What does J-E-T-S spell? Inconsistent.

While nursing the consequences of a fun filled Saturday evening for my 25th birthday, Sunday's performance by the New York Football-less Jets could have given a sober 70 year old woman a hangover. For the past few weeks I've found myself looking desperately for the same team that manhandled the undefeated Tennessee Titans, and keep coming up with what looks like the same old disappointing Jets. They could have locked the division up weeks ago, but after disappointing losses to Denver and a horrendous 49ers team that was without Frank Gore for half the game, they continued their downward spiral yesterday. By some miraculous act of something otherworldly, they managed to score 10 points in the fourth quarter without even managing a first down. That's almost the equivalent of saying, they won the game even though the other team outplayed them...wait a minute, that's actually what happened.

Jets fans have the idiotic play calling of Bills coach Dick Jauron to thank for this half-hearted miracle that gave us an early Christmas present. Had Jauron called a running play and continued to give the ball to Marshawn Lynch (who the Jets couldn't tackle all afternoon), they'd probably have the win all locked up. I am convinced however, that Jauron did this to torture the soul of every Jets fan, including myself, who now have a renewed false sense of hope going into the last two games of the season.

The Gang Green go out to Seattle next weekend to play the Seahwawks, a team who barely beat the Rams yesterday, yet still nearly upset the Patriots last week. This is a game the Jets could very well lose, and judging by how they've played lately, have a 50/50 shot at losing. Jets play the Miami Dolphins in the final game of the season, which if both teams win next weekend will decide who takes the AFC East, and who gets to go home.

Games like the last 3 the Jets have played are the reason Brett Favre's beard gets a shade grayer each week (though he's partly to blame for their shortcomings this year) and may likely be his reason for actually retiring (again) after this season. I'd like to see Brett back (mainly because Kellen Clemens isn't our savior), but will not be angry or disappointed if he isn't. Eric Mangini is great at finding a game plan, and using it...for the entire season, even when it stops working or teams figure it out. Prime examples: They run the ball almost every time Leon Washington is on the field; If Brad Smith is in, they're going to some sort of ridiculous triple reverse option (Smith didn't play yesterday, and I think the team is better off with Clowney in. He's a faster and better receiver, and his name is Clowney.) They don't blitz anymore and wonder why Shaun Hill looked like the reincarnation of Joe Montana last weekend. Luckily J.P. Losman might be the worst QB on the planet, thus a main reason to why they won against the Bills.

Long story short (I know, too late.), the Jets, though they seemed to be the new and improved Jets at the start of the season and especially after the Titans game, are the same old Jets. Or as Mr. Hurley in "Big Daddy" called them, "The goddamn Jets." That's right, their horrendous shortcomings have been so bad in the 1990's/2000's that they get a shout out by a drunk old man at the Blarney Stone in an Adam Sandler film (If you saw the game yesterday you'd also notice Sandler was at the game, as well as Michael Douglas).

I really don't know where I'm going with this whole post other than to revoice what was once my former disdain for the New York Jets. I rewatched "Step Brothers" and "The Dark Knight" before and after the game yesterday in my day of lethargy, and both were more rewarding and fulfilling to watch than the Jets have been in the past 3 weeks. I hope this does not understate the greatness of both films, as it is not my intention for the overt crappiness of the Jets recently to be so dismal that it would mean watching "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" would also be more rewarding or fulfilling.

One more sidenote: what the hell is up with Chad Pennington? The guy leaves the Jets then unleashes 40 yard passes of the likes we have never seen? Must be the warm Miami weather loosening up his once linguini-like arm.

My NFL Week One Results: Not as Bad As I Thought

Here are the results of my week one picks for the NFL season. Some crazy things happened: Brett Fave, pushing 39, threw a 56 yard bomb to Jerricho Cotchery, The Panthers upset the Panthers with no time left. Some disheartening things happened: Tom Brady's season ended in 7 and a half minutes, the Lions showed us they still have that "Same old Lions" mantra embedded into their heads. Either way, it is all attributed to one realization: It must be football season.

