Instantlee

Why The New York Jets Are Overrated

instantlee — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:29:53 +0000

First off, welcome back NFL. With the New York Jets dominating the headlines throughout the summer, it is good to know that we will finally see if Rex Ryan’s gang green has what it takes to back up all of their talk. The Jets seem to be everyone’s Super Bowl pick this year after losing the AFC Championship game to the Indianapolis Colts. I just don’t buy it. Not at all. I mean I don’t even think they are good enough to win their division, let alone make it to the playoffs or even win the Super Bowl. Here is why.

The Jets made the playoffs last year as a wild card thanks in large part to the then undefeated Indianapolis Colts. If Colt’s head coach, Jim Caldwell, would have played all of his starters instead of resting them so they could have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl (Good Call) then the Jets would not have even made it to the playoffs to begin with. Sure they beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round, but what if San Diego Charger’s kicker Nate Kaeding becomes clutch and decides to make a field goal in the playoffs for once in his career? Would the Jets still be receiving all of this hype and a show on HBO? Highly doubtful. I’m not saying that luck doesn’t have anything to do with winning a Super Bowl, because it does. I mean what if there wasn’t a “tuck rule”? I’m just saying it is hard to be that lucky that often.

Another reason the Jets are overrated is because of the additions they added to their roster in the offseason. With the additions of Ladainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor, and Santonio Holmes, everyone is expecting more out of the Jets in what is being laid out to be a Super Bowl or bust season. I mean Cromartie was even quoted as saying the Jets are the “Miami Heat of the NFL”. Ok, I was unaware that Aaron Rodgers, Larry Fitzgerald, and Chris Johnson were all on the same team. Am I really supposed to believe that a 31 year old Tomlinson, who averaged 3.3 yards per carry for San Diego last year, is an upgrade over Thomas Jones? I mean all Jones did was run for 1,400 yards for the Jets last season. Holmes was basically given to the Jets for only a 5th round pick and cannot even play in the first 4 games (The dude literally posted “wake and bake” on his Twitter account as if the NFL doesn’t look at that shit). Taylor is 36 and no where near the freak of nature he once was pre-”Dancing With The Stars”. And Cromartie, who has the potential to form the NFL’s best cornerback duo with Darrelle Revis, better be worth it for Rex Ryan as the Jets had to provide Cromartie with $500,000 so he could pay his child support payments as he has fathered 8 kids with 6 different women. Bravo Jets. Great offseason.

Lastly, I feel like everyone forgets that Mark Sanchez is their quarterback. In a quarterback driven league, where the 2 quarterbacks in last years Super Bowl both threw for over 4,000 yards and over 30 touchdowns, Sanchez managed to throw for 2,444 yards with only 12 touchdowns. Now I get that “Sanchize” was only a rookie, but how am I supposed to believe that this dude can make that big of a leap in year 2 and ultimately, win the Super Bowl?

The Jets got everyone’s attention this offseason with all of their talk. However, all that talk doesn’t translate into wins. If anything, it makes them even harder.

2010 Draft Review

instantlee — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:48:45 +0000

WINNERS:
1.) Seahawks- Welcome back Pete Carroll. The drafting of offensive tackle Russell Okung and safety Earl Thomas fill immediate needs for Seattle. They found great value in wide receiver Golden Tate in the second round who should be able to contribute right away, not only in the passing game, but in the punt return game as well. Not only did Carroll fill needs in the draft, he also traded for running backs Leon Washington and LenDale White over the weekend. Come September, Carroll’s Seahawks might actually have the talent to match with those awesome neon green jerseys.

2.) Browns- What a job Mike Holmgren has done since taking over the show in Cleveland. Not only did he fill immediate needs in the secondary and backfield with cornerback Joe Haden, safety T.J. Ward, and running back Montario Hardesty, he also had that balls to wait until round 3 on quarterback Colt McCoy. McCoy now has opportunity to sit on the bench for a year or two behind veteran Jake Delhomme. With the selection of McCoy in the third round and a proven quarterback already set to start, McCoy will not have the title of “savior”, a privilege Tim Couch and Brady Quinn did not have.

