Hello Playoffs, It's Us, The Jets...

Season’s greetings and happy holidays to everyone out there in NYJetsTherapy land. A little bit too much Christmas cheer left yours’ truly slow on the uptake, thus the delay in this weeks’ blog. I mean, it’s one thing for those pro-bloggers over at Deadspin.com but us freelancers hit the occasional speed-bump. Also, figured nobody needed quite so much therapy with the Jets continuing their winning ways. That said, it is definitely time to check in with our favorite fans, Bad Dog and Bad Pup.

Bad Dog is sounding, well, he really puts it best with, “I am all doped up after that game.” Bad Pup had calls from relatives checking in to see if she was in need of medical attention after the game.

Before even discussing the fact that the Jets actually won the game, our Dogs need some time to process the first half. They both agree that QB Chad Pennington was NOT looking himself, even during pre-game warm-ups. However, as the Pup points out, he got it together in the second half, throwing 9-15 for 196 yards and a touchdown. The Dogs took a break from their call when Chad appeared for his post-game interview.

Back from the press conference, the only thing Pennington seems to have addressed was feeling bad for leaving WR Coles so vulnerable. He didn’t say anything about the first half misfires.

Moving on, Bad Dog hands out a game-ball to offensive coordinator Marty Shotenheimer for his calls at the end of the game. Leon Washington gets a game-ball from Bad Pup for his great yards-after-the-catch to keep a couple of scoring drives alive. Bad Dog took issue with Washington for not putting out the “May Day” call on the bad kick.

Both Dogs agree that Mangenius lived up to his moniker, keeping his cool and providing great team preparation. They also agreed that the defense held strong all game, especially the always-consistent Hobson. Bad Dog couldn’t help himself and commented that the defense really improved when his favorite safety, Dyson, got injured and he complained about the defense letting the Dolphins rush for over 100 yards. Bad Pup, always sticking up for her boys, countered that the Jets D held the Fish to 1-for-13 on 3rd down attempts. She also threw in a nice word for this blog’s Patron Saint D’Brickashaw!

On the offensive side, Jets got credit for holding Jason Williams to only 3 tackles and one sack. Cotchery also got a credit for strong play as did Justin McCairens

Done with the team, attention turns to a Bad Dog favorite – the press. Specifically, the guys at ESPN and Tony Kornheiser. “He’s a moron,” offers Bad Pup. Bad Dog clarifies, “This guy is a football moron,” and takes exception to Tony questioning Chad’s ability to lead a 2-minute drill down the field. Michelle Montoya doesn’t escape comment either, as Bad Pup calls her to the carpet for asking the Williams Sisters to compare being a pro tennis player to being a pro footballer. In the end, the Dogs were so unhappy about Kornheiser and the ESPN crew that they were ready to take Dennis Miller back!
Summing it all up

Summing up, Bad Dog and Bad Pup give all credit to the team for the big win and even a nice shout out to Jets placekicker Mike Nugent – of course, you can read more about kickers all around the league at The Kickoff. For now, bring on those Raiders!

Back in the Playoff Hunt!

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! After last week’s disappointing loss to those spoilers the Buffalo Bills, our New York Jets turned it around this week, putting the hurt on the Minnesota Vikings.

Since the Jets won and the fans don’t need quite as much therapy please allow me to introduce myself… while you all know me as the official blogger for Bad Dog and Bad Pup – a title I consider one of life’s highest honors – there is more to the story. I also operate HERE’S THE KICKER a blog dedicated to the guys who kick the ball out on the gridiron. When not obsessing over field goals and punts (hey, someone’s gotta do it) I work as a creative development exec for a film and TV company and produce short form content under the moniker of ThePoorBastard .

But enough about me and onto our weekly recap of NYJetsTherapy with Bad Dog and Bad Pup.

Bad Pup kicks things off by saying, “we’re back in the playoff race!” She was even serenaded by some buddies who called from the bar – their song of choice? Stayin’ Alive. Nice.

Bad Dog is not so easily satisfied and start off by pointing out that the Jets gave up a late touchdown. Not to mention the poor start of the game, largely blamed on much-bemoaned CB Dyson. Bad Dog calls for him to be benched and replaced full-time with Hank Poteat and David Barrett. Bad Pup can’t argue though she points out he made a few good plays later in the game.

Onto the positive, tons of praise for QB Chad Pennington. Great use of the whole squad of receivers and worked the play-action pass like an expert. Lavernius Coles also felt the warm embrace of the Dog’s love. “He’s all-pro. If he’s not all-pro, who is?” And then, like music to this blogger’s ears, the Bad Dog handed out a biscuit to my man D’Brickashaw! Though both Dogs are withholding a final verdict until they see how he does against the Miami Dolphin’s fantastic Jason Taylor.