Today, on Michael Kay's afternoon show on 1050 AM, ESPN Radio, I made it on the air to prove to Mr. Kay that he's out of his mind not only for picking the Dolphins to beat the Jets last weekend, but his emphatic and matter-of-fact picking of the Pats over the Jets this Sunday. He thinks people are writing Matt Cassell off too early, but is forgetful of Cassell being with the team for five years, and displaying a losing preseason showing in place of Brady. He also was quick to show disdain for the Jets performance against the Dolphins, when both teams had quarterbacks starting who have been with each team for less than a month. The Pats O-line is going to face similar pressure (maybe not as skillful and intense) that they did in the Super Bowl, and this time with a quarterback far less skilled, poised, and seasoned as Tom Brady. With that will be less accurate throws to Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and more running behind the previously mentioned O-line. Mike took notice of my good point on Randy Moss historically giving up in the face of lost seasons in the past, which seems like it would especially effect a young QB desperately needing everything from the players around him.

Washington @ NY Giants: I started off the season with an accurate and nicely explained pick. The Giants beat the horrendous looking Redskins on Thursday night in a game that should have done us all a favor and just ended at halftime. I quote my prediction, "The defending champions have a lot to prove in their own eyes. They just gave Plaxico Burress a hefty new deal and have a chip on their shoulder for being labeled a fluke champion last season. Jason Taylor will be worried more about getting his tango moves right on the nationally televised game instead of going after the quarterback. Eli Manning has gotten a bad rap the last couple seasons, but I think Brett Favre going to the Jets took some media attention away from him, and will ultimately help him continue to get better. After all, he is a Super Bowl MVP and his last name is Manning. His interceptions still wouldn't tempt me to draft him to my fantasy team though. The Giants should win this game, and I think will win 9 or 10 total this year and get another Wild Card Playoff spot."

Jason "I left my football shoes in my tap dancing shoes bag, and my tap dancing shoes in my football bag" Taylor was non-existent, Jason Campbell looked so lost he belonged on the side of a milk carton, and if this is a sign of things to come from coach Jim Zorn, I predict he will be the first coaching casualty of the '08 season. Eli came out with an impressive first drive, but the Giants put it into cruise control for the most part after that, as it became the Brandon "I leave footprints on Laron Landry's face and turf in his mouth" Jacobs show.

Detroit @ Atlanta: Here's one that left me scratching my head: "Atlanta has a rookie quarterback, and not enough weapons on either side of the ball to beat an exciting passing offense in the Lions." Yup, I'm an idiot. Matt Ryan's first NFL pass was a 60+ yard TD pass, and new starting running back Michael Turner ran for over 200 yards and a couple scores. Yes, the Lions have an M.I.A. defense, and they're said to be going to the run game more this year (something they haven't done since the days of Barry Sanders), but this was still an impressive win for the other laughing stock of the league last season next to the one win Dolphins.

Seattle @ Buffalo: I'm leaving my entire entry for this prediction right here: "Buffalo is a much better team than everyone thinks, and has one of the best up and coming backs in Marshawn Lynch. I think the Bills will upset the Seahawks who are used to playing division 2 college level teams like the 49ers and Rams. A 7-9 team has a shot at the playoffs in the NFC West; that makes me want to spew." I couldn't have nailed this one more on the head as the Bills opened up the season by embarrassing the Seahawks who were without any decent receivers. They still play in the miserable NFC West, and I'm not using this game as a prediction on the Bills season. They should have won this game, and they did, by a lot. Now, we'll see if they can keep it going with a seemingly light schedule they share with the other AFC East'ers The Pats, Jets, and Dolphins.

