Jim Zorn: Worst Coach of the Decade?

Presumably, today was the last game Jim Zorn will coach with the Washington Redskins, or at least for the near future. 

Zorn, over two seasons as Redskins coach, has gone 12-20, including an abysmal 4-12 season in 2009. This brings up the question, is Jim Zorn the worst coach of the decade?

Well, let’s look at some of the other bad coaches of the decade.

• Dave Campo went 5-11 in each of his three seasons in Dallas, from 2000-2002. 
• Rod Marinelli was 10-38 in three seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2006-2008. 
• Lane Kiffin was just 5-15 in a year and a quarter for the miserable Raiders in 2007 and 2008.
• Gregg Williams lasted just three years in Buffalo, where he went just 17-31.
• Dave McGinnis was just 17-40 from 2000-2003 for the Arizona Cardinals.
• Scott Linehan was 11-25 in parts of three seasons as St. Louis Rams head coach, from 2006 to 2008.
• Mike Nolan was 18-37 from 2005 to 2008 as head of the San Francisco 49ers.
• Steve Spurrier, like Zorn, was 12-20 in two seasons, and also like Zorn, coached the Washington Redskins, from 2002-2003.
• Marty Mornhinweg went just 5-27 in his two seasons as coach of the Lions, from 2001 to 2002.

That’s just a little overview of the bad coaches. Zorn’s record certainly isn’t the worst, but bringing in Albert Haynesworth usually doesn’t make you worse, so bad that you go 4-12. 

So its a crazy question, I want to know what you think. Comment and tell me.

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The Top 30 NFL Draft Busts of the Decade

Well, now that the decade is over, it’s time to look back and see all those bad decisions that (cough, Matt Millen, cough) all 32 NFL teams, made in the NFL Drafts of this decade. Of course, if you’re talking about this past decade and NFL draft busts, who better to be on the front of the slideshow than a Detroit Lions wide receiver. Can you guess who it is?

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Help Wanted: Tutor for Jets QB: Yes, Kerry Collins, We’re Talking to You

Mark Sanchez needs help.

The Southern California star has more talent than you need to be a great quarterback, but he doesn’t quite have all the quarterback common sense you need to be great. 

That’s why the Jets need a mentor backup for Sanchez.

They should have had one this year, but that’s an argument for a different day. Look at the NFL right now and look at all the QBs, young or veteran, who had or have mentor backups. 

Matthew Stafford in Detroit this year has Daunte Culpepper.

JaMarcus Russell in Oakland in 2007 had, you guessed it, Daunte Culpepper.

Vince Young in 2006 in Tennessee had Kerry Collins (remember that).

Matt Leinart in Arizona in 2006 had Kurt Warner.

Jay Cutler in 2006 in Denver had Jake Plummer.

Aaron Rodgers in 2005 in Green Bay had a pretty good mentor by most standards, Brett Favre (and that was an extended class, three whole years!)

Jason Campbell in 2005 in Washington had Mark Brunell.

OK, seven examples is enough. But we could go on if you wanted to (Eli in 04′ had Kurt Warner; Philip Rivers had Doug Flutie AND Drew Brees). 

My point is most young QBs have mentor backups who play sparingly, but are knowledgeable and can help young QBs in many ways. 

There are a few guys I have in mind who could help out Broadway Mark, but the No. 1 guy for the job would be Kerry Collins.

At 37 years old and entering the final year of a 2-year $15 million contract with $8.5 million guaranteed, Collins could be considered a financial burden. Especially with the Jets moving into the new stadium, a $7-8 million backup is the last thing you want.

But the Jets could be able to do it, considering Collins lost his starting job after Week Seven to Vince Young, after an 0-6 start.

Collins ushered in Young to the league in the 2006 season. The Titans were not expected to be very competitive during the season, and when Young took over the team, they were 0-3, but he later took them from 2-7 to 8-8, almost making the playoffs and giving Young the Rookie of the Year title.

Not to say that Kerry Collins made that happen, but he definitely helped Young along the way.

Now granted, Mark Sanchez will be a second-year quarterback next season, so he will have some experience under his belt and will hopefully be in a better position than this season.

Still, having someone to guide Sanchez whose name is not Kellen Clemens would surely not hurt.

Kerry Collins would help.

Jeff Garcia would help.

Heck, bring back Chad Pennington! He’s a free agent, and he definitely knows a thing or two about Jets football. 

Mark Sanchez doesn’t need a lot of help. Just a little bit. And a guy like Kerry Collins could easily give Sanchez that little push to turn his Jets into a championship team.

 

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Pray That Bray Stay out Of The Way: How Braylon Edwards Can Succeed in NY

Braylon Edwards is best known for his fabulous 2007 season when he tallied 80 catches, 1289 yards, and 16 touchdowns. 

