Woody Johnson Decision to Stick with Saleh and Douglas the Only Decision

Woody Johnson has decided to do things the Aaron Rodgers way. 

Hours before the Jets wild 30-28 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, the Jets patriarch spoke to the New York Post that both Head Coach Robert Saleh and General Manager Joe Douglas would return for the 2024 season. 

The decision by Johnson -- while not surprising -- came just a couple of days after quarterback Aaron Rodgers endorsed Saleh, Douglas and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. 

The decision was met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom want to see the Jets change course this off-season, but that would be really tough to do. 

 

The Jets went all in on Aaron Rodgers, and a big reason why he came to New York had a lot to with the current Jets brains-trust. Changing it now would upset the apple card, and create total chaos. 

Plus look around the NFL. Are there any really outstanding candidates out there? Sure Ben Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator is highly touted, but will he be a great Head Coach? That remains to be seen. 

Over the last several years the NFL has drained the pool of quality candidates for head coach and GM to the point there aren't many great options left. 

The best thing the Jets and Woody Johnson could do is stand pat and hope that lessons were learned from this disappointing/missed opportunity of a season. 

Saleh himself acknowledged that there were mistakes made with regard to the quarterback position (no kidding). The Jets need to go out and a quality veteran quarterback (like Jacoby Brisset who torched the Jets secondary on Sunday for Washington) who can come in should Rodgers suffer yet another physical setback. 

The Jets entrusted their 2023 season into Zach Wilson, and refused to deviate from that plan. That falls on both Saleh and Douglas.

Douglas let his blind love for Wilson cloud his judgement. He should have gotten a solid back-up to be there if something happened to Rodgers. He failed in that mission. 

That doesn't mean he and Saleh haven't don't good things in New York. They have. They changed the culture here. There is true talent on this roster. The defense is top notch. The special teams is great. They have Pro Bowlers in Garret Wilson, Breece Hall and Quincy Williams. They need to lock down their Pro Bowl kicker Greg Zuerlein and linebacker Bryce Huff to contracts this off-season. 

There is work to be done. And the best way for the Jets to do that right now is to stand pat and let the men who made those mistakes, realize them, and fix them immediately. 

There will be no mulligans a year from now. 

Tommy DeVito Benched in Christmas Day Loss to Eagles

 

And just like that the Tommy DeVito era might be put on ice.

Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll sacked the Jersey guy in the third quarter of the Giants 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia on Christmas Day. DeVito struggled to move the offense in the first half; the rookie finished 9-of-16 for 55 yards and a sack.

Daboll inserted back-up quarterback Tyrod Taylor who sparked the Giants offense and nearly led Big Blue to a shocking come-from-behind victory.

"I felt we needed to do something to try and spark us," Daboll said. The Giants coach won't commit to a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the LA Rams.

While Taylor did give the offense a jolt, a lot can be attributed to the fact the Eagles collapsed.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a pick-six that Giants safety Adoree Jackson brought back 64 yards for a touchdown to cut the Eagles lead to 20-18.

In the fourth quarter with the Giants down 15, Talyor launched a bomb down the left sideline that Darius Slayton caught and scored on to cut the deficit to 33-25.

 

Taylor had the Giants on the hunt for the game winning score, but his pass in the end zone for Saquon Barkley was picked off with four seconds to go.

End of the Road for DeVito?

It's been a wild ride with DeVito the past several weeks. After leading a comeback win over Green Bay in mid-December, his star took off. People loved the local angle of a Jersey kid, living in his parents basement who happens to quarterback the New York Giants.  Autograph signings, endorsements deals starting going through the roof as everyone seemed to want in on the DeVito's New Jersey story.

There was even controversy over a canceled autograph signing at a Morristown, New Jersey pizzeria, an issue that has since been cleared up by both sides.

Perhaps it was all too much too soon for a guy who hadn't really earned the right to be the face of tomato sauce cans, local pizzeria's, and national sandwich brands.  

It feels like the Giants want this story to come to a screeching halt, much like the Jets couldn't wait to sack the Mike White story when that got out of hand last year. 

It was fun while it lasted.

Yamamoto Spurns Mets and Yankees to Sign $325 Mega Deal with Dodgers

 

For weeks we have heard that Japanese pitcher Yoshinubo Yamamoto was going to pick between the two New York teams for his first MLB destination.

Instead in the wee-hours of Friday morning word came down that Yamamoto had spurned both the Mets and Yankees, signing a $325 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The move pairs Yamamoto with fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani, who just inked a $700 million deal with LA last week.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Mets also offered a $325 million deal for Yamamoto. The Yankees offered $300 million.