Jacksonville @ Tennessee: I quote my own stupidity: "The Jags are too good to go into Tennessee and let a mediocre team upset them in the opening game." Even with Vince Young hurt, the Titans, who I thought were an inferior team showed that within your division anything can happen. Tennessee won at home and added questions to a team that is supposed to be a front runner in the AFC this year.

NY Jets @ Miami: I said this one might be close, with the Jets getting the win, and I was spot on. Chad "My 2 minute drill always ends with a beach ball in the wind throw that gets intercepted" Pennington threw up a pick in the end zone with less than 20 seconds left in the game. Brett Favre threw 2 spectacular touchdown passes, and we're sure to see some more of those as the season goes on. It looks like he's enjoying throwing the ball Jerricho Cotchery's way, and with more practice and an improved game plan against the Patriots, the season's first big test comes this weekend.

Kansas City @ New England: The biggest story of the weekend, and I'll open it with this quote from my predictions last week: "Tom Brady has been M.I.A. this preseason, but Shirley Temple could be at quarterback for the Patriots and they'd still win this game." Well, I guess you can call Matt Cassell "Shirley Temple," because when Tom Brady went down early with a season ending knee injury, he came in and got the win. Barely; and against a horrible Chiefs team. I equate Cassell's situation right now to that of Ferris, Cameron, and Sloan taking out Cameron's dad's vintage Ferrari in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." You could call Cameron's Dad Tom Brady, or perhaps Bill Belichick (bear with me here) and the car is the Patriots dynasty of the past decade. Will the car end up dismantled at the bottom of a pile of trees in the woods behind Cameron's house (in this case, I hope so), or will they turn the odometer back and get the car back like they never even drove it. Tom Brady and especially Bill Belichick are hoping for the latter, but that's not how it went down in the movie, and I don't think it will happen that way here either.

The AFC East race will certainly be interesting now, as the Jets and a very impressive Buffalo Bills team should be in a heated battle for the top spot throughout this season. I don't think the Patriots will have a horrendous season, but I do think they will be a vulnerable team, especially without 40+ points to support their aged and limited defense. This along with the offensive line that provided no protection for Tom Brady in the Super Bowl loss, will create challenges for a quarterback who hasn't started a game since high school in 1999. I like the Bills of the Jets to take the division, because once the Pats lose one or two in a row, Randy Moss won't play 100% like he always has in the past, and Wes Welker is good, but he's not a #1 receiver. Lawrence Maroney is sure to get more carries, but again, this goes back to the exposed Pats O-line.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans: The Saints got the win at home, as I suspected, and Drew Brees put up Madden-like numbers throwing for nearly 350 yards. Reggie Bush had a good game as well, and Jeff Garcia threw a pick late in the game when they had a chance to stay in it.

St. Louis @ Philadelphia: I guess it could have been worse for me, I originally contemplated going with the Rams as my upset of the week. The Eagles, as I predicted, put the lopsided shellacking of the weekend down on Nelly's hometown team this weekend, and made me actually feel bad for the fellas. It really made me feel bad for the fact that Mark Bulger is on my bench in fantasy again this year (I never learn).

**Upset of the Week**
Houston @ Pittsburgh: My upset pick of the week couldn't have been more wrong. The Steelers made everyone who passed on Willie "Don't call me Spiderman because my first name isn't Peter" Parker in fantasy football look foolish. Big Ben also put up some good numbers, and with the Brady Bunch in New England now up in the air without their QB, as well as the shaky play from the Chargers and Colts, the Steelers have moved up a lot of lists in power rankings. With their division's next best holdover from last season getting embarrassed at home by the Cowboys, it looks like the Steelers are the favorites to win the AFC North and possibly go deep into the playoffs.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore: I predicted the Ravens to squeak this one out and they got the W. However, I didn't expect the Bengals to be this bad. If they don't shape up, it's going to be a long season for the Ocho Cinco elite.

