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Break Glass: The Jets Backup Plan

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The Jets need a backup plan

The Jets need a backup plan

It’s no question that the quarterback position is a question mark for the New York Jets heading into the 2014 season. With the draft and free agency fast approaching the Jets have numerous possibilities to give Geno Smith competition next season. While there is speculation that the Jets may draft a quarterback in the later rounds of the draft, their best option would be to bring in a solid veteran presence. There have ben rumors that the Jets would like to bring in Michael Vick,  however that would be a disaster because of his rapid decline and health issues.

The best case scenario is to bring in a veteran presence who wouldn’t threaten Geno’s starting position but would be a great substitute in case he struggles. Don’t tell me Mark Sanchez is this option, Jets’ fans want to see him nowhere near the tri-state area next season. The best option for Gang Green would be to sign free agent quarterback Josh McCown to be Geno Smith’s backup.

Worst Case scenario is that Geno struggles, but with McCown Jets could remain competitive

Worst Case scenario is that Geno struggles, but with McCown Jets could remain competitive

After a solid season in Chicago, and already drawing interest from the Jets, McCown is a perfect fit. After 8 starts where he threw for 13 touchdowns and only 1 interception, the 34 year old McCown would be a great bullpen arm for New York in case Geno Smith struggles. While he may not be a threat to take Geno’s job at first, McCown might want to come to the Jets because he thinks he can beat out Geno Smith for the starting job. Last season McCown proved he could be more than a game manager and the controversial decision to sit him and start Jay Cutler at the end of the season still haunts many Bears’ fans. True he doesn’t have the track record that screams he could be a starting quarterback, especially at this point in his career. However, if the Jets need a veteran presence for a few late drives, or to take the helm at the end of the season if the team is in playoff contention, it would be a great signing for the Jets. Hey it could be worse. Mark Sanchez could be starting again! Take our poll what do you think the Jets should do?

Sad Melody: Why the Knicks need to trade Anthony

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After another year of frustration, it's time for a change in New York

After another year of frustration, it’s time for a change in New York

Trade Carmelo Anthony! These three words will ignite anger within an already frustrated fan base, and rightfully so. Trading the biggest star the Knicks have had since Patrick Ewing may seem blasphemous, even crazy, but it needs to be done. While the Knickerbockers star is still in the prime of his career and having one of his best seasons ever, the harsh reality is that this is the perfect time to break down this lackluster basketball team.

If the NBA has taught us anything this past decade, it’s that you can no longer win with just one star player on your basketball team. Look at all the last 10 champions, they’ve had at least two usually three superstar players.

Melo's frustration in New York might make him go somewhere else this summer

Melo’s frustration in New York might make him go somewhere else this summer

The league is changing. Unless you are one of the few elite teams in the league, you just mill around in mediocrity. Let’s face it. Even when this team played well the previous two seasons, they weren’t serious title contenders. Sure they might win a round in the playoffs, but this is New York, that doesn’t cut it. With Carmelo in his prime, and a stocked Draft class coming up, the Knicks should try to make a deal.

Am I saying the Knicks have to trade Melo? No, but if a team gives them a good deal with either draft picks or young talent, the Knicks would be foolish to pass it up. Let’s face it, the Knicks are nowhere near contending for an NBA title and need to reload. If anything shouldn’t the Knicks get some value before Melo leaves? As an unrestricted free agent this summer, there is a good chance Melo will leave. He’s already hinted that he will test free agency and there will be more attractive offers and situations out there for him. If LA calls, why wouldn’t Melo go? Instead of losing him and not getting anything in return, the Knicks need to maximize this opportunity and restart the rebuilding process. Knicks fans may not want to hear it, but it needs to be done.

Michael Sam: I’m Gay! And I’m going to Play!

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Michael Sam will usher in a new era in pro football

Michael Sam will usher in a new era in pro football

“I’m Gay and I’m gonna play”! I remember that line from the movie Valentines Day a few years ago. While I sat in the dark theather and watched that terrible movie, I  remember laughing at this great one liner, but thought to myself “is there a gay player in the NFL”? The answer could finally be a yes after NFL Draft prospect Michael Sam announced earlier this week that he was gay, and could be the first openly gay NFL player in history. While this may not be Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, this another wall that sports could tear down for the gay and lesbian community. While some experts and GM’s have already said that the announcement could hurt Sam’s draft stock, because they are supposedly afraid of him becoming a media distraction like Tim Tebow, the fact of the matter is that this young man should be commended for his actions.

