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The Schein Nine: Jones deserves credit for Jets' success
Did you know it was Jets back Thomas Jones?
It's truly amazing how Jones' brilliance gets overshadowed. Brett Favre gets all the attention on offense. Kris Jenkins is in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year. Brandon Jacobs receives the bulk of the publicity for running backs in New York, playing for the Super Bowl champion Giants. Even on SNY, co-hosting Loud Mouths every day and Jets Post Game Live following the Jets games, we get tons of e-mails from die-hard fans asking when the talented Leon Washington is going to take over as the starting running back!
NFL Week 17
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Week 17 action
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Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box
Analysis
Video
Photos
After Jenkins, Jones is the No. 2 reason why the Jets are 6-3 and making a legit push toward to the playoffs. Jones punished the putrid Rams to the tune 149 rush yards and three touchdowns. He set the tone and tempo for the Jets' 47-3 laugher with a huge burst, running left to gain 20 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Jones and Co. never looked back. If he doesn't make the Pro Bowl, the league should cancel the game. He's run for 750 yards on 4.7 yards per carry with eight touchdowns. Last year in his first season in New York, Jones was underwhelming based upon circumstance. His was hurt more than he ever let on. And the offensive line was filled with tomato cans like Adrien Clarke at guard.
Now Jones leads the Jets into a huge showdown Thursday at New England against the rival Pats. The clubs are in a tie for first. The Pats run defense was incredible Sunday against Buffalo, not allowing the Bills to rush for a first down in the first half.
Even with the Jets clicking at the right time, New England has some great advantages in this one, from the Wes Welker/Dwight Lowery matchup to Matt Cassel's fifth-ranked completion percentage, to the Jets short work week with the travel factored in.
I am not convinced this is a good matchup for Favre against a Bill Belichick-coached defense. Jones needs 25 carries Thursday. The AFC East lead depends on it.
2. Tom Coughlin/Andy Reid
I'll confess. I was screaming at the TV. I couldn't figure out why Tom Coughlin was throwing the challenge flag on Sunday night. I thought it was clear Eli Manning was across the line of scrimmage.
Give Coughlin credit for listening to Eli and two of his assistants. I had no idea (and it seems like most people didn't) that the rule stated you had to have every body part past the line to officially be over the line. I thought it was just the ball.
Then there's Reid. I love Andy Reid. But his play selection at the end of the game — running the ball on third and fourth down when Brian Westbrook was bottled up and Donovan McNabb was in a flow — was goofy.
The Giants are the best team in the NFC. But I still think the Eagles can make the playoffs. It helps having Cincy on the slate next. And the Giants don't exactly have a layup this week against the Ravens. ...
3. Ray Lewis/Joe Flacco
There is nothing like watching a living legend work his magic on the field. It was another special Sunday for Lewis against Houston with two picks. There were whispers a few years ago that Lewis was in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. Now the only whispers you hear are about Lewis rightly being a first team All-Pro selection and the sensational leadership he has brought to the 6-3 Baltimore Ravens.
And then there's Baltimore's rookie quarterback. Watching Joe Flacco throw the ball down field, watching the offensive line gel, watching the Ravens offense explode during Baltimore's four-game win streak has been the single most surprising element of the 2008 season. I thought it would happen, but I was looking at the middle of 2009.
4. Colts' heart and unsung heroes
Color me ultra-impressed with the Colts' come-from-behind win in Pittsburgh. I never envisioned a scenario where Indy would fall behind and beat the Steelers. Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy deserve a lot of credit. Manning showed a lot of guts once again. Chalk up the third win this year (Minnesota, Houston and Pittsburgh) where the Colts were able to pull one out late.
And how about Eric Foster being able to stone Mewelde Moore when he was knocking on the door for a touchdown?
Dungy told me Monday on Sirius NFL Radio, "That was a big play. He's a free-agent guy out of Rutgers who has done a lot of things well for us. That was a huge play on the goal line to hold them to three points. And then we got a big play from Tim Jennings. That interception was huge, giving us the ball in a position to score. It's what I told the guys on Saturday night. You never know where the big play is going to come from. When your time comes, be ready. And those guys were."
