And on the 4th Day of Free Agency the Jets & Dolphins Apparently Passed the Patriots.... posted by Mike Dussault

Free Agency just started on Friday, and the Jets and Dolphins have both made significant moves while the Patriots have stuck to signing their own guys, and it's become a popular article around the interwebs whether these moves have dethroned New England as the AFC East favorites.

First of all, Miami and New York should be doing whatever they can do to pass the Patriots this year. No one realized it heading into last year but 2009 was the year Bill Belichick had to begin rebuilding his defense. He realized it at the end of training camp and unloaded Richard Seymour to Oakland. But the Patriots are well suited for the rebuild that is ahead of them.

Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork will be the centerpieces of the new defense. And will 4 picks in the first two rounds of this years draft, as well as 2 1st-rounders in next years, the Patriots are in position to add a lot of quality players in the next two seasons. Meaning if you're going to beat the Patriots you better do it now before all this talent is added and begins to gel.

That being said, while Miami and New York both added potential playmakers to their respective defenses, their offenses (the things that would exploit a young/inexperienced Patriot defense) remain fairly unthreatening. Not to say they aren't respectable but the loss of Thomas Jones for the Jets shouldn't be minimized, nor should Miami's continued lack of a dangerous passing game.

So let's all take a deep breath, there are still alot of Free Agents out there, mid-level veterans like those that the first Patriots dynasty were built on. We're clearly a long ways away from how the rosters will look on opening day, and there are still plenty of additions and subtractions for every team.

On March 4, the New York Jets managed to get closer to playing in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 posted by Colin Linneweber

The New York Jets acquired San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2011 draft Thursday evening. 

In order to make room for Cromartie, the Jets released disappointing cornerback Lito Sheppard. 

Cromartie, 25, who the Chargers selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State University, was an All-Pro selection in 2007. 

At his best, Cromartie is an elite shutdown corner who can easily blanket any receiver in the league with his blazing speed. 

Unfortunately for Jets fans, Cromartie is also a pathetic tackler who has more personal issues than Lindsay Lohan. 

Cromartie reportedly has fathered seven children in five different states and he has been named in a minimum of five paternity suits. 

The former Seminole standout signed a five-year contract worth $7.35 million with the Chargers after he was drafted. 

Therefore, Cromartie is entering the final season of his rookie contract and the Jets have been clear that they have zero desire to extend his deal before next season. 

Cromartie’s precarious contract situation should make him highly motivated to thrive for the Jets this coming autumn. 

Seriously, the guy is legally obligated to feed kids that reside all over our great nation. 

Coupled with 2009 First-Team All-Pro Darrelle Revis, the Jets should have the most formidable cornerback tandem in the NFL. 

If Revis and Cromartie are able to stifle their opponents passing game, Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan should have a ball devising even more aggressive blitz packages than he usually does. 

Hours Away posted by Randolph Charlotin

With less than five hours before free agency begins, let me get a few thoughts out of my mind:

Be sure to sign the Leigh Bodden thank-you card. He’s not coming back. He’s the second-best corner back available in free agency after Houston’s Dunta Robinson. It shouldn’t take him long to find an offer that he can’t pass up. His gamble to sign a one year deal with a promise from the Patriots that they wouldn’t franchise him will pay off. He erased his years with Detroit, including the 0-16 season, from everyone’s mind. Wish you luck at your next career stop, Leigh, as long as it’s not with an AFC East team.

Want to know what’s the value of LB Adalius Thomas? None. It’s not that there aren’t any teams that want him, but no team will make a trade offer for a guy they know the Pats want to dump. They know the divorce is coming, so they’ll wait until New England cuts him and sign Thomas without giving up compensation. One of those teams rumored to be interested in Thomas as a free agent is the New York Jets, where Thomas would be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Guess which two games Thomas circles on his calendar if he matriculates to the Jets?

If that happens, the Pats should take the Jets’ Thomas. The Jets recently cut RB Thomas Jones to save money. New York says they want to re-sign him, but New England should swoop in and steal him away. I’d like him better than Fred Taylor because Jones is younger (31 to Taylor’s 34) and Thomas has been more durable. He missed just three games since 2004 to Taylor’s 22 games. I’m also concerned about the aging backfield, with Laurence Maroney the only RB younger than 30. Taylor and Sammy Morris (four last year, 17 since signing with the Pats in 2007) both missed games. Because the coaching staff won’t utilize BenJarvus Green-Ellis, he isn’t part of the conversation.

