Game Thread W15 - NY Jets V New England (1 Viewer)

[nase]

Challenge on the TD. Will be a quick review here and a reversal.

 

[bostonfred]

After seeing the slow motion video, that was not a TD. He was bobbling that for a lot longer than I thought at full speed.

 

[monkeysee]

Sorry if this has been asked but is ####### Coles playing?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.

J

 

[dawrecker]

After seeing the slow motion video, that was not a TD. He was bobbling that for a lot longer than I thought at full speed.

Sure looked like a similar bobble to the gafney TD. Would be pretty convenient if it is a different outcome

 

[Joe Bryant]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.

J

 

[Joe Bryant]

J

 

[((Morpheus))]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

 

[PatriotJohn]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

I strenuously object. Bobbled all the way out of the EZ.

 

[huckyoda]

This game is not being called fairly, nor was the NE game last week.

Ridiculous.

 

[Bill Lust]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

There is still a lot of time left. If they can get a score here would it surprise you if the Jets recovered an onside kick the way this game has gone?

 

[dawrecker]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

Agree - Wish there was some consistency in the NFL in regards to the calls by the refs

 

[Joe Bryant]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

I strenuously object. Bobbled all the way out of the EZ.

Strenuously? J

 

[bostonfred]

Didn't you conveniently leave out the part about Belichick accepting a one million dollar bonus from Jets owner Leon Hess just weeks before walking away to the New England job?

No. I didn't conveniently leave anything out because we weren't having a conversation about the incident from the Jets' or even Belichick's perspective. But since you're talking about it from their perspective, didn't you conveniently leave out Hess dying, the fact that Belichick didn't want his return to head coaching to be in the resulting turmoil, and that he wanted to get out from under Parcells's shadow?

So, as a matter of principle, did he, or did he not return the money?

Why would he have? He wasn't given the money in return for staying on board for X period of time or given it under the condition that he become head coach, or that he continue to work for some other owner. He was given the money because he had been a huge part of the Jets' success, and they wanted to reward him for it to keep him happy. Would Hess have given him that bonus if he knew that Belichick planned on leaving? Of course not. Did Belichick plan on leaving, Hess plan on dying, or anyone expect Belichick to be in position for the head coaching job that year? Not in the slightest. Things changed. Belichick could gladly have said, here's that million, I don't really want it. He didn't. I understand why you wouldn't like that, but it's not like there was any reason he'd have to. Besides you don't know any of the details about that bonus. Maybe he was promised it before the prior season, and told that if he stuck it out for that previous year, he'd get a bonus. Most owners don't give people big bonuses before you do things, but afterwards. Maybe this case was different, but you don't know enough of the facts to really have as strong an opinion on the topic as you seem to have.

I think I've made about two statements on the issue - that qualifies as a "strong opinion" as opposed to your short story of hypotheticals? I think it's safe to say that neither of us know the true details of this bonus - it does, however, from a NYJ fan perspective seem as though Belichick was given this money as a way to show the Jets' commitment to him as their future coach - to which he accepted, and then left.

I can understand how you'd see it that way as a Jets fan. And I can understand how you would be mad that he was paid for that, although not as mad as Pats fans were that Parcells was negotiating with the Jets instead of planning for the Superbowl. Did Parcells give any of his paycheck back? Not even close. Did Belichick? It doesn't sound like it. Maybe he should have. But in the context of the question I answered, the Jets still tried to interfere with the Pats' attempt to get a head coach by "promoting" Belichick as soon as they showed interest. Parcells had no plans on resigning that head coaching position, then suddenly he did, but didn't leave? And then they complain to the league and get a first round pick for him? That's plenty of reason for the Pats to be mad at the Jets, even if the Jets also had reason to be mad at Belichick.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

There is still a lot of time left. If they can get a score here would it surprise you if the Jets recovered an onside kick the way this game has gone?

Of course. I would be stunned if New England can't win from here.J

 

[nase]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

Indeed, they accomplished setting themselves up for a higher draft pick than the Patriots. Kudos to the Jets

 

[Bogart]

and that's the ballgame.

 

[((Morpheus))]

god you patriot haters kill me

 

[Bill Lust]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

There is still a lot of time left. If they can get a score here would it surprise you if the Jets recovered an onside kick the way this game has gone?