And when you toss around names like Foster and Jennings, you need to give credit to future Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian.
I see no way the Colts fall back and lose to Houston this week.
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| Adam Schein isn't convinced Ben Roethlisberger is healthy enough to play against the Chargers. (Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press) |
5. Big Ben
The NFL is a funny league. You are hot one minute and struggling mightily the next.
It's very easy to kill Ben Roethlisberger for how he's played the past few weeks. He was bad against the Giants and 'Skins, and costly against the Colts. You can blame Ben for his throws or for holding the ball too long. You can fault the overmatched offensive line or the play selection. You'd be right.
But I have to ask out loud — is Big Ben healthy? Should he play Sunday against the Chargers? I am not a doctor, but I am not convinced he should go.
6. Norv
I know a win is a win. And yes, the penalty on Clinton Hart at the end of the game was a horrible, inexcusable call. But who in San Diego is happy? How do you come out at home against the lowly Chiefs and play such uninspired football? How do you get penalized on offense early after a bye week? The AFC West is up for grabs. I am not sure San Diego wants it.
7. The Carolina Panthers are bringing the pain
Safety Chris Harris is having a Pro Bowl season for the 7-2 Panthers.
We asked him Monday on Sirius NFL Radio if he believes Carolina can win the Super Bowl.
"Yes I do," Harris said. "I honestly do. I feel just like I did in Chicago when we went to the Super Bowl in '06. We have a great defense just like we did in Chicago. We are playing pretty well. And our offense might be playing better than the one we had in Chicago. We have playmakers every where on offense. We can run. We have game-breakers at receiver. Jake (Delhomme) is having a big year and he can throw the ball well. Our tight ends are playing well. Our defense is playing lights out. We aren't giving up the big play. And that's the key for us the rest of the way."
Are the Panthers getting enough pub as being a team that can win it all?
"We don't want it," Harris told us. "We don't want anyone talking about us. We were sitting around talking about this the other day. We like to fly under the radar. The more we fly under the radar the more people overlook us."
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| Safety Chris Harris is having a Pro Bowl season for the 7-2 Panthers. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images) |
Delhomme was terrible in Oakland with four picks. He needs to play like he did in the first half for Carolina to make a run.
Harris also said the difference between Julius Peppers last year versus this year is "night and day" as both a player and a leader, and he sees a correlation between the two. Harris explained that Peppers can now be the voice of the Carolina defense with Mike Rucker retired.
Carolina goes from a bye week to the Raiders to the Lions, making them the first team in NFL history to have three straight bye weeks.
8. Rebuilding since 1957: Detroit Lions
I've been saying it since Week 4. I'll write it again. The Lions will go 0-16. The fact that Detroit started Daunte Culpepper at quarterback when he was retired two weeks ago is a disgrace. Why don't you figure out what you have in Drew Stanton? I feel terrible for the great Lions fans. Detroit has reached a new level of stupidity and ineptitude.
9. Vikings
Minnesota desperately needed to beat Green Bay for the first time under Brad Childress. And the Vikings defense was great in the win. I give Chad Greenway credit for admitting on Monday that the safety where Aaron Rodgers threw sidearm was probably a bad call. But he was not apologizing. They needed that win.
Now, show me something and beat the Bucs in Tampa.
Adrian Peterson is something out of this world. And he's officially in the MVP conversation.
Member Comments
Just another weak, loser article by an amature writer at best Adam Schein. I guess Favre denied him an interview (thank gooodness) and Adam is like a dumped girlfried. What a loser......
tel1dxm11/23/2008 17:34:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I still do not see how the Referee could say that was indisputable eveidence to reverse the call on the field. Isn'that the rule?
LanceA.Boyle11/14/2008 10:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Eli,... STRAP UP, BUD! The Ravens are coming!!!
MysticDragon11/13/2008 3:27:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey, Adam, how about a little note in one of yours articles about how a call Farve did make - to McCarthy to congratulate him on the birth of his daughter. Pretty classy.