(Tie between Lions and Raiders)
3.) Lions- This is the look of a team on the rise. With the selection of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cornerback Amari Spievey, the Lions addressed needs to shore up the defensive side of the ball. What will make or break this draft for the Lions is trading back into the first round for running back Jahvid Best. With Best in the backfield to compliment Kevin Smith, the Lions have a young offense that has a lot of potential. The Lions acquisition of tight end Tony Scheffler a couple days before the draft adds to the potential of the young offensive nucleus. With quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, tight ends Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew, and running backs Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best, the Detroit Lions have the potential to experience a “greatest show on turf” like offense. The key to fulfilling that potential is Jahvid Best.

Raiders- Uh when did Al Davis learn how to draft? He took the best inside linebacker in the draft in Rolando McClain and found good value in the second round in defensive tackle Lamarr Houston to help an already above average Oakland D. The best move Davis made was admitting that drafting quarterback Jamarcus Russell number one overall 3 years ago was a mistake. He traded for quarterback Jason Campbell for only a fourth round pick. Campbell should start this upcoming season, whereas Russell will be lucky to make the team.

LOSERS:
1.) Bills- I feel like everything the Bills do is wrong. The hiring of Chan Gailey as head coach and how they forfeit home field advantage in the outdoor weather of Buffalo to play in a dome up north in Toronto once a year are just two examples. Now the drafting of running back C.J. Spiller was a great pick as some believe he was the best player in the entire draft. However, passing on quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the second round and quarterback Colt McCoy in the third round was just silly. I mean, do they really think Trent Edwards is the answer? Also, in a draft that was loaded with offensive tackles, the Bills failed to draft one of their biggest needs until the fifth round. Looks like another long and cold season in Buffalo.

2.) Rams- This is strictly my opinion, but I do not see Sam Bradford as a future NFL star. The fact that he is coming off shoulder surgery on his throwing arm is not something I would want to invest over 40 million in guaranteed money in. There is also the fact that Bradford played in a spread offense at Oklahoma and is not used to taking snaps under center and making 5 step drops to throw the ball. To me, an offensive tackle is the most important position in football (watch the opening credits of Blindside). If my team is picking number one overall and I am going to have to pay a player millions of dollars for the next 5 to 6 years, I want a sure thing. Taking an offensive tackle such as Russell Okung number one overall and drafting Jimmy Clausen at the top of the second round would have made much more sense to me.

3.) 49ers- The 49ers make this list because, just like the Bills and their division rival the Rams, they also passed on quarterback Jimmy Clausen. The selection of offensive tackle Anthony Davis was a smart move, but drafting another lineman five spots later in guard Mike Iupati, did not make sense to me. I get that head coach Mike Singletary is an old-school coach who believes in a strong running game and defense. However, if he takes Clausen instead of Iupati, he would have a quarterback that can stretch the field and deliver the ball to deep threats Michael Crabtee, Ted Ginn, and Vernon Davis. Ultimately, aiding Frank Gore and the run game because opposing defenses will have to respect the pass game and will not be able to stack the box. But hey, what do I know?

Bravo Roger

instantlee — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:25:26 +0000

What Roger Goodell has done since taking over as NFL Commissioner in 2006 is nothing short of amazing. His NFL Personal Conduct Policy that he brought with him to office has raised the expectations for how players should act off the field to preserve the league’s image. The suspensions and fines he has given out to those bringing negative attention to the NFL is making players think twice about even touching a girl (except if you are Ben Roethlisberger). The fact that the commish suspended Roethlisberger for 6 games for not even being charged with a crime, shows you just how serious he is about the image of the NFL. What makes this particular suspension even more impressive is that Roethlisberger is a 2-time Super Bowl winning quarterback for one of the most storied organizations in the league. Roethlisberger’s suspension should serve as a warning to all NFL players. No matter what position you play or how successful you have been, if you do not conduct yourself off the field to Goodell’s liking, you will get slapped with some truth in the form of a suspension.

Goodell also deserves a standing o for sticking it to the MLB and the NBA. Goodell knows that when it comes to American sports, nothing comes close to the NFL. The decision to switch the NFL Draft from a 2 day event over the weekend to a 3 day affair, with the first 3 rounds in primetime, set the NFL Draft up against the NBA playoffs. More than twice as many people tuned into the NFL Draft instead of the NBA playoffs, backing up Goodell’s gutsy move. The MLB will also feel the wrath of the commish. When the NFL schedule was released last week, it showed that on October 31st the New Orleans Saints would play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. This specific date means that the NFL will be going up against the World Series. In years past, the NFL has stood down to the fall classic with Sunday Night Football skipping a week. People want their football, and with Goodell’s decision to have Sunday Night Football go up against the World Series, they will have their chance on October 31st. Keep up the good work Roger.

