Jets' Aaron Rodgers marks Return to Practice Field

 It was a sight that not too many thought they would see this calendar year. Aaron Rodgers was back on the practice field in a practice jersey and helmet, having rejoined his teammates in practice for the first time in 79 days.

According to reports, Rodgers has been cleared for functional football activity, like throwing, but is not cleared yet for contact. It has been only 11 weeks since Rodgers tore his Achilles Tendon -- an injury that typically requires an athlete sit out an entire season.

Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh said there is no timetable for Rodgers return.

The Jets have 21 days to activate Rodgers should he clear all hurdles in this miraculous comeback.  If he is activated, it would likely line up with the Jets Christmas Eve match-up with the Washington Commanders, a date that Rodgers has publicly stated he would target.

Said Saleh: ""I think he's sacrificed so much already for the organization and himself and his teammates, and he's doing it again. I think it is a testament to who he is as a human."

Rodgers has been steadfast on trying to make some sort of comeback this season, praising the doctors for their work with a speed bridge that is in Rodger's right calf. However on Tuesday via the Pat McAfee show, Rodgers kinda put some cold water on the proceedings stating that his return would be based on two factors: his health, and the Jets playoff chances.

THE OUTLOOK:

The Jets are 4-7, and are on the cusp of being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Theoretically, they are already out of it having lost four straight games -- all in conference -- including divisional games to Buffalo and Miami the past two weeks.

As great of a story it would be, both sides can ill afford further injury or risk re-injuring the Achilles in advance of the 2024 season.

Mets sign ex-Yankee Severino to one-year deal

 The New York Mets made what will likely be one of many signings to improved their pitching staff, inking ex-Yankee Luis Severino to a one-year deal, worth $13 million.

The Mets are in need of starting pitching after trading away Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the trade deadline last August.

A two-time All Star in 2017 and 2018, Severino was once considered a staff ace for the Yankees, but that was when he was when he was a 19-game winner in 2018. Since that time, he has battled injuries. In 2019 he was limited to three starts with shoulder and lat issues.

Then he would miss almost two whole years (2020 and '21) recovering from Tommy John Surgery.

After a strong 2022 that saw a slight return to form for Sevy, in which he pitched to a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts, he fell backwards in 2023. Severino struggled with a 6.65 ERA in 19 starts, and missed time with an oblique strain.

The Mets are taking a flyer on Severino that he can at least look like the pitcher the Yankees had in 2022.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets are not done.

The Amazin's are still rumored to be in on free agent Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga.

Tommy DeVito's legend keeps growing with Giants 10-7 win

Hey! Where was youse when Jersey's very own Tommy DeVito beat Bill Belichick and the Patriots?

Fuhgeddaboudit!

The legend of New Jersey native Tommy DeVito just keeps growing as the G-Men defeated the New England Patriots 10-7 at a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

How big you ask? Check out the link to my story on Fox Sports New Jersey! 

It wasn’t the prettiest game in the world, but DeVito and the G-men found a way to get it done, leaning heavily on Big Blue’s defense which flustered New England’s offense all afternoon.

 For his part, DeVtio completed 17-of-25 passes for 191 yards, which included a 12-yards touchdown to Isiah Hodgins in the second quarter that broke a scoreless tie 1:53 before halftime.

Tommy DeVito postgame. Getty Images

 

On the flip side Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was not having a good afternoon. The former first round pick, who has really fallen on hard times up in Foxboro threw for only 89 yards and was picked off twice.

In fact the second interception thrown by Jones was returned 55-yards by Bobby Okereke that helped set up the Giants lone touchdown of the afternoon.

That pick was all Patriots head coach Bill Belichick needed to see of Jones. Bailey Zappe played the rest of the afternoon for New England, and was not much better.

With 12:40 to go in regulation, Zappe was picked by Xavier McKinney who brought it back to the New England 32-yard line. A few plays later the Giants tacked on what would be the game-winning field goal by Randy Bullock to make it 10-7.

The Patriots did have a chance to tie the game late and force overtime, but Chad Ryland’s field goal was wide left.

DeVito flashed up his signature hand gesture in celebration as the Giants held on for their second straight win.

"Fail Mary" Becomes Another Moment in NY Jets Infamy

The New York Jets hit another new low in the 2023 season, falling flat on Friday evening to the Miami Dolphins 34-13 in the first ever Black Friday NFL game in history.

Tim Boyle in his first start under center with the Jets was a non-factor, further proving that the Jets issues go well beyond the quarterback. The offensive line remains a major issue, as left tackle Carter Warren became the 12th different player to start on the Jets O-line this season.

 

Not to mention with wide receiver Allen Lazzard benched, the Jets were rolling with players who were second and third teamers at the skill position on Friday.

It was a colossal mess and it showed.

Perhaps no play was more emblematic of the Jets season than a hail marry by Boyle in the the Miami end zone with two seconds to go in the first half. The ball was short of the goal line and picked off by corner Jevon Holland, who went untouched the other way for a 99-yard return for a touchdown.

