Y.A. Tittle was a two-time NFL MVP

Just finished re-reading “Y.A.TITTLE: I PASS” for about the fourteenth time, so I thought it would be appropriate to discuss  this great quarterback’s career.

Tittle, who held many NFL passing record when he retired in 1964, only to see them shattered by later signal-callers who were allowed much more freedom to do their jobs. is less known to current fans of Big Blue than Scott Brunner.

That’s a damn shame.

I don’t know why the history of professional football gets treated so shabbily by today’s media and fans, but perhaps it’s because the football fan has less room in his brain to grasp the perspective of history in his sport.

Tittle was a trend-setter, an innovator, and a gunslinger in an era when many teams played the single-wing.

His favorite tight end of all-time?  None other than former Jets coach Joe Walton, who was one hell of a good tight end, and you can look it up.

Tittle was one of the first QBs to work out of the shotgun formation, and though he never won a championship, was the leader of some of the best Giants teams ever assembled.

He should be remembered for more than just this photo.

Make sure to visit http://www.yatittle.net/, the official site of the legendary quarterback.

Thomas Jones' Days As a Jet Numbered?

Running back Thomas Jones had a great 2008 running the ball for the New York Jets.  But if the rumblings are true, the former Arizona Cardinal will be adding ex-Jet to his resume as well.

From Justin Terranova at the NY Post:

But it should be the Jets, not Jones, trying to take advantage of his 1,312-yard season. Gang Green should deal their disgruntled running back right now while his stock is high. New York Jets

Some have suggested that the only reason Jones has returned to the Jets training camp is because the team has promised to trade him later in the summer.

It’s simple, really.  Sell high, build with the kids.  The Jets have never really embraced this concept properly (selecting Ken O’Brien instead of Dan Marino comes to mind), and with the new thoroughbred in the fold, it’s a move that makes total sense.

Brandon Jacobs (photo by P. Borriello)

On today’s (Friday, 7pm EST) “Live From Mickey Mantle’s”, I will talk with former All-Pro punter for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles Sean Landeta. We’ll preview Sunday’s upcoming NFC Divisional playoff at Giants Stadium between the two division rivals. John Delcos will also be on board, talking about the NY Jeets coaching search, the Brett Favre question and the next move for Gang Green.

You can listen live here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Gotham-Sports-Media/2009/01/10/NY-Giants-Playoff-Preview

As always, the call-in number is 347-324-3989

After sleeping on it, I’m a little concerned about the Jets. I never bought into them being the best team in the AFC, and they certainly have proven they aren’t over the last three games. Let’s face it, they got lucky yesterday against Buffalo.

The defense is suspect. It can’t stop the run and if J.P. Losman were any kind of passer they would have lost.

The Jets still can control their own destiny, but the road isn’t easy. They should beat the Seahawks, but then again, they should have beaten the Raiders and Niners on the West Coast, too. If I’m a Jets fan, I’m more than a bit nervous.

The Giants? Well, I didn’t think they’d beat Dallas because the Cowboys were the desperate team.

Last night showed how much the Giants miss Brandon Jacobs. Replacing 1,000-yard power rushers is not easy. The Giants’ problem last night was they didn’t do well on first down. There were too many second-and-eights, which turned into third-and-longs.

Back-to-back losses should be good for the Giants. They still control their own destiny, and beating Carolina Sunday should be enough to give them homefield in the playoffs.

I thought NBC handled the Romo-Witten-Owens soap opera pretty lightly. And, Owens dropped the first ball thrown him. Cowboys will have their second possession now. Put up or shut up time for the Cowboys.

I have a feeling about Dallas tonight. They are the desperate team; the one that can’t afford to lose. Home? National TV? I think they’ll play well tonight. The Giants will miss Brandon Jacobs. They’ll miss him more than Plaxico Burress.

If you’re watching tonight and want to chime in, go right ahead.

Jets got off to a good start, taking it in for a score to start today’s game. But, a fake punt and nifty run (highlighted by several broken tackles) has Buffalo threatening. This game reminds me of the Kansas City game in which they faced a team they should have handled, but let them hang around.

The Jets control their own fate. And, that’s both ways. Time to wake up.

Two weeks ago, the Jets were going to the Super Bowl projected some television commentators. After back-to-back road wins at New England and Tennessee, there was no stopping them. They would run the table, there was little doubt.

Well, not so fast. They imploded against Denver and San Francisco, and now face a must-win game Sunday in the Meadowlands against Buffalo. At one time the Bills were atop the AFC East, but they’ve been in a free fall. There’s still talent there, but the Jets have to take control early and set the tempo. What they did against San Francisco was let a losing team hang around and think it had a chance to win. Soon enough, the Niners wrestled the game away from them.

When the Jets were hot it showed on first down when they set themselves up in short-yardage situations. However, they’ve converted four-of-22 third down conversions in their last two games and that stems from being stuffed on first down.

The Jets can’t afford to lose this one. If they do, they might not make the playoffs.

There are fewer despicable athletes than Terrell Owens, who in a jealous snit, called a meeting with the Cowboys’ fellow receivers, but left out Tony Romo and Jason Witten. Yeah, that will close the gap on this team. It didn’t help when owner Jerry Jones questioned Marion Barber’s toughness.

Teams that point fingers don’t usually win, but the Cowboys are still very talented. It’s not a stretch for me to think they can’t beat the Giants Sunday night. They are home, it’s a national TV game, and the Giants will be without Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress.

The Cowboys are the desperate team, and teams with their talent usually find a way to win under these conditions. This is a team that should’ve beaten Pittsburgh last Sunday and is better than their record. I think they’ll find a way to get by the Giants.

Watching the preview shows. I like Terry Bradshaw on FOX, but find Shannon Sharpe impossible to listen to. Not all that enamored with Michael Strahan, either. The last two are proof that just because you could play doesn’t mean you can talk.

The game I want to want to watch is Steelers-Cowboys. Will channel surf that one with the Jets-Niners. The Giants-Eagles are up next, and New York can win its division with a victory today or Cowboys loss.

It’s going to be nasty in the Meadowlands today, and that plays to the Giants’ favor. They can run and have a stifling defense. They’ll overcome not having Plaxico Burress. Eli Manning won’t let them lose.

Not sold on the Jets today. I think the Niners will be able to score.

Feel free to chime in throughout the day.

The Giants can pretty much lock things up with a win at Washington today, but I’m not on their bandwagon today. The Redskins are desperate to stay alive and they are at home. There’s no telling what impact the Plaxico Burress mess might have on the team.

I don’t think it will affect their concentration level, because these guys are sold on team. But, Burress in the lineup is one more weapon for Eli Manning.

I like the Jets today. They are on a serious roll, at home against a team that can’t stop the run. They really can’t stop the pass for that matter, either. Denver is erratic and there’s no telling which team will show up.

I hope you check in while you’re watching with your comments. Have a good day.