What Edwards is also known for is his extreme inconsistency, tendency to drop numerous passes and legal record. 

A combination of his talent and run-ins with the law led him to the clubhouse of the New York Jets.

As expected, Edwards arrival caused mixed reactions among Jets fans.

There were those who thought the needed arrival of a number one wide receiver would push the Jets deep into the playoffs.

There were those who thought the arrival of an inconsistent player with a criminal record would only spoil the good that Rex Ryan preaches. 

But, in reality, how will Braylon Edwards stay out of trouble and in the Pro Bowl for the Jets?

First of all, Edwards will need to stay out of run-ins with the law. If he doesn’t punch any members of LeBron James posse any time in the future, he should be OK. 

He’s going to have to do more than stay out of trouble. He’s going to show that he can contain himself when it comes to ethics. 

Braylon will have to avoid the T.O. method of hypocritical press conferences. 

A word of advice: Don’t spill your guts about how the other team sucks when you win a game and avoid comment when your team loses. That’s probably why you got shipped from Cleveland, don’t let it happen in New York.

He’s going to have more pressure on him now that he’s in New York. 

Jerricho Cotchery is an ideal number two receiver, but as a number one he’s mediocre. Edwards has the natural talent and ability to be an elite number one receiver for the Jets.

But what he can do and what he will do are two different things.

The most important thing he will need to do to succeed with the Jets is to be productive on the field.

He needs to play like he did in 2007. 

If Edwards can stay out of trouble, stay on the field and play like he did in 2007, he will not only live up to expectations but exceed them.

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Brady Scores: Connects With Newest “Tight End” Bundchen

Tom Brady set the NFL scoring record in 2007, and it looks like he’s on pace to do it again.

After a record 50 touchdown season in 2007, Brady started off his 2009 season with a bang, finding new tight end Gisele Bundchen wide open in the end zone. 

In his career, Brady has connected with people like Donte Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney, Wes Welker, Ben Watson, David Patten, Deion Branch, Daniel Graham, Troy Brown, Randy Moss and Bundchen.

But his most famous connection, other than the recent one of Bundchen and the 23 to Randy Moss in 2007, was the late 2006 connection to tight end Bridget Moynahan, which ended up producing something more than six points. If you care to see what that touchdown produced, click the link below: http://abritishman.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/brady-with-his-young-son-jack.jpg

Brady missed nearly all of last season with numerous leg injuries, and wasn’t able to get any touchdowns. Hopefully Brady can stay healthy and keep pouring on the touchdowns.

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NFL Fans: Stop Hating on Brett Favre

In an NFL offseason that seemed to fade away quicker than Randy Moss running a fade route, one topic is still mentioned: Brett Favre coming out of his retirement(s). 

Favre, 39, has retired and un-retired twice in the last two seasons, citing the lack of motivation to play. 

His first retirement was that teary eyed, straight from the heart, press conference that Packer fans all across the globe taped. 

After months of speculation, Favre insisted he would come back for the right offer. After many PR battles with the Packers, which includes the Packers offering him a 10-year annuity which would pay him $20 million in total if he stay retired, Favre decided to come out of his retirement to play for the New York Jets.

Then, Favre retired for a second time. It wasn’t teary eyed, it wasn’t nearly as emotional, but it was a retirement. 

Of course, with a Brett Favre retirement, there were rumors. Many speculated that the Minnesota Vikings would be interested in Favre’s services.

That speculation was proven when Vikings head coach Brad Childress traveled to Favre’s hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi to talk to Favre about the possibility of coming out of retirement. 

Then, it became official, during the beginning of the 2009 preseason: Brett Favre was back. This time, with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Favre’s retirement, un-retirement “scheme” has been criticized by many sportscasters around the country, with no good reason. 

Many say he was disloyal to the Packers.

Let’s look at the Packers situation before Mr. Favre arrived, shall we?

It’s 1991 in Green Bay. The Packers haven’t been to they playoffs in nine seasons, and they haven’t won 10 games in 19 seasons. Then a man named Brett Favre comes to town, and takes the Packers to the playoffs 11 times, including to two Super Bowls, winning one. 

Don’t the Packers owe this guy a whole lot? After all, he brought back the winning spirit to Green Bay, one that hasn’t been there since the Vince Lombardi days. At the very least, don’t the Packers need to let this guy do what he wants? 

So what if he wants to play for the Packers rival team? He revamped that entire organization, and that is enough.

Many say that since he retired, he should stick to his commitment.

Excuse me?

Let’s take a look at some other star players who have retired and then un-retired who you don’t hear about as much as Favre.

 

Magic Johnson

In 1991, Johnson announced he had HIV and retired. He then came back to play in the 1992 All-Star game, in which he scored 25 points and was named the MVP. He then went on to play for the U.S. in the 1992 Olympics, and then, tried to stage another NBA comeback. After playing the preseason for the Lakers, he was forced to retire due to pressure from fellow players. Then, he staged another comeback, this time in 1996. After playing 32 games for the Lakers, Johnson retired for good. 