Carolina @ San Diego: This might have been the game of the week, and I had it all wrong, picking the obviously better San Diego team, who proved the saying that on any given Sunday any team can win. Even without Steve Smith, the Panthers pulled off probably the biggest upset of the week. Smith was suspended for sucker punching a teammate during training camp, and good guy coach John Fox proved that good prevails and no one is above the team as his Panthers squeaked out a victory with a Jake Delhomme TD pass with no time left on the clock. To add insult to injury, it only took this game for Shawn "I'm above the team, got caught with 'roids, and played on a shotty knee that is now mush" Merriman to further injure himself. He's now on injured reserve, will have his surgery, and miss the rest of the season. Way to go Shawn; if the Chargers don't make a playoff run, I'm sure you'll be sitting on your couch with a brace on your leg and screws in your knee, laughing that they couldn't do it without you. Jackass.

Arizona @ San Fransisco: No surprisingly, the 49ers lost at home, as I suspected against a 99 year old Kurt Warner, and an overall superior Cardinals team. I'm sure that's a sentence that will be repeated several times this season.

Dallas @ Cleveland: This game wasn't even close, as my prediction of a Cowboys victory on the road came true. Cleveland looked like they'll have a rocky road ahead of them, though the Cowboys offense can do that to you.

Chicago @ Indianapolis: With Joseph Addai going out early with a head injury (which also injured one of my fantasy teams) the Colts were upset by Chicago in the opening game at their new stadium, named Lucas Oil Field, or something like that. I think the Colts lost the game based on this horrendous name for their new home.

Minnesota @ Green Bay: I picked Green Bay, and Mr. Rodgers did not make me look like a fool. I still think Adrian Peterson isn't going to have the same year he did last season, and with how the Bears upset the Colts, this division could go back and forth all season long.

Denver @ Oakland: On Monday night I was 2 for 2; I picked the Broncos, and they prevailed, going into Oakland to lay an old fashioned beatdown on the Raiders. The Raiders and their quasi-rotund number one draft pick QB of last year are not showin much signs of improvement. Their defense should do better as the season goes on, so hopefully JaMarcus Russell and rookie sensation Darren McFadden can give the crazy Raider fans something to cheer about other than Al Davis's liver spots and latest set of false teeth.

Record for picks this week: 11-5.

In seeing all the crazy things that happened this past weekend, my picks, when looking at my overall numbers, really weren't that bad. I guess, it was my emphatic picking of the games I got wrong that created a false illusion that my picks were train wrecked. Therefore, picking 11 out of 16 games correctly, I will keep bringing it for the 2008 season.

How Will Belichick Win Without his Golden Boy???

My breakdown of my Week One NFL picks (which were as inconsistent as wardrobe changes at an Elton John concert in Vegas) will be coming later on this evening, but for now, here's a great(and I mean great) take on the harsh reality the New England Patriots now face without their franchise, quarterback Tom Brady, for the rest of the 2008 season. Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com makes a substantial and tangible argument in the case of Patriots coach Bill Belichick: Without Tom Brady as his quarterback, Belichick historically, is a loser (cue my laughing out loud like a crazed buffoon).
Chadiha analyzes Belichick's coaching record with the Cleveland Browns and the Patriots before Mr. MVP came along. 42-58. That's right; his horrendous tenure in Cleveland, followed by a 5-10 first season with the Patriots in 2000, and the starting of the 2001 season at 0-2. Then, enter Tom Brady, part savior, part magician, and now, depending on how the season goes, Belichick might end up looking like the great and powerful Oz when Toto gnawed at his curtain to reveal a weak, sad, and pitiful little man. The Patriots won the Super Bowl in 2001 with Tom Brady and the same team that went 0-2 before he started running the ship. Now, we will see how skilled Belichick is since his golden boy is done for the season. The weakened Patriots O-line, and weathered, aged defense won't have 40+ points per game to rely on when Matt Cassell is screaming for the refs to "Blow the whistle!" like Papke, the backup quarterback in "Necessary Roughness."