Of course. I would be stunned if New England can't win from here.J

Well, it's over now.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

There is still a lot of time left. If they can get a score here would it surprise you if the Jets recovered an onside kick the way this game has gone?

Of course. I would be stunned if New England can't win from here.J

Well, it's over now.

It was over before Nugent missed Bill. Don't be a hater.J

 

[monkeysee]

Did Coles play today?

 

[bostonfred]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

 

[Joe Bryant]

god you patriot haters kill me

J

 

[Pigskins]

I'm playing against Tom Brady owner this week and because of this game I eliminated him from the playoffs. I was also a heavy underdog. LOL. So sad for Brady owners this week. I find it hilarious.

 

[mr. furley]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

There is still a lot of time left. If they can get a score here would it surprise you if the Jets recovered an onside kick the way this game has gone?

Of course. I would be stunned if New England can't win from here.J

Well, it's over now.

It was over before Nugent missed Bill. Don't be a hater.J

you sure about this?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

Oh. I see now... J

 

[Bill Lust]

The Patriots have won here but what a great game for the Jets.J

There is still a lot of time left. If they can get a score here would it surprise you if the Jets recovered an onside kick the way this game has gone?

Of course. I would be stunned if New England can't win from here.J

Well, it's over now.

It was over before Nugent missed Bill. Don't be a hater.J

Huh? I'm a Pats fan. Am I a hater for pointing out that the Jets still had life?

 

[bostonfred]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

Oh. I see now... J

You had to edit this?

 

[mad sweeney]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

Oh. I see now... J

Refs got it right this week, but blew it last week.

 

[dawrecker]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

eventhough frera has admitted that the gaffney call was incorrect. Just would be nice to see some consistency in the calls. Good try though and nice win.

 

[bostonfred]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

eventhough frera has admitted that the gaffney call was incorrect. Just would be nice to see some consistency in the calls. Good try though and nice win.

No, he said that it should not have been overturned on review either way, and referred to it as a 50/50 play where whatever was called on the field should stand.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

Oh. I see now... J

You had to edit this?

No. Deleted. It's better - trust me.J

 

[monkeysee]

Did Coles play today?

 

[nase]

Did Coles play today?

First few snaps. He was somewhere between doubtful and questionable entering the game.

 

[monkeysee]

Did Coles play today?

First few snaps. He was somewhere between doubtful and questionable entering the game.

What a nightmare. Thanks.

 

[bostonfred]

Check out Belichick talking to the Jets players after the game. No idea if he shook hands with Mangini though.

 

[sheerterror]

Check out Belichick talking to the Jets players after the game. No idea if he shook hands with Mangini though.

They shook hands and you heard Belichick say "Great game. Awesome." He then went off and talked to Kerry Rhodes for a few seconds.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Check out Belichick talking to the Jets players after the game. No idea if he shook hands with Mangini though.

They did a quick handshake. Had to with the media coverage there. Nonissue now.J

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Check out Belichick talking to the Jets players after the game. No idea if he shook hands with Mangini though.

They did a quick handshake. Had to with the media coverage there. Nonissue now.J

Nice spin. Belichick was smiling, happy, warm and congratulated Mangini on a great game.

 

[freelander]

Clear TD. This is no different from the Patriot TD last week.J

The difference is that Gaffney's palm had the ball enclosed last week, but it was moving. The ball was not constantly touching the Jets' receiver's hands, hence, no catch.

Oh. I see now... J

You had to edit this?

No. Deleted. It's better - trust me.J

...probably related to how the NE fans were clear with the "tuck rule" too...

 

[Routilla]

I didn't see the game but it seems like Brady was forcing a lot of passes to Moss. I wonder what kind of #s Brady would have ended up with if he had targeted the shiftier Welker more often than he did?

 

[nase]

Check out Belichick talking to the Jets players after the game. No idea if he shook hands with Mangini though.

They did a quick handshake. Had to with the media coverage there. Nonissue now.J

Nice spin. Belichick was smiling, happy, warm and congratulated Mangini on a great game.

though I disagree that he was "warm."

 

[Kiddnets]

Honest question - what reason does a New England have to hate the Jets - besides as a rivalry?