Obviously, you can’t criticize Johnson for anything. In fact, you should applaud him for not only coping with his disease extraordinarily, but trying to play professional basketball with it, and without the support of his fellow players. 

Nevertheless, Johnson retired three times.

 

Roger Clemens

The year was 2003, and Clemens, at age 40 had just achieved 300 wins, and figured it was time to retire. The Yankees gave him a Yankee goodbye, with a huge celebration after the last game of the season, and a brand new Hummer (like Clemens couldn’t afford to buy one himself with his $10 million salary). Of course, Clemens came back the very next year with the Houston Astros and won the Cy Young award.

The decision was obviously influenced by former teammate and best friend Andy Pettitte’s decision to go to the Astros, but regardless, he retired and un-retired, and nobody’s talking about it. Plus, he got a Hummer. Brett Favre never got a Hummer from the Packers. He didn’t even get his number retired.

 

Michael Jordan

Jordan was just 29 when he retired for the first time, after the 1992-1993 season in which the Chicago Bulls won their third consecutive NBA Championship. His reasons for retiring include the recent death of his father and an interest in playing professional baseball.

After a short stint for a team in the Chicago White Sox organization, Jordan came right back to basketball, and subsequent to Jordan’s return was another three consecutive championships for the Bulls.

After the 1997-1998 season, at the age of 34, Jordan retired once again, citing that he wasn’t sure if Phil Jackson would return as coach among other reasons. 

Jordan became an executive for the Washington Wizards, and in 2001-2002, decided he wanted to play again. He played two seasons with the Wizards before retiring for a third time.

So now you have seen three star athletes of the last 30 years who have retired, un-retired, then retired, and in some cases, un-retired and retired again. And what about Lance Armstrong? He retired in 2005 and he came back and did the Tour De France this year.

So people who are hating on Brett Favre, stop. Let the man do what he pleases. 

As my dad says about Brett Favre, “If the guy can still play at 40, god bless him and let him play.”

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New York Jets 2009 Season Preview

It’s Week 12 of the 2008 NFL season, and the New York Jet is on cruise control. With an 8-3 record, the captain of the Jet, Eric Mangini, has done a reputable job operating the jet, with a load of assistance from co-pilot Brett Favre.

But after Week 12, Mangini lost control, Brett Favre was injured and cruise control stopped working. Anxiety rose higher than a punt hitting off of the mega TV’s at the new Cowboys Stadium, and all of a sudden the season went out of control.

The Jets went 1-4 in their last five games and missed the playoffs. The crash of the Jet caused much uproar, and made many Jet faithfuls, unfortunately lose faith.

But this is a new Jets team. With a new head coach, new quarterback and a new attitude. This means no more late season collapses like last season. Or so they hope.

Just days after the 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, Mangini was fired as head coach of the Jets. Just weeks after Mangini’s firing, Favre announced his retirement.

While both are employed for the 2009 season, they did not return to the Jets, which meant that they had some huge gaps to fill.

The Jets first move was to fill the head coaching vacancy. While the names Bill Cowher, Steve Spagnuolo and Jeff Jagodzinksi  were thrown out there, the Jets decided on former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Next order of business was to find a quarterback, and the Jets did that in exciting fashion. The Jets, who had the 17th pick in the draft this past April, traded up 12 spots to nab former-USC QB Mark Sanchez with the fifth pick.

While Jet nation was pumped up and excited as ever, Sanchez did not come cheap. In order to acquire Sanchez, the Jets gave up their first-round pick, second-round pick, defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman, quarterback Brett Ratliff and safety Abram Elam.

The Jets also made a huge splash in free agency, as Ryan was able to lure in three former Ravens playing on the defensive side of the ball.

Jim Leonhard, who started 13 games at safety for the Ravens in 2008 signed a three-year contract. Marques Douglas, a defensive lineman who has played in 104 games with the Saints, Ravens and 49ers, signed with the Jets. Then the Jets found lady luck, signing Pro Bowl linebacker Bart Scott to a six year, $48 million contract.

The Jets made one significant trade in the offseason, acquiring Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard.

Along with Darelle Revis and Dwight Lowery, Sheppard should fit in nicely in what could be one of the top cornerback rotations in the NFL this season.

While the Jets have made numerous upgrades to their team this season, anytime a team brings in a new coach, it is ultimately a rebuilding year, as the coach needs to make changes to the personnel and players.

Along with having their fourth starting quarterback in four years, the Jets will have to get used to their new look. Throw in the fact that they have to play the Patriots and Dolphins a combined four times and 2009 isn’t looking too easy for the Jets.