Food For Thought

instantlee — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:40:47 +0000

Imagine you are Tiger Woods in July 2009, before any news of past or future “transgressions” was made public. Now assume that you have been unfaithful to your beautiful Norwegian wife, Elin Nordgren. Assume also that you have some sort of telepathic power and can essentially dream about things that are going to happen in the future. These dreams will not contain any specific information, but vague facts that will be fulfilled (things like “your knee will require another surgery” or “You will buy a home in Ohio”, but not “On September 5th at 4pm you will be in room 562 of the Ritz Carlton Las Vegas with a beautiful brunette who is not your wife”). In addition, there is a tell-tale sign in these dreams that assures you they are prophetic as opposed to normal dreams. Now assume that in your future-telling dream last night, you discovered that your wife will learn in full detail all of your infidelities. You do not know when this may happen. It could be next week, it could be in 10 years. You are assured that regardless of any action you may take, your wife is going to end up leaving you and getting enough of your money to live comfortably for the rest of her life. To this point you have already committed adultery with no less than 5 separate women. Do you stop your philandering and inform her of your misdeeds, knowing full well that she may not discover them for years? Or do you continue to pursue new sexual conquests and feign your perfect image for as long as possible, until she eventually finds out? Why?

Please Make Up Your Mind

instantlee — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:07:28 +0000

Looking at the remaining teams in the NFL playoffs, I almost want the Minnesota Vikings to win the Super Bowl. Brett Favre kicked off his annual retirement talk as usual today when being interviewed by ESPN. When asked about the playoff game against Dallas, Favre stated “If you win, you go on. If you lose, youre done, and for me, that could very well be my last game”. Wow. Thank you for that. Now, for those of you who know me, I despise Brett Favre. Not only for his reckless style of play or for his Levis jean commercial, but the way he carries himself in the offseason and the coverage he gets on whether he is retiring or not is becoming an annual joke. I understand and respect how hard of a decision it is for someone to walk away after spending 20 years in the sport that they love. However that being said, the way he forced himself out of Green Bay and the position he put Aaron Rodgers in only makes me despise him more. My thinking is if the Vikings win the Super Bowl then maybe Favre will finally just go away. But then again, maybe he wont. There is nothing certain about Favre, whether he is going to show up and play like the hall of famer that he is or drop back and throw a laser off his back foot into triple coverage. The only thing certain about Favre is that the Vikings wont know about their quarterback’s plans until late July, leaving all of us having to watch replays of this play on ESPN.

Now Just Hear Me Out

instantlee — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:34:13 +0000

As the New England Patriot’s 2009 season came to a close Sunday afternoon, I could not help but realize how far Bill Belichick’s team has fallen. Once the NFL’s elite organization, the New England Patriots find themselves in unusual territory. Rebuilding. Coach Belichick has his work cut out for him this offseason so I figured I would help him out and give him some advice. Belichick needs to trade wide receiver Randy Moss. Yup I said it. Now I love Moss, he is still one of the best wide receivers in the NFL today. However, that being said, when the Patriots won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years they did so with only one receiver topping 1,000 yards (Troy Brown in 2001). Tom Brady’s favorite target was always the one who was open and the Patriot’s offense relied on a more balanced offense with a dependable running back such as Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon. With this type of offensive approach, Tom Brady established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. It was that offensive mindset that made him clutch in critical moments and that mindset that allowed the rest of the team to handle adversity and make opposing teams give up. Lastly, and most importantly, it was that mindset that carried the Patriots to their greatest success. Now we all know a duo of Brady and Moss is deadly, as proven in the record breaking season of 2007, however, the Patriots did not win the Super Bowl that year and have not come any closer since they traded for Randy Moss. By trading Moss, who is in the last year of a 3 year 27 million dollar contract, the Patriots can use that money on a running back or help on the defensive side of the ball which is in need of a major over haul. So if you think about it, it really isn’t that crazy and may just be a good idea.

10 Things To Cheer You Up

instantlee — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:47:39 +0000

Funny shit that will make you fall out of your computer chair. Enjoy.

