Thomas Jones Joins T.O. and All-Pro Cast of NFL Free Agents

NEW YORK - Has there ever been a free agency period in the NFL that has included so many All-Pro, marquee names? The latest to join the group is New York Jets running back, Thomas Jones.

After having a career year and leading the Jets AFC-best rushing attack, Jones will be released on Friday when NFL 2010 free agency begins.

Jones who is coming off his best year as a pro, would have been due $5.8 million for this upcoming year, a salary that included a $3 million bonus.

The Jets attempted to restructure his contract but Jones declined to take a pay cut. It’s hard to blame him since last year while playing for only $900,000, he maintained a great attitude and produced strong numbers for the team while patiently waiting for this higher-structured year to arrive.

Jones, 31-years-old, set career highs of 1,402 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns leading his team to the AFC championship game against Indianapolis.

Also a leader in the locker room, he was voted the team’s most inspirational player by his teammates on two separate occasions.

Jones joins several other marquee names in his position that are joining the free agent market. San Diego cut LaDainian Tomlinson, the Philadelphia Eagles released Brian Westbrook, the Cleveland Browns sent Jamal Lewis packing and Minnesota Vikings Chester Taylor is out in the open market.

Another potential free agent expecting to create a buzz may be Terrell Owens who is leaving the Buffalo Bills after just one season.

T.O. was productive in the cold while playing for a struggling franchise known for a weak passing game (25th in the NFL last season). He caught 55 passes for 829 yards, taking 5 to the house.

On the defensive side of the ball names like Julius Peppers, Aaron Kampman and the Chicago Bears Adewale Ogunleye are expected to be available for bid starting March 5th.

Copyright © 2010 - Sports Climax^TM

Rex Ryan Fined $50,000 for Flipping Finger

NEW YORK - The New York Jets fined their coach Rex Ryan $50,000 for making the obscene gesture that involves the middle finger while at a martial arts fight in South Florida over the weekend.

Nowadays everyone is walking around with a cell phone with photo and video capabilities. You would think these professional coaches and athletes would learn over time that they are always under the watchful eye of the public.

Ryan voiced what the rest of the world must have been thinking when he apologized the following day saying, his actions were “stupid and inappropriate.” General manager Mike Tannenbaum had said the organization was disappointed and would address the matter internally which he did today by levying the fine.

The coach also could be fined by the NFL under its personal conduct policy.

Ryan’s image drew loud boos from the crowd when a ringside Showtime interview was shown on the Bank Atlantic Center video scoreboard.

Of course in Ryan fashion, the coach also trash-talked even though his season is over saying “I want to just tell everybody in Miami, hey, we’re coming to beat you twice next year.”

Ryan has made headlines all season with his trash-talking and going way out there like when he cried at a team meeting in front of his players. His team went 9-7 during the season and went on to make the playoffs. His prediction about the Jets saying the team should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl was brushed off as just Ryan being Ryan.

Last weekend at the Pro Bowl in Miami, several of the Jets’ players supported their coach.

“He’s one of those guys who if you come at me, I’m coming at you. It was all in fun. They were probably yelling and talking stuff at him and it ticked him off. Fans can be like that,” defensive end Shaun Ellis told the New York Post.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

Manning Dissects Jets’ Defense Leading Colts to AFC Championship

INDIANAPOLIS - Colts quarterback Peyton Manning figured out a way to dissect the New York Jets defense and outplayed Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez on Sunday, leading his Colts to a 30-17 comeback victory and earning a trip to Miami to play the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl.

Sanchez came out swinging, holding his own and taking an early lead in the game. After trailing 3-0 on an early Kelly Stover field goal, Sanchez hit a streaking Braylon Edwards with a perfect pass and the speedy wide receiver did the rest, sprinting 80 yards to the end zone and a 7-3 lead.

The Jets appeared eager to show the Colts that they could play with them and they did in the first half. Their #1 ranked defense came out with a vengeance, sacking Manning on consecutive plays in the first quarter and making the Colts earn every point in a closely played first half.

Sanchez connected with Dustin Keller on a 9-yard touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter to put the Jets up 14-6 then after the Jets defense forced a turnover they were able to turn it into 3 points when Jay Feely split the uprights for a 17-6 lead.

Manning and the Colts would prove they were unfazed by the Jets early success, quickly driving the field with Manning hooking up with rookie Austin Collie 3 times, the final one a 16-yard touchdown that cut the Jets lead to 17-13. It was the first TD allowed by the Jets stingy defense in the last 2:00 of the first half all season long.

When it was apparent that Darrelle Revis was containing one of Manning’s favorite target’s Reggie Wayne he had no problem finding 2nd year man Pierre Garcon and the rookie Collie for multiple completions and Jim Caldwell’s team went into locker room with regained momentum.