J-E-T-S_Fan11/12/2008 21:13:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hey cowboys....just found a hot place, You should try it ----sugar b a b y match.com---- a greatplace to meet hot women and successful men.... The girls are so hot lol
MaryGold36911/12/2008 15:34:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I think Adrian Peterson is spectacular, but to say he is in the MVP conversation is ridiculous. The Vikes are 5-4 headed to 8-8 and watching the playoffs. He also fumbles too much.
straightup6711/12/2008 6:00:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
A Day in the Life ?<br /><br />Let?s get out to the Meadowlands to catch the very end of the Jets v. Rams to hear how Bob Poppa is doing filling in on the Jets radio broadcast today:<br /><br />Poppa: ?What we have here is an arse-whooping!?<br /><br />And now down to the Jets press room, where the sports reporters await the appearance of Jets QB Brett Farve. Huddled in one corner is the gaggle from SI, squabbling:<br /><br />Perloff: ?It?s my turn to write a Farve story.? <br /><br />Wee-Z: ?No, it?s my turn!?<br /><br />Banks: ?Why do you always get to do it? I need ratings too!?<br /><br />King: ?Banks, you take Pennington.?<br /><br />Banks: ?Aw, c?mon, Chad?s great, but that?s like writing about the most efficient oven for Consumer Reports. Folks want the National (Sports) Enquirer, the big star in the big city, pump him up and rip him down - sex appeal!? <br /><br />Wee-Z: ?Sex appeal? I sure like that Deanne! Hey, don?t tell the Redhead over there.?<br /><br />King: ?Alright, this isn?t getting us anywhere. Let?s just do the usual.?<br /><br />Perloff wins the day with scissors: ?Yeah baby! Nothing but nothing brings them in like peppering Farve. Shoot, I?ll get so many comments from people telling me I don?t know anything that people will start thinking I know something! Hmmm ? I wonder what I should write about??<br /><br />Wee-Z: ?Nuts! Farve?s had 300 interceptions! 300! 300! That?s my line, don?t steal it!?<br /><br />Marvez: ?Enough already with that, Z, and he?s got the most ever touchdowns. He?s played 17 years straight, starting every game. Get it??<br /><br />King: ?I got dibs on Farve?s nephew!?<br /><br />Banks: ?Damn! I don?t get him either??<br /><br />The SI gaggle breaks, joining the other sports reporters, as Farve enters the press room:<br /><br />Farve: ?Well, I thought that was just a great team effort - defense, special teams, the running game, TJ and Leon were awesome, and a terrific effort by Dustin. The coaches did a great job preparing us. OK, with that I?ll take questions. Jay??<br /><br />Glazer: ?Mr. Fav-ray, about today?s game, I have it from an impeccable inside source that you recently got a call from Ben Rothlisberger asking for advice on how to get past the Green Bay cheerleaders. Would you care to comment on this sensational story of network-switching treachery?? <br /><br />Schein: Whispers to Glazer, ?No, I said Farve called Ben.?<br /><br />Farve: ?I?m sorry, what was that?? Farve looks down and starts texting on his cell phone.<br /><br />Glazer: ?Yes, Mr. Fav-ray, let me clarify. I have it from an implausible source inside Fox that you recently got a call ??<br /><br />Schein: Whispering urgently, ?You?re still not listening - Farve made the call!? <br /><br />Farve: ?Well, I?m not sure what you?re talking about there. Actually, the Packers use local high school cheerleaders for the games. It?s really pretty quaint.?<br /><br />King?s cell phone beeps with a new text message: ?What the heck is their problem? Brett.?<br /><br />Glazer: ?Um, Mr. Fav-ray, another clarification if I may. I have it from an emasculate source sitting next to me that you returned a call from Ben Rothli-Stiller ?<br /><br />Schein: Shouts out loud, ?Idiot!?<br /><br />King: Sends a text back, ?Brett, remember the 90?s, when I was your best buddy??<br /><br />Farve: ?Maybe we better move on ? Stray, how are you doing?<br /><br />Strahan: ?Good B.?<br /><br />Farve: ?What?s your question??<br /><br />Strahan: ?Can you tell us, B, how sometimes a defense can get really confusing to a QB even at the end of a game you?ve already got won, maybe causing the QB to forget to hand the ball off to the running back and to try to run around the right end only to be crushed by the devilishly handsome soon-to-be single season sacks leader who, by the way, voted for you for the Pro Bowl 16 years in a row??<br /><br />Farve: ?Um, that?s kind of old news there, Stray.?<br /><br />Strahan: ?Yeah, that?s right, B, record-book old, baby!?<br /><br />Farve: ?How about you, sir, next to the cute Redhead??<br /><br />Wee-Z: ?Gosh, Brett, that was just such a good game, and it is so great to meet you! Is your favorite color still green??<br /><br />King: Sighs and whispers to Marvez, ?Columbia must be so proud.?<br /><br />Farve shakes his head and exits:<br /><br />Perloff: ?Can you believe the amount of attention this guy gets? I?m writing about that!?
