By David Levy-Fan Experience Reporter from Football Reporters Online, Levy’sBakeryProductions.com & @LevysBakeryProd

New York Jets fans were not sure which Jets would be on the field against the Miami Dolphins on the first day of 2012 received a response to which we have seen time and time again..

The New York Jet faithful deserve to see a return on their investment.  With high prices come high demand to deliver.  An AFC title game appearance last year and taking control out of their own hands this year has not been looked favorably looked upon by season investors. Rex Ryan had everyone believe they were Super Bowl bound in the preseason.  If Rex was investing in futures and offered advice, everyone would have lost this season.

There will be plenty of time in the weeks to come for the blame game to start as to the downfalls during the Jets season. But in Game 17, the thorns were Santonio Holmes and, once again, Mark Sanchez. its beyond reproach to call out Brian Schottenheimer for Sanchez, who has not proven his high NFL Draft status since he first started as a professional..   The team has been corralling Sanchez long enough he can not fight out of situations he is unprepared for, it has finally crippled the team.

Younger fans and season ticket holders are not used to seeing their team implode like this.  They are used to seeing a team go to the playoffs, players step up to make last minute clutch plays for wins, and a coach who likes to show his bark is worse than his bite.  But these are the real Jets, the ones your father told you about.  They team they spend their hard earned money to see to be disappointed at the end of the season as well.

Holmes’ actions during the Dolphin game should not be overlooked, especially since he was designated as a Captain. But, frankly, his frustration is understandable. Remember, Holmes resume involves experience with a clutch, Super Bowl quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger…and he caused trouble there anyway. Here, he must be stunned to play on a team that was supposedly poised for a Super Bowl run under the field leadership of a completely clueless, inconsistent, less than professional standard QB in Sanchez. He’s right. In a game this important, how does he go completely ignored by the hack under center?

This team is unfortunately descending in the wrong direction once again. There should be a litany of changes this off-season, but nothing will effectively reverse another brewing Jet catastrophe.  The Jet fans have seen this and are accustomed to it.  The Jet investors do not want to hear promises from its board that can not be backed up.  If the Jets fans were true investors, imagine the leadership changes they would be able to vote on.

Every public company makes a push by the end of the year or their fiscal year.  The Jets did not do that this year.  They made no push to guarantee their stockholders a return going into the playoffs. With no dividend  paid this year, analysts might conclude there will be a repeat performance next year.  That is, unless management makes the right decisions and boosts the moral of their stockholders.  Only way to find out is to see who show up for kick off in 2012.

By TJ Rosenthal-Special Contributor

Image via Wikipedia

Over the last Seven days, Mark Sanchez has been beaten by a quarterback who rarely throws a forward pass, and replaced in practice by another who hasn’t seen the field in a meaningful game in years. The mental state of Mark Sanchez, has expressed both confident and fearful tendencies over two and a half NFL seasons, and is the key component for the Jets playoff hopes. As the club embarks on a six game stretch that includes winnable games on paper, with virtually no room for error.

The 5-5 Jets have done it to themselves. Shoddy offensive line play, a pedestrian rushing attack, and a defense that has failed to dominate the line of scrimmage, have along with the now mistake prone Sanchez, all contributed to the club’s current need of running the table.

Going 5-1 should get the Jets in. 4-2 probably won’t. Not with five losses already in the AFC, and an AFC East title that appears headed for another Foxboro crowning.

The task is doable. A banged up Bills team. A QB-less Chiefs club. A jekyll and hide Philly team and 3-7 yet improving group of Dolphins bring a semblance of hope to the Jets. Provided that their play improves. Starting with Sanchez.

It hasn’t all been the fault of the quarterback though much of the blame for the losing has fallen on the shoulders of number six. What has come first, the Jets quarterback’s lack of ball security or the mounting losses, is debatable. What is NOT up for debate is that Sanchez has made a plethora of key errors that have led directly to failed outcomes. A collection of instances that have left many questioning his ability to lead the Jets.