And if this wasn’t already pretty much my favorite therapy session this season, Bad Dog eats crow on the subject of kicker Mike Nugent. Three field goals close to 50 yards last week finally sent home the message that Mr. Nugent is a true asset to the team. Bad Pup knew I’d be happy to hear them praising the kicker and even gave me a little shout-out of my own. Happy days, indeed.

Of course, we can’t stay positive for too long. Wouldn’t want the Dogs to lose their bite. And the bite turns to Shaun Ellis, who Bad Dog feels missed some key tackles and sack opportunities. Bad Dog wonders if he isn’t just out of shape at this point and needs to be benched. Bad Pup gives Ellis a little support but not a whole lot. The silver lining on defense is DT’s Matt McChesney and Dewayne Robertson who both Dogs praise.

Bad Dog also likes how TE Chris Baker has been playing – laying down solid blocks and reliable catches. However, he is a bit concerned that MLB Vilma is having some trouble. He also points out a “hidden player” - #33 SS Eric Smith – that is really exciting to watch when he gets into the game.

Bad Pup is surprised they’ve gotten this far into the show before Bad Dog can get in some lovin’ for his pet player, RB Cedric Houston. Though, once she opens the gates Bad Dog is off and running. “The New York press if they don’t understand that this guy is the real mccoy, I don’t understand…He is a bull!” Although he really only got off for 60+ yards it was against the #1 run defense.

Bad Pup finally gave some props to Mangini and the coaching crew for keeping them in the game after the rough start and Bad Dog makes a final plea to the NY Press on behalf of Houston.

Now, bring on the Fish! And Happy Holidays to all the Jets fans.

Tough Week at Home...

Well, sometimes you get what you ask for whether you want it or not – and that’s what happened to Bad Dog and Bad Pup this weekend. Thanks to a 31-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets fans need their NYJetsTherapy now.

But before we get to the post-game comments, let’s take a quick look back at some choice comments they had pre-game.

Both Dogs were feeling a little uneasy. “The Jets have a history of letting people down,” said the Bad Dog. Bad Pup was concerned about stopping the Bills from running rough-shod over them and whether or not the Jets would be able to keep pressure on the QB to give their somewhat suspect secondary a fighting chance. Bad Dog continued his love for Huston, the emerging “half-back of the future” for the Jets and said, “Mangini’s my man!”

Later on, in a rare solo pre-game rant, Bad Dog had a few things to say about the New York press. “They don’t understand football,” was the opening salvo. Bad Dog really had it in for Newsday and what he felt was a very flawed “Top 100 New York Sports Figures” list that included Jason Fabini, a guy who, according to Bad Dog, had half a good rookie year and that’s it. After switching from right to left tackle, Bad Dog goes so far as to ponder if Fabini didn’t, “murder more people than that guy in Iraq.” Bad Dog summed up is feelings by saying the Newsday sportswriter should switch to something more his speed, like the fashion beat or maybe just a delivery boy. He also would like to see the Post’s Paul Mushnick sent to Siberia. “He’s a lamebrain, this guy!”

Before signing off and heading for the game Bad Dog predicted the Jets by 8…

Post-Game Wrap-Up

Well, it wasn’t quite like Bad Dog predicted. And, sadly, he watched it in person. As for Bad Pup, she says, “I’m mad, I’m sad, I’m sick, I’m pissed.” But, as Bad Dog says, that’s why they have the show. Time for some NYJetsTherapy.

Bad Dog opens up the show with some questions about Chad Pennington. With only a handful of really good games this season, Bad Dog wonders if he isn’t really a backup QB. He also wonders about this blogger’s favorite Jet (in name only) D’Brickashaw. But he liked how the center, Mangold and RB Leon Washington looked. And, as a capper, Bad Dog uses some 20/20 hindsight and asks if maybe the team should have gone for QB Matt Leinart in last year’s draft.

Bad Pup was more willing to defend Pennington, reasoning that most of the current starting QB’s in the league are having their ups and downs.

Back on my man D’Brickashaw, Bad Dog did not like that he ended up on his back two or three times over the course of the game and both Dogs agree that he needs to put on some pounds if he is really going to compete in the pros.

Bad Pup brought things back to Pennington and continued to defend him, complaining that the WR’s were having trouble getting open though she was willing to admit he didn’t look great out there today. She also stood up for D’Brickashaw, saying that LT is the toughest spot on the line and you need to give the rookie a full season before judgement.