 Give a lot of credit to the Mets and Steve Cohen, they went all in to get Yamamoto, even though many believed they were third in the race for Yamamoto, as the Dodgers and Yankees were the perceived favorites.

 Meanwhile the Yankees, reportedly felt they made a good offer for Yamamoto at $300 and were unwilling to go higher.

Both the Yankees and Mets have a lot of work to do. It feels however with the way this off-season has gone that the Yankees are going for it a lot harder than the Mets are.  The Yankees already added Juan Soto, and have a dire need for starting pitching.

Former San Diego Padre ace Blake Snell is still available, as is one-time Yankee Jordan Montgomery. Either one would help bolster a staff that needs help behind staff ace Gerrit Cole.

As for the Mets, they have been making small moves all offseason. Their biggest move was trading for back-end starting pitcher Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Brewers earlier this week. They have not made a big splashy move this offseason, which is very unlike the Mets under Steve Cohen.

Perhaps the Mets were betting on Yamamoto or bust?

It will be interesting to see if the Mets join the Snell/Montgomery sweepstakes, or if they pivot toward what feels like a rebuilding year.

Rodgers "Activated" to Roster Despite Fact He Won't Play This Year

 Aaron Rodgers will likely not play this year at all. The future Hall of Famer confirmed on the Pat McAfee Show that he is not “100 percent” healthy as he attempted a historic comeback from an Achilles Tendon Injury.

Instead, Rodgers confirmed which pretty much everyone knew already, that he would not play again this season.

“Hoping we were still in it. It was unrealistic to think I would be 100 percent to be medically cleared at any point during the season. I feel in the next three to four weeks it would be possible to get to 100 percent. Obviously not there,” Rodgers said. I am still 14 weeks tomorrow from my surgery to being medically cleared at 100 percent is not realistic.”

The comments come after the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention after a 30-0 loss to Miami.  Rodgers had been pushing for a miraculous comeback had Gang Green remained in contention.

“I would need to go through a week of 11-on-11 practice to see how I would go through that. It would be more than just getting activated,” Rodgers added.

On Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh and Nathaniel Hackett

Rodgers defended the Jets brain trust: General Manager Joe Douglas, Head coach Robert Saleh and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

“I believe in Joe Douglas. He has put together great drafts and a great roster. We had difficult injuries. I believe in Robert Saleh, he’s a fantastic coach. he’s about the right stuff. I believe in Nate Hackett, always have. The offense he runs is quarterback friendly. It was geared around me and what I do well.”

Tommy DeVito Shows Up to Pizzeria After Issue with Apperance Fee

 Tommy DeVito is a stand-up guy!

A day after the Giants quarterback and his agent Sean Stellato found themselves embroiled in a controversy over a canceled autograph appearance at Coniglio’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria and Restaurant, DeVito paid a visit to the Morristown eatery for free on Tuesday afternoon.

On Sunday night it was reported by Darren Rovell that Stellato doubled the appearance fee at the restaurant from $10,000 to $20,000 following the Giants Monday night victory over the Green Bay Packers on December 11. DeVito was to sign autographs on Tuesday December 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30. But when the appearance fee went up, the event was canceled.

According to NorthJersey.com, the two sides have made up.

“We broke bread together,” owner Nino Coniglio said. “They contacted me and said they were mortified by the whole situation. These are stand up guys. Gentlemen.”

DeVito was seen eating pizza and making soda with Coniglio.

According to the same report, DeVito agreed to do a charity appearance where he will sign 100 autographs and Coniglio will sell 100 cutlet sandwiches. A date for the charity event is to be determined.

The Vibe of Tommy DeVito Roars On After 24-22 Win over Green Bay

 The Tommy DeVito story is becoming one of the best stories of the NFL season. Heck it might even be the best New Jersey story we have seen in a long, long time.

On the field, DeVito -- the kid from Cedar Grove, New Jersey, lead the Giants to an improbable 24-22 victory, spearheaded by a 57-yard drive in the final 1:50 of the contest to position the G-Men for Randy Bullock's game winning field goal. But it was more than that. DeVito has brought pizzazz and excitement to the Giants that had been lacking before.

A season once considered dead in the water is now interesting. If the Giants win out and get some help, and I mean A LOT of help, they could sneak into the playoffs.

And a major part of this turnaround is attributed to the Jersey kid who brings a lot of moxie and swag with him.

SCORING DRIVES:

DeVito was remarkable in the clutch.