With the Jets’ secondary covering Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne, Manning chose Garcon who was drafted in the 6th round of the 2008 draft with the 205th pick and Collie who they acquired in the 2009 draft with the 127th pick as his primary targets.

Manning threw a perfect strike to Garcon for a 4 yard TD and a 20-17 lead in the 3rd quarter and later found Dallas Clark for a 15 yard TD and a 27-17 lead. Those scores were part of 21 unanswered points by the Colts.

The Colts defense also came into play, swarming the Jets’ potent rushing attack and holding them to just 89 yards on 29 carries.

The Jets had averaged 170 yards per game on the ground this postseason. Sanchez’ stats for the game were a respectable 17-of-30, 257 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT with two different receivers finishing with more than 100 receiving yards.

Before it was over, Peyton Manning proved why he is one of the most elite quarterbacks to ever play the game going 26-39 for 377 yards and 3 TD’s and becoming the first player in league history to throw for at least 300 yards on 7 different occasions in the playoffs.

Garcon finished with 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown while manning connected with Collie 7 times for 123 yards and a score. It was Collie’s first 100-yard game as a pro.

Jets coach Rex Ryan summed it up during post-game. “With Peyton Manning, if you can’t disrupt his rhythm, he’s going to kill you,” said Ryan.

Finishing off the scoring Stover booted a 21-yard field goal for a 30-17 lead at 5:33 in the final quarter then the Colts defense shut down Sanchez and the Jets securing a trip to Miami on February 7th.

MORE ARTICLES by DREW BASTIAN:

Favre on Fire in 34-3 Win at Metrodome

Ravens Defense Smothers Brady and Blows Out Patriots

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

Sanchez Sizzles as New York Jets Advance in AFC Playoffs

CINCINNATI, OH. - The New York Jets and Mark Sanchez are making believers out of the football world. Their 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game was their first playoff win since 2004 and extended their season at least for one more weekend.

The rookie Sanchez connected on 12-of-15 passes for 182 yards and no interceptions, becoming only the fourth rookie quarterback since 1950 to start and win a playoff game. Others in that group include Ben Roethlisberger who went on to win the Super Bowl, Shaun King and Joe Flacco.

You have to wonder what USC Coach Pete Carroll is thinking after blindsiding Sanchez with negative comments at the press conference when Sanchez decided to enter last year’s NFL Draft. Carroll insisted in front of the media that Sanchez was not ready or prepared to handle the NFL.

After leading the AFC in interceptions with 20, Sanchez knew the importance of not turning the ball over on the road against the Bengals and managed the game well. His passer rating was an astounding 139.4.

“He just kept getting better as the season went along,” Jet coach Rex Ryan said. “I told him this was his second season now. His first season is over. This is the playoffs.” The win was also the first playoff victory for Ryan who is in his first season as an NFL head coach.

The Bengals (10-7) got a team playoff-record 169 rushing yards from running back Cedric Benson but never got a flow going with their offense, being disrupted by constant blitzes and a variety of schemes by Ryan and the Jets defense.

In last week’s game between these same two teams, the Bengals managed a mere 72 total yards on offense. In that game Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was 1-of-11 for 0 yards and Chad Ochocinco was shut out of the stat sheet literally with zero catches.

Saturday looked better on paper but that tandem was never able to get a flow going for their offense. Ochocinco finished with just two catches for 28 yards and Palmer was 18-of-36 for 146 yards, one touchdown and one INT.

Cincinnati added to their 19 year stretch without a playoff win.

Related Articles:

N.Y. Jets and Cincinnati Bengals Game Center - NFL.com

Cowboys Dominate Eagles for First Playoff Win Since 1996 - Sports Climax

USC Coach Carroll Shows Bitterness at Press Conference Towards Sanchez - Sports Climax

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

AFC Wild Card Playoff Games Preview

This weekends’ AFC wildcard playoff round has two great match-ups.

The New York Jets travel to Cincinnati for a rematch to face the Bengals who suffered a beat down of epic proportions at the hands of the Jets in Week 17. The Bengals, playing without running back Cedric Benson who was granted a day off for rest, were dominated on both sides of the ball that game and virtually smothered by the Jets’ defense.

Carson Palmer statistically had the worst day of his pro career, going 1-of-11, 0 yards, 1 INT. Chad Ochocinco played like his hands were tied behind his back as he was contained by the Jets shutdown corner Darrelle Revis and held without a single catch. The dismal Bengals offense were held to just 72 total yards.

On the other sideline, the Jets produced 257 yards of offense with their potent rushing attack led by Thomas Jones and Mark Sanchez did a great job managing the game without turning the ball over.

The Jets showed why they are one of the most feared defenses in the NFL. They lead the league in several main categories in defense and confused and dominated the Bengals. This weeks’ matchup of former USC quarterbacks may make believers out of Mark Sanchez doubters, including his ex-coach at USC, Pete Carroll.