A Closer Look at Adalius Thomas in the Buffalo Bills Game posted by Mike Dussault

When Adalius Thomas went on the radio airwaves a couple weeks ago he shed just a little light on what exactly went wrong with him and the Patriots in 2009. Apparently it all started after the first game of the season, the home opener against the Buffalo Bills, which saw the Tom Brady pull of the greatest fourth quarter comeback of his career. Thomas said that Coach Belichick met with him after the game to express that his play was substandard and from there things went down hill fast.

Thomas seemed to disagree with Belichick's assessment, and said that the tape was out there for anyone who wanted to see how he performed. I had saved the game on my DVR (because I was there and I'm a nerd like that) so I went back and watched every defensive play, watching only Thomas to see what it was about AD's play that drew Bill Belichick's ire.

Now, disclaimer, I am not Bill Belichick. I wasn't watching film in the womb. But I would consider myself a fairly knowledgeable Xs and Os fan, who's favorite show is NFL Playbook and who's personal hero outside the Hoodie is Mike Mayock.

I was pretty surprised to find that Thomas actually played pretty well in the first half (again, all of this is in my opinion). First of all, he never came off the field... a stark contrast to later in the season when he was solely used as a run stopping OLB. He was solid in setting the edge, and got some pressure.

It was in the 3rd quarter where Thomas seemed to start losing steam. The Bills had the ball, facing a 3rd and 1, with the Patriots in a nickel defense. Terrell Owens ran an underneath route and Thomas failed to stay with him resulting in a 27-yard gain ( LOWLIGHT HERE), which then led to. Okay Thomas covering TO is not exactly a favorable match-up for the Pats, and it seemed like Thomas was anticipating a draw up the middle, but still, the result was a 1st down for Buffalo.

Rex Ryan and the Jets "are the biggest show in town" posted by Colin Linneweber

The New York Jets Super Bowl aspirations were shredded by the Indianapolis Colts 30-17 Sunday in the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Field in Indiana.

The Jets outplayed the Colts in the first half and they managed to enter intermission with an impressive 17-13 advantage.

Unfortunately for fans of Gang Green, the Jets magical postseason flight violently crashed in the decisive second half of the contest.

Despite their utter demise over the final 30 minutes this past weekend, the Jets (11-8) had a truly remarkable season and they will fly into next year as strong favorites to win the AFC East title for the first time since 20002.

Jets NFL All-Rookie quarterback sensation Mark Sanchez admitted that the loss to the Colts was indeed a heartbreaking one.

Nevertheless, Sanchez, a three-time Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week winner, expressed confidence that the Jets will rebound and become a legitimate championship contender for years to come with Head Coach Rex Ryan at the helm.

“You lose a tough game like that, we make it as far as we did, it’s frustrating,” said Sanchez, 23, who the Jets selected out of the University of Southern California (USC) with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft.

“Once you get past that part – I don’t know how long that’s going to take – it’s important for me to understand as a rookie this was pretty special personally, (and) as a team, unbelievable. Rex came in and just really changed the culture of this franchise in one year. That’s big time. We believe in him and I think the best thing he said maybe the entire year was, ‘This is just the beginning.’ He told us to ‘Wear your Jets stuff with pride, there’s nothing to be ashamed about. We had an awesome year. We came up a little bit short.’ That stuff happens so we’ll rally and bounce back.”

Manning crushes Jets' Super Bowl dreams with a 30-17 victory posted by Joe Anello

Don't mess with Peyton Manning. That's what the number one ranked Jets defense learned Sunday afternoon, as they saw their 11-point second quarter lead evaporate under the intense heat of the Colt offense on the way to a 30-17 loss.

After a Colt field goal started the second quarter, an 80 yard pass from Mark Sanchez to Braylon Edwards put the Jets on top 7-3. Responding to another Colt 3-pointer, wide-out Brad Smith tossed a 45-yarder to Jericho Cotchery to set up a touchdown to Dustin Keller, stretching the lead to 14-6. From there, Manning whipped out his leather-skinned scalpel, switching to surgical mode in a 26 of 39, 377 yard performance. 