 

Call it the Fail Mary. Hell Mary. It’s doesn’t matter.

It was another play on the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend that saw infamy and the Jets collide.

 That turnover was immediately followed by a horribly awkward commercial with Robert Saleh advertising Colgate toothpaste. Yes, that actually happened. 

Boyle was totally under siege all evening, sacked a total of seven times by the time the game ended. The Jets running attack was totally neutralized, as Gang Green ran for only 29 yards on 10 carries. The Jets managed only 12 first downs as a team, and were a paltry 5-of-14 on third down.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins did pretty much whatever they wanted as Tyreek Hill (nine receptions, 102 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (eight receptions, 114 yards) ate the Jets lunch.

The pressure seems to be mounting on the Jets and this coaching staff. For the first time, Robert Saleh was asked about his job security. A question to which he replied no, he’s not.

 

Jets Finally Bench Zach Wilson, Demote Him to Third String Quarterback

 The Zach Wilson era (or error depending on your perspective) is over. 

The Jets finally benched quarterback Zach Wilson after another lackluster effort on Sunday that saw the offense go 0-for-11 on third down, and Wilson throw for only 81 yards as he once again struggled to move the offense. 

The Jets not only benched Wilson in Sunday's loss to Buffalo, they named Tim Boyle the starter for Friday night's game against the Miami Dolphins. 

On top of that, they demoted Wilson to third string, activating Trevor Siemien for the first time this season to back-up quarterback. 

After the second three game losing streak of the season, and after watching in horror as Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achillies Tendon in Week 1, one has to wonder why this took so long? 

Sure, the Jets were finding ways to win games with smoke and mirrors, but it was just that: smoke and mirrors. The Jets never properly addressed the quarterback position and that falls on GM Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh, OC Nathainel Hacket, and of course, owner Woody Johnson. 

 

Why were the Jets so reluctant this year to bench Wilson, whereas last season they couldn't wait to bench him in favor of Mike White. Heck, even Wilson's own teammates last year couldn't wait to see Mike White that they were running around with Mike White t-shirts. 

Now at 4-6 the season is turly lost. Despite reports that Aaron Rodgers might come back to play this season in Week 16, what is the point? The Jets are out of it. Their playoff hopes are dashed. 

 

Only playing Rodgers now would risk even further injury, thus muddying the waters for an already muddy outlook for 2024. 

The bottom line is this: the Zach Wilson era was a failure. He was a bust as the number 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jets made a huge mistake taking him, and he has become this era's Jamarcus Russell. Just look at the numbers!

It's a sad day for Wilson who many thought would hold great promise. Instead the best thing for him and for the Jets is if both sides move on.

DeVito Gives Giants Shot in Arm in Desperately Needed

 GIANTS 31 - COMMANDERS 19 

For at least one day Giants fans got to witness and and enjoy a good, solid performance from a Giants quarterback.

Tommy DeVito, who was swung into action after injuries to Tyrod Taylor and Daniel Jones in recent weeks had the best game of his young career, tossing for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants 31-19 victory over the hapless Washington Commanders.

DeVito looked the part of a starting quarterback as his confidence brimmed as the game progressed.

 With the G-men trailing 3-0, DeVito connected on a pair of 24-yard passes, first to Darius Slayton and then to Saquon Barkley. The 24-yarder to Barkley went for the go-ahead touchdown.

 Later on in the first half, DeVito hit Slayton for a 40-yard touchdown pass that put the Giants up 14-3. The kid from Jersey had finally arrived.

 For a team that has struggled to find offense this season, DeVito seems to be catching on. He has now thrown six touchdown passes this season, which is three times as many scores Daniel Jones threw this season. Heck it has taken DeVito less time to throw six touchdowns than it has Zach Wilson on the other side of town.

Mets Introduce Carlos Mendoza as Manager

 He says he's looking forward to the challenge. 

Maybe Carlos Mendoza wasn't the first choice for the Mets or Mets fans, but the 43-year old showed tremendous passion and energy in his first press conference as the 24th full time manager of the Metropolitans. 

“I understand the city of New York. I have been here for six years, and I know how passionate this fan base is, and the expectations they have here. I understand and I am ready for this challenge. This is a great opportunity for not only me, but the New York Mets.”

It will be a challenge. The Mets might have deep pockets now that rival the team Mendoza left after six years as bench coach, but the Mets are always drama filled. 

 

From Pete Alonso's pending free agency to the lack of quality starting pitching, and questions about what direction the team will go in 2024, Mendoza is going to have to do something that Terry Collins was very successful at in his early years of managing the Mets: be a good teacher and leader first, then find ways to win later. 

There is no telling what "competitve" means in the minds eye of Steve Cohen and President of Baseball Ops David Stearns. It could mean playoffs? It could mean finding a way to stay just above .500 and in the mix? It could many different things. 

