New York Giants Owner Mara Upset About Travel
Came out this week that Giants’ owner John Mara is upset that his squad must make the two thousand mile 
trek to Denver for its Thanksgiving clash with the Broncos. “I don’t mind playing on Thanksgiving,” Mara said. “My complaint is sending us all the way to Denver on a short week.” In fact, he was so irked by the scheduling that he filed a complaint with the NFL; which made me wonder. Is that complaint hotline for the exclusive use of petty, carpetbagging owners that were born on third and thought they hit a triple? Or can it be used by life long season ticket holders being screwed out of their seats by Mara’s Personal Seat Licensing extortion? Sorry, Johnny, if you’re looking for sympathy, you came to the wrong place.
NFL Football Serves Its Biggest Turkeys On Thanksgiving
Football and Thanksgiving are synonymous in the minds of many sports fans. Can’t see that continuing into the next generation with an annual NFL slate featuring terrible matchups. This year, Bruce Goodell’s boys serve up two of their worst; The Raiders and Lions. Thanks, guys. If you need me, I’ll be watching the Godfather marathon on AMC.
Nets Basketball Fans Don’t Grow In Brooklyn
So, now Nets’ owner Bruce Ratner wins his eminent domain battle to evict homeowners and build his Atlantic Yards empire in Brooklyn. Got news for you, Brucie. Brooklynites aren’t dummies and won’t soon be drawn to that mess you call a basketball team. If you build it, they won’t come unless you can play.
New York Jets Get Defensive With QB Sanchez
If you’re scoring at home, now that Derek Anderson and JaMarcus Russell have been benched, Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez is, officially, the worst starter in the league. And how does Gang Green plan to address this? With Head Coach Rex Ryan, hired on the strength of his defensive expertise, taking a more active role in the rookie’s development. Who knows, maybe Sanchez will be more receptive to a defensive guy seeing as how receptive defenders have been of his passes. However it works out, it’s another example of the Jets not getting it right. Last off season, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was a candidate for the head job that eventually went to Ryan. Amazingly, they decided to retain Schottenheimer. No team but the Jets would then force an offensive coordinator on a new coach; he’d hire his own guy. That Sanchez has gotten worse as the season has progressed is an indictment of both the Jets and Schottenheimer but, at least, an indication that they got one right in not hiring him to lead the team. Hey, when you’re a Jets fan, you have to take your victories where you can find them.
Notre Dame Football Coach On Way Out
After last week’s loss to Connecticut, it’s a foregone conclusion that Notre Dame will pull the plug on the Charlie Weis era. As they start their search for a replacement, one criterion is more important than any other. They must sign their first choice for the spot. The Notre Dame job was once thought of as the greatest in sports. So much so that Lou Holtz, who coached at a number of schools, always had a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave if the Irish came calling. But, in recent years, that perception has been diminished; much to Notre Dame’s detriment. Bob Davie got the job back in 1996 after Gary Barnett thumbed his nose and headed to Colorado. Before Ty Willingham was brought in, George O’Leary was hired then dismissed due to inaccuracies on his resume. Then, when Willingham flopped, Urban Meyer was thought to be on his way, only to take the job at Florida and leave Notre Dame with second prize once again. Given the fact that Weis is due $18 million on his way out the door, I’m wondering if it isn’t a better idea to keep him on until that Dream Coach is available. It’d certainly be a more productive solution than settling once again.
“Christopher is Well”
About nine years ago, I first met a young man named Chris; at the time, all of eleven years old. He was a quiet, private kid and remains so to this day which is why I’m only using his first name. His dad and I worked together on Wall Street and I convinced John to send Chris to the week long basketball camp upstate where I was a coach. Every day, during each meal and then again before lights out, I’d check on the kid to make sure things were going well. Always got the same answer. “Yeah, fine.” Nothing more. By the end of the week, one that saw him take home an All Star trophy, I told John that I wasn’t sure Chris had enjoyed the camp. “Of course he did”, John said, “he’s just quiet.”
Chris went on to become a classmate of my son in high school. They were very much alike in many ways and became friends and teammates. They played for a JV coach who worked them hard and challenged them every day and they both responded. Each came out of his shell and emerged as a productive player; feeding off the confidence of their coach and their faith in all of their teammates. It was one of those seasons where the record didn’t matter as all of the young men improved as players and people. They were each given a nickname by the coach as well, and one look at Christopher’s winter-white, freckled face instantly gave him away as the one they called, “Irish.”
About a year after Chris left high school as the captain of the varsity basketball team, we learned that doctors had found a mass in his chest. Chris would undergo chemotherapy treatment with an uncertain prognosis. His incredible physical condition, one that had actually masked some symptoms, would allow doctors to aggressively attack the tumor and they started almost immediately. I remember being terrified for Chris, my friend John, their family and even of telling my own son what had happened. I’ll never forget the night we went to visit. Chris was wiped out from a treatment and was actually too weak to even speak. When I entered the room shortly after my son, I was struck to see these two strong young men, silently holding each other’s hands. I won’t ever forget that image.
Six months later, Chris finished his last treatment and was told there were no longer any signs of the tumor. He showed up at a basketball game at his old school and was mobbed by the many coaches and former classmates so happy that their good friend was doing better. Given his quiet demeanor, it had to be one of the worst moments of his journey. But he tolerated it very well.
It’s been a tough five years or so for a lot of us. I’ve been struggling over the last few weeks to find the spirit of the season and avoid being dragged down emotionally by the difficult times in which I find myself while drawing very little consolation from the fact that I am but one of many going through the same thing. Then I saw the envelope on the table. It was big, like a wedding invitation and my first reaction was dread as an expensive gift is certainly not in the budget. When I opened it, however, my heart was suddenly filled with the happiness of the holiday. It was a little note from Chris and his family; updating his condition and thanking all for their support. I had to read it a few times, however, as my eyes instantly filled up after seeing the first three words, ”Christopher is Well.” Happy Thanksgiving.