Cheers to Jeffri for saying what everyone else is afraid to say; that it is possible that while Belichick is no doubt a legendary coach, he hasn't been tested without his star quarterback in the post-Super Bowl phase of his career. If Belichick fails miserably, it will be redemption for him abandoning the Jets when Bill Parcells handpicked him to be his successor in 1999. If he doesn't, it is what all the sports pundits will attribute to his genius game planning and talent management. I still think 18-1 is a much more stunning and widely known number than 42-58, regardless of how this turns out.

To check out Jeffri Chadiha's no holds barred column that gets my vote for the "what everyone is thinking, but no one has the brass tactics to say" article of the month, click here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=3576284

If this guy is accurate, he'll probably end up taking Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column by season's end.

"Johnny Be's Week One Football Picks"

Washington @ NY Giants: The defending champions have a lot to prove in their own eyes. They just gave Plaxico Burress a hefty new deal and have a chip on their shoulder for being labeled a fluke champion last season. Jason Taylor will be worried more about getting his tango moves right on the nationally televised game instead of going after the quarterback. Eli Manning has gotten a bad rap the last couple seasons, but I think Brett Favre going to the Jets took some media attention away from him, and will ultimately help him continue to get better. After all, he is a Super Bowl MVP and his last name is Manning. His interceptions still wouldn't tempt me to draft him to my fantasy team though. The Giants should win this game, and I think will win 9 or 10 total this year and get another Wild Card Playoff spot.

Detroit @ Atlanta: Detroit will beat the team that once boasted a troubled quarterback who is now public enemy number one to dog lovers everywhere. Atlanta has a rookie quarterback, and not enough weapons on either side of the ball to beat an exciting passing offense in the Lions.

Seattle @ Buffalo: Buffalo is a much better team than everyone thinks, and has one of the best up and coming backs in Marshawn Lynch. I think the Bills will upset the Seahawks who are used to playing division 2 college level teams like the 49ers and Rams. A 7-9 team has a shot at the playoffs in the NFC West; that makes me want to spew.

Jacksonville @ Tennessee: A lot of the experts are expecting the Jaguars to do a lot this season, and rightfully so. They've got all their returning weapons from last season, which was overshadowed by an early playoff exit and a team trying (unsuccessfully) for perfection. The Jags are too good to go into Tennessee and let a mediocre team upset them in the opening game.

NY Jets @ Miami: This game might, might be close, but the Jets will win. Yes, Chad Pennington knows the Jets' offensive and defensive schemes, but the Jets also know Chad's T-rex arm. Therefore, the former team edge's go out the window, and the Jets should dominate based on overall talent on both sides of the ball, and the questionable running game in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, which won't pan out until week 4 or 5.

Kansas City @ New England: Tom Brady has been M.I.A. this preseason, but Shirly Temple could be at quarterback for the Patriots and they'd still win this game. The Chiefs still don't have a quarterback and let the one of their only stars, Jared Allen, go to the Vikings. Larry Johnson is going to have another bad season, and I'm just glad I wasn't dumb enough to draft him to my fantasy team because last year was not a fluke.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans: Tampa Bay will be a contender in an open division this year, but the New Orleans Saints will return to the same form they rolled with in the 2006 season. They had plenty of offensive weapons already, and Jeremy Shockey will be effective (until he suffers another inevitable injury like he does every season) in this first season alongside Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, and a recuperated Deuce McCallister (who had season ending knee surgery last year).

St. Louis @ Philadelphia: I think the Eagles will definitely have a better season than they did last year, but some of these sportswriters around the country are nuts in predicting them to make the Super Bowl. If memory serves correctly, Assante Samuel is the same guy who blew it for the Patriots in the Super Bowl (along with their offensive line), and the combination of young linebackers they're relying on, and still having zero receivers will be their downfall. The Eagles will still beat the Rams who still need some reps to return to form with a hobbled Torry Holt, and unproven Stephen Jackson who bowed out early due to injury last year.