Sanchez entered this season prematurely awarded the keys to an “Air Coryell” type of offense that was to throw early and often. Deep and short, and all over the field. Once the hardened wall of a promising 2-0 start began to show cracks up front, a decision was made to do an about face. The “ground and pound” then made it’s way back into the huddle after Sanchez took a physical beating in Baltimore. In a loss that dropped the Jets to 2-2 during it’s hellacious three game road swing. The club’s move back in time settled down the ball security issues that following Sunday, but still resulted in a low octane, 30-21 loss at New England.

After a mundane offensive performance during a 24-6 Monday night win over winless Miami, OC Brian Schottenheimer came out from his lab in order to implement “science project three,” a spread out attack against San Diego. The new look got all Jet skill players involved early. However, an end zone interception thrown by Sanchez in the first half thwarted a drive that reminded some of the game ending pick six by Ravens CB Lardarius Webb in Baltimore one week prior. Despite a solid second half comeback that resulted in a big 27-21 win over the Chargers, a scary habit was forming for the Jets underneath the surface, and inside the helmet of it’s signal caller. At 3-3 though, the Jets were at least back in the race.

The Jets returned from a bye week answering doubts surrounding their recent history of egg laying after breaks, by embarking on a crisp nine minute opening drive at 4-2 Buffalo. One that resulted in, you guessed it, an end zone interception by Sanchez that gave Buffalo life. The play seemed to shake the foundation of Sanchez for the rest of the first half, as another pick was followed by a fumbled snap. Two quarters dominated by the Jets defense soon ended with Gang Green owners of a slim 3-0 lead. Sanchez and Co. got it together later in closing out the Bills 21-11, but questions regarding the QB’s “growth” after his nervous play early on, grew louder afterwards.

Now at 5-3, but trailing 30-16 with 8:00 left in a matchup for first place with New England, Sanchez did it again. Throwing a pick six from his own goal line that put the Pats up for good at 37-16. A play that ended the Pats two game slide and talk of a Belichick dynasty in it’s final throes. The interception only compounded an inexplicable timeout that Sanchez had called prior to a late first half TD, that left Tom Brady enough time to regain the lead 13-9, with a TD of his own.

Anecdotally, the lost lead at halftime had sent the Jets marching toward the locker room, where an angry Ryan told NBC the timeout was the “stupidest play in history.” Moments later, a fan compared Ryan’s work to King Bill’s to which the Jets boisterous coach responded “STFU.” A comment that later led to a $75,000 fine by the league on Ryan.

The loss to it’s archrival after the rare shot at a divisional takeover slipped from within their grasp, left the Jets ripe for an ambush in Denver. Where only days later, on an odd Thursday night tilt, Sanchez again threw away the lead. This time at the tail end of the third quarter of a game the Jets led 10-3. Where points were at a premium, as injured primary backs Shonn Greene and Ladainian Tomlinson sat as specators. The resulting 10-10 tie then set the stage for Tim Tebow’s impersonation of a John Elway game winning drive.

Despite the many gaffes that Sanchez has had in 2011, his body of work during prior years, should still leave him with many postives to rebuild his confidence from. Regardless of the truth that Ryan’s Jets have been built on defense and a stout rushing attack, Sanchez’s caretaking DID lead to four big comeback wins in 2010. As well as clutch play during mistake free play from behind center over two postseasons.

Mark Brunell was given first team reps over the past few days, but the 19 year veteran is not about to start on Sunday in a must win rematch with the Bills. However, don’t take Ryan seriously when he says as he did at a press conference today, that he can’t envision sitting Sanchez. Should the “Sanchise” struggle with the season on the line, in a winnable game that will feature a Fred Jackson-less Bills offense, don’t be shocked if Ryan goes to the bullpen for a short term fix.

The only person who can prevent this scenario is also the only one who can spearhead the Jets return to a swagger that carried them to the Super Bowl’s doorstep for two years straight. Mark Sanchez.

Sanchez must believe in himself again. By surveying the field. By delivering throws on time. By avoiding the tunnel vision that has led to so many points for the opposing the defense. The Jets QB has to remember that he was brought here to get the Jets over the hump. He must take the field Sunday knowing that if the coaching staff DIDN’T feel as though he could achieve that, he would have never been given the starting job from day one, with a quality team built around him, in the first place.

twitter@thejetreport

New York Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the season.