Rex Ryan's defense did exactly what they wanted to, which was keep Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne under wraps. Wayne only snagged three balls for 55 yards and Clark caught four for 35 and a fourth quarter TD. What they couldn't account for was the man-sized games of Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, who each went over 100 yards receiving. Each of Garcon's 11 receptions were critical and helped keep Colt drives alive. Collie's 46-yard grab set up the second of Indy's scores, keeping it close before halftime. When the break ended, it was all Manning. Well, mostly anyway...

More than in recent weeks, Manning had help in the form of a solid running game from Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Their 101 yards on the ground came from only 24 carries, averaging better than the Jets' vaunted rushing attack. Indy managed 27 first downs and over 400 yards of total offense versus Ryan's D, proving that no matter how good your defense is, Peyton Manning can beat it. Uncharacteristically, the Jets committed six penalties, three of which gave up first downs to the Colt offense. You can't shoot yourself in the foot when Manning will shoot you in the face. Jay Feely's two missed field goals certainly didn't help matters.

Joe's Opening Drive: Conference Championship Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Here it is: the last weekend of real football. Conference Championship Sunday is here and isn't lacking for drama. From Brett Favre and Peyton Manning's legacy to the Jets' dominating defense or the surge in New Orleans, every team is a great story. Who do I think will make it to the Super Bowl in Miami? Read on in this edition of the Opening Drive!

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
2:00PM ET CBS

If the New York Jets weren't crazy enough already, just wait if they somehow manage to defeat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. They will be insufferable for the two weeks heading into the Super Bowl, and I'm not even talking about the fans. That team is boisterous and confident thanks to their equally as cocky head coach Rex Ryan. All-Pro corner Darelle Revis will be locked against Reggie Wayne, leaving Dallas Clark for the Jet safeties or linebackers to handle. New York's defense should have no problems shutting down the Indy running game, so the pressure is on their secondary to cover Manning's complement of receivers. On the offensive side of the ball, Ryan must ensure rookie QB Mark Sanchez isn't put in dangerous situations. If all goes to plan the Jets will have 40-plus rushing attempts with Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones, keeping Sanchez somewhere in the 18-24 pass attempt range. Any more than that and the Jets cannot win. 

When Jim Caldwell decided to shut it down in week 16 against the Jets, I'm sure he didn't give it a second thought that he could see Rex Ryan's scrappy bunch again in the playoffs. Now Caldwell's highly criticized decision will be under the microscope again as his Colts welcome in the team they let into the postseason. Now we all know about the prolific offense powered by Peyton Manning's brilliance, but the Colt running game has been missing all season. They ran the ball a healthy 25 times last week but only managed 42 yards. They use the pass to set up the run, but Manning will have no problem slinging it all day long like he has all year. What hasn't been addressed enough is the stellar play of the Colt defense this year and in their playoff game from last week. While everyone wants to debate Indy's offense vs the Jet defense, the Colts defense is the real key. If they can hold up against the Jets ground and pound attack early and force a few punts, they can eventually force Mark Sanchez to throw the ball late. Against Dwight Freeney and that pass rush, that's exactly what the Colts want.

The Jets Will Meet Obama "in The Next Couple Of Years Anyway" posted by Colin Linneweber

The improbable New York Jets will play the dominant Indianapolis Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana.

In order to get to this point, the Jets (11-7) defeated the Chargers 17-14 in San Diego and the Colts (15-2) trumped the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 at home in their respective Divisional Round matchups.

The Jets currently stand one victory away from making their first appearance in the Super Bowl since 1969.

In their last championship season 41 years ago, the Jets were considered colossal underdogs in Super Bowl III versus the Baltimore Colts.

Prior to the epic contest, brash Jets quarterback Willie Joe Namath boldly proclaimed, “We’re gonna win this game. I guarantee you.”

In one of the greatest upsets in football history, the Jets emerged victorious 16-7 to validate Namath’s bold proclamation.

From the virtual instant that the Colts selected quarterback Peyton Manning out of the University of Tennessee with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, Indianapolis has fielded a solid football team.

In the past decade, despite winning only one crown, the Colts were an utter juggernaut on the gridiron.