The Jets lured Bill Parcells away during the two weeks leading up to the 96 Super Bowl. He was distracted all week, and the Pats never had a chance, although you could argue that Favre and Desmond Howard would have beaten them anyways. The league responded by taking multiple picks including two firsts, which is actually the biggest penalty ever for a team cheating, if we want to stay on the topic.Parcells' Jets later stole Curtis Martin away. Parcells used his knowledge of the Patriots salary cap to design a contract that the Pats simply could not match. As a result, their best draft pick in years ended up playing for a hated rival. The Patriots didn't find another stud running back until Corey Dillon in 2004. This was not the only player the Jets did this with, taking punter/reserve QB Tom Tupa and othes. The Patriots got some revenge soon thereafter, when the Jets tried to follow a 12-4 season as the opening day favorites to win the AFC. The Pats knocked Testaverde out in that game, and beat them in New York in a stunner. I was at that game, and it was a personal highlight reel moment. Tupa ended up finishing the game at quarterback. The Patriots offered Bill Belichick a contract to be their head coach. Parcells tried to stop that by resigning as head coach, leaving himself with a front office position that most assumed would be "mostly head coach" while Belilchick had the title in name only. Belichick resigned the Jets coaching job, and the Jets complained and got a first round pick in compensation. A year later, the Jets knocked out Drew Bledsoe, but it had exactly the opposite effect of the Testaverde injury as their backup quarterback turned out to be above average. The Jets took Mangini after a year as defensive coordinator in a move that was partly intended to get a head coach, and partly intended to hurt the Patriots. Mangini had very little experience for the head coaching job and was the youngest ever to take the job, but it hurt the Pats, and that was good enough for the Jets. In one of their first moves after taking Mangini, the Jets started wooing Deion Branch, who was in a bitter contract negotiation and was considering holding out, with very little hope of actually trading for him. It's not entirely clear if they ever intended to trade for him, or were just trying to hurt the Patriots. But, fortunately for New England fans, the Pats leveraged this by driving up the asking price, and ended up trading Branch for a first rounder to an out of conference opponent. Later that year, the Jets illegally filmed the Patriots, causing the Patriots to ask their cameraman to leave. The next game they played, the Jets not only asked the Patriots' cameraman to leave, but escalated the conflict by confiscating the tape, going to the league with it, and acting like they were above such actions. When the previous year's incident came to light, the Jets lied about it, with their head coach and GM unable to keep their stories straight. Those are just off the top of my head.

Just the facts....Jets were forced to give one 1st rd pick for the Parcells fiasco along with some other picks the 1st year but it was only one 1st rder. Parcells was wrong to do what he did and is as much a snake as Bellijerk. The other 1st rder was comp for Curtis Martin who was signed away as a transition player 1st rd comp pick - not stolen but signed to a contract that the PAts could not match as many teams do in FA with poison pills. As for your personal "highlight" in watching a classy guy like Vinny T shred his achilles - well that says all that needs to be said about you!Bellijerk took $1M from a dying Leon Hess to be the next coach of the JEts - when PArcells stepped down Kraft was tampering in Bellijerk's ear promising him full control and more money. Belliscum one upped Parcells by taking Hess' blood money and resigning on a cocktail napkin as "HC of the NYJ" - he then made up some crap about jogging next to a player who almost dies in a motorcycle accident - it was all connived BS and Pats were forced to give a 1st rder to the JEts, Exposed as complete liar and fraud like PArcells. Jets almost killed Drew Bledsoe with a hit that sheared his artery and sent him to the hospital and surgery - I personally felt bad that a gamer like Bledsoe was hurt so bad but I assume that for classy NE fans like BostonFred it was probably his "highlight" like seeing Vinny injured since his beloved Brady got a chance that dayJets hired the DC from the most succesful franchise in recent memory in a legit promotion - Bellihomo tries to talk MAnigni out of his big break for purely selfish reasons. Branch was granted permission to talk trades for other teams - Jets talked to him as per the rules - PAts still get a 1st rder - boo hoo!Pats caught cheating - desperately come up with different theories to blame the JEts and call MAngini a rat Is it me or are fans like Bostonfred why everyone hates the PAts? Its like the big man on campus in HS who can't be happy with his own success. JEts are a 3 win team - why are you even talking about them - especially skewing history like you do - karma is a b#$^$ and I firmly believe the Pats and their classy fans like this guy will get theirs in the end - even if they win it will have to be with a big fat ************ and that can not be changed!

