, it's been shown many times. It needs to be more consistent. Stop flipping starters each week, pick one guy, and run with him.

Six games left, 5 are winnable. I'm not going to cry too much, as I did not expect much this year, given the turnover of players and coaches, but seeing how well they played last week, and the chance to win yesterday against a top NFC team, has me and I'm sure many fans thinking Playoffs. Let the players talk the word. Let them go for it. It is there for the taking Eric, lead them there.

Other Notes
The Isles took 3 out of 4 points in Florida this weekend, Rick DiPietro played well against Tampa, stopping 36 of 38 shots. Then, Mike Dunham played well in a 4-1 win over the Panthers. Yashin continues his good play, the defense is settling in, and Rick is playing as well as he has played in his short career. I think this team has a legitimate shot at the playoffs this year. Ted Nolan is doing a great job with a young defense, and not a whole lot of talent at the forward position.

The Mets are due to decline Tom Glavine's option. He is to make a decision by Dec 4, the start of the winter meetings, as to where he will finish his career. I hope he stays with the Mets. His veteran leadership is a benefit to the young arms which will fill out 2 or 3 spots in the rotation next year.

The Mets are apparently going to sign Moises Alou to a one year deal to replace Cliff Floyd. The main difference is Alou is a righty bat. Otherwise, they are similar, in that both are injury prone. I guess Milledge is either done, or is going to get a full AAA season in Louisiana. Of course, Buster Olney thinks the Mets should totally reshuffle the lineup, moving Beltran to #2, followed by Alou, and having PLD bat 6. If this does not happen, he thinks Alou will bat 4th. Now, I can kind of see the first part, it makes some sense (although after Beltran's season in the 3 hole last year, you gotta wonder). But having Alou bat 4th? Buster, he is not nearly the power threat Delgado is. There is no reason to bat Alou 4th, as Beltran is a switch hitter, so you do not have lefty/lefty issues. Bat Alou 5th, Wright 6th. There is no fear in doubling up righties. I'll trust Willie on what he comes up with, and I think he is going to leave PLD in #2, Beltran in #3, and have Alou in the 5 hole. Besides, given his injury history, why would you bat him 4th? Then you run the risk of messing up the top 4 spots when he is out. And is Endy comes in late as a defensive replacement (which will happen), do you really want him in the 4 spot? Methinks not. Check out Metradamus for his take on Alou.

At least the Alfonso Soriano talk is done. The Cubs are paying $136 million over 7 years. So much for the Cubs being a small market team. By the way, he will lead off, and might play center field. Good luck with that Lou.

The other news I hope will happen is a possible trade of Manny Ramirez to the Angels. This way, I no longer have to worry about Manny to the Mets. Alou of course limits the possibility, but until Manny is traded, you can never be too sure.