**Upset of the Week**

Houston @ Pittsburgh: While Pittsburgh will be expected to make easy business of the nonthreatening Texans, this is my upset pick of the week. I think the Texans will surprise a lot of people this year, starting with this game against the Steelers. The Steelers are not the same team that won the Super Bowl a couple years ago, and the Texans are not the same team that has been unremarkable the last couple of years. I see the Texans winning about 8 or 9 games this year, and same for the Steelers. Andre Johnson will have a couple receiving touchdowns, and Mario Williams will put Big Ben on the turf a few times.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore: Rookie Joe Flacco will start for the Ravens, but their defense is what wins them games. Cincinnati will be playing with a recovering Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson, who will be roughed up by the physical Ravens secondary. T.J. Houshmandzadeh will be double covered and new tight end Ben Utecht might make a splash, but it won't be enough to beat a ruthless Ravens defense at home. The game will be close, but I think the Ravens will squeak this one out by 3 points or so. Not that it matters, since both these teams will be lucky to have 6 or 7 wins at the end of the season.

Carolina @ San Diego: Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart (not the host of the "Daily Show") is supposed to make some noise this season, but without their biggest offensive weapon Steve Smith, the Panthers are likely to get embarrassed in this game. If the Chargers don't win this game by at least 14 points, I'd be very surprised.

Arizona @ San Fransisco: The Cardinals should be a better team with Kurt Warner at quarterback for the whole season than they would be with Matt "Had great talent around him in college, but can't get it done on his own in the bigs" Leinart. San Fransisco has J.T. O'Sullivan at quarterback...J.T. O' who??? Exactly. Frank Gore, if he can stay healthy, should flourish again if he can get some passes out of the backfield in new Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz's system. Isaac Bruce reuniting with his old coach from the Rams should also make some noise. The 49ers defense should be good again this year, but with Fitzgerald, Boldin, the Edge, and Warner calling the plays, the Cardinals should win this close one.

Dallas @ Cleveland: On paper, Dallas is the best team in the NFC right now; whether Tony Romo continues to rack up numbers in the loss column during the playoffs is yet to be determined. Cleveland however, won't stand a chance against the Cowboys who have something to prove this year, starting with this game on the road. The departure of Julius for another Jones, rookie Felix, should help Marion Barber take center stage as the starting running back; a job he has undoubtedly earned over the past couple seasons.

Chicago @ Indianapolis: In the first Sunday night game of the year, America will still realize that the Bears don't have a quarterback. The Bears could literally go out on the field without a quarterback, snap the ball, and see what happens, and they'd still have as much of a chance as they do right now. Their defense can only get them so far, and a horrible quarterback will lose at least 2 or 3 games single-handedly for them. Even though Peyton Manning has been out of action during the preseason, Joseph Addai will take center stage in this victory for this AFC powerhouse of the past few years.

Minnessota @ Green Bay: In the first game of this Monday Night Football double header, this might be the best match up of the week if all goes according to plan. Aaron Rodgers is making his Favre-replacing debut against an improved, and already good Vikings team at Lambeau field. If Rodgers can stay healthy, then the Packers should be at least a 10 or 11 win team this year. However in the few appearances he had last season, while he looked sharp, he got injured rather quickly. I don't think Adrian Peterson will have as stellar of a season as he did last year, especially since his blocking Pro Bowl fullback Tony Richardson left for the Jets. An unproven Tavaris Jackson will have more pressure on him, but the defense should also guide the Vikings to a worthy battle of these two division rivals who will likely claw at each other for the division title all season. Either way, I think Rodgers has a lot to prove, and knows it, and will lead the Packers to their first win of the season at home.

Denver @ Oakland: Everyone is itching to see the Raiders and their first round explosive draft pick Darren McFadden hit the field this season in the second of two Monday Night Football openers. Along with former number one pick (and current Twinkie eating champion) the hefty JaMarcus Russel, the Raiders might improve this year. They've beefed up their defense as well with the addition of cornerback DeAngelo Hall, but still don't have an offensive line. This could be a problem for their horizontally expanding quarterback, and rookie running back. Denver is the more seasoned team, though they probably won't have a good season, but they should win this one by a touchdown.

