Tebowmania storms Manhattan

Today the New York Jets will announce their new backup quarterback.  Yes, a NFL team is hosting a press conference to show the No 2 guy behind the center hold up his new Jets jersey.  A big show for a quarterback who is supposedly going to take about 20 snaps per game seems a bit much.   It is.  However, the quarterback is Tim Tebow, so it is necessary.

Tebow is not your average QB and he certainly will not be treated like a backup.  This is not because of his arrogance or his skill.  It is because of his fans.  Tebow has a strong following.  To say that they are zealous is an understatement.  Fans in Denver forced the club to make him the starting QB.  It is not uncommon for fans to express their desire for change, but Tebow’s fans purchased advertising to make their point.

 “Tebowing,” the act of getting on one knee and bowing your head, has spread around the nation.  Rex Ryan, the Jets head coach, has already experienced fans coming up to him and “tebowing” and Tebow has not been announced as a Jet yet.  A person with this type of appeal coming to the largest media market had to have a press conference.

The Jets will get some great publicity and jersey sales will increase, but I think that this was a horrible move for the Jets’ locker room.  For the past two years, I picked the Jets to go to the Super Bowl.  They came close in 2011, losing in the AFC championship game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Last year they did not make the playoffs.  The problem was not talent.  The team lacked direction and trust in leadership.  Some publicly criticized their quarterback, Mark Sanchez, albeit anonymously, it shows the chaos in the locker room.

Tebow’s presence is going to make this worse.  Who is the real leader of the team?  When teammates and fans are bashing Sanchez what will happen?  Do player’s believe that Tebow was really brought to New York to be the backup?  Does Sanchez?

The Jets have said that they plan to use Tebow in their wildcat offense.  He can run and would be a threat to defenses in that type of offense.  I just don’t see two quarterbacks being co-starters working well for the Jets.  Especially, after the season they just had.  Tebow worked some miracles with the Broncos, so maybe he will do so with the Jets.  I like Tebow, but I am not a buying the Jets having a young, developing quarterback backup another young, developing quarterback.

Watch the press conference live online at noon ET on nfl.com

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Eagles v. Jets is like Man v. Nature

The Philadelphia Eagles playing the New York Jets at home was like an episode of “Man vs. Nature.”  Man is smart, but you know what happens every time he truly encounters nature?  A natural disaster.

That is exactly what happened yesterday.  The Jets’ came flying in to The Linc with their man-made engines and wings hoping to improve their playoff chances.  Unfortunately, for Jets fans the speed and power of Rex Ryan’s team was simply no match for what nature unleashed on the gridiron in South Philadelphia. 

The Eagles with its natural wings spanning 90 inches soared high and controlled both sides of the ball.  On defense, fumbles and interceptions led to 21 points putting Philadelphia up 28 – 0 in the second quarter.  Like an American Bald Eagle, Michael Vick’s vision of the field was sharp.  He made good decisions on passing and running the ball.  He rushed and scored one touchdown by stretching into the end zone.

Man attempted a valiant attempt to come back, but after halftime it was over.  There was nothing the Jets could do to stop the Eagles.  They kept the Jets offense off of the field and ran up the score.  At the end it was all nature and the Eagles wiped out the Jets 45 – 19.  Yes, a natural disaster. 

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

What a year!

Dallas Stadium is set, the commercials are sold out, North Texas is ready to party and now we have our teams.  Yes, Super Bowl XLV is on!  Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers who won their conferences and earned a trip to Dallas.  Green Bay won all of their playoff games on the road and beat the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game to reach the Super Bowl.  Pittsburgh stopped the New York Jets from coming back to take the AFC title and get their third trip in six years to the Super Bowl. 

Championship Sunday started off lackluster.  Both games came down to defenses holding off come back victories.  Green Bay dominated the Bears in a very cold Soldier Field.  At half-time they were up, 14 – 0.  Neither team scored in the third quarter.  All of sudden Chicago came alive in the final quarter of the game and scored touchdowns – twice.  This put them behind by only one touchdown.  It was too late.  With their starting quarterback, Jay Cutler, on the sidelines STANDING with a hurt knee, there was nothing they could do against Green Bay’s defense.  (Not questioning if Cutler was really hurt, but he was STANDING and it was the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.)  Even Green Bay’s quarterback, Aaron Rodgers got a tackle!

Pretty much the same thing happened in Heinz Field where Pittsburgh hosted the New York Jets.  Steeler Nation was fired up and the team kept the flame going.  The defense did not let the Jets run and stopped them from scoring a touchdown when they were within three yards from the goal line.  The Jets started their come back right before half-time by getting on the board with a field goal.  After that, the Steelers never scored again.  The Jets took over in the second half of the game.  They scored two touchdowns and got a safety.  It seemed as if they were going to stun a team with another come back victory the way they did so many times during the regular season.  However, this time; time ran out.  New York Jets Head Coach, Rex Ryan, comes close again but doesn’t get to the Big Game.  Instead, Mike Tomlin is going to his second Super Bowl as a head coach in just four years.

Last year after Championship Sunday, Heels & Helmets, began with the goal of being a resource to help ladies join the conversation when men discuss football.  (It’s our birthday!)  In the past year, we have written about the game, conducted workshops to explain football and hosted events to raise awareness and funds for organizations supporting women and youth.  Our posts have ranged from game recaps and predictions to new NFL rules.  We have also provided insight to player trades and the college recruiting process.  It has been an exciting year!  We’re just getting started.   So stay connected to know everything that is coming up.

As we kick-off our second year, we want to review the basics to get ready for Super Bowl XLV.  Read posts on the line of scrimmage, offense, defense, special teams, game strategies and playing time to freshen up on your knowledge.  Oh, don’t forget the new overtime rule for playoffs.  Next week we are doing a week-long special for Super Bowl.  We will write every day and break down the strengths and weaknesses of each of our Super Bowl teams, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.  You will be able to compare and make your prediction for the winner of Super Bowl XLV. 

Thank you for following.  We hope that we have helped you join the conversation at the office and surprise your sweetie. ;)  We look forward to another exciting year!

Ciao! 

Heels & Helmets®