Jets Assistant Sal Alosi

In addition, Alosi was fined $25K.

Alosi intentionally tripped a Miami Dolphins player who ran past the Jets bench during Sunday’s game at the New Meadowlands.

“I let everyone down yesterday by my actions,” Alosi said to the media Monday. “My actions were inexcusable and irresponsible.”

“After reviewing the facts and consulting with the league office, we determined that this was the most appropriate discipline,” said Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum. “I have spoken with Sal. He understands the severity of his actions and has apologized to all parties involved in the incident. There is no place in the game for this type of behavior and his conduct falls disappointingly short of our expectations for anyone associated with the New York Jets. I have also reminded all members of the organization with sideline access that it is both a priority and their responsibility to maintain a safe environment.”

by David Levy / FRO Special Contributor

Every year, Jets fans look forward to two games the most.  The games against the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots.  These rivalries go back to their days competing in the AFL.  With roots dating back 50 years, it is no wonder fans look forward to these contests.

You can see it every game.  Fans cheer a little louder, the chants get nastier, and their solidarity while tailgating gets stronger.  Even at away games, the Jets fans presence is known.  But the upcoming Monday Night Football game between two 9-2 teams seems to be fate.  As both teams, with top records in the NFL, battle it out for AFC East supremacy.

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NFL Tweets of the Week……..

@ NFLFootballInfo: 19 teams within 1 game of 1st place is most through 12 weeks in NFL history; For playoff scenario/tiebreaker fans, 2010 1st time since 2000 we enter Week 13 w/ no chance for any club to clinch playoffs

As the league enters Week 13, there are 19 teams either in or within one game of first place in their divisions, the most at this point of a season in NFL history. And, for the first time, all eight divisions have at least two teams either in or within one game of first place through the first 12 weeks.It also marks the first time since 2000 that no team has an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot through Week 13.

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Thursday’s Chicago Bears-Miami Dolphins game on NFL Network was Thursday’s most watched show on cable drawing an average of 5.4 million viewers (not including over-the-air stations in Chicago and Miami).

The game topped all entertainment and sports competition including UCLA-Washington college football on ESPN (2.1 million viewers), and Suns-Magic (1.2 million viewers) and Nuggets-Trail Blazers (1.1 million viewers) on TNT.

Bears-Dolphins cable viewership posted an 80 percent increase over last year’s comparable Thursday Night Football game (Dolphins-Panthers, 11/19/09).

Thursday Night Football continues on Thanksgiving (Nov. 25) with the Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets at 8:00 PM ET. The Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears pregame show begins at 6:30 PM ET featuring analysis of the Thanksgiving afternoon games and the latest on Bengals-Jets and all of the weekend’s NFL matchups.

…. from Rob Demovsky /packernews.com

The Green Bay Packers have only four players left on their roster with NFL experience in double-digit seasons, and there are only six players older than 30.

The NFL always has been a young man’s game, but Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has taken that to the extreme.

For a team whose Super Bowl aspirations remain within reach heading into the final seven weeks of the regular season, Thompson seems anything but concerned about the lack of veteran presence in his locker room. If he was, he wouldn’t have dumped cornerback Al Harris last week after Harris’ stint on the physically unable to perform list was up. Nor would he have placed right tackle Mark Tauscher on injured reserve even though recent medical progress reports indicated Tauscher’s shoulder injury was improving.

For the first time since Harris, who was claimed by Miami and played for the Dolphins on Sunday, was let go last Monday and Tauscher was put down for the season on Friday, the Packers’ players were back in their locker room on Monday following the bye. And at least a few of the veterans couldn’t help but shake their heads and wonder who might be next on the chopping block if an ailment befalls them.

“It doesn’t seem too unusual; It’s been like that around here for a while,” said defensive end Cullen Jenkins, a 29-year-old who is in his seventh season. “It kind of feels like the norm around here. The only thing that does feel unusual is that as you start to look around, you can’t tell some of your old stories that you did because there’s not people here who can relate to them.”

When asked whether veteran players sometimes wonder what the organization is doing when it comes to other veterans who have been injured, quarterback Aaron Rodgers gave a long pause before saying, “You know, I’m not worried.”