But the Jets can succeed. If Mark Sanchez repeats recent history, the Jets should win at least 11 games and make the playoffs. The two quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2008 draft, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, did exactly that last year, taking their respective teams, the Falcons and Ravens, to the playoffs in their rookie seasons.

The Jets don’t have an easy schedule. Four games against the Pats and Dolphins, plus games against the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts.

But if Sanchez steps up this season, like the rookie QBs of last season, the Jets can compete with just about anyone.

Being the fact that the Jets have a rough schedule and the fact that this is ultimately a transition year for the Jets, the team will likely not have the success that their roster promises.

An 8-8 finish is likely, but don’t count the Jets out for the future. Once the players get used to the new style of play and everything gets set, the Jets should enjoy much success, but the chances of that success happening this season doesn’t look too good.  

 

Can the New York Jets Make the Playoffs?

It is that one question that is mentioned in every conversation of every fan of every team in every sport. 

Can they make the playoffs?

The team and sport fluctuates based on the fan’s preferences, but this is one of the essential questions of nearly all fans. The answers are always interesting.

Especially when the topic is the New York Jets. 

At week 12 of last season, it is safe to say that all Jet fans would have guaranteed a playoff berth, at least. Some probably talked about the wild card, some going as far as winning the division. And there were probably those wise fans that said something like, these are the Jets, never get your hopes up too far. And that wise fan is correct. 

From 8-3 at week 12, the Jets tumbled in all directions, going just 1-4 in their last five games to finish the season 9-7, short of a playoff berth. 

But 2009 is a brand new season, and the Jets have already taken advantage. 

Their first order of business was to find a coach to replace Eric Mangini. The Jets man was Rex Ryan, formally the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. 

Their second order of business was to get a new quarterback. To all Jets fans surprise, they traded up to the fifth spot of 2009 NFL Draft to select USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. 

With a new coach and a new quarterback, the team seems to be heading in a different direction. But is it a better direction?

Yes seems to be the answer. Sanchez is almost twice as young as last season’s quarterback, Brett Favre. Ryan, unlike former Jets coach Eric Mangini, is more hands on and much more friendly to the media, which always helps. 

But that still doesn’t answer the question. Can they make the playoffs?

Of course, any team can make the playoffs. But do the Jets have a good chance at it, that is the real question?

The answer is yes, but it won’t be easy. In a division that features the Patriots and the Dolphins, the Jets are overshadowed, that’s for sure. But making the playoffs is not necessarily out of the question.

Their schedule is tough, but it’s not impossible. Any team that has to play the Dolphins and Patriots four times a year is going to have some issues. But with an improving defense and improving offensive line, the Jets should be able to win two of those four games. 

The Jets do have a tough schedule. It goes: @ Houston, New England, Tennessee, @ New Orleans, @ Miami, Buffalo, @ Oakland, Miami, Bye, Jacksonville, @ New England, Carolina, @ Buffalo, @ Tampa Bay, Atlanta, @ Indianapolis, Cincinnati. 

Their schedule, after taking a good look at, isn’t so bad. They get all of their tough conference games out of the way by week 11, which is their last game against the Patriots.

There are some easier teams in here, like Cincinnati and Oakland that the Jets need to beat if they want to contend this year. 

There are those middle of the road teams, like Houston and New Orleans. The Jets really should win both of those games, as that would give them a ton of momentum for that playoff push.

The only extremely tough part of the schedule is weeks 15 and 16, in which they go back to back against Atlanta and Indianapolis. Winning one of those games would be enough, if they could win both, it would be huge.

There is a huge difference between asking can the Jets make the playoffs and will the Jets make the playoffs. 

Can they? Yes, if they beat the right teams, which they are perfectly capable of doing, they will.

Realistically, will they? Probably not. In a division with the Patriots and Dolphins, the Jets will play competitive football, but in a season where they are adapting to a new head coach, and with the development of a rookie quarterback on their minds, they probably won’t make the playoffs.  

But I’m not counting them out. If guys like Jerricho Cotchery and Chansi Stuckey step up as receivers and make it easier for Mark Sanchez, this team could make the playoffs. On the defensive side, if guys like David Harris and Vernon Gholston step up, the Jets will be in a much better position to make the playoffs. 

And when you consider the return of guys like Calvin Pace (though he will miss the first four games), Kerry Rhodes, Darrelle Revis, Alan Faneca, Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Furgeson, this team is very, very good. 

So here’s the verdict. There’s a 25 percent chance the Jets make the playoffs. With New England and Miami being so good this season, it’s hard not to see both of those teams in the playoffs. But if the Jets play their hearts out and beat who they need to beat, they will make the playoffs. They probably need to be 11-5 if they want the wild card.

So there it is. The Jets are a good team. They have the players, and they have the coaching. But they are stuck in a really good division, and it is a “transition” season for the Jets. Playoff hopes look a little dim, but that light could shine bright at any moment. 

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