After a solid 3-0 start, Sanchez came down to earth and started playing like a rookie until the end of the season when he finished with good performances down the stretch to help get the Jets into the playoffs.

Do not expect a repeat of that blowout last week. Cincinnati will be playing in front of a raucous home crowd with Benson back in the pads, which may prove to be difficult for even the Jets and their defense.

In the other AFC game, the Baltimore Ravens travel to New England to take on the Patriots.

Quarterback Tom Brady and his Pats will be without Wes Welker who suffered a left knee injury last week and has been put on the IR.

Look for Julian Edelman to step up in Welker’s absence. Edelman was drafted this year out of Kent State in the 7th round after being a three-year starter at quarterback.

As a senior he led the team in rushing with 1,551 yards on 215 carries and 7.5 yards per carry average, finding the end zone 13 times as a rusher and passing for another 13 touchdowns. These numbers set a record, surpassing Joshua Cribbs single season record for yards from scrimmage.

With Randy Moss drawing double coverage, this could leave Edelman the speedy receiver open downfield for a few big plays. If he is able to get open, Tom Brady should have no problem finding him and making the tough Ravens defense pay.

Expect this one to come down to whoever wins the turnover battle. A week after winning the comeback player of the year award, don’t expect Brady to have too many problems adjusting to life without Welker.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

Heisman Trophy Winner Bradford Considers Having Surgery

OKLAHOMA - ESPN reported that last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback Sam Bradford is seriously considering having season-ending surgery on his injured shoulder.

Bradford has missed a majority of the season and when he tried to make a comeback last week, lasted just two series of downs before leaving the field aggravating the injury further.

The Sooners entered the season focused on making a run for a national title but those dreams were shattered in one snap of the ball. The Sooners currently sit at the cellar of the AP Top 25 with a 3-3 record and are struggling to earn a decent bowl bid.

While we watch Bradford’s stock in the NFL 2010 Draft drop like a Wall Street crash, it makes me reminisce about the day Mark Sanchez announced he was leaving the USC Trojans and opting to join the draft.

At the time, USC Coach Pete Carroll showed some displeasure at the press conference and said Sanchez “made a bad choice”.

Since then, Sanchez has been the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, playing under a contract fat enough to support even the family members he has never met ($60 million with $28 million guaranteed).

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford who went No. 1 overall in last year’s draft is another player who left campus early. Stafford who is currently rehabbing a knee injury suffered this NFL season is the starter for the Detroit Lions and playing with a $72 million contract ($41.7 million guaranteed).

While Bradford contemplates going under the knife with a cloudy future and Sanchez and Stafford cash their checks every week, I would like to now ask Mr. Carroll who he thinks made a “bad choice”.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

NFL Update: Stafford Injured, Titans 0-4, Broncos 4-0

Hottest news this NFL weekend includes the Detroit Lions No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford’s knee injury.

In a 48-24 loss in Chicago, Stafford showed several signs of why he was touted as a No. 1 when he orchestrated  several long scoring drives of over 70 yards against the banged-up Bears defense including one 98 yard drive for a touchdown.

But the show came to an abrupt end late in the game when Stafford took a sack then lay on the grass, clutching his knee in pain. Stafford limped off the field and spent the rest of the game with his knee wrapped in ice while veteran Daunte Culpepper took the remaining snaps.

ESPN reported that Stafford’s injury was a dislocated kneecap that popped back in while he was on the sideline and the injury is expected to sideline him for one or two weeks.

After starting out 3-0, Mark Sanchez, New York Jets quarterback and second slinger taken in last year’s NFL Draft finally had his rookie break-out game throwing three interceptions in a 24-10 road loss in New Orleans. Before the loss, Sanchez’ three straight wins included an upset victory against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.  

Darren Sharper returned one of Sanchez’ errant throws 99 yards to the house and that 14-point swing was too much for the young quarterback and his Jets to overcome. The Saints went on to win 24-10.

In other surprising news the Tennessee Titans fell to 0-4 while the Denver Broncos improved to 4-0 with their 17-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

NFL News - Urlacher & McNabb Out; Sanchez and Stafford Debut

All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher, the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears’ defense will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating his wrist in the 21-15 loss to the division rival Green Bay Packers Sunday night.

With the injury occurring so early in the season, Chicago is expected to shop around for a replacement to fill the middle linebacker spot. Derrick Brooks is expected to join the team if the two sides can work out a deal. Brooks is familiar with Chicago coach Lovie Smith and Chicago’s defensive schemes.

Mark Sanchez silenced some of the critics including Pete Carroll, his former coach at USC, when the rookie led his New York Jets to a 24-7 win over the Houston Texans.

Earlier in the year and prior to selection day, Carroll had publicly stated that Sanchez “made a bad choice” in joining the NFL draft.