On the contrary, the Jets have mainly fielded a litany of average and subpar squads over the past 20 years of their wretched existence.

The Colts have developed into something of football royalty.

In sharp contrast, the Jets have long been the NFL’s version of red-headed, bastard children.

Jets stun Chargers 17-14 in San Diego posted by Joe Anello

It was an ugliest of games for the team in the prettiest of cities. After winning 11 straight games to finish the regular season, the San Diego Chargers came out with a resounding thud at home against the Jets on Sunday. Penalties, missed field goals and turnovers formed a perfect storm of suck for the Chargers and kept the Jets in the game until the final quarter where they took and held onto the lead to advance to the AFC championship game with a 17-14 victory.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Chargers jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Philip Rivers found rarely-used tight end Kris Wilson in the endzone. That was the lead taken into halftime, thanks to a stingy Jet defense and a lackluster but safe Jet offense. New York added a field goal in the third to close the gap, but you never felt like the Chargers offense could be stifled for four quarters. Seems like the Jets offense didn’t get the memo, as they were the ones who refused to be held down.

After a fantastic pick of Rivers by Revis, the Jets were forced to punt it right back, minimalizing Rivers' mistake. On his very next throw Rivers was intercepted again, returned by safety Jim Leonard 11 yards to the Charger 16.  A touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller capitalized on the turnover, giving New York their first lead of the game. On their next drive, rookie Shonn Greene broke through the San Diego defense for a 53-yard scamper to the endzone, putting the Jets up 17-7. A late rally by Norv Turner's offense was marred by poor clock management but did result in a touchdown to bring it back to 17-14.  A failed onside kick gave the road team the ball, which they ran on four straight plays including a gutsy fourth-and-one conversion by Thomas Jones to secure the win. All the Chargers could do was watch.

Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Even if yesterday's were drama-less (story of the playoffs so far), I couldn't miss a second. That won't change today as the most hyped game of the weekend starts Divisional round Sunday. New York's Cinderella story (is Rex Ryan the fairy godmother?) closes out the night with a west coast appearance. The Opening Drive of Divisional Sunday in the NFL starts now!

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
1:00PM ET FOX

I don't know if you knew, but Brett Favre is a Viking. Back for one last (?) Super Bowl run, Favre has done all Minnesota has asked him. Now its time for his team to show up. That means blocking for Adrian Peterson and the secondary showing up to play. Hopefully Brad Childress did some coaching this week,

Dallas has been under fire for failing in December and the post-season for several years. Now, they've broken both "jinxes" and found themselves one game away from the NFC title game. Wade Philips saved his job with a pounding of Philadelphia last weekend and will look to blow Favre up in the pocket. 

Analysis: Minnesota wishes they had Dallas' offense. The Cowboys have been committed to and successful with the run, and Romo has been efficient with 20-26 throws a game. Felix Jones needs another huge run to loosen up the Vikings' D so Miles Austin can strike deep against poor-playing corners. Favre will be under pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff all afternoon, which will cause at least one interception, maybe two. Dallas' defense is playing dominant football while the Vikings have been inconsistent at best. Adrian Peterson has to be the game-breaker today and not the poster child for fumblitis.

LT meeting with Jets 1 day after Vikings visit

LaDainian Tomlinson is at the New York Jets' training facility inFlorham Park, N.J., meeting with team officials about joining theoffense that ranked No. 1 in rushing last season. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

RB Tomlinson meets with Jets (AP)

LaDainian Tomlinson is at the New York Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J., meeting with team officials about joining the offense that ranked No. 1 in rushing last season. Tomlinson's visit Friday comes a day after meeting with the Minnesota Vikings and leaving without a deal. He arrived in the New York area Thursday night. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jets agree to 1-year deal with S Pool (AP)

The New York Jets and safety Brodney Pool, whose career appeared to be threatened by head injuries, agreed in principle to a one-year contract Thursday worth $1.3 million. The deal includes $1.2 million guaranteed, agent Ben Dogra told The Associated Press. Pool wasn't given a second-round tender by Cleveland last week, making him an unrestricted free agent. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Chiefs sign RB Jones

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed free agent running back ThomasJones, who led the New York Jets to the AFC championship game lastseason and was the NFL's third-leading rusher. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Chiefs sign former Jets RB Jones (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports