What I learned this morning was that, at 6:30 a.m., the Cross Bronx Expressway is tolerable. As an aside, Keith Olbermann, during coverage of either convention, is not.
Anyway, I was out the door of my Long Island apartment at 5:59 a.m. and arrived at the facility in Florham Park, N.J, a crisp 1 hour, 27 minutes later. All in all, not bad, but I am looking forward to my stay in one of the area’s fine hotel establishments tonight. I’m also looking forward to getting to know the area, which includes Fairleigh Dickinson University across the street, and the area is looking forward to doing the same with me, I’m sure.
This is my first time here so I don’t have a report on the amenities but I wrote a story in today’s paper about the players’ thoughts on the new digs. They’re all positive. From what I've seen, everything looks pretty impressive.
One thought toward the end of the drive was, you’re not in New York anymore – not even close. I had flashbacks as I neared the place of driving lonely I-80 across Pennsylvania. Ladies and gentleman, out the window to your right is…nothing, and to your left, more of the same. That’s not a criticism, but I began to see how Woody Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum sold Brett Favre on the country setting.
“You can hunt around the facility,” Favre told us Tannenbaum told him.
And indeed, just before the Florham Park exit on Rt. 24 West, was one of those yellow and black deer crossing signs appeared as if on cue.
So we’re into the groove for Week 1. The Jets had meetings and walk-through Monday so it’s not like they were off from Friday until today, keeping in mind Tuesdays is a league off day. But still, today - Wednesday - is the first full day of preparation, which is pretty much the way it is week-to-week during the season.
Here’s what’s coming up today for us media people: Eric Mangini will talk at 10:15 followed by locker room access. We’ll watch 35 minutes of practice – we won’t see much but I’ll tell you what we do see – and then, later this afternoon we’ll have conference calls with Dolphins coach Tony Saparano and, obviously, quarterback Chad Pennington. He should be interesting to say the least.
I don’t think this game can be hyped up enough and CBS agrees, sending it’s No. 1 announcing team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms to call it. The weekend would have been circus-esque WITHOUT Chad Pennington down there because of Favre’s first start. But the attention is off the charts with Pennington facing his replacement. In Game 1. That’s a pretty good script. We’ll get into this at some point later but the importance of this first game for the Jets can’t be overstated. Not with New England and San Diego to follow. No first game in an NFL season is must-win, but I really think this is the closest thing to it.
We’ll get into more specific aspects of Sunday as the week goes along. Back later with what came out of the Mangin’s presser and the locker room and practice.
King Randomness I: On the highway to get here, before the sign saying “Entering the Boro of Florham Park” is one that says, “Entering the Boro of Chatham.” Matt is gone but not forgotten.
Randomness II: I wish one of the supposedly objective pundits/journalists covering this election would answer this: how does McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin undermine his experience argument, yet Obama picking a Senate warhorse like Biden doesn’t undermine his “change” mantra? As a proudly registered Indy – with an actual voting record to prove it – I wonder about these things.
Randomness III: Hopefully seeing his team drop two straight in the midst of a division-title run has finally gotten Brewers manager Ned Yost to concentrate on something other C.C. Sabathia’s one-hitter.
Comments (14)
Erik, Wow! This morning i would never have dreamed i'd be reading about Tom Eagleton. Anywhere. That poor dumb bastard was run off the Titanic for drilling holes in the side. He was the last one standing at the end of "Eenie Meenie Miney Mo" then got voted off the island. His last words were an indication into the depth of his insanity: "go forth in love and peace — be kind to dogs — and vote Democratic." Notice there was no mention of "be kind to Nixon."
(the real) Mike, if the Jets can wrap up tackles at the point of attack, they'll force the Phins to throw and that should benefit the Jets. I remember that game where no one could tackle that day. That was Herm's last year wasn't it?
Erik,
Biggest ? is how involved westhoff is on the pactice field?
Hey Erik,
Thanks for the Mets reference. Hopefully Jets Run D won't be equal to Mets bullpen.
Thanks to ESPN for moving Mets to 8, so I can 100% focus on green and white and have a little stress free time before first pitch.
How is your commute affected by the Floral Park move? (time wise)??
Is roster set now? Since no signing since Saturday cut? It will be tough rooting against Chad, especially on the year anniversary of a low point as a Jet fan, the booing of Chad by the classless fans as he went down injured.
Your feelings about Olberman are the same as my feelings about the idiot Bob Costas. He is perhaps, in the history of the world, the most irrelevant scumbag announcer.
Now, to continue on here, that "one-hitter" was really a no-hitter. That play was absolutely make-able and his on faults caused it to not happen.
This blog use to be good till the political crap came in. There are plenty of blogs for politics, I really don't need it here.
CYA
Not be to be out-randomed by you:
1) Erik, what gives? Are trying to morph into the new Lupica--making the transition from sports to political commentary. Just kidding. Love your hipness and the breadth of your knowledge.
2) Found out that Woody is McCain's chief fund raiser. Our owner's right in their with the heavy hitters. Nice to know that a rich kid can climb so high through struggle and sacrifice.
3) Memo to Woody: Did the delegates have to buy PSLs for their seat at the Republican convention in Minneapolis? Couldn't you have used your pull with the big boys in DC to get the fed to pay for the new stadium?