"Michael Strahan Coming Out of Retirement??? Byaaaaaa!!!"

On Saturday night, Osi Umenyiora, the Giants lone Pro-Bowl selection and star defensive end from their Super Bowl Championship team went down with a season ending injury in their annual preseason game against the Jets. Today, they have started to go to a drawing board similar to that of their neighbors the New York Jets; find a recently retired first ballot Hall of Famer and woo him back into playing. The way the Jets traded for Brett Favre, who decided he wasn't ready for retirement, was as great for publicity as it was for the team. However, if the Giants cajole Michael Strahan out of retirement, it will be a completely different story, though on the surface it appears similar.

The main difference between the two situations is in the motivation. Brett Favre has come back because he has a bonafide desire to keep playing the game he has been a legend at for over 10 years. Money is not an option, since what the Jets are paying him is less than half of the $25 million the Packers offered him as "Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not play football" money. Not only that, if it was really about anything other than a desire to play, he would never in a million years come to the Jets. Even a Jets fan can admit they never in their wildest dreams ever imagined that Favre would play for the Jets before just staying retired. He hasn't had that a Steve Young or Troy Aikman helping of concussions throughout his career, so it is also safe to say he's not a couple beers short of a six pack. He moved his family across the country, to the biggest frying pan of media scrutiny, and turned away $25 million from the Packers to continue being a quarterback in the NFL with a desire to win. Plain and simple.

Michael Strahan, on the other hand, is a different story. Not soon enough after announcing his retirement, Strahan signed a broadcasting deal with Fox Sports to work the games on Sunday starting this season. As of right now, he's got a storybook ending in place; after winning the Super Bowl at the tail end of a 15 year Hall of Fame career, he goes out on top, like Elway. Strahan is also much more likable not only in the Giants spectrum, but among the rest of the league when compared to his former teammate Tiki Barber, who came as close to seeing someone eat their own foot throughout the course of a season as anyone last year. After retiring, prematurely and without a championship, Barber signed a lucrative broadcasting deal, then proceeded to bash his former team (mainly eventual Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning) who went on to win it all. He has alienated any chance of coming back in any role with the Giants, and burned more bridges in the course of a year than Julius Caesar. Needless to say that's a completely different rant, so back to Strahan.

Though he would be welcomed by the fans and his teammates with open arms, Michael Strahan should put the comeback rumors to rest before any more fuel is added to the fire. With his asking price for a return being anywhere between $8-$12 million, his return would strictly be about the money, unlike Broadway Brett's. I think the Giants front office dropped the ball on this one by letting it get out into the media so quickly (though media speculation may have fueled the rumors before the Giants even had time to think about it), and any football person should know they won't be any better or worse with or without Strahan this year.

If the Giants truly believe that the absence of Osi Umenyiora or the addition of Michael Strahan will make or break the defense of their championship, then they have bigger problems on their hands. Finally letting go of one of the faces of their franchise rather than trying to mercilessly buy him back when his heart is not 100% in it, will allow them to move on and focus on the season on hand. Bringing Strahan back will shift the media frenzy from the Jets and the Favre story back over to Eli and the Giants, who have had less pressure on them in the past month or so due to Brett's arrival. Less media scrutiny, and less pressure from overzealous selfish players like Barber and Shockey is what brought the Giants together for their eventual Championship run. Bringing Strahan back into the picture will take the pressure off Brett and the Jets (so you won't hear me complain) but ultimately, will do more harm than good with less than two weeks left before the start of the season by giving Eli more to think about.

Tom Coughlin got his Super Bowl and got his contract extension and ultimately, it's the front office's call, but I think the Giants are smarter than risking the next several years for a crap shoot with a guy who hung it up much more wholeheartedly than Favre did in March.