Moving on, RG Brandon Moore got a nice shout-out from Bad Dog, “He’s a tough kid. He’s making some blocks,,” as well as a nice shout out for your very own blogger’s little “Mangenius” cartoon from last week’s entry. Though Bad Dog goes on to say that Mangini had a “bit of a brain concussion today,” especially as to the 4th-and-inches call that went all wrong. Bad Pup agrees and feels that the type of on-the-edge coaching that got the Jets so far this year was not on display today. Not having faith that your team can move that ball a foot does not send a strong sign of confidence. Bad Dog was also a little displeased that he’d given Marty Shotenheimer, the Jets’ offensive coordinator, such glowing pre-game commentary.

Next up, a closer look at the box scores. Bad Dog starts with LB John Vilma who was good for only a single tackle, even though Bad Dog thinks he is a fine player. The blame, he proffers, falls at the feet of the Man-genius for not using him properly. Vilma’s got to be involved or be yanked. Something has to change.

Bad Pup takes a look at total plays run and finds the Bills ran 52 while the Jets ran 70. The reason for the discrepancy is that the defense got burned for a couple of very big plays and the offense coughed up the ball in their own territory twice. Not exactly how you win games.

Both Dogs wanted to know how a supposedly injured Willis McGahee was able to run the ball so well against the Jets.

There was a bit of a disagreement over who to blame for the Bills’ Lee Evans’ big grab. Bad Pup feels David Barrett simply got burned on the double-pump while Bad Dog thinks some of the blame should lay with Kerry Rhodes for not backing up Barrett properly. Both agree that Rhodes is having a Pro-Bowl year.

Even with the loss, Bad Pup had some biscuits to hand out to Hobson for his 2 sacks, Thomas for his sack and general hard play and Justin Miller for all-around solid play. Bad Dog didn’t argue and even credited Justin Miller for his return game.

All in all, it was poor execution on all fronts and it lead Bad Dog to make a dire pronouncement – the Jets will NOT make the playoffs! Though Bad Pup thinks he’s being too grim and is holding out some hope for a wild card. Bad Pup gives her Jets fans some much-needed therapy as she paints a little silver trim around a rather grey cloud.

We’ll find out one way or the other next week in Minnesota.

Winning in December

You’d think the approaching of the holidays and the New York Jets absolute creaming of the Green Bay Packers would be enough to put Bad Dog in a good mood but…

Bad Pup tries to start things off right, singing the praises of a great win at a time when seasons can be made or broken – the cruel month of December. But before she can even get rolling the Bad Dog is growling.

“I’m asking the Jets to stop playing like this.” Why?! Because who needs NYJetsTherapy when you’re a winner! Bad Pup went through her usual pre-game ritual consumption of antacids and anti-anxiety meds all for nothing. Bad Dog is so upset over his lack of reasons to be upset that he actually calls for the firing of Mangini, “he’s too smart, he’s too good, he’s a genius!”

So, onto the player of the game and the winner is Cedric Huston and Bad Dog is quick to take the credit for having sung his praises all season long. Bad Dog is so sure of Huston he doesn’t think the team will need to pick up any backs in the off-season.

Bad Pup, as seems to be a trend, is quick to credit the Jets’ fine offensive line for setting Huston up.

Some finger-wagging at the Packer’s AJ Hawk for celebrating a bit too soon after his first tackle of the game, though it seems like the Jets shut him up pretty well soon after.

Back on the love-train, Pennington is cited for his strong contributions and for finding eight different receivers during the course of the game. Cotchery is also singled out, as is Coles, Smith and Baker – who Bad Pup is sad to have left on her fantasy teams’ reserve list.

And after weeks of pounding by the Bad Dog has to give Dyson credit for making the interception, though it was faint praise at best. Even more shocking, he struggles to come up with anything negative to say about the zebras.

So, with Bad Dog at a loss for complaints, Bad Pup tells us what made her happy. Just before the half, up over four possessions, the Jets took the ball into a true 2-minute offense – playing to win, not to just hold on.

With things going so well for the Jets, our poor therapists are left to pick on those outside the usual circle and they landed on Seattle Seahawks’ coach Mike Holmgren. Bad Dog, commenting on the teams five false starts asked, “Where does he coach from, the beer hall?”

After a brief return to praising the Jets defense and lacking anything left to be upset about the Dogs look ahead and see the Bills up next – not the toughest team in the world but they strike me as spoilers and Bad Dog agrees with me…