1.) Rachel Bilson Deleted Sex Scene.

2.) Zach Galifianakis.

3.) Wrong Hole.

4.) James Franco.

5.) Will Arnett.

6.) SNL Charles Barkley.

7.) SNL Kenan Thompson.

8.) SNL 2 Worlds Collide.

9.) ESPN Sunday Conversation.

10.) Mark Schlereth.

Don’t Trust Anyone

instantlee — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:05:08 +0000

So with the news that Brian Kelly has been hired to take over for Chuck at Notre Dame, I have come to the conclusion that all college coaches are pieces of shit. For the past couple of weeks the media has been all over Kelly, asking him questions regarding his interest in South Bend and vise versa. However, Kelly responded to those accusations in anger, claiming them untrue and blaming the false rumors on the media. He went as far as to tell his players during practice last week that he loves Cincinnati and that him leaving them is not an issue.
Now, I have no problem with him leaving the Bearcats. I mean it is a smart move not only for the pay raise, but for the chance to lead the most storied college football program back to respectability. The thing I do have a problem with is the lying. Why tell your players to their face that you are staying only to go against what you said a week later? Why make the media seem like assholes when they were right all along? This is the same thing Nick Saban did to the Miami Dolphins and the same thing Bobby Petrino did to the Atlanta Falcons. So way to go Brian Kelly, you got your dream job, but it cost you your word in the eyes of your undefeated team who now has to face off against Super Tebow in the Sugar Bowl without the man who led them there. In the end, college football is a business and coaches will say whatever they have to in order to get their big pay day. So lesson learned, don’t trust anyone.

Your Newest Yankee

instantlee — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:48:52 +0000

All professional athletes are winners, some are just better winners than others. For example, Curtis Granderson, who is now the newest member of the New York Yankees. Why is he a winner? Simply because he no longer has to carry the hopes and dreams of a shattered city on his back. (He also will no longer have to inhale second hand smoke while sharing a dugout with Jim Leyland.) Curtis Granderson could have been the face of the Detroit Tigers for a decade, but now he will be hailed as the next Derek Jeter in NYC. A young man who is a nice, well respected, non-wife beating, gifted athlete joins the defending world champs and will lead off a lineup that features the likes of Mark Teixeira and A-Rod. So one can assume that he will only get better. Oh sure, I mean the Tigers are getting some prospects in return, but none will impact the community or the field the way Curtis Granderson did. So yup, just like that Curtis Granderson is a New York Yankee. So let me be the first to congratulate Curtis Granderson for not only winning the 2010 fall classic or yet to be announced $100 million dollar contract, but for being a winner and getting out of Detroit.

(Sigh)

You knew this one was coming

instantlee — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:50:32 +0000

So we found out in the past week that Tiger Woods is…a man. Not some superhuman or god, but a man who happens to be one of the wealthiest and most talented athletes. Ever. Set to go in history books as the most prolific golfer ever. And women love nothing more than a man who has athletic talent, shit tons of money, and plenty of legit excuses to make to his wife. The dude did some real shit and suddenly everyone freaks out. Wheres all the outrage toward any of the many women hes allegedly had affairs with?
“Hi, I’m Tiger Woods. Oh nice to meet you. Married? No, I don’t even have a girlfriend”.
If you’re naive enough to think that was anywhere close to the opening conversations Tiger had with any of these girls you should just give up. Yea I’m sure none of these women knew who he was how much money he has or that he’s married and has kids. Or for that matter had a brief fantasy of wrecking his home and being the center of his world. I’m sure that the entire time Tiger was courting Elin she was completely blind to his money, athletic skill and apparent proclivity to solicit sexy photos via MMS from his lovers. Of course I’m not saying that she should have expected this, but when a man is placed under the immense pressure that he is, on a daily basis, not only from a golfing standpoint but from sponsorship duties, press tours and aiding in the operation of the many charity organizations Tiger supports, it is only a matter of time before he’s going to seek release in some form. I’m not condoning what Tiger did, what I am doing is saying that he is simply a man who made mistakes despite being from all accounts a loving father and supportive husband. So Elin gets to jetset around the world, bring the kids along, pretty much do whatever the fuck she wants since he provides her with the ability to do so, but he has to be held to a superhuman standard. Get real people.