 

[bostonfred]

The Patriots got some revenge soon thereafter, when the Jets tried to follow a 12-4 season as the opening day favorites to win the AFC. The Pats knocked Testaverde out in that game, and beat them in New York in a stunner. I was at that game, and it was a personal highlight reel moment. Tupa ended up finishing the game at quarterback.

As for your personal "highlight" in watching a classy guy like Vinny T shred his achilles - well that says all that needs to be said about you!Jets almost killed Drew Bledsoe with a hit that sheared his artery and sent him to the hospital and surgery - I personally felt bad that a gamer like Bledsoe was hurt so bad but I assume that for classy NE fans like BostonFred it was probably his "highlight" like seeing Vinny injured since his beloved Brady got a chance that day

Whoa there cowboy. I never said that Testaverde's injury was the highlight moment. I was on a six month project in NYC at the time and got tickets to see the Pats in a road game on opening day with a bunch of friends. The Pats were huge underdogs going into that game. They won on a last minute field goal. It was a great game, and a personal highlight reel moment. The fact that it effectively ended the Jets' season is a big reason that the Jets hated the Pats, and a huge part of the story of their rivalry. The injury to Bledsoe would have been the same, if Brady hadn't emerged as the backup. If I'm answering why the two teams hate each other more than just the fact that they're division rivals, doesn't that belong in the story? It sure sounds like you hated the Pats for that. As for the Bledsoe injury, I was sad when Bledsoe left, and at the time, I wanted him to be the Superbowl QB. It seemed wrong to me. Now I understand why they kept Brady in, but I had no idea how good Brady was, and anyone who says they did is lying. I drove up to Buffalo for the Bills' season opener the next year to cheer him on. I still have a Buffalo Drew Bledsoe jersey somewhere. He was and still is one of my all time favorite players. Let's get that out of the way before I respond to the rest of your mostly incorrect post. You're way out of line for saying I wanted Testaverde or Bledsoe hurt. Way out of line.

 

[Duk]

I'm playing against Tom Brady owner this week and because of this game I eliminated him from the playoffs. I was also a heavy underdog. LOL. So sad for Brady owners this week. I find it hilarious.

thanks for sharing

 

[bostonfred]

Just the facts....

Jets were forced to give one 1st rd pick for the Parcells fiasco along with some other picks the 1st year but it was only one 1st rder. Parcells was wrong to do what he did and is as much a snake as Bellijerk.

The Jets gave up a first, second, third and fourth. You're right that the other first rounder was for Martin. But it was a lot more than "some other picks".

The other 1st rder was comp for Curtis Martin who was signed away as a transition player 1st rd comp pick - not stolen but signed to a contract that the PAts could not match as many teams do in FA with poison pills.

The poison pills were built with insider knowledge of the Patriots' salary cap, and the specific poison pills Parcells used are no longer legal. It also cost a first and a third

Bellijerk took $1M from a dying Leon Hess to be the next coach of the JEts - when PArcells stepped down Kraft was tampering in Bellijerk's ear promising him full control and more money. Belliscum one upped Parcells by taking Hess' blood money and resigning on a cocktail napkin as "HC of the NYJ" - he then made up some crap about jogging next to a player who almost dies in a motorcycle accident - it was all connived BS and Pats were forced to give a 1st rder to the JEts, Exposed as complete liar and fraud like PArcells.

Whoa. The Pats didn't tamper with Belichick. They offered him a promotion. They are allowed to do that. In fact, you mention the mechanism in your very next sentence:

Jets hired the DC from the most succesful franchise in recent memory in a legit promotion

You can complain all you want about someone else's million dollars or how he resigned, although you sound like a girl who got dumped over email. I wasn't answering a question about "how did Belichick resign". I was answering a question about "Why would the Patriots dislike the Jets". And the answer is, they tried to get Belichick, Belichick was ready to go, then Parcells "resigned" and stayed on as a "consultant" to block them. Parcells found out about the move, so he resigned moments before the fax officially came through the Jets' machine, and the escalator in Belichick's contract automatically promoted him. Nobody had ever heard a word about Parcells resigning before that. The Patriots still got Belichick, but it cost them a first round pick. The so-called "tampering" was because, at the moment Belichick resigned, he had been promoted to the head coaching job, and thus it was not an upward move. The underhanded move by Parcells is what cost the Patriots a first rounder, not anything underhanded by the Patriots.