With the G-Men trailing Green Bay 10-7 in the third quarter, DeVito scrambled for a 26-yard gain to the Green bay one-yard line, setting up Saquon Barkley with the go-ahead score.

Later, DeVito hit Wandell Robinson on a 25-yard flea flicker, which set up DeVito's touchdown pass to Isiah Hodgins to make it 21-13.

THE VIBE: 

Not only is the on-field performance outstanding, but off the field the story has taken a life of its own.

As most know by now DeVito is living with his parents. His folks have become regulars at his games since taking over as Giants starting quarterback, and naturally, the DeVito family have become cultural icons.

Before the game, his parents and extended family were out in the parking lot cooking up chicken cutlet sandwiches, penne vodka and sausage and peppers. (Damn, ya hungry yet? ) 

Inside, his agent Sean Stellato -- who not only looks like DeVito's older brother, but was dressed in a 1940's mafia movie inspired pinstripe suite became all the rage. There he was on the sideline with DeVito. Then he was in the stands with the family. 

It was a sight to behold, an experience like none other. 

The DeVito vibe reality show has taken the Giants by storm, and you gotta love every minute. 

The Kid's Alright: Wilson Delivers Best Game of Jets Career vs. Texans

 JETS 30 - TEXANS 6 

It was the kind of performance that served as evidence as to why Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh drafted him, gave him a long leash, and every opportunity possible to be the Jets starting quarterback. 

Zach Wilson finally had his best game as a Jet. 

Zach Wilson celebrates a 30-6 win over Houston. Getty Images

 

And it came days after the quarterback was embroiled in controversy over reported conversations he had inside the building about his "reluctance" to go out and play for Gang Green again fearing injury.  Days after his Head Coach Robert Saleh tried to kick the story to the curb -- albeit clumsily; and Aaron Rodgers tried to blame the media. 

Then a report came out Sunday saying the Jets told Wilson they would try to trade him in the off-season. 

Perhaps feeling no pressure, or maybe realizing he needed to put up some good performances for other teams to look at, Wilson balled out big time. 

He was deadly accurate with the football, pushed the ball down the field, and threw for his 300 yards for only the third time in his career.

Better late than never I guess. 

“The second half, I thought Zach probably played the best game of his career,” coach Robert Saleh said. “I thought he was outstanding today.”

He was outstanding. 

After a both teams went into the locker room with a 0-0 score, Wilson and the Jets came out for the second half on fire. He played like a man determined to showcase his true talent. 

He completed his first three passes of the third quarter to move the Jets to the Texans' 38 yard line. Three plays later, he connected with Garret Wilson on a beautiful deep ball for a 25-yard gain. Finally, Wilson hit Randall Cobb on a crossing pattern for the touchdown. 

They made that look easy. Where was that all season? 

After a Houston three-and-out, Wilson was at it again. He connected with Tyler Conklin on a 24-yard gain to mid field, then kept scrambling and hit the right target as he drove the Jets down to the Houston nine-yard line. Finally, Xavier Gipson scored on a reverse to give Gang Green it's largest lead of the season at 14-0. 

It was the first time all year the Jets scored on back-to-back possessions. 

More impressively, Wilson bounced back from a fumble that resulted in a Houston touchdown, and led Gang Green on its third touchdown drive of the day. He locked in on Breece Hall, and the duo chewed up the Texans. 

A 27-yard screen pass to Hall set the Jets up pretty at the Houston 35. A few plays later, Wilson hit Breece Hall again for three yard touchdown to blow the game wide open at 21-6. 

Wherever this Zach Wilson was, the Jets were happy to see him. Perhaps the benching did him so good. If it is indeed true the two sides will part ways this spring -- which is for the better -- perhaps a solid finish down the stretch for Wilson can fetch the Jets some good draft compensation. 

Yankees Closing in on Deal for Juan Soto

 The New York Yankees are reportedly close to finalizing a deal with the San Diego Padres for star outfielder Juan Soto. According to SNY's Andy Martino the deal is coming down the stretch. 

Once it is complete the Yankees will not only acquire Soto, but will get center fielder Trent Grisham as well. Going back will be a plethora of players including Kyle Higashioka, Randy Vasquez, Drew Thorpe, and Michael King. 

 

Landing Soto -- who is a pending free agent after the 2024 season -- is both a risk and a huge reward for the Yanks. 

 

Soto is a .284 lifetime hitter with tremendous power from the left side of the plate. For a Yankees team that has struggled both in situational hitting and left handed power, Soto will answer two huge problems for New York. 

