By Eddie Mayrose
New York Jets Suddenly Not “Same Old”
This time it was different. The Jets loss to the Colts in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game just didn’t feel as bad as the 
litany of playoff debacles that have dotted the team’s history. There was no fumble on the opening kickoff or a roughing the passer call with a win virtually sealed. There was neither mud nor A.J. Duhe. The Head Coach was not so frightened as to forget that a quarterback sack stops the clock or paranoid enough to claim that he received a crank phone call from Al Davis. Even the blown lead was different; surrendered not to turnovers, as was the case at Mile High Stadium in ‘98, but to a good, old fashioned, butt-kicking at the hands of one of the greatest to ever play his position. What felt so different was that, this time, the other guys were just better. Continue reading »
Gil Lock’s Take on the AFC and NFC Title Games
Things went better than expected last week for the star of Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers. He may not have won any 
money, but he did manage to break even on this season’s first venture into the world of pro football. Gil, having assured us he’d confer with his wife, Jill, returns this week to give his two cents on who we might be watching two weeks from now in Super Bowl XLIV.
by Eddie Mayrose
Football Gods Still Smiling On New York Jets
Shonn Greene had just crossed the goal line at the end of a bruising fifty-one yard run that had given the Jets a stunning 
17-7 lead over San Diego with seven minutes left in their Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday. As Greene was being mobbed by his teammates and my sons and I were jumping all over the living room, the phone rang. It was my dad, a well-meaning yet naive Giant fan, calling to congratulate us on a big win. I picked up the phone, horrified, and said, “Are you crazy? You can’t call me now. Do you have any idea how much disaster the Jets can pack into seven minutes?” And, sure enough, Rex Ryan immediately suffered his only brain cramp of the day; electing to squib the kickoff and hand the ball to the Chargers on the New York side of the field. There wasn’t a fan over thirty that didn’t believe we were about to be treated to another Jet horror show.
It was then, however, that Gang Green entered the Bizarro World, one where the opponent Continue reading »
By Eddie Mayrose
Wagstaff Eliminated From McGee Survivor League
It’s been two weeks since our beloved Professor was sent packing and he still hasn’t gotten over it. The dreams he had 
of collecting the grand prize of Christmas booty have been dashed, by in-laws no less. The pain became worse when the elimination process spilled over to his birthday. Then, the sweetest competitor left in the competition actually sought out some old classmates of the Prof and dished some more dirt. It’s been quite a humbling experience.
The Staten Island Division has now been decimated while just one remains from the Holmdel and Long Island loops. The Midwest Division is alive and well heading into the semi final round, each hoping to collect a Christmas gift from the rest of the league. Good luck to all but, keep it down on the ferry, will ya, Jen?
Fantasy Football News and Notes
Thought it was very cool last week when Jacksonville RB Maurice Jones-Drew, after taking a knee on the one yard line in order to run down the clock in the fourth quarter, apologized to his Fantasy Football owners…RB Steve Slaton will be back in the Texans’ starting lineup on Monday night vs. Tennessee…Eagles RB Brian Westbrook will miss up to three weeks with his second concussion in a month. If he has people that love him, however, he’ll sit the rest of the year…Denver QB Kyle Orton missed a lot of practice time with a sprained ankle and is doubtful for Sunday…Michael Turner, listed by the Falcons as doubtful for Sunday, probably won’t go…Washington RB Clinton Portis is still out with a concussion…Bengal RB Cedric Benson missed the entire week of practice with a hip injury and won’t play Sunday… A bum hip has Colts’ DE Dwight Freeney doubtful at Baltimore…Saints’ RB Reggie Bush is out with a knee injury…Troy Polamalu will not be in the Steelers’ secondary in Kansas City.
Fantasy Football Stars-
How often do the Texans get to show their stuff to a national audience? That’ll happen Monday night and WR Andre Johnson should take full advantage. He and QB Matt Schaub are probably the deadliest passing duo in the league this side of Brady-Moss and not many know it. Look for Johnson to make life miserable for the Tennessee defense.
Fantasy Football Stiffs -
Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez was the beneficiary of the team’s hot start and Tom Brady’s rust when Gang Green knocked off the Patriots in Week 2 at the Meadowlands. That won’t happen today as a ticked off Patriots’ defense will be bringing schemes the rookie has never seen. If you lose points for QB turnovers, you’ll want to sit Sanchez.
Fantasy Football Sleepers-
RB Larry Johnson was signed by the Bengals this week after a month of turmoil inn Kansas City caused by his insensitive remarks about gays cost him his job. Desperate for a new start and working with fresh legs, he should pur up solid numbers as Cedric Benson’s replacement in Cincinnati.
Fantasy Football Slippers-
Broncos’ WR Brandon Marshall could see his numbers drop vs. San Diego if QB Kyle Orton can’t go. Back-up QB Chris Simms does not have Orton’s arm and will likely work the underneath routes; costing Marshall and his owners valuable YDS and scoring opportunities.