After hearing anonymous GM’s saying that Sam could now fall out of the draft because of this announcement, I was flabbergasted. If anything shouldn’t this make him a more attractive draft prospect? A man who is this honest and is not afraid of the attention? In an era where criminal records and domestic disputes are glanced over is a prospect has a great forty time, it is absurd that a general manager of any team would over look a player based on his sexual preferences. Sam has tremendous talent and potential, and unlike other prospects has a clean record and a great personality. Shouldn’t this boost his stock rather then hurt it? If teams are so afraid that he could disrupt the locker room just look at Mizzou’s season last year. Sam told his team that he was gay in August and did the team implode or have locker room issues? No, far from it. Instead the played for an SEC title game while Sam was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

At the end of the day there is only one thing that matters in the NFL, production. If Sam can come into the league and be a highly productive player, no one will care about him being gay. Sure, there will be a few people that will hate him, there always are people that will judge us because of our differences, but America has become a nation of tolerance. If anything, Sam represents a beacon of hope that America is truly striving towards a society of equality and fairness. Fans don’t care about sexual preference, arrest records, skin color, or religious backgrounds of their players. At the end of the day it is about what the players do on the field but more specifically win. Sam could change the landscape for the next generation of athletes, but if he really wants to make an impact it will come on the field this fall, and not in the headlines this February.

Haunted: Manning’s legacy in limbo after another Super Bowl loss

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This could be the game that hurts Manning's legacy

This could be the game that hurts Manning’s legacy

What defines a legacy? For most athletes it’s the numbers on the back of their player cards that usually justifies their greatness. But for the truly great, the cream of the crop, stats aren’t enough. Peyton Manning is one of those athletes. If you were to judge him on statistics alone, without question he is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. However, after being named the NFL’s most valuable player for the fifth time in his career, Manning would enter Metlife Stadium with the chance for NFL immortality. A few hours later, the almighty quarterback looked like something we haven’t seen in 2013, a mere mortal.

Losing is one thing, but what the Broncos did was an even bigger disgrace, they didn’t show up. Can someone check did they even get off the plane or bus? Despite two weeks to prepare, the Broncos didn’t even put up a fight. Sure, the botched snap resulting in a safety swung momentum early, but despite two early trips to the red zones the Broncos still were only down 8-0. The stage was set for Manning, a chance to come back and prove his greatness to the world. But that didn’t happen. Manning’s turnovers at key moments of the game would finish off the illusion of a comeback as the Broncos were embarrassed by a 43-8 whopping by the Seahawks.

Once again, Manning, the best quarterback in the game fell short. This time he didn’t fall short, he tripped right out of the gate and seemingly damaged his reputation in one game.  It doesn’t matter how many yards, touchdowns, or wins Manning has in his career. The only way to exorcise the critics or questions about his legacy is to hoist another Lombardi trophy. But now at the age of 38, with already declining health, Father Time is catching up to Peyton Manning. If he wants to be considered the greatest quarterback ever the only way to do this is to win another Super Bowl. When you are the best in the sport you are expected to win. Is it fair? Not necessarily but it is expected.

With such a miserable performance on his resume, and millions of NFL fans who are upset about the lack of a game on the field, Manning needs a win so that people forget this. If not, it will be the defining moment in a career of futility and what could have been. He might be a great quarterback, but Manning’s post season demons are keeping him from being one of the greatest players in NFL history.

Time to put up or shut up

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Richard Sherman has written a huge check with a mouth, but can he cash it in on Sunday?

Richard Sherman has written a huge check with a mouth, but can he cash it in on Sunday?

Instigator, playmaker, ball hawk, controversy, and an A$% hole are just a few adjectives that describe Richard Sherman. While he may be one of the most beloved person in Seattle, his comments and antics have made him an NFL villain everywhere else. He’s the arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, and if you disagree he would probably go into a rant about how he is the best in the game. However, unlike most divas who are all flash and no substance, Sherman backs his talk up with even bigger plays. With eight interceptions this season, and countless passes defended, Sherman is the boisterous leader of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense.

However, The Legion will face their toughest opponent yet

Controversy and talent that go hand in hand

Controversy and talent that go hand in hand

in the upcoming Super Bowl against Peyton Manning and his vast arsenal of playmaking receivers. Sure Sherman could take one of those receivers out the game, but with so many options and Sherman only being one man, the Seahawks’ secondary will be put to the ultimate test. Sherman is putting an even bigger target on this group after his controversial post game comments following the NFC Championship game. It also doesn’t help when he calls Michael Crabtree a “sorry receiver”. But in the midst of the his rants and comments could Sherman be actually helping the Seahawks by shining the spotlight on himself?

Whenever someone has mentioned the Seahawks have been mentioned these past two weeks the name that always pops up is Richard Sherman. However, the cornerback may be doing a huge service for his team. Think about it. No one has talked about Russell Wilson’s post season slump

It's time for the Legion's leader to step up

It’s time for the Legion’s leader to step up

or the fact that he’s a second year pro. Instead of the media burning a spotlight on the young quarterback and his flaws, the cameras and media have all been focused on Sherman. If anything, Sherman has been putting all the pressure on himself rather than have his teammates take on the enormous media scrutiny.

With all this talking, it’s time for Sherman to start walking. Should he struggle or give up big plays during the Super Bowl, his reputation will take a major hit. It’s like the Jets a few seasons ago. When Rex Ryan was winning, that bravado and swagger was accepted because they could back it up. But when the losses start to pile up, that swagger and bravado crashed harder than a lead balloon. It’s not about talking in the NFL, it’s about getting the job done. So Richard Sherman, you think you’re the best cornerback in the NFL? It’s time to prove it on the biggest stage in the world, Super Bowl XLVIII.