The question will be can the Yankees sign him to a long term deal. One would imagine that a deal wouldn't have gotten this far unless the Yankees felt confident that they could keep Soto long term. Keep in mind Soto's agent is Scott Boras.

Once the deal is complete the Yankees would have reeled in the biggest prize of the off-season.  Soto's addition would also take a lot of heat off of GM Brian Cashman who was under fire from the fans for the past few years of un-Yankee-like inactivity. 

The inactivity is over. The Yankees are going for it again.

Guess Who's Back? Zach Wilson Will Start Sunday vs. Texans

 

Zach Wilson will indeed be back under center for the Jets on Sunday when they face the Houston Texans.

And Head Coach Robert Saleh says the embattled Wilson is "fired up."

Zach Wilson - Getty Images

 

The decision to go back to Wilson comes off the heels of one of the wildest weeks in recent memory for the franchise.  On Monday the Athletic reported that Wilson was reluctant to go back under center if asked for fear of risking injury.

The story blew up even further when Saleh didn't necessarily deny the story, but would only say when he spoke with Wilson, the quarterback wanted to play this week.

When pressed by Don LeGreca on the Michael Kay radio show about whether he would look into the situation further to find out whom Wilson confide his reluctance to, Saleh stumbled through a response.

"I don't care if that conversation was had," Saleh said. "I will put myself in someone's shoes. It's not like it's a negative. I don't understand why that's a big deal."

On top of that Aaron Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show decrying the report as character defamation, but didn't say it wasn't true, only adding the Jets had to "tighten" things up.

Zach Wilson "Reluctance" Story Takes Jets Drama to a Whole New Level

 I don't think I have ever seen anything as bizarre with regard to the New York Jets, and that is saying a lot, as as the fallout from the story alleging Zach Wilson's own personal "reluctance" to play football. 

Keep in mind this is an organization that has defined and redefined dysfunction to a T. But, what we saw in the last 48 hours since the Jets 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons is like a volcano that continues to shoot hot lava into the air -- days after the initial eruption. 

It started when The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt reported that Wilson would be reluctant to get back under center for fear of risking injury. 

"[Wilson] is hesitant to step back into the role, multiple team sources said Monday. [The Jets are] hoping Wilson will change his mind. If Wilson were asked directly by the Jets to start, he would agree to that, a source familiar with Wilson's thinking said," the report states. 

Russini later tweeted that Aaron Rodgers reached out to Wilson to try to advise him to take back the starting role, but the young signal caller remained "apprehensive." 

The story only got bigger as Head Coach Robert Saleh flubbed his way through a press conference with the media, and later stumbled even harder in an interview with the Michael Kay Show. 

In his press conference, Saleh told reporters that he spoke with Wilson, and that he confirmed that the quarterback wants the ball.  Saleh added that Wilson came to him and expressed his desire to return under center.

"The young man wants the ball. He wants to start. I appreciate he wants to play, I am just not there yet,"

However, when pressed by Rich Cimini of ESPN about Wilson's reluctance, Saleh said he wouldn't share his discussions any further.

"I am always going to put myself in someone else shoes. we are in a society where kids miss bowl games because of their draft status. if that conversation was had and leaked to the media it's not indicative of his mindset. He wants to play. I don't know what to say to all of it." 

On the Michael Kay show, Saleh buried himself further when he tried to explain his thoughts on the possibility that Wilson confide his reluctance to someone else within the organization. 

"I don't care if that conversation was had," Saleh said. "I will put myself in someone's shoes. It's not like it's a negative. I don't understand why that's a big deal." 

It was an odd response to a simple question from ESPN's Don LeGreca. 

"I am surprised you said it's not a big deal, " LaGreca replied.

"No that's a great question. It's not that its not a big deal. I am saying if it crosses their mind in this age of player it's not a big deal," Saleh tried to elaborate, adding that if really didn't want the ball, Wilson would be out. 

At the same time further down the radio dial on WFAN, semi-retired host Joe Benigno revealed a text-message exchange he had with Saleh, in which the coach allegedly remarked sarcastically to a suggestion by Benigno (a known Wilson critic) back under center. 

“He texted me back and said, ‘Joe, about No. 3’ — which was playing Wilson — ‘Are you kidding me?’ It might have been, ‘Are you serious?’” Benigno told his old radio partner Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber. 

Benigno then added that he believes Saleh doesn't like Wilson. 

You can see the lava still flowing from the mountain. 