Bellihomo tries to talk MAnigni out of his big break for purely selfish reasons.

Sorry, I thought I was arguing with a grown up, not a bigot. Not sure why you're talking about this, though. I never questioned Mangini taking the job. I questioned him being ready for the job, but I never questioned whether he should have taken it. I questioned the Jets for making the offer, but I firmly believe that they wouldn't have made that offer if he had the same age and resume but had been the defensive coordinator of the Steelers or Colts or Bucs or Ravens or any other Superbowl team. Which is why I mentioned it as part of the rivalry - in hiring their head coach, they were also taking a stab at their division leader. There's not one thing wrong about saying this.

Branch was granted permission to talk trades for other teams - Jets talked to him as per the rules - PAts still get a 1st rder - boo hoo!

I said as much in the post you quoted. Not sure why you're arguiing this. The only thing I mentioned re: the rivalry is that the Jets' interest in Branch was, at least partially, an attempt to stir up controversy between him and the Pats. And you didn't really address that, you just used the mature response "boo hoo!".

JEts are a 3 win team - why are you even talking about them

Because someone asked? That seems like a valid reason. The rivalry is obviously one sided right now, which begs the question of why the Pats even care about the Jets. A question that you seem to agree with. And the answer is, there's legitimate enmity between these two teams that goes way beyond spygate or anything else that's happened with Mangini. As you showed, there are clearly two sides to that enmity. I don't argue that the Pats haven't done things back to the Jets, or that Belichick didn't take the $1 million, or any of the things you seem so fired up about in your post. I'm simply answering the question that was asked. Not sure why you flipped out like that, but that's the facts.

 

[Kiddnets]

The Patriots got some revenge soon thereafter, when the Jets tried to follow a 12-4 season as the opening day favorites to win the AFC. The Pats knocked Testaverde out in that game, and beat them in New York in a stunner. I was at that game, and it was a personal highlight reel moment. Tupa ended up finishing the game at quarterback.

As for your personal "highlight" in watching a classy guy like Vinny T shred his achilles - well that says all that needs to be said about you!Jets almost killed Drew Bledsoe with a hit that sheared his artery and sent him to the hospital and surgery - I personally felt bad that a gamer like Bledsoe was hurt so bad but I assume that for classy NE fans like BostonFred it was probably his "highlight" like seeing Vinny injured since his beloved Brady got a chance that day

Whoa there cowboy. I never said that Testaverde's injury was the highlight moment. I was on a six month project in NYC at the time and got tickets to see the Pats in a road game on opening day with a bunch of friends. The Pats were huge underdogs going into that game. They won on a last minute field goal. It was a great game, and a personal highlight reel moment. The fact that it effectively ended the Jets' season is a big reason that the Jets hated the Pats, and a huge part of the story of their rivalry. The injury to Bledsoe would have been the same, if Brady hadn't emerged as the backup. If I'm answering why the two teams hate each other more than just the fact that they're division rivals, doesn't that belong in the story? It sure sounds like you hated the Pats for that. As for the Bledsoe injury, I was sad when Bledsoe left, and at the time, I wanted him to be the Superbowl QB. It seemed wrong to me. Now I understand why they kept Brady in, but I had no idea how good Brady was, and anyone who says they did is lying. I drove up to Buffalo for the Bills' season opener the next year to cheer him on. I still have a Buffalo Drew Bledsoe jersey somewhere. He was and still is one of my all time favorite players. Let's get that out of the way before I respond to the rest of your mostly incorrect post. You're way out of line for saying I wanted Testaverde or Bledsoe hurt. Way out of line.

Fair enough - thought you were talking about Vinny's injury - my misinterpretation....

 

[Kiddnets]

Just the facts....