J-E-T-S_Fan11/11/2008 21:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Adam, are you sucking up to me like Schrager cuz you don't want me to make fun of you like I do to him and Marvez?
11/11/2008 19:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
ftballgrl, Well put! This is a huge week for us. We have an opportunity to kick A.__ on the G'Men and finally get some national respect. How much fun has this been so far to witness? I can't wait for this Sunday!!!
ravensnos111/11/2008 17:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Watch out for the mighty Ravens....coming to a town near you to make rubble.
discreet11/11/2008 16:38:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Baltimore fans knew that Ray Lewis and the defense where still one of the best, but Flacco has been a big surprise! In a season that so many stars are hurt, the term "on any given sunday" has really played out. If the Ravens can go 2-2 against the tough NFC East, the playoffs are realistic.
SoCalRaven11/11/2008 16:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
that was a nice joke about carolina having 3 bye weeks
Mrfixit91511/11/2008 16:16:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Agree 100% Ray Lewis IS having an outstanding season, he is one of the BEST!!! and our ROOKIE QB .... WOW , he is making a name for himself and helping this team FINALLY have an OFFENSE, it is SO thrilling to see !! GO RAVENS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ftballgrl11/11/2008 15:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
As a long time Lions fan, (I know you don't have to say it,) I agree with Schein on this point number 8, the Lions have a second round draft pick, Stanton who is in his second season if he hasn't shown in practice that he is ready to step in before a guy who wasn't even on the team two weeks ago you need to cut him, dump him, you have to be pretty bad for a team not to give you a shot when the only other option is to play a player who was just signed a week ago and was retired for the past year, If your second round pick from a year ago can't play then he has absolutely NO BUSINESS BEING ON THE TEAM. Will someone please make the Fords sell this team.
youropinionsucks11/11/2008 14:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Baltimore comes out of the AFC North. That's one team I wouldn't want to play in the playoffs.
jon_46411/11/2008 14:40:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
And the Clowns sucking isn't a surprise!.Ngata for ALL PRO! Phil Savage is done.
thunders529111/11/2008 14:33:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I would watch out for Carolina and Washington. Brees is playing lights out, but I don't think that will get them to the big dance. Tampa is a sleeper as well but I think that Carolina just has more playmakers. Gaines Adamas is having a heck of a year too, though. The Colts must know something. Either they're going to miss the playoffs or they will make the playoffs and be killing everyone because all of a sudden, nobody respects Marvin Harrison and he's become a sleeper. I'll tell you what. Harrison hasn't lost a step, Peyton just hasn't been looking his way, and when he does the timing is bad. He's looking at Reggie all day. If the Colts make the playoffs and their stars are healthy, watch out for Peyton and Marvin Harrison, the sleeper. How weird does that sound?
DB2211/11/2008 14:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
the ravens are the big surprise in the nfl..it's an even numbered year...don't worry next year they will be the bust of the nfl
mcguinn3311/11/2008 13:01:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Greatnes21 whats left of the Eagles schedule is very easy they could easily go 12-4 or 11-5, that will make them the playoffs for sure. The Giants schedule is relentless in the upcoming weeks and they will certainly lose plenty of games. The cowboys are falling apart and the Redskins schedule is also very hard. The Eagles will probably end up 2nd in there division. And the only media hyped quarterbacks are Eli Manning and Ben Rothlisberger.
PSUisthebest11/11/2008 12:36:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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