Sanchez finished 18-of-31 for 272 yards and one TD.

In other injury news, joining Urlacher on the sidelines list is Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb who suffered a cracked rib in his team’s 38-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

With McNabb’s status unknown and Michael Vick ineligible for another week, don’t be surprised to see ex-Eagle Jeff Garcia donning green in Philly this weekend when Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints visit the ‘City of Brotherly Love’.

In other rookie news, Matthew Stafford will have to wait for his first victory. Stafford appears to have a much larger chore ahead of him than Sanchez after his Detroit Lions started this season where they left off last year.

The Lions’ defense who were worst in the NFL last year were ripped apart by fantasy football favorite Drew Brees, who tossed six touchdown passes during the 45-27 blowout over the Lions.

Stafford finished 16-of-37 for 205 yards and 3 INTs.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Favre Dumps Vikings Two Days Before Camp

MINNESOTA - NFL icon Brett Favre announced he has reconsidered wearing purple and will stay retired.

In Favre fashion, the prima donna quarterback took the Vikings down to the wire when he told the Vikings on Tuesday, just 48 hours before training camp opens, that he would not team up alongside Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson to battle his former Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title this season.

“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made,” Favre said. “I didn’t feel like physically I could play at a level that was acceptable. I would like to thank everyone, including the Packers, Jets and Vikings — but, most importantly, the fans.”

The Vikings now have to switch gears to ‘damage control’ since several of their star players had contacted Favre encouraging him to take snaps in a Viking uniform.

Vikings Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen and Steve Hutchinson are said to have contacted Favre by text or phone to recruit the 40-year-old slinger who had already agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the team.

Gallant efforts to get Favre on the roster like those made by the stars listed above may have sent a message of ‘lack of confidence’ to quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and newly-acquired Sage Rosenfels who are currently on the squad.

While Vikings management and coaching staff concentrate on smoothing things over in their locker room, the announcement did not come as a surprise to many of us.

With Favre’s history of stringing teams along, many of us expected these results while some seemed oblivious to Favre’s past history.

Vikings linebacker Ben Leber told the AP, “When I heard the news, I was probably as surprised and shocked as everybody else. The writing on the wall was as long as his arm was healthy he was going to play. I really expected him to be at camp. I was really surprised.”

FYI Mr. Leber, Favre seems to write on the wall with one hand while holding an eraser in the other.

Related Stories: Favre Begins Annual Roller Coaster Ride

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Favre begins annual roller coaster ride

NEW YORK - Now that the Green Bay Packers and their Cheesehead fans have settled into the fact Aaron Rodgers is their starting quarterback, it’s the Jets’ turn to climb aboard the gut-wrenching amusement ride known as the ‘Favre roller coaster’.Brett Favre, like he did over the past few season in GB said he is ‘going to wait’ to announce his plans for next season. Yes as expected the aging quarterback is beginning his annual guessing game with the Jets, but after faltering and struggling through the last five games with 9 interceptions and only 2 TDs, don’t expect this fiasco to go the distance in a place like the Big Apple.

New York is the media capital of the world and along with that title comes aggressive reporting and a lot more pressure. People are known to be a little more polite and less aggressive in a smaller town like Madison, maybe that’s the reason Favre has not met with the N.Y. media and spoke to an ESPN reporter instead. Does the term, ‘chew him up and spit him out’ come to mind here?

The 39-year-old Favre is a warrior, we all know that. There’s a reason he set the record for most consecutive starts in the NFL in a position where guys wear a bulls-eye on the front of their jerseys. Favre has survived many Sunday afternoons as a human piñata, spent the week in ice packs and managed to climb back into the ring just days later.

Jets’ teammates like Thomas Jones and Kerry Rhodes recently used an interview with that New York media I was speaking of to voice his concerns over the All-Pro quarterback not offering to take a seat on the bench during that five-game skid.

When asked about the recent comments, Favre responded, “It’s upsetting that a couple of guys have said some negative things, but what can you do?”

What do you do? Normally ignore the comments and move forward but in this case, Jones may be concerned about another badly-timed Favre circus that could interfere with the Jets prepping for the 2009 season.

Favre has a weak argument for asking the Jets for too much time this time around.

Last season in Green Bay he was coming off a 13-3 season, this year he led the league with 22 interceptions and the Jets’ lost 4 of the last 5 games, blowing a chance at the AFC East title and a sure playoff spot.

To make matters worse he lost the final game in front of the hometown fans against ex-Jet QB Chad Pennington who also was voted this year’s AP Comeback Player of the Year.

Favre commented on his weak performance down the stretch, “Do I have to redeem myself for the last five games? No. There is nothing left out there for me from that standpoint. I’m disappointed with the last five games, sure, but I know I did everything I could have.”

If that is ‘everything you could have done’ then the writing is on the wall because that was not enough, it’s officially time to retire.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

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