By Eddie Mayrose
Giants Lost in the Shuffle
With the Jets off to a stunning 2-0 start, much of the sports discussion in New York 
has become different versions of, “Everything you always wanted to know about Rex but were afraid to ask.” Unfortunately, the media frenzy surrounding Gang Green’s unexpected success under its fiery, new Head Coach has pushed an even better story off of the back pages.
In the August 31st edition of Sports Illustrated, Giants’ GM Jerry Reese discussed how the team’s Wide Receiver position would be impacted by the loss of Plaxico Burress and the organization’s decision not to trade for an established veteran. “We love developing our own guys and we feel like we have quality receivers to get the job done”, he said at the time. Reese looked very smart Sunday night as Mario Manningham and Steve Smith each pulled in ten balls for over 100 yards and a touchdown in the Giants big win over Dallas.
The thing is, Reese’s quote was just a different take on similar statements he’s made regarding Head Coach Tom Coughlin, QB Eli Manning and an untested Offensive Line over the course of the last few years. Under Reese, the Giants have established themselves as a consistently competitive team simply by sticking to their guns; making sound evaluations and then supporting them when things get tough. So far, it’s produced four straight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl. So, enjoy the excitement of the Meadowlands’ other tenants. The Giants actually prefer that you do. But don’t lose sight of the fact that consistency beats occasional success every day of the week.
Jets’ Fast Start Fools Even Most Loyal Followers
Cheap Seater and Jets season ticket holder Lou Ricciardi, who would have opted to start Kellen Clemens over Mark Sanchez because of what he expected to be a disastrous start, chimed in this week on the euphoria sweeping Jets’ nation. “I can’t believe how wrong I was but I hope they continue to prove me incorrect all year” said Ricciardi. “I’ve had season tickets for twenty years and I’ve never heard the Meadowlands that loud.”
We’ve seen this kind of quick turnaround under a new head coach before. In his first season, Herm Edwards won the AFC East only to oversee three ensuing flops while Eric Mangini was dubbed “Man-Genius” after his first year netted a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance. It seems a little different with Ryan, though, if only because he’s recognized that the first thing that needs to be changed is the team’s attitude. He’s imposed his attack mentality on his defensive charges and fired up the fans in the process. That he rubbed one in the face of archrival Bill Bellichick is even better. But, after all of the phone calls to ticket holders and pregame speeches, this is still a team with a rookie QB that has struggled in December throughout its history. If Ryan and Sanchez can finish the season the way they’ve started it, the Jets may finally have themselves a winner.
On The Joba Training
Now that Phil Hughes has firmly established himself as a reliable eighth inning reliever, the Yankees have no alternative but to use Joba Chamberlain as their fourth starter in the postseason. With that in mind, it’s probably a good idea to get Chamberlain some more work; as his latest outing in Seattle clearly indicates that the Joba Rules put in place to limit his innings are also limiting his effectiveness.
Shooting Guard
Apparently misunderstanding his coach’s instructions to “drive and shoot”, Cleveland Cavs’ guard DeLonte West was arrested last week for carrying two unlicensed handguns and a shotgun while riding his motorcycle. After two years of passing the ball to LeBron James, seems like West finally decided it was his turn to take a shot.
Sore Loser
When Bill Bellichick offers his dead fish handshake to an opposing head coach after a game, he looks like a jerk. But when he brushes off a rookie quarterback who goes out of his way to shake his hand, as Mark Sanchez did on Sunday, he deserves a smack.
Manuel Labor
A few weeks ago, I wrote in this space that it was impossible to hold manager Jerry Manuel accountable for the Mets’ terrible record because of the team’s extensive injury list. However, after watching how his undermanned charges have begun to phone in the balance of the season, I’m wondering if Manuel has actually lost his squad. Bad is one thing. Apathetic is inexcusable.
Fans Enjoying Last Hurrah?
Lost in the euphoria of the Jets upset of New England in their home opener was the fact that many of the fans that made up the most raucous crowd I’ve ever heard at a Jets’ game will probably not be there next season because they can’t afford the Personal Seat Licensing fees. And, it may be a more difficult transition than they think, as local TV blackouts of home games loom if the Jets can’t fill those seats.
Out of Timeouts
Though it’s completely understandable that a coach would want to use a timeout to freeze the opposing kicker before a last second field goal attempt, someone needs to explain to me how it’s more effective when it’s called at the last possible second. We see this nonsense every week; most recently on Sunday night in Dallas. The kick goes through, the winners start to celebrate and the line judge comes running in to wave the whole thing off. It’s something that the NFL needs to address before a player is injured on one of these non-plays.
Redskins Rookie Opens Mouth, Inserts Foot
Sunday night, after the Redskins stumbled through a 9-7 win over the hapless Rams in a game that left the hometown fans dissatisfied, Skins’ rookie line backer Robert Henson, listed by Washington as inactive for the first two games of the season, shared this little missive on his Twitter account. “All you fake half hearted Skins fan can .. I won’t go there but I dislike you very strongly, don’t come to Fed Ex to boo dim wits!!” “The question is who are you to say you know what’s best for the team and you work 9 to 5 at Mcdonalds.”
Ignore for a second the obvious flaw in his thinking that anyone working 9 to 5 at McDonald’s could even afford the absurd cost of a Redskins’ game ticket. Focus instead on the ironic point that, after leaving TCU without a degree and no real indication from the Skins that he has a future in the league, Henson may very well become the biggest employee at his own local McDonald’s. That is, if the fast food giant deems him a qualified applicant.