"Opening Night for Broadway Brett"

In my debauchery-filled weekend of sun, fun, and beer, I sadly missed the preseason debut of Broadway Brett Favre and the Jets on Saturday night against the Washington Redskins. Although the Jets lost, Brett put on a great first performance considering he joined the team less than 2 weeks ago. The future Hall of Famer went an impressive 5 for 6 passing, for a total of 48 yards, including a four yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Dustin Keller. Any doubts Favre had were removed when he stated after the game that, "I knew I had made the right decision when I was on the field tonight." Ah, Brett Favre, he had me at hello.

Speaking of cheesy lines from a Tom Cruise film, Mr. Scientology himself was on hand at the game, making a rare New Jersey appearance, though he's originally from Glen Ridge. Cruise happens to be very close friends with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who I'm guessing was his host for the game. This picture from ESPN.com showed Tom at the game actually being friendly with the fans, not like that time he almost engaged in fisticuffs with Matt Lauer on the Today show (2nd picture) a couple years back.

I think Favre's first real test will be when the Jets host the Giants this Saturday night. It will be the first time Favre is playing against the defending Super Bowl champions since throwing what would end up being the game winning interception in the NFC Championship Game last season. Perhaps this was Favre's plan all through the offseason: fake retirement, then get traded to the Jets and steal away any memory the New York media has of the Giants Super Bowl victory by robbing the headlines until the season starts. This should make for a good match up, and will most likely be Favre's last action until the season opener in Miami since most teams keep their starters on the bench for the fourth week of preseason games.

Another football event worth noting that took place this weekend was another quarterback making a debut with a new team: Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins who faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, also on Saturday night.
I wish Chad and the 'Phins all the best this year (so long as they don't get in the Jets way for the 2 games they'll play) as I'll always be a fan of his, and the image of him in a Dolphins uniform was just as jarring as Favre wearing the Jets shade of green. The Dolphins won their game 19-14 while Pennington also put up rather impressive numbers for a guy who's been with the team for about 10 days. Chad went 5 for 6 passing with 55 yards, no touchdowns. Ironic that these numbers were nearly identical to Favre's, save for the touchdown. We'll just have to see if they stay as even keeled for their season opener in Miami on September 7th.

The Jet Brett Favre era took the field for the first time this weekend, and Jets fans will be on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what he has in store for the rest of the season.

It's 5 Months Away, but the Super Bowl Halftime Performer Will Be...

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!

The the football season hasn't even started yet, but it's being reported that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the halftime performers at this year's Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, Florida. So there you have it, you have 5 months to set your TiVo and not miss a minute when you have to make a mad dash to the bathroom because your sister-in-law's guacamole was made with expired sour cream and mushy avocados.

Honestly, once I read this at Variety's website, I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet. Looking back, having the reunited E Street Band play at the Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 would have been more fitting than U2 in their tribute to 9/11. However, it still doesn't change the fact of that being one of the most powerful, resonating halftime shows in the Big Game's history.

So, why the change of heart for the E Street Band? Perhaps they are true to their tradition of an All-American rock band and want to give the Jets and their new (old) All-American quarterback, Broadway Brett Favre some extra motivation to make that trip to Tampa Bay in January. It may take a Thunder Road to get there, and Favre's Glory Days may be behind him, but if the Jets play their opponents with a tenacity like they're Held Up Without a Gun, then maybe Brett and the Jets will go all Murder Incorporated on the competition this season.

If that's the case then they would truly prove that they are Born to Run with the Boss to Florida. Hell, they could even take the same flight back to the swamps of Jersey and have a victory show at the stadium when their fans greet them on the homecoming.

The NFL and Springsteen's people have been mum on the subject, so hopefully in the coming weeks we will know for sure if this match made on Exit 16W of the New Jersey Turnpike is in fact true. If so, it's a teaming that is truly Born in the USA.