Hence the challenge before Mendoza and his staff.  Let's see how it plays out before we judge. Mendoza seems like he is very capable of leading a room of men. Now can he make it happen in the long run is the question.

Zach Wilson's Poor Play has Robert Saleh Running Routes to Protect Him

 A year ago when Zach Wilson was coming off a horrible effort against the New England Patriots, in a game the Jets lost 10-3, he was asked whether he felt responsible for the loss. He pleaded the fifth, saying emphatically "no."

That moment was enough to get Wilson benched and lead us down the road of Mike White mania, which started and stumbled to a 7-10 finish. The Jets then decided that Wilson still wasn't good enough to be the starter, so they made a full court press to acquire Aaron Rodgers, which they did. 

 Now that Rodgers is out for the year, barring a miraculous medical comeback, the Jets have found a way to keep themselves in the playoff mix, but Wilson and this Jets offense continues to stink it up. 

It all came to a head on Monday night when the Jets managed only six points in a 27-6 sleepwalk against the LA Chargers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets went from potential playoff darling to starring into the abyss of another lost year. 

When challenged by the media as to why the Jets won't make a quarterback change now, head coach Robert Saleh is now pleading the fifth. He said the team has no intention of playing Tim Boyle or Trevor Siemien, and went out of his way to say the front office isn't holding his feet to the fire to play Zach Wilson. 

IF that is true, than what gives? 

If Aaron Rodgers is indeed coming back, than the Jets need to be prepared to make a move at quarterback and bench Wilson. This is not to say that Tim Boyle is going to light up the Raiders if he comes in on Sunday, but at least let's see if he can move this offense. 

Sure there is plenty of blame to go around. The offensive line is a mess. Nobody can catch or hold onto the football. C.J. Uzomah, we are looking at you, bud. 

The play calling by Nathainel Hacket has been both conservative, and lacks any razzle dazzle. In fact he refuses to get others involved much at all, especially speedsters like Michael Carter, Dalvin Cook and Isreal Abinakanda. 

It's terrible. The Jets are 4-4. This is a huge game in Las Vegas. People like myself are flying out to Vegas to see this thing.  If the Jets are going to beat the Raiders, they need more than their defense to bail them out as has been the case all year. 

Wake up Robert, be prepared to make the change happen to save this team and this season. 

Mets Settle on Mendoza as Skipper After Counsell Bolts for Chi-Town

 The New York Mets have a new manager, and it is not the guy many expected.

After weeks of speculation that it was inevitable that former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell would follow President of Baseball Operations David Stearns to the Mets, it turns out the Counsell is going elsewhere.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Counsell spurned both the Mets and Brewers to manage the Chicago Cubs instead. The Cubs were never on anyone’s radar as needing a manager as incumbent David Ross was still in place. Instead Ross is suddenly out in Chi-Town and Counsell is in.

 That left the Mets, who claimed the day that Stearns was hired as President of baseball Operations would cast a “wide net” for a manager were left with Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza. The Mets named Mendoza their new skipper.

 Mendoza has been a Yankees assistant coach since 2018, and a member of the Yankees organization at the minor league level as a coach since 2009. He managed the Gulf Coast Yankees to a GCL Championship in 2011. In 2012 he managed the Charleston River Dogs and finished 76-63.

He deserves a chance to prove what he can do, but it won’t change the fact the Mets are essentially moving on from a manager in Buck Showalter who won 101 games in 2022 for a skipper who has never managed beyond Single-A.

Daniel Jones Out for the Season with ACL Tear

 If things couldn't get any worse for the Giants and quarterback Daniel Jones, they did on Sunday when Jones tore the ACL in his right knee in a 30-6 loss to the Raiders out in Las Vegas. 

Jones had just come off the Injury List, which had sidelined the quarterback for three weeks with a neck injury. Now his season -- and possibly his Giants career -- over. 

Of course that is easier said than done. The Giants did sign Jones to a four-year $160 million contract in this off-season. 

That hasn't stopped the Giants front office, nor the rumor mill. The facts are General Manager Joe Schoen was at USC's game against Washington last week to watch both Caleb Williams and Michael Pinex Jr. Both are expected to be top draft picks in next April's draft. 

At 2-7 the Giants are going nowhere, and a look at the schedule and it is easy to guess that Big Blue will either be 3-14 or 4-13 come season's end, and will have a top-five draft pick. Would the Giants go all in on new the next franchise quarterback with Jones under contract? 

While the price tag on Jones is steep, according to ESPN,  Jones is guaranteed $35 million next, but a more manageable $23 million in guaranteed money. Should the Giants cut Jones after the 2024 season, it would be a $22.2 million dead cap hit. Not great, but not terrible either. 

It's something the Giants have to consider. 

Not all the blame for the disaster that is 2023 should be heaped on Jones. The Giants offensive line is a mess; they have no deep threats at wide receiver; Darrren Waller has been a total disappointment. Saquon Barkley was hurt. There have been numerous issues all year. 

But Jones' inconsistency makes him a likely target for the Giants to simply move on.