The Packers have asked Tauscher, 33, to remain a part of the team even though he won’t play again in this, his 11th NFL season, which could be his last. Some players on injured reserve don’t spend time with the team and sometimes leave town before the season is over, but coach Mike McCarthy said he wants Tauscher around. Tauscher lost his starting job after he sustained a shoulder injury, which will require surgery tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, in Week 4 against Detroit, and the way rookie Bryan Bulaga has played, Tauscher would have had a hard time getting it back.

Still, Tauscher, who according to a source thought he could have put off surgery until after the season and played this year, had been practicing with a harness on his right shoulder. But McCarthy said Monday he didn’t think Tauscher would have been able to play with that brace.

Given that Tauscher is scheduled to earn $4.1 million next season, it’s unlikely the Packers will bring him back at that price, meaning his Packers’ career, like Harris’, could be over. Linebacker Nick Barnett, 29, and in his eighth NFL season was in a similar position as Tauscher. He had a wrist injury he initially wanted to play through, but was convinced going on injured reserve would be the best for him in the future. But it’s worth wondering whether that future will be with the Packers.

Whatever the reasons, there’s a dearth of veteran leadership available to guide the Packers, who are 6-3 and tied with the Chicago Bears atop the NFC North, down the stretch.

“It’s part of the game,” McCarthy said Monday. “I had an opportunity to talk to Al today. Al Harris has played over 100-plus games. Mark has had a tremendous career here. They bring so much experience, both to the field and to the locker room. Yes, that’s part of it, but it’s also the path of our season. Injuries do occur, decisions are made, and we’re always going to operate and do what is in the best interests of the Green Bay Packers from the chairs that we sit in. But Al Harris and Mark Tauscher have been excellent Packers, and we appreciate that. But at some point, careers do come to an end, and you move on, and you appreciate what they have done. Mark will continue to do so and be a part of our football team.”

At least one player, safety Atari Bigby, who was one of Harris’ closest friends on the team, has a theory on why Thompson seems to prefer younger players.

“Younger players tend to have more energy, they’re more excited and they tend to accept their roles a little bit easier than veterans,” said Bigby, who is 29 and in his fifth NFL season. “I think that’s why. I don’t know. I’m not Ted. I’m not in his head.”

When asked whether Harris would have had a hard time accepting a backup role and therefore been a locker-room distraction had he been activated off PUP, Bigby said: “No. I’ve never seen Al as somebody like that, but Ted makes that decision, and that’s what he went with. At the end of the day, he’s the leader, and we have to follow his direction.”

Leadership is difficult to quantify, but the 26-year-old Rodgers will be looked upon to provide some of it simply because of the nature of the position he plays. Between him and the other natural locker-room leaders — Charles Woodson (age 34, in his 13th NFL season), Chad Clifton (34, 11th season), Ryan Pickett (31, 10th season) and Donald Driver (35, 12th season) — Rodgers believes there’s enough veteran leadership.

“I’m not worried about the leadership on this team,” Rodgers said. “Those are decisions that I’m not part of. We play with the guys we have, and I’m excited about the guys we’ve got. Bryan’s done a great job at right tackle in Mark’s absence. Obviously, putting Mark down is tough. He’s a good friend. He’s had an incredible career here. It’s just tough to see him get injured.”

Pickett, who said he didn’t know what went into the decision to release Harris but added he will be missed, believed it was a misnomer that Thompson dislikes veteran players. He pointed out Thompson signed both himself and Woodson at late stages of their careers.

Though Thompson has added his share of young players, such as activating rookie running back James Starks off PUP a day after Harris was waived, he made what could be a key veteran acquisition in claiming nose tackle Howard Green (31 and in his sixth NFL season) to help solidify the defensive line.

“There’s not many of us, but there are some of us that’s been down this road,” Pickett said. “A lot of us were on the team, well a few of us were here when we got to the (2007 NFC) championship game and lost, so that’s good. But we’re not worried about how young the team is. Sometimes that’s good. They’re just playing ball, and that’s what the young fellas are doing right now.”

rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com