Jets were forced to give one 1st rd pick for the Parcells fiasco along with some other picks the 1st year but it was only one 1st rder. Parcells was wrong to do what he did and is as much a snake as Bellijerk.

The Jets gave up a first, second, third and fourth. You're right that the other first rounder was for Martin. But it was a lot more than "some other picks".

The other 1st rder was comp for Curtis Martin who was signed away as a transition player 1st rd comp pick - not stolen but signed to a contract that the PAts could not match as many teams do in FA with poison pills.

The poison pills were built with insider knowledge of the Patriots' salary cap, and the specific poison pills Parcells used are no longer legal. It also cost a first and a third

Bellijerk took $1M from a dying Leon Hess to be the next coach of the JEts - when PArcells stepped down Kraft was tampering in Bellijerk's ear promising him full control and more money. Belliscum one upped Parcells by taking Hess' blood money and resigning on a cocktail napkin as "HC of the NYJ" - he then made up some crap about jogging next to a player who almost dies in a motorcycle accident - it was all connived BS and Pats were forced to give a 1st rder to the JEts, Exposed as complete liar and fraud like PArcells.

Whoa. The Pats didn't tamper with Belichick. They offered him a promotion. They are allowed to do that. In fact, you mention the mechanism in your very next sentence:

Jets hired the DC from the most succesful franchise in recent memory in a legit promotion

You can complain all you want about someone else's million dollars or how he resigned, although you sound like a girl who got dumped over email. I wasn't answering a question about "how did Belichick resign". I was answering a question about "Why would the Patriots dislike the Jets". And the answer is, they tried to get Belichick, Belichick was ready to go, then Parcells "resigned" and stayed on as a "consultant" to block them. Parcells found out about the move, so he resigned moments before the fax officially came through the Jets' machine, and the escalator in Belichick's contract automatically promoted him. Nobody had ever heard a word about Parcells resigning before that. The Patriots still got Belichick, but it cost them a first round pick. The so-called "tampering" was because, at the moment Belichick resigned, he had been promoted to the head coaching job, and thus it was not an upward move. The underhanded move by Parcells is what cost the Patriots a first rounder, not anything underhanded by the Patriots.

Bellihomo tries to talk MAnigni out of his big break for purely selfish reasons.

Sorry, I thought I was arguing with a grown up, not a bigot. Not sure why you're talking about this, though. I never questioned Mangini taking the job. I questioned him being ready for the job, but I never questioned whether he should have taken it. I questioned the Jets for making the offer, but I firmly believe that they wouldn't have made that offer if he had the same age and resume but had been the defensive coordinator of the Steelers or Colts or Bucs or Ravens or any other Superbowl team. Which is why I mentioned it as part of the rivalry - in hiring their head coach, they were also taking a stab at their division leader. There's not one thing wrong about saying this.

Branch was granted permission to talk trades for other teams - Jets talked to him as per the rules - PAts still get a 1st rder - boo hoo!

I said as much in the post you quoted. Not sure why you're arguiing this. The only thing I mentioned re: the rivalry is that the Jets' interest in Branch was, at least partially, an attempt to stir up controversy between him and the Pats. And you didn't really address that, you just used the mature response "boo hoo!".

JEts are a 3 win team - why are you even talking about them

Because someone asked? That seems like a valid reason. The rivalry is obviously one sided right now, which begs the question of why the Pats even care about the Jets. A question that you seem to agree with. And the answer is, there's legitimate enmity between these two teams that goes way beyond spygate or anything else that's happened with Mangini. As you showed, there are clearly two sides to that enmity. I don't argue that the Pats haven't done things back to the Jets, or that Belichick didn't take the $1 million, or any of the things you seem so fired up about in your post. I'm simply answering the question that was asked. Not sure why you flipped out like that, but that's the facts.

no flip out - but your "view of the facts " was completely pro Pats version - thought I would give you a pro JEt version - quite different as you can see. Apologize for the personal hit on the misinterpretaion on the Vinny injury - but I have been dealing with arrogant Pat fans all year. In the rare year the JEts are decent - I never act like that.BTW - the Bellichick thing drives me nuts and I hate him for good reason - just as you guys have eveyr right to hate Parcells for his slimy moves!