4) Moral Dilemma: If the devil says we can win the 2008 SB--but only if McCain becomes president--is that a deal you make. [How many of you guys said, "In a heartbeat!"?]
5) At least one red state bumper sticker should say, The Republicans, A Party Pregnant With New Ideas.:
6) Bo-Meister: Buy gas in Jersey. Better idea: Buy a Hess truck, fill it up with $3.45 a gallon gas in NJ and sell it for a profit on Long Island.
7) I have a dear friend who lives a few miles away from Florham Park--the Emperor's new tratining facility. You might want to stay with him out there, if it makes your life easier. He's a Giants fan, but I undderstand his place is futon-friendly.
8) I'm emotionally drained,
Erik,
When you invevitably get bogged down in Cross Bronx Traffic shoot me an email. I'll introduce you to a few East Bronx Sports bars in which you can wait out the delay.
As for the actual game;
Brett, and theJets to a lesser extent, are realy behind the curve with preparation, moving to NJ etc, and will be working with a limited gameplan.
Combined with the heat, tough travel (bad weather HERE Fri-Sat) schedule, Favre’s recent woes on opening day, and itbeing the home opener with Parcells, this could get ugly, but only if Fins get a runnning game going.
Fave will turn it over, and will throw a couple of TD’s, but think mistakes will haunt them as they did in preseason so they will not be a scoring machine.
Prediction, if not in a hurricane, Jets will be up13-3 at half and will survive 23-16, simply because I think the coaching staff will play very conservative(in part thinking ahead to Pats in Week Two) rather than following my advice (how dare they!) and blitzing the hell out of them.
It will take Mangini awhile to figure out he has superior talent than most of this years opponents.
Favre 15-30 220 yds 2TDs 2INT.
The running game will continue to struggle and will be the achilles heal of this team all year.
If they go to the playoffs it will be with a dominent defense carrying an improved but still below par offense.
Erik,
I think you'll find Florham Park to be pretty nice, as "joisey" goes.
I have a brother that lives there so i've done the 24 west thing a bunch. I think the Giants used to practice at Dickinson at one time. If ya see a couple of locals with KC Chief stuff on..that's probably my brother and my nephew....probably the only Chief fans in joisey....go figure.
Hope you have an EZ pass.
Hey E!
Good stuff as always. Glad to hear that the new facility has been a hit, although that commute is gonna be brutal.
Just curious -- and I realize that no one other than me will care -- but is there a new press room there? I've been in the tiny press room at Hofstra, just wondered if they've got a new cubicle with your name on it there.
Oh no, Phil Simms is announcing this game? He's just a complete moron in the booth, has no clue what he's talking about.
Its so weird when you see players who were great at playing the game, yet they have no clue what they're talking about.
I remember Simms announcing a Jet game last season where he mentioned Penny's lack of arm strength on a pass. However, it was a lobb pass towards the back of the end zone on purpose, he was saying how a strong armed QB could have make the pass bbetter, when in fact throwing it harder would have made the pass worse at it was a touch pass. What a dope.
PS - I got a submission error the first time trying to post this. I don't think its a coincidence that my security code for posting ended in "36". He even finds a way to mess up Boland's blog.
Erik,
Thanks for the great reporting on the Jets. I have been reading your blog for a few months now, but this is my first post. You can't find the info you provide anywhere else.
I have lived in Florham Park for over 20 years and have been a Jets season ticket holder since they moved to the Meadowlands. My son and I are looking forward to spending a lot of time at practices next summer.
I was hoping they would have invited some of the local season ticket holders to the grand opening yesterday, but I guess not. At least not me!
keep up the great work and maybe I will see you around town.
If you have any questions about the area let me know.
dave
I have to echo JayM- please, no politics. Everybody is already at each other's throats. I like reading your blog.
an apartment Erik? isn't it time to get the 2500 sq ft white picket fence home with the trophy wife?
Erik:
I am an old fart who has been going to Jet games since they were the Titans in the old Polo Grounds. I want you to know that in all those years there has never been a communicator of interesting Jet stuff like you have provided over the last months.
We are deeply in your debt.
When I wake up in the morning I immediately get on the PC and link to your blog, and do it again several times a day. Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing the opium for addicted Jet fans.
I solicit your comment on one point of interest. Watching the preseason games, it is so clear that Brett Ratliff is miles ahead of Kellen Clemens. You said as much in your observations. Ratliff has been amazing, with the highest perseason QB rating in the entire NFL. WATCHING RATLIFF, ONE SEES THE SECOND COMING OF TOM BRADY. HE LOOKS LIKE BRADY, THROWS LIKE BRADY, AND, IN ALL HIS APPEARANCES, HAS BEEN LITTLE SHORT OF FANTASTIC. Yet, Jet management says that Kellen Clemens is the No 2 QB.
Why? Because Clemens hit a few passes in that last exhibition game? Give us a break!! I suggest that cutting a high draft choice is anathema to the thick heads who did the drafting, and that is the primary reason. The rationale advanced is that Clemens has a few REAL NFL games under his belt, but in truth those few games only show Clemens to be a journeyman QB at best.
Check out why Ratliff is not the NO 2 QB, please.
But, more importantly, thanks for the great work in keeping us Jet fans current and knowledgeable about our team...YOU ARE THE BEST!
The Finn, upstate NY