Then today the drama only escalated when word came down that the Jets acted quickly and cut Tim Boyle, and signed Brett Rypen to the practice squad, a clear sign that the Jets will either go back to Zach Wilson on Sunday, or hand the job off (although unlikely) to Trevor Seimian. 

Finally Aaron Rodgers decided to chime in on the Pat McAfee show, in a profanity laced interview in which Rodgers comes to Wilson's defense and called the Athletic story "chickenshit." 

I have never in my time following this team, or any team (and that will include the Giants) drama of the highest order like this. 

And this is a team that once employed Adam Gase and told its fan base right their faces that Gase knew where offensive football was heading. 

Who knows who is lying or telling truth.  While it's admirable for Rodgers to come out and defend his teammate, and essentially try to take heat off his head coach, where in God's green earth is General Manager Joe Douglas? 

Where is he? As Rome burns to the ground, Douglas is nowhere to be seen. 

Where is Woody Johnson who must have steam coming out of his ears right about now? 

It's anyone's guess what the fallout from this story will have for the futures of Wilson, Saleh and Douglas. Word was last week that Saleh, Douglas and O.C. Nathaniel Hackett are all expected back in 2024 due to their connection to Rodgers. 

Now, who knows? Do the Jets go back to Wilson after this?  Will his teammates have his back IF it is indeed true that he rather not play behind Gang Green's battered offensive line? 

Will Saleh -- who has been left to twist in the wind by his G.M. survive this? And again, where is the architect of this monstrosity, Joe Douglas? 

One thing is certain, the Jets never cease to amaze, confound, and totally baffle.

 

Rutgers Heads to Yankee Stadium Pinstripe Bowl

 Rutgers is officially going bowling.

The Scarlet Knights were rewarded with a trip to Yankee Stadium and the Pinstripe Bowl on December 28 where it will face off with former Big East rival, University of Miami (FL).

 

"Very, very excited, an iconic venue, a quality opponent and a chance for our 2023 team to play together, which is special," Head Coach Greg Schiano said. "There a lot of blue blood programs that are home right now. I am thrilled about this opportunity."

Kick-off of the game between Miami and Rutgers will be at 2:15 on Thursday December 28 at Yankee Stadium. The game can be heard right here on Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM 1450 AM.

Rutgers went 6-6 during the regular season. The Scarlet Knights opened the season strong with wins against Northwestern, Virginia Tech and Michigan State to name a few.

Unfortunately the season ended on a four-game losing streak for the Scarlet Knights.

Bowl History:

The bowl bid is Rutgers first outright bowl berth since 2014. It is also their third trip to the Pinstripe Bowl with previous stops in 2011 against Iowa State, and 2013 against Notre Dame. Rutgers has played 12 games all time at Yankee Stadium dating back to the original Stadium in 1926.

Rutgers is 2-2 all time against ACC teams in bowl games, and is 5-2 in Bowl games under Schiano. 

The Match-up:

Rutgers goes into the game with the nation's 18th ranked defense, and one of the games' best running backs in Kyle Monangai.  Monangai ran for 1,099 yards on 217 carries this season.

Rutgers and Miami met annually as Big East rivals from 1993-2003. In fact, Rutgers has never beaten Miami; the Hurricanes lead the series 11-0.

Jets Offense Falls Flat Again vs. Falcons

 

Now we know why the Jets were so unwilling for weeks to bench quarterback Zach Wilson despite his poor play.

The lack of quality depth at the quarterback position was very apparent in a sloppy 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium, as the Jets failed to manufacture any productivity offensively against a Falcons team that was inviting the Jets to beat them.

Trevor Seimian. Getty Images

 

Tim Boyle struggled to move the team, completing 14-of-25 passes for 148 yards and an interception. He was benched in the fourth quarter for journeyman Trevor Siemian who didn't fair much better.  After completing his first pass, Siemian finished 5-of-13 for 66-yards and a huge fumble.

Running back Breece Hall was totally shut down, held to 16 yards on 13 carries. Dalvin Cook had his best day as a Jet, rushing for 35 yards on 9 carries, but also fumbled.

Garret Wilson was invisible, three receptions for 50 yards.

The question is where will the Jets turn now?

A report from Ian Rapoport early Sunday indicate that is unlikely that Aaron Rodgers will make a miraculous return to the field this season from a torn Achilles Tendon.

 If it true that Rodgers, despite returning to practice last week, is truly done for the year, where will the Jets turn now at quarterback? Both Boyle and Seimian proved they aren't up to the task. Should they go back to Zach Wilson?  With five games left, they very well might -- we'll have to wait and see.